Staff photo by Fritz Busch The Grand Center for Arts & Culture Executive Director John Kellen holds photos he took of a Dakota Riders pony and teepee being constructed at the Jeffers Petroglyphs historic site in December. The photos and others he has taken are part of his “Rural Reflections” art show that opens Friday, Jan. 17 at The Grand. A reception begins at 6:30 p.m. in the 4 Pillars Gallery.

NEW ULM — “Rural Reflections,” an art show with 25 photographs of a variety of subjects opens Friday at The Grand Center for Arts & Culture, 210 N. Minnesota Street.

“It’s a metaphor for reflecting back on my return to sense of place,” said featured artist John Kellen, The Grand’s executive director.

“I grew up in west central Minnesota. After living in Arizona for 30 years and working in international business development, academia and non-profit leadership, I moved back to care for my aging parents. It opened up a whole new opportunity for me to pursue my artistic and creative endeavors. It’s a sense of reinventing myself as an artist, photographer, writer and emerging filmmaker,” said Kellen.

Calling himself a lifelong learner, Kellen has visited 60 countries. His favorite countries include Australia, Thailand, Indonesia, Greece and Germany. He said the 75 Minnesota state parks he visited are among the most beautiful places on earth.

“There are many places to explore around the world. At the same time, there is beauty right around the corner. All you need to do is take a moment and observe your surroundings,” said Kellen.

A number of his show photos are of nature.

“I love sunrises and sunsets. I’m always braking for them and taking photos, especially if I’m near water, ice or windows, for reflections,” he said.

Kellen’s interests include the U.S. Dakota War of 1862, Native American pow wows and horseback rides from South Dakota to Minnesota.

“I love music and all forms of art — painting, sculpture, theater. My photos reflect on my journey, growing up in Minnesota and returning to take care of my mom and dad. You start looking at your own mortality through the eyes of your aging parents. I hadn’t pursued my photography until I moved back here six years ago,” Kellen said.

He said his art interest connected him to become The Grand executive director a year ago. Kellen said the job enabled him to combine his business experience and skill sets with his creative side.

Kellen said he’s positively impressed with what he’s found in New Ulm including connecting with the New Ulm Area Chamber of Commerce Downtown Action Team.

“I see people really taking pride in their community in the work they do, raising the quality of life. There is so much rich history here. My intention is to build on it,” he said.

Kellen said he’s been working on his photography on the third floor of The Grand but his show in the 4 Pillars Gallery is his first public show in New Ulm. A reception opens on the second floor at 6:30 p.m. The show continues through Feb. 14.

On ground level, The Grand Kabaret features A Tribute to the Music of Dylan & Prine with Crista Bohlmann, Ben Scruggs, Kaleb Braun Schulz and Mark Braun from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Friday.

For more information, visit thegrandnewulm.org.