Here is Grace Nelson with one of her paintings.

The city of Blue Earth has a rising painter in its midst. Grace Nelson may only be in fifth grade at Blue Earth Area Elementary School, but that has not stopped her from hosting her own art gallery show at Blue Earth’s Giant Welcome Center.

This aspiring artist said her parents, Nate and Jaymee Nelson, along with some greater influence from her uncle, Mat Willner, encouraged her to bring her temporary gallery to Blue Earth. Grace says she began her more serious work two years ago in her third grade art class. It was there that she says she became inspired to paint and draw.

Grace says her favorite mediums to work with, currently, are acrylic paints, clay, and graphite pencil.

“I like to do more of my simplistic drawings with pencil. That’s where I can really experiment with my ideas and be able to use my imagination more,” says Grace. “I like to think of things and compare them to other things then I use my imagination to draw or paint it. Sometimes I think of funny things, but sometimes I just look around to get ideas.”

Some of Grace’s highlighted pieces include a silhouette of a tree line above a starry sky, and a silhouetted sailboat against a backsplash of a brightly-colored lake at twilight.

But how did Grace become so intrigued by art and art displays? That is where her Uncle Mat comes in.

“My uncle took me to art shows around our area and he showed me that all of the artists in the art gallery were from places I knew,” she says. “He said, ‘see, if they can do it, you can do it, too’ and he said I should do my own art gallery. And I liked that idea.”

Grace’s art was on display during her open house on Saturday, March 30, from 1 to 4 p.m. Music and refreshments were provided to attending guests.

When asked what art she likes to look at and what kind of art inspires her to paint, Grace did not hesitate to mention her art teacher’s work, Sara Albright.

“I really like Miss Albright’s art. She really helps me with my own art, but she has her own style, too,” says Grace.

The artist says that it is her reasons behind her works that are more important than the paintings, drawings, and clay works themselves.

“I think everyone should make art. It helps me to relax,” says Grace. “When I’m in a bad or sad mood, it helps me to draw those emotions. I think it’s important because art gives people a chance to express their feelings without having to explain their feelings. When other people see the painting, they have their own feelings about it and it becomes like your own secret as to why you painted or drew it in the first place.”

When asked if there The city of Blue Earth has a rising painter in its midst. Grace Nelson may only be in fifth grade at Blue Earth Area Elementary School, but that has not stopped her from hosting her own art gallery show at Blue Earth’s Giant Welcome Center.

This aspiring artist said her parents, Nate and Jaymee Nelson, along with some greater influence from her uncle, Mat Willner, encouraged her to bring her temporary gallery to Blue Earth. Grace says she began her more serious work two years ago in her third grade art class. It was there that she says she became inspired to paint and draw.

Grace says her favorite mediums to work with, currently, are acrylic paints, clay, and graphite pencil.

“I like to do more of my simplistic drawings with pencil. That’s where I can really experiment with my ideas and be able to use my imagination more,” says Grace. “I like to think of things and compare them to other things then I use my imagination to draw or paint it. Sometimes I think of funny things, but sometimes I just look around to get ideas.”

Some of Grace’s highlighted pieces include a silhouette of a tree line above a starry sky, and a silhouetted sailboat against a backsplash of a brightly-colored lake at twilight.

But how did Grace become so intrigued by art and art displays? That is where her Uncle Mat comes in.

“My uncle took me to art shows around our area and he showed me that all of the artists in the art gallery were from places I knew,” she says. “He said, ‘see, if they can do it, you can do it, too’ and he said I should do my own art gallery. And I liked that idea.”

Grace’s art was on display during her open house on Saturday, March 30, from 1 to 4 p.m. Music and refreshments were provided to attending guests.

When asked what art she likes to look at and what kind of art inspires her to paint, Grace did not hesitate to mention her art teacher’s work, Sara Albright.

“I really like Miss Albright’s art. She really helps me with my own art, but she has her own style, too,” says Grace.

The artist says that it is her reasons behind her works that are more important than the paintings, drawings, and clay works themselves.

“I think everyone should make art. It helps me to relax,” says Grace. “When I’m in a bad or sad mood, it helps me to draw those emotions. I think it’s important because art gives people a chance to express their feelings without having to explain their feelings. When other people see the painting, they have their own feelings about it and it becomes like your own secret as to why you painted or drew it in the first place.”

When asked if there was enough art in her community, Grace said there is art here in Blue Earth, but there can always be more. From murals, to small Sprouts to a certain downtown art studio, Grace says there are opportunities to become your own artist virtually anywhere in Blue Earth.

“Just sit on a bench, take some quiet time to yourself and see something and get inspired to draw it or paint it,” says the young artisan. “All you are doing is expressing yourself in your own way.”

Grace’s open house will include 15 original pieces, which are mostly either paintings or drawings, but there is also at least one clay piece that will be on display as well.

Albright shared her own perspective on the young artist.

“I am always in awe of all of my student’s ability to express themselves, and Grace shows such initiative to create an open house for her own work. I would strongly encourage more local artists, of any age, to follow in Grace’s footsteps.”

And so, perhaps Blue Earth is on its way to its own Renaissance period, where art, self-expression and culture kicks into high gear. Grace Nelson, along with her art teacher, call out to other artists in the area to express themselves in masterful ways.

When asked what advice she could give to artists who may be a bit more apprehensive to share their works, this is what Grace had to say.

“Go out there, do your best and if people don’t like it, you don’t have to listen to them. Listen to the people who do like your art,” she says. “But really, it should be for you. Do it for you because you want to do it. That’s why I’m doing it.”