Our Artists
Our artists bring unique perspectives, experiences, and creative voices to the Cogelow Art Center. While their styles and mediums may differ, they share a passion for meaningful work, thoughtful expression, and the power of art to create connection and inspire community.
Fredric (Fred) Cogelow
With a vision for building something meaningful, our founder brings a blend of big-picture thinking and hands-on experience. Fred is regarded as one of North America’s finest (foremost) woodcarvers, who has spent more than five decades transforming wood into works of extraordinary artistry, storytelling, and craftsmanship.
Jesse Garcia
Jesse is a Willmar-based photographer whose passion for photography began with his first digital camera. Inspired by family, nature, and meaningful moments, he finds joy in capturing images that preserve memories and allow special moments to be experienced again and again.
Photographer
Mary La Patka
Mary La Patka is a watercolor botanical artist whose detailed paintings celebrate the beauty of the natural world. A Minnesota artist and recipient of multiple arts grants, Mary’s work has been exhibited throughout the Upper Midwest and featured in private and public collections.
Watercolor Botanical Artist
Wildlife ArtistShalese Sands
Shalese Sands is an award-winning wildlife artist and Master Scratchboard Artist specializing in scratchboard, paintings, and drawings. Her work is inspired by a lifelong love of wildlife and experiences exploring some of the world’s most remarkable wild places.
ArtistAna Serrano
Ana Serrano, an artist based in Willmar, Minnesota, graduated from Ridgewater College in 2018 with an Associate of Arts degree in Liberal Arts. Her paintings, which predominantly feature animals, are known for their playful and humorous nature.