Pope Art

Pope Art is a non-profit gallery of fine and performing arts. Our program features regional fine art and music nearly every summer weekend.

At the end of the 2009 season, Bob & Loene Bowlin made a fundraising challenge to Pope Art. They have pledged to match contributions dollar for dollar up to $1000. This is great news for all of our patrons as patron support leverages additional grant funds. And of course it makes a more dynamic season possible in 2010! Please join Bob & Loene in kicking off another great year at Pope Art. The history of Pope Art and how it became a gallery is a unique one. Pope Art, a non-profit corporation, is located in the former Bethany Lutheran Church, once located southwest of Starbuck. Realizing the opportunity to fulfill a dream from student days at Moorhead State University, Merlin Peterson purchased the building at public auction in 1995 and moved it to Village Square Drive in Terrace two years later. Among the improvements since 1995, Peterson has built a basement under the structure, repainted inside and out and has done extensive landscaping, including a terraced flower garden. A self-proclaimed scavenger, Peterson has been very successful in locating items for eventual use at Pope Art. The two largest items are a baby grand piano from Glenwood's Lakeside Ballroom and a large church pump organ found at a Lake Scandi summer cabin. The Pope Art gallery opens each June for a summer season of art and weekly performances. With the help of good friends and arts supporters, Peterson has a pleasant concert setting for 50-75 concert-goers.