Public Art: The Permanent Collection of Landmark Center

Landmark Center is undisputedly an architectural work of art – inside and out. Since its reopening in 1978 as a cultural center, it has acquired an impressive collection of art that is on display for the public viewing, at no cost to visitors. Each week, will be adding another piece from our collection to this website, along with links to learn more about the artists, the art forms, and art projects that will allow you to create your own art in the spirit of these amazing artists.

“Moon Garden Phoenix”

Assemblage Sculpture by Louise Nevelson

Create your own assemblage piece from items you can find around your home. Did you clean out a drawer or two while home this spring? Put those random items to use in a 2020 commemorative art installation for your home.

Watch “Art with Trista” to make your own assemblage sculpture! Supplies needed:

  • Table covering or tarp to protect your surface
  • A piece of cardboard
  • Random household items of varying shapes and sizes (dried pasta works, too!)
  • Glue (liquid)
  • Acrylic paint (brush or spray)

Take a photo of your art and post it to our Instagram page at #LCgoesremote.


About the Art Form

The word automata (the plural of automaton) derives from the greek word autouata, which means “acting of one’s own will”. An automaton generally refers to a moving, mechanical device, usually constructed to look like a human or animal figure. Automatons are built to give the illusion of acting as if by their own power, despite being comprised of only mechanical systems. Automata creates art that reflects life in both form and movement. In order to create such pieces, artists use a wide range of skill sets to include, but not limited to, engineering, carving, woodworking, sewing, metalsmithing and much more. The artist captures the essence of movement in every piece.

About the Artist

Click to learn more about Cecilia Schiller.

Make Your Own Automata Bird!

Click here for your instructions. Click here for your pattern. Take a photo of your art and post it to our Instagram page at #LCgoesremote.

Supplies needed: 1 wire-hinged clothes pin Small drill bit to make very small holes in clothespin Cardstock paper or construction paper to copy wing pattern on. 3 large paperclips Small amount of white glue Printer to print wing pattern


Try making a mobile of your own. This mobile craft is comprised of paper hearts. Write on the hearts things you love and are thankful for about your home, family, and community. Share with us what you made at #LCGoesRemote 

Click to learn more about Anna Metcalfe

Make your own mobile sculpture of hearts! Take a photo of your art and post it to our Instagram page at #LCgoesremote.


About the Artist:

Judd Nelson grew up in Minnesota and loves being outdoors observing wildlife and the land where they live. He started welding in a high school art class at age 15; two years later he had his own set of welding tanks. At age 17 he was accepted into his first juried show at the Minnesota Sate Fair. He holds an art education degree from the University of Minnesota with a major emphasis on metal sculpture. He taught art on a Sioux Indian Reservation in South Dakota and later in the public schools of Boise, Idaho. He still enjoys teaching and continues to teach metal workshops at the Minnetonka Center for the Arts and for the Art Colony in Grand Marais. To learn more about Judd Nelson, and see his work, visit his website.

Make your own metal sculpture! Click on this link to learn how: Craft a Garden Lantern!

Materials: a tin can of any size; sand; a medium nail; hammer; design template (such as a leaf, as demonstrated, or other natural design); spray paint (your choice of color); candle

Take a photo of your art and post it to our Instagram page at #LCgoesremote.

Photo: WikiHow


About the art form: Graffiti – or Street – Art

One of the most radical contemporary art movements, “graffiti art” (also called “Street Art“, “Spraycan Art“, “Subway Art” or “Aerosol Art“) commonly refers to decorative imagery applied by paint or other means usually to buildings, public transport or other property including traditional artistic surface such as canvas, wood panel and metal. The term essentially describes the post-1960s craze for decorating/defacing the urban environment through the use of aerosol spray paint and markers. – Encyclopedia of Fine Art

Express yourself! Make your own graffiti “street” art! Take a photo of your art and post it to our Instagram page at #LCgoesremote.

Younger children: Make a large sidewalk chalk drawing on your sidewalk or driveway. Use as many colors as you like. Can you make it convey a picture or message of positivity?

Older kids and Adults: Click on this website to get plenty of fun ideas about how you can use Graffiti Art to express yourself! Try one…try them all!


About the artist: To learn more about Leah Yellowbird, and to see more of her incredible work, visit her Facebook page.

About her art form: Leah’s art form is called “Pointillism” and many famous artists have used this style. Leah’s is a bit different, however, as she has used her paints to pay tribute to the beautiful, intricate bead art of her Native traditions. On her Facebook page, you will see some of her breathtaking bead art. When you look at her “paint beads” and her real bead art – can you tell the difference?

You try it! We found a great YouTube video that demonstrates how adults and children can create art like Leah’s using materials from around your home: a smooth rock, some cotton swabs, a pencil, and paints of various colors. Once you get the hang of it – you’ll be painting “beads” like Leah Yellowbird. Have fun! Take a photo of your art and post it to our Instagram page at #LCgoesremote.


To learn more about Bill Hosko, visit his website: http://www.billhosko.com/

You try it! Oil painting is more forgiving than you think. Click on this fun, informative tutorial to get you started on your creative journey. Remember: there is no single, correct way to portray an image. Bill has captured a mood and a single moment, and did not try to paint a “photo-like” reproduction. The beauty of painted art is that everyone’s art is different, and becomes ‘art’ simply in its creation. You can do this! The video provides a list of basic supplies. Have a pen handy to write them down. Take a photo of your masterpiece and post it to #LCgoesremote.


WHAT IS A DIORAMA? The modern use of the word diorama (pro: dye-o-rahma) refers to a three-dimensional full-size or miniature model of a scene. They are often very large and are commonly seen in museums enclosed in a glass. Dioramas are often built by hobbyists and school children to depict a scene from history, nature, or other scenario.

YOU TRY IT! You can make your own diorama at home, very easily. You don’t have to use figurines, and such, you can “furnish” your scene with objects found in nature, such as shells, acorns, etc., or items in your home such as buttons, pasta and more. It all depends on what you envision. Click HERE to see a step-by-step demonstration. Take a photo of your diorama and post it to #LCgoesremote.

KIDS KREATE! Click HERE to see some fun videos of diorama demonstrations and pictures of them for kids to try from the “Artful Parent” website Take a photo of your diorama and post it to #LCgoesremote.


YOU TRY IT! Merry DeCourcy paints in oils, which some find a bit more challenging, but we have found A great YouTube tutorial video that will increase your confidence whether you are a beginner, or more advanced artist. CLICK HERE. (NOTE: the video will take you off this website and open into another.) So don’t be shy! Play with colors and textures – you CAN do this! Paint your masterpiece and take a photo – then share it with us at #LCgoesremote.


YOU TRY IT! While bronze alloys are not likely to be in your kitchen drawer, you can try your hand at sculpting with metal using the tin foil in that same drawer! CLICK HERE to learn how to sculpt a tortoise using foil, a hot glue gun, and your hands! Show us your masterpiece at #LCgoesremote.


Hear It! Listen to the elements of soundbeam and take the quiz.

You Try It! Go into your backyard, your living room, or a park, sit with your eyes closed and listen, for 3-5 minutes, to all of the different layers of sound. All together they form our normal background noise, but when you take a moment to focus and listen to all the different sounds happening at the same time you can visualize how the layers come together. Birds chirping, traffic, lawn care equipment noises. The hum of the freezer, your family talking, the tv or radio, the vacuum, etc.