Artwork by Kara Jelinek & Tobias Zikmund
Oct 13 - Nov 14, 2026
Reception: Sat, Nov 7, 4-6 PM
New York Mills Regional Cultural Center presents Pinprick: Kara Jelinek + Tobias Zikmund, featuring the work of two artists currently practicing in Fargo, North Dakota. On view from October 13 through November 14, 2026. A special artist reception will take place on Saturday, November 7, from 4-6 PM. Free to attend and open to all!
Working across textiles, painting, sculpture, and other forms, Kara Jelinek and Tobias Zikmund transform familiar materials and processes into unexpected forms. Their work explores connections between material, place, memory, identity, and the natural world.
About Kara Jelinek
Nebraska-born textile artist Kara Jelinek taught herself to tuft in 2021 and has since developed Soft Spot, a creative project centered on rugs and sculptural textiles. Her practice explores the relationship between physical and emotional softness, function and durability, and the ways she connects her identity to the natural world, memories both lived and passed down, and objects of devotion.
For Pinprick, Jelinek will present a selection of tufted works in both shaped and rectangular forms.
About Tobias Zikmund
Painter and public artist Tobias Zikmund grew up on a pig farm near Pisek, North Dakota, and studied painting and art history at Minnesota State University Moorhead. His work often examines the agricultural landscape of northeast North Dakota through satellite imagery, drawing attention to the scale of human intervention and to spaces where the landscape resists imposed order.
Zikmund has a history with New York Mills Regional Cultural Center. In November 2025, he participated as an Artist in Residence through the Cultural Center’s Arts Retreat program. His work has also been featured in New York Mills through Cloud Coverage, a temporary public art installation of five large, quilt-inspired banners displayed at public locations throughout the community.
For Pinprick, Zikmund is debuting new work that expands his practice into sewing and other forms. His contribution is expected to include an 8-by-8-foot quilt top, three 1-by-8-foot quilt-like banners, and approximately six to eight paintings, sculptures, and objects.
Together, Jelinek and Zikmund offer distinct approaches to the ways materials can carry ideas about place, memory, identity, and the natural world. Pinprick invites viewers to look closely at the details, textures, gestures, and processes that can open into something larger.
Artist Reception
The public is invited to meet Kara and Tobias during a free Artist Reception on Saturday, November 7, from 4-6 PM at the New York Mills Regional Cultural Center. Visitors will have the opportunity to learn more about the inspiration behind the exhibition, visit with the artists, and enjoy light refreshments.
Visit the Gallery
Location: New York Mills Regional Cultural Center, New York Mills, MN
Exhibition Dates: October 13 - November 14, 2026
Please note: Construction has begun! The Cultural Center will remain open during construction of our Cultivating Community Capital Campaign, making this a unique opportunity to experience our programming while seeing exciting improvements underway. During construction, we ask for your patience as one of our two entrances may be unavailable. An accessible entrance will always be available, and event signage will help guide visitors. Please contact us at 218-385-3339 with any accessibility requests or questions.
Gallery Hours:
- Tuesday: 10 am – 5 pm
- Wednesday: 10 am – 7 pm
- Thursday: 10 am – 7 pm
- Friday: 10 am – 5 pm
- Saturday: 10 am – 3 pm
Closed Sundays & Mondays; contact info@kulcher.org for private tours at other times.
The NYMRCC Gallery is always free to visit and open to all, thanks to the generous support of members and donors.
For more information, visit www.kulcher.org or contact Megan Shirley-Ross, Artistic Director, at 218-385-3339 or megan@kulcher.org.
Questions? Call the Cultural Center at 218-385-3339 or email info@kulcher.org.
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This activity is made possible in part by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.
