Mainspring Founder receives Fellowship

The founder and volunteer director of Caledonia’s art collaborative, Mainspring, Melissa Wray received word in August that she was selected for a two-year Rural Regenerator Fellowship through Springboard for the Arts.

The Minnesota non-profit organization has a branch in Saint Paul and one in Fergus Falls. Fergus Falls oversees the Fellowship.

According to the organization’s website, Springboard for the Arts brings together leaders in the arts in rural communities that are interested in advancing the role of art, culture, and creativity in rural development and community building.

Ten fellows were selected from Upper Midwest communities of 50,000 people or less. Fellows are chosen for their commitment to their community and the arts.

Wray explained, “You don’t apply with a project in mind. You apply more with a vision for your community. With years of experience demonstrating your commitment to your community and doing community work and showing that you want to continue your work in your community.”

The purpose of the Fellowship is for the participants to develop an arts community in their community. This is the second year; Springboard for the Arts offered the Fellowship. Wray applied in year one but was not accepted. After planting deep roots and getting to know more people in her hometown, she applied again and was accepted.

Wray describes the Fellowship, “A cohort of 10 will be meeting over the next two years. There are two retreats that we will go to. In addition, we have access to funds that will allow us to travel to each other’s communities to see what others are doing. The emphasis is on peer learning within this cohort over the next two years and building connections across other rural communities across the Midwest.”

“I have always been interested in the arts, and I grew up here in Caledonia. But when I got to college age, I did not see a lot of examples of how to work in the arts within rural communities,” shared Wray.

Wray attended college at the University of Minnesota, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing and Poetry, and in 2018, she completed her master’s in Arts & Cultural Leadership. After college, Wray worked for Northrop at the University of Minnesota, her dream job, followed by a position at the Loft Literary Center in the Twin Cities. During this time, she felt like she was being pulled back to Caledonia and finally the timing was perfect.

The Houston County Historical Society was no longer using the historic church on Main Street for storage and or the church parsonage. Wray purchased the property as she could vision the church as a performing arts center, and she would be able to live in the parsonage. Wray secured a position at Lanesboro Arts when she returned to Caledonia and in 2021 became the organization’s program director responsible for the St. Mane Theatre, public arts program, and artist residency programs.

After forming a non-profit, Mainspring offered its first community program in June 2019. Since then, Mainspring has hosted events and activities at the church including the upcoming Vintage & Makers Market on Saturday, August 22.

Mainspring’s most recent project is the colorful mural on the front of the church. The colorful mural is the work of local Caledonia artist, Jacquelline Olson.

“I believe the arts can be a way to think creatively and problem-solve creatively in any area.” shared Wray. She is interested in the connection between farming and the arts. For example, the barn quilts.

Mainspring’s plans are to purchase the church. “I’m excited to have a central pub where people interested in the art and cultural activities can come,” Wray.

“This fellowship will allow me to focus on my work here in Caledonia. I have lots of ideas but want to keep an open mind. I hope this fellowship brings something to my hometown,” shared Wray.