Our History
The Kouba Gallery, founded by volunteers of the Minnesota Valley Chapter of the Izaak Walton League, celebrates art inspired by nature and conservation. More than just an exhibition space, it’s a gathering place that sparks wonder and fresh perspectives.
Since January 2022, we’ve hosted monthly curated shows featuring painters, photographers, sculptors, and more. Our monthly open houses have become vibrant community events with live music, performances, and creative connections.
Our gallery is run entirely by a group of volunteers: the Kouba Committee! We love art. We love nature. And we love to share our wonderful space.
The Kouba Committee
Join Our Community
Here at the Kouba Gallery, we are always looking for more hands involved in our gallery—whether they create or appreciate!
Our artists keep our gallery alive, allowing the space and the art displayed in it to flourish. A curator’s creative eye is part of that integral process, and we look forward to seeing a vision come to life.
Click below and envision yourself at our next show!
Why Les Kouba?
Dean of Wildlife Art
Les Kouba—or Leslie Carl Kouba—was a world-famous wildlife painter, best known for some of the most popular Duck Stamps. His painting and watercolor images popularized wildlife in the early 70s and remain a household name for wildlife and nature art aficionados. Kouba was trained locally at what is now Art Instruction School, a Minneapolis-based correspondence course.
In essence, he was a Minnesotan celebrity, often referred to as “The Dean of Minnesota’s Wildlife Artists,” “The Norman Rockwell of Wildlife Art,” and “The Mickey Mantle of Wildlife Art.”
Creator of our Beloved Print
Additionally, his signed and numbered prints and even some originals have adorned the walls of the chapter house for decades. Most were donated by members and are now cherished icons of the Kouba Gallery, presented near the refreshments table or by the entrance to the gallery.
Member of MN Valley's IWLA
It is our goal to make the site a reflection of Les Kouba’s and our values: a tribute to new artists who bring their own perspective and passion to the excellent and diverse local ecology.
Explore the human relationship with nature through art.
Contact Us
Kouba Gallery
6601 Auto Club Rd
Bloomington, MN
(952) 944-1423
Open Hours
Monthly Open House:
Second Sunday of the month at 1:00PM-4:00PM
Check calendar for special events
Request a private showing here or email appoints@koubagallery.org
2025 Kouba Gallery. All rights reserved.