Heartland Portraits – About Heartland Lakes

Deep in the Northwoods of Minnesota lies the Heartland Lakes—a remarkable region stretching from Osage to Akeley, and from Itasca State Park to Menahga. This landscape includes Park Rapids, Nevis, Dorset, Lake George, and all the places in between. It is within this geography—shaped by water, forest, and seasons—that Heartland Portraits finds its roots. When you visit the Heartland Lakes, you connect not only with nature, but with family, tradition, and the people who call this place home.

At the heart of the region is Itasca State Park, home to the headwaters of the Mississippi River. Just beyond the park, the Heartland Trail—one of the first rail-to-trail systems in the United States—winds through forests and communities, linking towns and lives along its path. These shared spaces—where people walk, ride, work, and gather—are the connective tissue of the region and the quiet backdrops to many of the stories explored in Heartland Portraits.


A black and white panoramic landscape of a serene lake with scattered boulders and a lone pine tree silhouetted against the sky.
A serene black and white forest path lined with tall trees and fallen autumn leaves creates a tranquil woodland scene.
A series of black and white photographs showing grain elevators and agricultural storage facilities against cloudy skies.
A black and white panoramic sequence showing a large white statue among tall pine trees against a dark sky.
Black and white street scene showing a water tower and intersection with street signs in a suburban area.
A dramatic black and white panoramic landscape shows a lake at sunset with reeds in the foreground and clouds above.
A panoramic black and white view of vintage storefronts and buildings along a small town main street.
Black and white panoramic landscape of pine trees and signage along a rural road.
Black and white macro photograph of a tulip flower opening in stages shows delicate petal details and textures.
Black and white photograph shows a vintage car parked in front of a rustic cabin in a wooded setting.
Black and white panoramic view of retro commercial buildings and gas stations along a rural highway.
A sequence of black and white skateboarding photos showing tricks being performed on concrete steps and ledges.
A dramatic black and white panorama shows multiple wooden docks stretching into a tranquil lake under moody skies.
A row of evergreen trees stands silhouetted against a light gray winter sky in a minimalist landscape.
A dramatic black and white photograph of a long wooden boardwalk stretching into the distance under moody storm clouds.

Heartland Lakes


Summer in the Heartland Lakes unfolds at an unhurried pace. Days are spent at lakeside resorts, fishing at dawn, hiking shaded trails, kayaking calm waters, and biking miles of scenic paths. This season reveals the rhythms of daily life—work, rest, and recreation balanced by the land itself. As autumn arrives, the air cools and the forests ignite with vibrant yellows, reds, and oranges, making the region one of the country’s most striking places to experience fall.

Winter transforms the Heartland Lakes into a quiet, resilient landscape. Ice fishing from castles in the middle of frozen lakes, snowshoeing through silent forests, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling along the Heartland Trail all speak to endurance and adaptation—qualities deeply embedded in the people of this region. In spring, as the snow melts and the lakes open, the land and its communities reawaken. It is a season of renewal, mirroring the ongoing evolution of the individual artists and stories captured through Heartland Portraits.

Throughout the year, the culture of the Heartland Lakes comes into focus. Museums, art exhibitions, galleries, and studios preserve local history and creative expression. Hand-crafted goods, unique antiques, and locally owned restaurants reflect pride in place and purpose. Festivals and community gatherings bring people together, reinforcing the strong social fabric that defines this region—and provides the foundation for the portraits themselves.


What defines the Heartland Lakes goes beyond scenery; it lives in its people:

  • Pristine Lakes – Some of the cleanest, clearest waters in Minnesota, shaping both livelihood and leisure.
  • Intention – People are drawn here deliberately, seeking a meaningful connection to land and community.
  • The Arts – I speak for myself, but the artists and arts institutions are top-notch.
  • Family & Tradition – Lifelong ties formed through generations who grew up here or returned year after year.
  • Access to the Outdoors – Fishing, hiking, biking, motorsports, and moments of quiet reflection are never far away.
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Heartland Portraits is rooted in this place—not just as a setting, but as a living, breathing presence. The Heartland Lakes is more than a destination; it is a way of life,  a great place to create art and the people who inhabit it are its truest reflection.


Heartland Portraits

By Jeremy Simonson


With the support of a Creative Individuals grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, I’m launching Heartland Portraits—a photographic project that documents the lives, stories, and creative spaces of culture bearers and artisans in the Heartland Lakes region of Minnesota.


Jeremy Simonson is a fiscal year 2025 recipient of a Creative Individuals grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

A row of colorful organizational logos including arts, water, and state boards displayed in a horizontal banner format.