The next presentation of the Dorothy Godtland Lecture Series will be “Creativity, love and soul” by Holly Karsjens. This presentation will be from 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Albert Lea Art Center, 226 W. Clark St. This event is free and open to the public.  Doors open at 6 p.m.

Karsjens, 29, lives in rural Albert Lea with her husband, Brian, and their two dogs. ​She grew up in rural Alden and graduated from Alden-Conger High School. She purchased the building at 115 N. Newton Ave. in July 2015 and created The Meraki Studios​, a space​ to empower the arts in the community.

She teaches dance​ (hip hop, tap and creative movement for preschool age)​ and has her own professional photography business. She has danced since she was 7 years old and started photography officially in 2012. She specializes in weddings and boudoir.​ ​

She makes the community a pillar in her daily life and serves on the local United Way Board and numerous community event groups such as Wind Down Wednesday, Autumn Blaze and The Big Freeze. She was recently chosen for the Albert Lea Tribune’s “Citizen of The Year.” She strives to be part of positive change.