Ann Bancroft Foundation Helps Aurora Gallagher (Visual Arts 2026) Pursue Once-in-a-Lifetime Arctic Journey

January 9, 2026

For Aurora Gallagher (Visual Arts 2026), art, adventure, and a deep connection to the natural world are all part of the same creative practice. Aurora gravitates toward hands-on, process-driven work. Screen printing, ceramics, and acrylic painting are among her favorite mediums, all forms that balance experimentation with tangible results. “It’s easy to learn and very rewarding,” she says of printmaking, “but you can also expand your abilities a lot.” That curiosity and willingness to push further shows up in every part of her life, both in and out of the studio.

Aurora Gallagher (Visual Arts 2026) paddles the Bloodvein River in Manitoba, Canada

This summer, Aurora will embark on a once-in-a-lifetime experience: a 50-day canoe expedition in the Canadian Arctic, traveling remote rivers accessible only by plane. The journey, run through YMCA Camp Menogyn, will include more than 40 days on trail, with participants carrying all their food and supplies for the duration of the trip. For Aurora, who has spent the last five summers building skills through progressively longer wilderness trips, this Arctic expedition marks a meaningful milestone.

What excites her most isn’t just the scale of the adventure, it’s the mindset it requires. Life on the river, she explains, simplifies everything. “The stuff that you have on your back is really all that you need to worry about,” Aurora says. Being immersed in nature for weeks at a time fosters close-knit community, resilience, and reflection. “The only things you can control are the things you bring with you. The weather is out of your control, and that’s okay.”

Aurora’s ability to embrace challenge and uncertainty was recognized this fall when she received a $1,000 grant from the Ann Bancroft Foundation, which supports Minnesota girls and gender-expansive youth in grades K-12 in pursuing their dreams and imagining something bigger through grants, mentorship, and ongoing development opportunities. The grant helps offset a significant cost of the expedition and affirms Aurora’s commitment to growth, exploration, and self-discovery.

“I was super, super happy,” she says of receiving the award. “I wasn’t 100 percent sure I would get it, so I’m really grateful.” Combined with summer work and fundraising, the grant brought Aurora within reach of her goal and made the Arctic trip possible.

Aurora Gallagher (Visual Arts 2026) in the waters of Lake Superior, Minnesota

Looking ahead, Aurora plans to graduate from Perpich in 2026 before continuing her journey outdoors, possibly working with the U.S. Forest Service in the Boundary Waters during a gap year. She hopes to attend The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington, where she plans to study environmental science and environmental studies. She’s also dreaming of traveling through South America, volunteering on organic farms through the WWOOF (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms) program, and continuing to learn from the land and the people she meets.

Whether she’s screen printing in the studio or paddling through Arctic rivers, Aurora approaches every experience with intention, curiosity, and care. Her story reflects the spirit of Perpich students; creative, courageous, and ready to explore what lies beyond the horizon.

Aurora Gallagher is from Grand Marais, MN and is the child of Jackie Dillenbeck and Ian Gallagher. She previously attended Cook County Senior High in Grand Marais, MN.

Since 1922, Camp Menogyn has been providing transformative wilderness experiences for youth. Only accessible by water, Menogyn is uniquely situated on the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness on West Bearskin Lake. Menogyn’s primary focus is backcountry outdoor adventures and teens. In the summer, we provide canoeing and backpacking trips throughout North America for teens ages 12–18. These trips range in length from five to fifty days long! During the school year we work with high schools, colleges, partner groups, family camps, affinity groups, and more in retreat-style programming to facilitate outdoor adventures and community building.