Nancy founded Art & Soul Gallery to give local artists a place to show and sell their work — and she's been the creative heartbeat of the gallery ever since. A self-taught artist originally from South Minneapolis, she has lived in Ely for more than 25 years, drawing deep inspiration from the region's natural beauty, history, and community. Her work captures fleeting moments and the stories of people and places. Beyond the canvas, Nancy has illustrated several children's books, painted five murals around Ely with more in the works, authored three books about kayaking the Mississippi River, and has been a professional snow sculptor at the Ely Winter Festival since 2001. She co-owned the Front Porch Coffee & Tea Company in Ely for seventeen years, weaving creativity and connection into the heart of the community.