Lisa Ackerman grew up in a blue-collar family in rural Illinois, where she learned to make things by hand—using crayons, scrap wood, tools from the barn, or whatever materials could be found in the woods and along the railroad tracks near her home. School field trips to the Art Institute of Chicago and the Museum of Contemporary Art opened her eyes to art that lit her soul on fire.

Today, Ackerman is an artist, educator, and founder of lil fish studios in Brainerd, Minnesota. Inspired by nature, her work explores color and texture through painting, needle felting, photography, and paper collage made from monoprinted papers. A former Executive and Artistic Director of The Crossing Arts Alliance, she is a connector and advocate for the creative community. Her work has been featured in national publications and sold in venues including the Walker Art Center gift shop and Art-o-mat machines across the country. She now focuses on creating welcoming art experiences through workshops, public art, and community collaboration.

Why lil fish?

Lil fish was a nickname I picked up years ago, and it felt fitting for the small-scale, detail-driven nature of my work. When I added ‘studios,’ I did it intentionally—I’ve never seen my art practice as a solitary pursuit. I imagined a space that could hold different art forms, welcome collaboration, and connect with community. Lil fish studios reflects that spirit: a small but intentional creative presence that grows in tandem with others—other artists, students, and the community around me.