Big Stone Arts Council Annual Meeting

The Big Stone Arts Council will hold an annual meeting on Tuesday, November 28, at Lingonberry’s Coffee and Pastry Shop in downtown Ortonville starting at 5:30 p.m. Specialty coffees and beverages will be available for purchase, with complementary appetizers and regular coffee and water available.

The annual meeting is a chance to reflect on the past year and to look forward to new opportunities for the coming year, and an invitation is extended to those who would consider joining the BSAC group. Besides the short business meeting, socializing is welcomed.

Members of the BSAC have been actively involved in various community activities through the past year, including Lake Days, Cornfest and the Upper Minnesota River Meander Art Crawl. This is an opportunity to celebrate the volunteer hours promoting and celebrating the arts and artists in the surrounding area.

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The Smallest Art Gallery has posted a list of 2017 Classes!

We are excited to announce that one of our local artists has purchased and renovated a building in downtown Ortonville!  She has also created a new website and posted quite a list of classes scheduled for 2017!  See the list below or click on this link for a PDF copy – Classes 2017

About Kathleen Marihart (taken from her website – www.thesmallestartgallery.com) – The first half of my life I was an elementary school teacher, then after 25 years, I went back to school and received a Masters of Education and a Reading Recovery Certificate. I have been a Reading Recovery and Guided Reading teacher since 2003. My specialty is teaching reading strategies.

In addition to having a professional life, I have been a life long artist. I have… for more, please visit her wonderful new website! (link above!)

Somewhere to Begin – A Singing Workshop & Evening Concert for all Ages!

“Somewhere to Begin” The soulful and poetic music of Sara Thomsen

When:     Saturday, May 20, 2017

Where:   Abbey of the Hills, Marvin SD

Singing workshop for all ages.  No experience needed.  Singing opens the heart and re-enchants the spirit.  Harmony brings harmony!  Sara’s teaching style is relaxed, energetic, and creates a safe atmosphere.

Schedule:

3:00 p.m.     Singing workshop

5:30 p.m.      Dinner (Taco Bar)

7:00 p.m.      Concert in the Chapel

Cost:  
$35.00    includes workshop, dinner and evening concert

$20.00    evening concert only

For Event details, click on the PDF flyer link:  Event Poster

Step 1:  Complete the registration form below.  Click SUBMIT – then go to Step 2

Registration:  You must complete this registration step for each individual.

Name(required)

Phone Number(required)

Email(required)

Registration choices:(required)

$35.00 Workshop-dinner-concert $20.00 Evening concert only

Submit

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Step 2:  Payment Options

To pay by check:  MAIL your check payable to:  Big Stone Arts Council to
BSAC/Maureen Stores
709 Lakeshore Drive
Ortonville, MN  56278
Note “Sara Thomsen tickets” in the memo.

To pay by credit card:  CLICK ON “Link to make a payment” below, then click on the secure PayPal link (highlighted in the middle of the page)  and follow directions in the DONATE form. Note “Sara Thomsen tickets” in the “Special instructions to seller” section.

(You do not have to have a PAYPAL account to use this form.)

Link to make payment

Made in Big Stone County Items Needed!

Southwest Minnesota Arts Council “Spirit of the Region” Basket Raffle project is in search of items created and locally made in Big Stone County!

 

“Cari Me” Project by Becky Stattelman

The “Cari Me” art exhibit will be held at  –

Where:  The Inadvertent Cafe in Clinton, MN
When:    Monday, August 1st
Time:     Starting at 6:30

The “Cari Me” project was inspired by the GIVING SPIRIT of Becky Stattelman’s late sister Cari.  Becky leveraged “Art” to encourage each of us to “Please step forward” by giving to local causes and to honor art as a vehicle that can make a difference.

The Big Stone Arts Council has been anticipating the opportunity to play our part. Let’s make ours a Big Step Forward! 

Congratulations Becky, on behalf of the Big Stone Arts Council.

To read the article in Make it Minnesota:

Video: Plans for the Water Plant Building

The Big Stone Arts Council has posted updates on their Facebook Page – we will now start posting regularly on our website!

This video is about our Water Plant Building project (we are working on an official name for the project).

Water Plant Artist Survey

Water Plant Project Individual Artist Survey 2014-15

As we move forward with our vision for the water plant building it is critical to have specific input from our artists. Our goal is to have this space first serve artists but also stand as a hub for connecting community. The versatility of this space will strengthen sustainability.

Please give some thought to the questions on the attached survey and give us your input – Thank you!!

Link to Survey (PDF)  : BSAC Individual Artist Survey 

Deb Larson

Deb Larson, Visual Artist
Rusty Heron Studio
794 Highland Highway Avenue
Ortonville, MN  56278
320-839-7084
larson.deborrah@gmail.com

Education and work history:I studied a year of fine arts at the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut when I was 19, but being unclear on how I would make a living with art at that time, I took a break and entered into the workforce, eventually completing a degree in psychology. I worked with families in personal crisis as a contracted Family-based Services Provider for LQP Family Services. At that same time, I was the Director of the LQP Mentor Program that focused on children with special needs. I was honored to work directly with these youth as their 4-H club leader, a club formed specifically to meet their needs. While I found working with children and their parents gratifying, I also felt a strong pull to explore my original calling to pursue art. I continue to have an interest in working with children and adults by providing quality hands-on art experiences.

Upper Minnesota River Art Crawl

The 2013 Meander will be October 4, 5, & 6th

Link to information (website):  www.artsmeander.com

The award winning Meander is a free self-guided tour of artist studios featuring many local artists from the Upper Minnesota River Valley. The Meander is a great “trip on a tank full” for those seeking authentic culture, history and scenic vistas. The event is about welcoming people and being connected to the local history, culture and landscape. We encourage visitors to visit artists in their own environment who celebrate a lifestyle that represents the small, handmade, personal and local culture of the area.

This event has more than 33 individual studios in and near the Western Minnesota Communities of Ortonville, Appleton, Madison, Milan, Dawson, Montevideo and Granite Falls.

This year the Meander brochure features artwork from our very own Don Sherman!

Carol J. Larson

Carol is an artist, author and physician. In 2010 she retired from the practice of medicine to pursue full time her keen interest in art and writing. As an artist, Carol paints both watercolors and acrylics and is inspired by vintage objects. “Nothing gives me greater pleasure than roaming the back roads and byways of South Dakota and western Minnesota looking for old rusty objects. Sometimes these gems are hidden amongst overgrown weeds in an abandoned farmyard or are sitting on a dusty shelf in a small town antique shop. When they evoke a strong emotional response from me, it is time to pick up a paintbrush and bring out their beauty once more.”