Holiday Hours

The Gallery will be closed from December 25, 2009 -  
January 3, 2010.  The member's show featuring Elk River Scenes & Landmarks will open on Wednesday, Jan 6.

Christmas Gifts

The Arts Alliance Gallery still has a wonderful selection of artwork and gift items to chose from.  Visit us for a more relaxed Holiday shopping experience.  We are open Wed - Sat, 11am - 5pm.  We will close at 3pm on 12/24.

Thank you Supporters and Volunteers

A great big "Thank you!" to all our artists, supporters and volunteers who assisted in so many ways during this past year.  We look forward to wonderful New Year!

Cool Christmas Gifts for Kids Only

Hurry in for this one.  From our 2009-2010 Fall & Winter Art Class Schedule

940 — Cool Christmas Gift: for Kids Only
Ages 7 through 11
There’s no more loved gift than one a child makes for a
parent, grandparent, or teacher. In this class kids will create
a box with a pop-up image of themselves. They will make
cards with good thoughts and promises of kind deeds. And
then they’ll print their own paper to wrap it all in. A great
way to encourage creativity and thoughtful gift giving in any
child.
Saturday, December 5 from 1 to 3 PM
Register by December 1
Class Fee: $17 ($15 members)
Instructor: Chris Wilson
941 — New! Seeing Through Drawing

Your kids will have a blast.

Sign up here.
Other available classes.

The Continental Ballet Performs The Nutcracker Ballet

 The Nutcracker Ballet

The Continental Ballet Performs The Nutcracker Ballet

Sunday, December 13, 20093PM at Zabee Theater

Click here for ticket information.

Visit The Continental Ballet's website www.continentalballet.com to learn more.

Elk River Landmarks Art Show Scheduled

Elk River Landmarks Art Show Scheduled

A special, non-juried member show will be held at the gallery in January/February of 2010. The theme will be: ELK RIVER LANDMARKS Choose your favorite place/subject in Elk River, and use your favorite medium to depict it.

For more information click here.

Annual Holiday Art/Gift Show

Annual Holiday Art/Gift Show

Over 30 local artists will be displaying their talents November 11 through December 24, 2009 at the Arts Alliance Gallery. Opening reception with the artists on November 21 from 2 to 5PM. Refreshments will be served. Special Holiday Hours will be 11 to 5 Wed to Sat during the Show.

For more information click here.

Members Spotlight

Cherene Bebeau

Cherene Bebeau is a free-lance artist and multi media arts instructor who has taught at area community colleges, art centers, and high school residencies for over sixteen years. Last fall (2008) she taught a week-long New England-Canadian Watercolor Cruise on Carnival Cruise Lines.

Cherene chaired the 2009 Arts in Harmony show for the Arts Alliance and is on board again for the 2010 show.

Her specialties are watercolor, collage, paper making and book arts. Her education includes an associate degree in graphic design from North Hennepin Community College, and instruction for many renowned watercolorists.

Cherene has art in collections throughout the United States and in nineteen different countries world wide.

"My teaching philosophy is to keep classes fun, non-intimidating, and to help everyone share in the joy of making art". See examples at www.leakyporch.com

Cherene Bebeau

KIRSTEN ANDERSON CLOUSE AT THE ARTS ALLIANCE GALLERY

In most of her life as an artist, the subjects of Kirsten's paintings have been her children and animals, gardening, and a few angels, which she painted in watercolor. She has lived more than half her lifetime in an old Victorian house, with endless remodeling projects, on Main Street in Elk River.

In the last decade, however, a life-changing experience with illness transformed her artistic vision and expanded her physical horizons, leading her to more adventuresome pursuits. Now she has come full-circle, and returns to Elk River at the Arts Alliance Gallery on Main Street, where she will show the results of her travels.

Family vacations to Bayfield, Wisconsin, on beautiful Lake Superior, were frequent, though all too brief. They inspired images of great land and seascapes in the manner of Winslow Homer and Thomas Moran, but were never realized until after her lengthy recovery from the debilitating disease of fibromialga. During that painful interlude, Kirsten dreamed of sea caves and the possibility of accessing them by kayak, and promised herself that she would become a more adventurous spirit in the future.

In retrospect, Kirsten now realizes that it was during this very time that her son, Taag Ebert, who was living in Seattle, began the construction of a beautiful wooden kayak, which would appear later in her art.

Losing patience with the unforgiving challenges of watercolor, Kirsten changed her focus to oil-painting and digital photography, and partook in a workshop on Madeline Island with renowned Lake Superior photographer, Craig Blacklock.

Now her own permanent part-time cabin-home in Bayfield provides Kirsten the opportunity to pursue what she believes is her calling: painting and photographing Lake Superior and the Apostle Islands, capitalizing on the many moods and seasonal splendor of the landscape.

Kirsten's paintings and photographs will be exhibited at the Arts Alliance Gallery, 716 Main Street in Elk River from September 3 to October 31, 2009. A reception to meet the artist and her son Taag will be held on Saturday, September 12, from 2 - 6 pm, with refreshments served. The wooden kayak will make it's first appearance at the reception, remaining on display for the remainder of the exhibition.

Kirsten is a graduate of Moorhead State College in Art Education, has been featured in many exhibitions, and won grand prize in the 2006 Photo Contest for LAKE SUPERIOR MAGAZINE, which can be found in the March 2007 issue. Her archival photographs and limited-edition prints are available at the Stones Throw Gallery in Bayfield, WI. Contact her at: kirstenartandphoto@msn.com. For further information on this exhibition and other gallery events, please visit our website at: http://www.elkriverart.org/ or phone (763) 441-4725.
(Submitted by Judy Meyeraan)

Not Your Grandmothers Quilt Show Update

Thank You to Jamie Kalvestran for letting us link to the Scrap-bags Blog where she has done a great job of showing quilters at the Arts Alliance Gallery with their quilts and has also shared her great photos of the opening reception!

Member Spotlight

Lisa Tetzlaff Capturing Gods Creations

Lisa Tetzlaff from Zimmerman, MN is an award winning Outdoor/Nature Photographer. For 8 years she has been capturing the beauty of Gods creatures and creations so that you to can enjoy the beauty as she sees it.

Lisa enjoys the adventure and challenges of traveling to record nature's moments in time. She says, "there is a feeling of accomplishment when I can capture a beautiful image that someone can enjoy for a lifetime".

Accomplishments:
2009 *Monticello Photo Show,
Montana Farm Sedan won first place in the open category.
New Ulm Barn won third place in the structural category.
Eagle won third place in the animal category.

Brainerd Central Lakes College Show
Lisa won 5 First Place ribbons, and 3 Second Place ribbons.

Natural Images by Lisa was born out of the creative passion to excel at her hobby and explore new ideas. She offers digital prints on her website at http://www.naturalimagesbylisa.com

She also offers her own creations of photo glass magnets and photo greeting cards for consignment or wholesale for flower shops, gift shops & Galleries. Contact Lisa for more information.

Lisa Tetzlaff Capturing Gods Creations

Not Your Grandmothers Quilt Show

The new installation at the Arts Alliance Gallery, 716 Main Street, Elk River, opening July 9, is a fascinating collection of wall quilts and quilted wearables by several local artists. Whether a quilt tells a story, or is simply a beautiful piece of art to display or wear, quilting is an art that is as alive today as it was in years past. Quilters still use hand-stitching methods as well as machines, and incorporate a variety of materials and techniques to create these truly remarkable pieces of art.

Included in this exciting new installation will be works of twelve artists: Theresa Bemis, Yvonne Curan, Nicole Hahn, Janet Harvey, Winnie Johnson, Jean Judd, Linda Poisson, Nancy Rainbolt, Bette Slag, Loretta Stacy, Cindy Wilson and Judy Wood.

A reception to meet the artists will be held July 16, from 5 to 9 p:m at the Alliance Gallery, and an informal fashion show, with the artists modeling their own pieced and quilted garments, will be held at 6 p:m during the reception.

Anne's 60-minute performance, featuring a special quilt she made in the memory of her grandmother, Marjorie Peterson, has captivated audiences throughout the United States at museums, schools, libraries and churches. The quilt tells the story of the "orphan trains" that transported children from New York and other over-populated areas to the Midwest to find new homes. These children, one of whom was Ann's grandmother Marjorie, were usually orphaned or abandoned, but others were simply put on the trains by parents hoping to send them off to a better life. In addition to piecing the quilt, Ann has written a book, They Named Me Marjorie, telling this poignant story, which will be available for sale. A book-signing and reception will follow Ann's presentation.

A quilting class with Ann Zemke will also be available at the Alliance Gallery on July 30 from 1 to 4 p:m for beginners as well as quilting enthusiasts. In addtion, a class on the creation of a quilted Great Big Bag, as seen on Ann's website (www.crocuslanequilts.com), will be given on September 23 from 9 a:m to 2 p:m at the gallery.

Please join us for these unique events, as well as viewing the quilting art, beginning July 9 through August 29, at the gallery. All information on materials and class fees is available at the Arts Alliance Gallery, (763) 441-4725.evening with quilting specialist Ann Zemke will be on Thursday, July 30, beginning at 6 p:m.

ArtSoup Juried Art Show Awards

There were lots of stars at the ArtSoup Juried Art Show. The show is being displayed at the Sherburne County Government Center until August 6, 2009. Go to Elkriverart.org for hours and location. Congratulations to the following artists who received awards:

Best of Show: Mark Haglund, "Lake Dieann"
1st Place: Julie Aronson Dehnel,"Celebration"
2nd Place: Mae Spencer "Going in Circles"
3rd Place: Jim Powell, "Lotus Lamp"

Merits: Anne Bodnar, "Gold Tree"
Lisa Tetzlaff, "Purple Clematis"
Leny Wendell, "Two Guatemalan Girls"
Sarah Reuter, "Dorthy Icon"
Aaron Tafoya, "Glacier Glass"
Michelle Vasaas, "Daniel San"
Cherene Bebeau, "Illusion of Mrs. Mior"
Joan Ruprecht, "Dance of the Gypsy"
Frieda Bruck, "At the Start"

ArtSoup Medallion Hunt Clue 3

Clue 1: Look away from the water. Christmas is the best time of year.

Clue 2: Judges will "go there" to confer with attorneys.

Clue 3: Look for the Barbara Streisand tree.

Good Hunting!

Art Soup Medallion Hunt Clue 2

1. Look away from the water. Christmas is the best time of year.

2. Judges will "go there" to confer with attorneys.

Please check previous blogs for rules of the hunt! Good Hunting!

ArtSoup Medallion Hunt Clue 1

1. Look away from the water. Christmas is the best time of year.

Buy an ArtSoup Button.
Find the Medallion Take home $100!!

DETAILS; BUY your button at First National Bank, downtown and across from the old Target, at Coborns in Elk River, and at the Arts Alliance, for $2 each.

Clues will be posted here, where the buttons are sold, and on the Elk River Chamber of Commerce Web site, (elkriverchamber.org).

The medallion will be hidden within the city limits. You will not have to climb, swim, dig, chop, saw, or do anything dangerous. Just decipher the clues and search.

New Clues will be posted daily starting Monday, June 15, 2009.

If you have your button on you when you find the medallion, you will win $100. Otherwise you will receive a $25.00 Arts Alliance Voucher.

When you find the medallion, contact the Elk River Lions at 763-633-1505.

ArtSoup Medallion Hunt

The Elk River Lions are sponsoring a medallion hunt during ArtSoup.

Buy an ArtSoup Button

Find the Medallion

Take home $100!!

DETAILS; BUY your button at First National Bank, downtown and across from the old Target, at Coborns in Elk River, and at the Arts Alliance, for $2 each.

Clues will be posted here, where the buttons are sold, and on the Elk River Chamber of Commerce Web site, (elkriverchamber.org).

The medallion will be hidden within the city limits. You will not have to climb, swim, dig, chop, saw, or do anything dangerous. Just decipher the clues and search.

New Clues will be posted daily starting Monday, June 15, 2009.

If you have your button on you when you find the medallion, you will win $100. Otherwise you will receive a $25.00 Arts Alliance Voucher.

When you find the medallion, contact the Elk River Lions at 763-633-1505.

Save the Date for ArtSoup June 20th, 2009

ArtSoup is coming to Downtown Elk River Saturday June 20th. This is the 6th time that the Arts Alliance has entertained the residents of Elk River and the surrounding areas with a full day of Art. This years event will be held for one day and promises to be bigger and better!

Visit the ArtSoup page on the website to see all the fun things there will be to see and do. You can even volunteer to help if you would like!

One View Three Artists & Stained Glass Too

In the Arts Alliance Gallery until June 13th:

The artist team of Cheryl LeClair- Sommer, Lisa Stauffer and Michelle Wegler paint together to capture their differing responses to the same landscape. During expeditions outdoors, the painters create realistic works of art highlighting each artistís personal interpretation of the subject. They find that working in nature enlivens the senses and calms the spirit. The paintings record the immediate response and approach of each artist to the mood of the scene, revealing three unique perspectives.

Also Featured in the Gallery until June 13th: Stained Glass by Mary Olson. Enjoy the sunlight reflecting through her beautiful Eagles, Horses, Fish, Flowers and Lamps.

Something to Ponder

I am reading Think and Grow Rich by Napolean Hill. I fined the book interesting because it deals with issues that artists deal with on every painting. But Think and Grow Rich is a book about money, you say. Yes, but the process to make money is the same as making good art. Or at least art that pleases you.

Without doing a book review and discussing in detail, I will layout some of the steps.

1) You must have a plan. Every good work of art starts with a plan. Every successful businessperson has a plan for wealth and success. I guaranty you the Henry Ford always had a plan. I guaranty you Donald Trump has a plan. I guaranty you David Leffel has a plan, or “Concept” as he calls it. All great business people do, all great artists do.

2) You must have faith. You need faith in yourself and faith in God, or as the book puts it the Universal Intelligence. You do get what you think about and desire most. Good or Bad. If you think your art is poor it always will be. If your think your art is great it will get better. There is no end to the possibilities of art nor the possibilities of making money, but you have to work at it and have faith.

3) Use the principle of autosuggestion. In otherworld, tell yourself you can produce a great painting. Recently I have started every painting with this thought in mind, "I am going to paint a great painting". As always, at some point I lose my focus. My plan is falling apart. I simply say to myself ” I am going to paint a great painting” and I say that over and over until I get back on track. By doing this it allows my subconscious or creative side to regain control. Be aware there are some limitations to this. You are limited by your education or training, your desire, and your persistence. As in business, if you constantly think your business is failing, it will! If you say I'm going to succeed over and over, the opportunities for success will appear.

I am not going to layout all the steps, I suggest you buy the book and read it yourself. See if you can find the correlation between the art of making money and the art of make art. Maybe you will learn to make good art and good money along the way.

Something to ponder…!

Mark Haglund

Musik Garten for Preschoolers and Their Parents

Introduce your children to music through the internationally recognized curriculum, Musik Garten at the Elk River Arts Alliance this summer. Children are naturally drawn to music, and your time with them in class provides family fun while stimulating your child’s brain pathways to develop memory, math skills, and powers of abstract and creative thinking.

Come join our Musik Garten licensed teacher Kathy Kapsner this summer for Musik Garten's "Nature's Music". We will learn about the natural world through singing, dancing, listening, and playing simple instruments. Early childhood is the optimal time to develop listening skills, to play with rhythms, and to establish the foundation for singing and musical thought. For parents and their children from newborn through 5 years. Classes are held in the Senior Center at Guardian Angels Apartments at 300 Evans in Elk River. Please park on street.

Session I: Tuesdays June 23, 30, July 7, 14, 21 from 10 to 11 AM
Session II: Tuesdays July 28 August 4, 11, 18, and 25 from 10 to 10:45 AM
Class fee: Parent and one child: $42 (members $38). Each additional child $25 (members $23)
Materials fee: $23 (This fee purchases a kit that can be used for more than one class. Fee will be paid to the instructor, not at time of registration.)
Instructor: Kathy Kapsner
Call the arts alliance for Registration 763-441-4725 or register on line at elkriverart.org

Art is the Emotion that Drives the Community

“Art is the emotion that drives the community”. Mark Haglund

This is why. Life is like art and art is like life, right? We have all heard that.

So, what is a community but a bunch of lives thrown together. Art is emotional. So if there is no art in people’s lives, the community is missing that emotion.

On a business level a community is made up of a bunch of businesses. We have hardware stores, convenience stores, plumbers, lawyers, doctors, gas stations, lumber stores, contractors, carpenters, handymen, restaurant, gift stores, fine dining, well you get the idea. All of these establishments or occupations are important in a community.

Each one of the business owners can be passionate about their business or profession, but let’s face it every community has it’s own business and fabulous business owners.

What defines your community? What sets it apart from other places? Why would anyone outside of your community want to drive to yours to spend their money?

Well let’s look at some examples. Broadway defines New York. Chicago is defined by it’s great Blues clubs and art galleries. LA is defined by Hollywood. Get the drift? These are all big art meccas. People can get emotional about going there. Some plan their vacations around going to these places. Ever heard of Branson, Missouri before? Not until they decided to brand their town as a venue for Country Music.

I will finish by saying this. A strong art community is a stronger financial community. The emotion that is stirred in the lives of people is the same emotion that spurs the growth in the community.

So support your local art community and all of it’s artists.

Mark Haglund

Fine Art Artist

Arts Alliance Member

District 728 Student Art Show at the Gallery

There are great opportunities this week for you to see new artists' work!

Elk River High School is hosting their Evening of the Arts on Thursday April 30th. Stop in at the high school and check out the great variety of art forms and talent that will be shown.

From April 30th to Saturday May 2nd the Arts Alliance Gallery will host a show of students art from School District 728. District 728, involving 14 schools, will have their art teachers choose 4-5 pieces per school to be shown in the beautiful, new gallery located at 716 Main Street in Elk River. After the teachers have made their choices, the Alliance Gallery hopes to have approximately 80 pieces of art from students all over the district. We will have a ballot-box for a People’s Choice’ award, and the winner will be entitled to take a free art class of their choice offered by the gallery, along with a friend or family-member. The selected student works will be featured in the Arts Alliance Gallery from Thursday, April 30 thru Saturday, May 2. A reception with cookies and punch will be given for our aspiring artists on Saturday, May 2. Please call the Alliance Gallery at 763-441-4725 for further information. Please come and support our kids!

Spring Class Schedule

The New Spring Class Schedule for Art Classes offered by the Arts Alliance is now available. This session we are offering a New Photography Series of classes taught by Dee Kotaska. There are art classes for school age children that fulfill requirements for home schooling taught by Jessica Henry Davis (and Jessica teaches some adult classes). There are drawing classes taught by Jean Loy Swanson for adults, painting and paper classes taught by Cherene Bebeau and much more! Check it out. Classes can be registered for on-line.

Arts in Harmony Reception February 15th

The Fourteenth Annual Arts in Harmony Juried Art Show is now hanging at the Sherburne County Government Center for all to see. Join us at the reception on Sunday, February 15th from 1 to 3:30PM. Take this opportunity to meet the artists enjoy the ART and visit with other members of the community.

Arts in Harmony will be hanging at the Government Center until March 27, 2009. Visit anytime during regular building hours at the Government Center (8 to 4:30 Monday through Friday)