Arts Alliance

Melia Willoughby -Harp Recital May 23rd.

2010-05-07T21:28:00.000-05:00

Reception April 24 for Schroeder oil painters

2010-04-24T11:47:00.004-05:00

Schroeder Student Show - Oil Paintings
Show dates April 12 - May 8
Reception Sat. April 24, 2 -5 PM

A reception for the public to meet the artists participating in the Schroeder Studio Art Show will be held Saturday April 24 at the Arts Alliance Gallery on Main Street in Elk River from 2 to 5 p.m. About 30 adult members of the class are displaying about 80 paintings in a show that will continue through May 8. Portraits, landscapes, still lifes, and animal portraits are featured in the show.

Painting: “Itasca Red” by Wendy Sallman is among the exhibits at Arts Alliance.

Gallery Exhibit Schedule 2010

2010-04-24T08:52:00.001-05:00

January 6 - February 6 Members Show, Elk River Landmarks
Currently on display.

February 10 - February 13 District #728 Student Art Show
Reception Sat. Feb 13, 2 -5 PM

February 17 - March 13 Roxanne Current, Mark Haglund-Oil paintings and Diane Ericson-Baskets
Reception Sat. Feb 27, 2 -5 PM

March 17 - April 10 Watercolor Show
Reception Sat. March 27, 2 -5 PM

April 12 - May 8 Schroeder Student Show - Oil Paintings
Reception Sat. April 24, 2 -5 PM

May 12 - June 19 John and Rainy Heckman, Paints and Pastels
Reception Thurs. May 20, 5-9PM

June 23 - July 31 Fiber Exhibit-Quilting and other Fiber
Reception Thurs. July 1, 5-9PM

August 4 - September 11 Lisa Tetlaff and Judy Syring - Photography
Reception Thurs. Aug 12, 5-9PM

September 15 - October 23 Sara Hartman-Oil Paintings and Portraits
Reception Thurs. Sept 23, 5-9PM

November 3 - December 24 Annual Holiday Art and Gift Show
Reception Sat. Nov 13, 2-5PM

Michael Monroe in Concert Thursday April 15 7PM at Zabee Theater

2010-04-09T04:53:00.000-05:00

Click here for U-tube video of Michael Monroe in Performance
From vinyl to digital, Michael Monroe is now in his fourth decade of performing nationally in concert, festival, corporate and educational settings. He has travelled many miles since his first paid performance for an audience of 4000 and he recorded his first demo 30 years ago in a "chicken coop" studio owned by Paul Stookey of Peter, Paul and Mary.

His unique creation of music leaves his audiences mesmerized as he blends his rich vocals, guitar, bamboo and glass flutes, combining musical styles of acoustic folk and jazzy reggae. Michael's original music and compelling energy bring a powerful style that is as much fun as it is innovative,,, music and technology working together powered by creativity... and he recycles his music on stage with his "live" layering/looping technique.

Tickets: $ 15 Adults, $12 Seniors and Members, $5 Children 8th grade and younger. Click here to buy tickets online, Tickets also available at the Arts Alliance Gallery 763-441-4725 and at the door.

2010-04-09T04:43:00.000-05:00

Call for Entries All Fiber Exhibit
Show Runs June 30 - July 31, 2010
All artwork must be original in design or concept
and created by the artist. All artwork must be
fiber or textile related. Wall hanging size:
Up to 120" perimeter All work must be ready to hang.
Artists may submit up to 3 items for exhibit. All artists
are required to work at least one (1) 3-hour shift during
the exhibit. For questions, call Sylvia at 763-441-4725
or email s_dudycha@elkriverart.org Entry fee of $15 (members)
$30 (non- members) to be sent with application. Click to Download application

Heart of the Arts Gala Thursday, May 6, 2010

2010-04-09T04:40:00.001-05:00

Heart of the Arts Gala
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Save the date for this years Gala at the Wellstead of Rogers.
The Theme is the Fountains of Rome. Bring your friends and
join us for a fun filled evening and support the Arts Alliance.
Tickets are $65 each or $800 to sponsor a table.
Click here to purchase tickets online.
Tickets are also available at the Arts Alliance Gallery.
Call Deb at 763-441-4725 for more information and to reserve your table today.

Watercolor Exhibit opens at the Arts Alliance Gallery

2010-03-22T06:18:00.010-05:00

An exhibit of watercolor paintings by 10 artists began at the Arts Alliance Gallery on Wednesday and will continue through April 10.

The artists are Jim Anderson of Monticello, Duane Barnhart of Aitkin, Cherene Bebeau of Princeton, Kathy Braud of Little Falls, Henry Johanson of Elk River, Eleanor Johnson of Big Lake, Judy Meyeraan of Big Lake, Kim Pietrzak of Big Lake, Mary Steinson of St. Paul and Chris Wilson of Elk River.

Florals, landscapes and portraits are on display —and something new. Anderson uses watercolor paints in a special technique he calls “cementious” to create furniture and wall art. Impossible to explain, it must be seen.

A reception for the public to meet the artists is set for Saturday, March 27, 2 to 5 p.m. at the gallery, 716 Main St. Gallery hours are Wednesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

--"Rocks & Reflections" and "Midnight in the Marsh" both by
Cherene Bebeau

Tree" by Chris Wilson

--"Twin Lake" by Duane Barnhart

--"Red Hot - Cool Blue" by Kathy Braud

"Life's Reflections" by Kim Pietrzak

As a special offer during this exhibit, Judy Meyeraan is taking orders for custom portraits from favorite photos. She will provide an 11'x14" watercolor portrait matted and sleeved for $150. Shown on the attached photo are examples of portraits by Judy.

Remember the reception for this exhibit is Saturday, March 27, 2 to 5 p.m. at the gallery, 716 Main St. Gallery hours are Wednesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Got Cabin Fever?

2010-01-11T23:09:00.001-06:00

Winter Class Schedule 2010

Got cabin fever? The Arts Alliance has the cure. Check out our new class schedule. We have a great selection of adult classes to cure your blues. Click here for the whole schedule.

New Gallery Show "Elk River Scenes and Landmarks"

2010-01-11T22:00:00.003-06:00

The Arts Alliance is proud to announce their new show in the Main Street Gallery.

Show dates are Jan 6 - Feb 6, 2010.

Artists reception on Sat., Jan 16, 2-5pm.

"Kelley Farm Rooster", Oil Painting, Joan Ruprecht

"Elk River Feed Store", Oil Painting, Shirley Hove

"Kelley Farm House", Oil Painting, Mark Haglund

"Old Elk River", Oil Painting, Harley Rohlf (from collection of
Nancy Gongoll)

The Arts Alliance is proud to announce their new show in the Main Street Gallery. The theme of the show is "Elk River Scenes and Landmarks". The show features Arts Alliance members and their art.
Show dates are Jan 6 - Feb 6, 2010.
Artists reception on Sat., Jan 16, 2-5pm.
Come and meet the artists at the reception. There will be refreshments and live music by 2 talented young musicians playing the flute and keyboard.

Come join the party!

Holiday Hours

2009-12-17T14:47:00.002-06:00

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

2009-12-17T14:43:00.000-06:00

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

2009-12-17T14:41:00.001-06:00

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

2009-11-30T20:38:00.001-06:00

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

2009-11-12T08:15:00.002-06:00

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

2009-11-12T08:07:00.001-06:00

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

2009-11-12T08:04:00.001-06:00

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

2009-11-12T07:55:00.005-06:00

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

2009-08-26T21:34:00.002-05:00

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

2009-07-18T12:55:00.006-05:00

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

2009-07-10T22:18:00.010-05:00

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

2009-07-10T11:33:00.005-05:00

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

2009-06-29T20:15:00.004-05:00

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

2009-06-17T07:49:00.001-05:00

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

2009-06-16T08:08:00.001-05:00

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

2009-06-15T08:06:00.004-05:00

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

2009-06-12T12:59:00.010-05:00

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

2009-05-30T21:26:00.008-05:00

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

2009-05-30T21:06:00.005-05:00

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

2009-05-25T00:02:00.002-05:00

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

2009-05-17T21:23:00.005-05:00

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

2009-05-01T23:15:00.009-05:00

“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

2009-04-28T10:32:00.004-05:00

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

2009-02-12T08:25:00.005-06:00

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

2009-02-12T08:13:00.004-06:00

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)

Arts in Harmony Deadline to Enter Dec 5, 2008

2008-11-21T09:17:00.007-06:00

Take advantage of this opportunity to enter your art in a National Juried Art Show in Elk River, Minnesota! Artist Deadline to enter is December 5, 2008!

For the past thirteen years the Elk River Area Arts Alliance has brought a national juried art show, Arts in Harmony, directly to your community. Sponsored by the Central Minnesota Arts Board, local businesses, and the Elk River Area Arts Alliance, the show is a cumulation of some of the areas best art in harmony with works from many U.S. states and occasionally art created by international artists. Last year artists from twenty-four different states entered 668 pieces of art representing 144 artists. It is a juried show with $9,700 in prize money given out last year.

The Sherburne County Government Center, located two miles west of downtown at 13880 U.S, Highway 10, has been housing the show since it’s inception. With ample space for hanging up to 155 pieces of art and display space for an addition 20-40 three dimensional pieces it’s an ideal place to showcase the works.

From February 9 to March 27 the exhibition will be open to the public from 8 A.M.-4:30 P.M. A reception and award ceremony to kick off the event will be Sunday, February, 15, from 1 P.M.-3:30 P.M. Everyone is invited! This is a time to interact with art and artists, free to all, with refreshments provided.

The deadline for artists to enter the show is December 5, 2008. An entry form with guidelines can be printed from the Arts Alliance website at http://www.elkriverart.org/ or you can call 763-441-4725 or email to info@elkriverart.org Entries can be made by digital images, slides, or photographs. The show is open to all living artists. Works must be original. Media includes paintings, drawings, digital and hand-pulled prints, mixed media, fiber, batik, photography, ceramics, glass, and sculpture. Jurors for this years show are Lance Killand, a professor at North Hennepin Community College and Bob Toensing, also a college professor from Anoka-Ramsey Community College.

The Arts in Harmony National Juried Exhibition brings together arts, artists, and community. This is an enormous accomplishment for a small community as well as a rare opportunity for area artists to enter a national juried show without shipping and travel. If you’re an art lover it is also a chance to enjoy a world-class art exhibit brought right to you.
The Elk River Area Arts Alliance is a 501(c)3 charitable organization. Award sponsorships from businesses are encouraged and appreciated. Memberships are available. ERAAA has numerous exhibits throughout the year both at its downtown gallery as well as at the Government Center. It also produces Art Soup, a grand biannual celebration of the arts, classes, concerts, and more. Check out the website at www.elkriverart.org or call for more info at 763-441-4725.

Entertainment at the Holiday Art Show

2008-11-11T09:25:00.005-06:00

The Arts Alliance Gallery is overflowing with one of a kind pieces of art for sale. Each Thursday night a different Artist will be showcased at an open house in the Gallery and the Gallery will stay open until 8PM.

The following artists will be providing entertainment for us during our Holiday Show at the Arts Alliance Gallery.

Nov. 13, Thursday, 5:30 - 8pm, Stephen Hodder, glass artist and guitarist from Princeton will provide background music for shopping.
Nov. 15, Saturday, 1:00 - 3:00pm, Ryan Knutson, a 12-year old guitarist from Clearwater will play. Ryan is a 7th grade student at St. Cloud Christian School, and has been playing guitar for 4 1/2 years.
Nov. 20, Thursday, between 5:30 - 7:30pm, Melia Willoughby of Elk River, will entertain with Harp melodies. Melia is a 14-year old student at Salk Middle School, and studies harp with Emile Gerard.
Nov. 22, Saturday, 1:00 - 2:00pm Story Time with Shawn McCann, illustrator of children's books and painter. His most recent book is _The Sick Bug_, written by Susie Bazil.
Dec. 4, Thursday, 5:30 - 8:00pm, Stephen Hodder will provide us with music on his guitar.
Dec. 11, Thursday, 6:00 - 8:00pm, "Mississippi Mud", a guitar trio from Elk River will entertain us with all original songs. Members are Darrell Peterson, Paul Donaldson and Gordy Moldenhaur.
Dec. 13, Saturday, 1:00-2:00pm "Holiday Songs on the Harp" arranged and performed by Jean Bostrum
Dec. 18, Thursday, 4:00 - 5:00pm, Story Time with Shawn McCann.

The public is invited to join in on the fun every Thursday evening, 4-8pm, during our Holiday Show receptions at the Arts Alliance Gallery, 716 Main Street, Elk River. For more information call the Gallery at 763 441-4725.

ARTS ALLIANCE LAUNCHES NEW SERIES OF DRAWING, PAINTING CLASSES

2008-10-17T10:24:00.009-05:00

Moving in a bold new direction which maximizes the use of its home classroom and gallery space, the Arts Alliance will launch a dynamic series of drawing and painting classes in November, including instruction for students as young as 7 and continuing through adults.

The first offerings, designed primarily for home schooling families, will be offered weekday mornings beginning November 5 and will conclude December 11. Jessica Henry Davis, the series instructor, says,” I have spent six years developing this program of classes and have seen great results in the students that have gone through it. As a home schooling mom, I know quite well the need for a great art program. The methods that I use, geared to students beginning with little or no artistic experience, are designed to take them through several years of progress to prepare them for truly enriching artistic futures in classical fine art.” This exciting, high-energy series is open to the general public as well, however.

The program focuses on classical art traditions that Henry Davis has honed to the needs of several age and skill levels. It includes, for example, beginning drawing instruction for students aged from 7 to 15 years of age while other courses range all the way to advanced painting for students 16 through adults. Her watercolor class features methods employed by Victorian masters such as Blanche Fisher Wright, illustrator of Mother Goose tales and Beatrix Potter, author and illustrator of the Peter Rabbit stories. Courses may be taken as single experiences or may continue over a longer period of time throughout the year.

The Arts Alliance welcomes Henry Davis and her family back to the area and is pleased to introduce her fine work and experienced teaching to the area. She was raised here and trained in Elk River at the Schroeder Studio and at Atelier LeSueur. She has taken master painting classes with David Leffel, Wanda Kemper, and Skip Whitcomb and has studied sculpture with George Carlson and drawing with Sam Savatt. Her work has been featured on WCCO in Minneapolis and KPDQ in Portland, Oregon. She has taught in Wayzata, Minnetonka, and Elk River as well as at Master’s School of Art and Providence Academy in Oregon.

Detailed information regarding the drawing and painting series is available at the Arts Alliance office Thursdays through Saturdays from 12 to 5 PM at 716 Main Street, Elk River or by phone at 763-441-4725. Link to Class List and Online Registration.

Continental Ballet Brings Coppelia to Elk River

2008-10-10T09:49:00.005-05:00

Continental Ballet
Sunday, October 12, 2008
3PM
Zabee Theater Elk River

Take advantage of this opportunity to attend the Ballet Coppelia with your family and friends in the Zabee Theater. Back by popular demand, the Continental Ballet will delight you with their artistry and dance. Tickets are available in advance at the Arts Alliance Gallery 716 Main Street in Beautiful Downtown Elk River and by calling 763-441-4725.
Tickets will be available at the door. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for ERAAA members and seniors 65+, and $6 for students up to age 18. Family Packs for 2 adults and a child are $30, additional child with family pack is $5. Group Rates are available for groups of 10 or more.

Tonic Sol Fa Coming to Elk River

2008-10-07T10:36:00.004-05:00

Tonic Sol Fa, a nationally known a cappella group, will kick off its holiday tour right here in Elk River! Join us as we celebrate a night of music and fun with a group of Minnesota's own rising you talents. Perfect for all ages!

Friday, November 21, 2008
7pm (doors open at 6pm)
Zabee Theater in Elk River High School
children/students $17 Adults $22 *A portion of the ticket proceeds goes directly to arts programming at Elk River High!

Tickets available at:
www.tonicsolfa.com (accepts credit cards)
Coborns 763 441-1400
Arts Alliance Gallery 763 441-4725
ERHS 763 241-3434

Interested in Performing Your Art?

2008-10-07T10:19:00.004-05:00

We are looking for people who like to perform and are looking for a venue to perform or share their art in a small intimate environment. The Arts Alliance has space for music, theater, comedy, poetry reading and gathering to discuss Art in the Arts Alliance Gallery at 716 Main Street in Elk River. We are forming a committee of people who are interesting in developing a plan to schedule and oversee events in the Gallery Space. Contact the Arts Alliance Gallery for more information. 763-441-4725 or email webmaster@elkriverart.org

Seeking Artists for Art Sale

2008-10-07T10:12:00.002-05:00

Union Congregational Church in Elk River seeks artists to participate in a fundraising art sale. Space is free and 20% of all sales will be collected to help fund youth service and fellowship activities (with the exception of South African bead art sales from ArtAidsArt)*
*This year, we are featuring Bead Art from ArtAidsArt; a non-profit group providing sustainable income to South African Artists. For more information visit http://www.artaidsart.org/

Art Sale Details
*When*: Saturday, December 6, 2008
*Where*: Union Congregational Church
1118 4th Street
Elk River, MN.
*Time*: 10 am to 3 pm

*To register and reserve display space contact*: Marcie Babcock @ 763-441-7220 or 612-202-1040, or email youse123@aol.com

Two Art Shows to Enjoy

2008-06-02T21:29:00.004-05:00

Harvey Shroeder's Students Show is currently on display at the Sherburne County Government Center. It will Run until June 19th. There are 22 artists displaying 82 paintings. The following link will take you to a Star News Article about the show http://erstarnews.com/content/view/3258/64/. Bruce Strand's description of this painting: "I call it "Kitty's Pillow," because this cat, whom I had for 18 years (died 2 years ago)liked to nestle his noggin into the palm of my left hand whenever it was available." Harvey is a great teacher. Make sure to check out this show.

Spring Thaw is an Exhibit that is at the Arts Alliance Gallery 716 Main Street in Downtown Elk River. The opening reception will be held on Thursday, June 5 from 4 to 8PM. Spring Thaw is a show of watercolors and clay and will run through July 5th. The Show features Judith Meyeraan, Eleanor Johnson, Kimberly Pietzrak, Mae Spencer and Deb Vandereyk. For more information go to http://www.elkriverart.org/

Art Soup 2009. Are you interested in being on the planning committee for ArtSoup June 2009? We are going to be forming a committee soon. Email the arts alliance at info@eraaa.org and we will add your name to the list.

Old Minnesota Song of the North Comes to Elk River

2008-04-19T07:16:00.006-05:00

Minnesota History will be brought to life at the Zabee Theater on Tuesday May 13th when the Arts Alliance Old Minnesota Song of the North will be performed by Warren Nelson and the Big Top Chautauqua Band. There will be a 55 minute performance at 10AM and 1PM for students (others will be admitted to these show also if tickets are still available call 441-4725) and the full performance will take place at 7:30PM. Buy tickets to the 7:30 show on-line at Elkriverart.org and at Coborns in Elk River, Ramsey and Albertville, Elk River Activity Center, Luna Blue in Rogers, Rise N Shine Deli in Zimmerman, Sherburne County History Center and Kemper Drug.

The Arts Alliance and the Star News are sponsoring a Minnesota Sesquicentennial Art and Writing Contest for Students, Grades 5 to 12. Participants can win tickets for themselves and their families to the evening performance of the Old Minnesota Performance. Students work will be exhibited in ERAAA Gallery in August. Entry Deadline is May 7, 2008. Entry forms and ideas to stimulate creativity are available at the Arts Alliance website http://www.elkriverart.org/

Stop into our new offices at 716 Main Street. Enjoy viewing the creativity of artists who live in our community. The gallery space is open from 12 to 6PM Thursday and Friday, and from 12 to 5 on Saturday.

Get Things You Need and Support the Arts Alliance

2008-04-10T18:06:00.002-05:00

As you hopefully know by know the RSVP deadline for the Arts Alliance's "Heart of the Arts Gala" on April 24 at the Wellstead of Rogers is April 15. Remember to call the Arts Alliance at 763-441-4725 to RSVP. $45 of the ticket price is tax deductible and you receive the opportunity to bid on many great silent and live auction items. Lots of friends of the Arts Alliance have donated valuable items for us to auction off and for you to enjoy. Some of the items available at the silent auction will be: Twins Tickets, Saints Tickets, Guthrie Tickets, Lyric Arts Tickets, Wine Packages, Spice Baskets, Jewelry, Art Work, Lorie Line Tickets, Massages, Restaurant Gift Certificates, Italian Women's Belts, Coffee Baskets, Sunglasses, Burts Bees Products, Salon Services and more. The live auction will feature birthday parties with the police and fire departments, lunch and a studio tour with Bill Hudson from WCCO, A weekend vacation on Gull Lake, A guided fishing trip and much more.
Don't miss this opportunity to enjoy time with your friends while you support the Arts Alliance.

2008-04-03T22:29:00.003-05:00

Dear Friend of the Arts,
You are invited to the Elk River Area Arts Alliance Third Annual Heart of the Arts Gala on Thursday, April 24th at the Wellstead of Rogers. We hope that you will be able to join us for a very entertaining evening! The theme is April in Paris and it is going to really feel like Paris! We have lot's of great auction items coming in, and a lovely menu planned. You can enjoy visiting with your friends and experiencing ART in its many forms from 6 PM to 7:30 PM followed by a French inspired dinner. Information about the Gala is on our website www.elkriverart.org and we will be adding to it regularly. Tickets are $75 each. ($40 of that is a tax deductible contribution!) We are looking for table hosts who would like to decorate their table in the theme of a French Artist. Table sponsorships are still available at $1000.

Arts are essential to the health of our Community. This is the Arts Alliances primary fundraiser so come join the fun while you help support the Arts!
RSVP to the Arts Alliance 763-441-4725 by April 15, 2008.

Looking for Artists & Musicians

2008-03-30T22:27:00.004-05:00

The opening night reception for the Grand Opening Member show was a great success! Good food - Thanks to Chipolte and Diamond City Bread. Good music- Thanks to Manny and Deb and The White Elks Jazz Group. The food and music are gone, but the ART is still there for you to see. Much of it is for sale. The Gallery space is open from 12 to 6PM Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

The Heart of the Arts Gala is fast approaching on April 24th at the Wellstead of Rogers. This is a great time to mingle, be entertained, check out lots of cool silent and live auction items and support the Arts Alliance. This is our major fundraiser for the year and helps us to continue offering quality Arts Experiences close to home and at affordable prices. Also, if you are an artist and would like to display your art for sale at the Gala, you must bring it or pictures of it to 716 Main Street by March 31st to be juried.

Rockwoods Grill in Otsego is starting an open mic night and is looking for musicians interested in performing there. Give them a call if you are interested!

Have you ever wanted to teach a class or are you currently offering classes. We are starting a list of Arts Alliance members who are interested in teaching classes - whether you are a visual artist, a musician, a singer, a poet, a playwright or a novelist we want you! Please call 763-441-4725 or send an email to elkriverart@sherbtel.net

Join us for the fun March 8th!

2008-03-03T21:57:00.001-06:00

A huge evening to celebrate the arts is being planned for March 8, beginning from 5 to 7 PM. This event will be the debut of our new storefront facility at 716 Main St, downtown Elk River and we are very excited about our new, roomy location! We intend to liven up the "art scene" in Elk River and we need your
participation.

Arts Alliance members will be having a show of their original art on March 8 which will be a feast for the eyes. In addition, on the menu will be burritos from Chipotle, delicious breads from Diamond City, and coffees from Caribou among other treats. Visitors can also enter drawings for prizes and will also be treated to live music by Manny & Debbie as well as ER High School student, Tyler Babneau and his small jazz/alternative group.

Come and meet your local artists and view our new location; we will be an active participant in the downtown excitement and YOU need to see firsthand what's going on here! We want you to know all about us; we want to meet you and hope you will plan on visiting often to be aware of what's new at 716 Main: rotating art displays, artists' gatherings and talks, musical ensembles, workshops, writers' groups...what would YOU like to see and hear? Give us your requests; your participation and suggestions are a very important part of this happening! We thrive with our memberships and volunteers so YOUR in put is very valuable.

After the visual arts festivities, we hope that you'll join us for the sensational Japanese Drumming Ensemble, MU DAIKO, at the 780 seat Zabee Theater, Elk River High School at 7:30 PM. This will be a fabulous evening for the arts and it's only the beginning! Come and help make it a success!

Finally, the Arts Alliance wishes everyone to know that we are greatly indebted to our community partners and, in particular, to the City of Elk River for their outstanding support of these efforts. Without all of you, none of this would be possible, and art experiences are more important now than ever in these months of cloudy national forecasts and the never-ending cold of the Minnesota winter!

Play the Drums with Mu Daiko - Drumming Workshop

2008-02-21T16:56:00.005-06:00

Would you like to experience what it is like to perform taiko drumming? Join 20 participants from 4:30 to 5:30PM March 8 at Zabee Theater in a workshop provided by the Mu Daiko performers. You will learn the basic forms and stances of taiko drumming along with a few basic rhythms from the song, Matsuri. Participants will take part in warm up stretches, hitting the drums and playing the rhythms. The workshop is available for ages 10 through adult and is $15 per person. Call the Arts Alliance Office to sign up at 763-441-4725. Allow the rhythm and movement of taiko drumming to sweep you away.

Grand Opening Member Show March 8, 2008

2008-02-12T11:45:00.000-06:00

Are you interested in seeing your art hanging in the New Arts Alliance location in Beautiful Downtown Elk River? We are having a members show starting on March 8th. We will be having a grand opening reception that evening in the gallery space from 5pm to 7pm prior to the Mu Daiko performance. Information is available on our website at http://elkriverart.org/grandopeningshow.asp. We are also starting a list of artists who are interested in holding their own shows in the gallery. If you are an artist and would like to be included in our member artist link on our website please email webmaster@elkriverart.org

Moving to 716 Main Street - Do you want to help?

2008-02-12T11:36:00.000-06:00

The Arts Alliance Move to our new location at 716 Main Street in Beautiful Downtown Elk River is on. When we answer the phones on February 19th we will be in our new location. We are looking forward to being in a location where it is easy for people to stop in, appreciate the art that will be hanging in the gallery and ask about classes and other activities being offered by the Arts Alliance.
We are looking for volunteers to help us with the move - transporting boxes from the old location to the new. Please call the arts alliance office at 441-4725 if you can help!

Waybacks

2008-02-12T11:11:00.000-06:00

Wow! if you missed the Waybacks Performance on Saturday night (2-9-08) make sure that you visit their website http://www.waybacks.com/ in March when their new CD will be released. They were all exceptionally good musicians. Many of the songs that they played were written by the band members. The violinist was the best I have ever heard in a blue grass band 0r anywhere for that matter. They entertained us with a variety of music styles. Their music was tight and energetic and everyone left with a smile on their face and plans to buy their new CD when it is released!

Many Good Things Happening

2008-02-03T09:50:00.000-06:00

We are very excited to bring the Waybacks to Zabee Theater on February 9, 2008 at 7:30. We have been getting requests for tickets from all over the Twin Cities area. One gentleman said that he had heard them before, that they were one of the best bands he had ever heard and that the musicians themselves are very accomplished musicians. He is coming from Minneapolis to hear them play again. There are still tickets available. You can order them on our website directly or can view the locations selling tickets. Rockwoods Grill in Otsego has offered ticket buyers an opportunity to save $5.00 off their total dinner check the evening of the performance if you show them your ticket. They are also selling tickets there that will offer you a $5.00 discount off regular adult ticket price with a dinner purchase. (Remember, Valentines day is just around the corner – this is a great opportunity to celebrate early).

We are also very excited to be moving downtown Elk River. Plans are being made for an opening reception on March 8th from 5 to 7 in the new space (Before the Mu Daiko Performance at the Zabee that evening). Many volunteers are working hard to get a members show up and running in the Gallery space at the new location. If you are an Arts Alliance member (or you become one) and are interested in helping or having your art displayed in the Gallery, send an email to elkriverart@sherbtel.net or call 763-441-4725.

The Arts in Harmony Exhibit opens on Feb 4 at the Sherburne County Government Center. Thank you to Dave Beauvais and all the other people on the exhibitions committee for bringing us another incredible show! The opening reception is Sunday, February 10, 2008 from 1 to 3:30. Everyone is invited to come and meet the artists, see their art and see the prizes being awarded. Light refreshments will be served.

As many of you know, Patrick Grace our executive director, resigned the end of December. Our Board Chair David Raymond has been volunteering much of his time in the office and many others on the board have been volunteering much of their free time working to keep things running smoothly. If you have time to help out let us know – we will be very appreciative. We are definitely a volunteer run organization right now – let us know what you like to do and how you would like to help the Arts Alliance provide quality arts experiences in our community.

Storefront is US.

2007-12-16T21:25:00.000-06:00

716 Main Street, Elk River, Minnesota, will soon be the hot new address for the arts in the Northwest quadrant.
Through an agreement with the City of Elk River's Housing Redevelopment Authority, the Arts Alliance will have a storefront facility in downtown Elk River for at least two years. Many exciting ideas are being talked about how this new facility will help spread the work of the Arts Alliance to more people.
You can be a part of this new, exciting venture. Call the Arts Alliance office and say,"I want in too!"

The jury has deliberated

2007-12-16T21:18:00.000-06:00

The jurors for the Arts in Harmony 08 national juried art exhibition have chosen the 150+ works that will be included in the show when it opens in late January at the Sherburne County Government Center.
Jurors Lin Nelson-Mayson and Paul Benson had a full day of reviewing and deliberating. There were over 600 pieces entered this year, a record.
Those artists included in the exhibit will be receiving their notice soon. The final list will be available after the volunteers type up the names and titles accepted.

Thanks to all the volunteers that helped make the day go so smoothly.

New art boutique in town

2007-11-20T16:37:00.000-06:00

We have been alerted to the fact that a long time resident of the Elk River area, Arts Alliance member and fiber artist, Melody Shryrock has opened a unique boutique showing local artists including fellow Arts Alliance member potter, Chad Briggs.

ARTepitomee is located at 544 3rd Street, Suite 6, in Elk River.

They plan to be open every weekend during the holiday rush. You can call Melody at 612.423.5492, for more information about times and the other artists they are featuring. Their website is: www.artepitomee.com
Keep the local economy strong, buy original art for your holiday giving from local artists.

Don't forget to try and win free tix to see Joe Chvala on December 1st. See the entry below.

thanks a lot.

2007-11-20T12:39:00.000-06:00

It is that time of year where we scurry off to visit, or perhaps play host to family, friends, and strangers that will become friends. We give thanks for this holiday.

As an arts organization we give thanks every day to the volunteers that brighten our weeks with their unflappable energy to give, and share, and give some more; sometimes it is their time, sometimes it is their money, sometimes it is their expertise, but they return again and again to help make the arts accessible to anyone that wants to experience great music, learn a new skill, or see the world from another's point of view.
We could not do the work we do without Edith and Ann and Carolyn and Kathy and Jean and Jim and Wendy and Dave and Sara and Tony and Nancy and Judith and Dennie and Gary and Tara and Deb. The year with ArtSoup in it could not be without the hundred or so volunteers including Isobel and Judy and Ron and Darlene. The art shows at the Government Center could not take place without the help of folks like Karen and Dave and Jerry and Chris. Our performances would be sadder places without the help of Barb and Dave and Helen.

In other words, without volunteers, we could not exist.

Thank you volunteers. As they say somewhere; "You rock!"

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, but please, take home some leftovers, we couldn't possibly eat all this by ourselves.

Rumour Mill

2007-11-12T16:35:00.000-06:00

If you have read the local paper, the Star News, you may have seen mention that the City of Elk River through the Housing Redevelopment Authority (HRA) has agreed to rent us a City owned retail space in downtown Elk River. It is true. The HRA has agreed to lease us a space downtown.
There are some details that need to be ironed out, but we hope that all will work out so that we can take occupancy early in 2008.
What will this mean for the Arts Alliance? Lots, we hope. A opportunity to showcase Arts Alliance artist members on a rotating basis; this space should allow us to host artist receptions, artist talks, artist workshops.
It should also allow us to develop daytime programming for Seniors; after school programming for high school aged youth, and Saturday programming for families.
We envision poetry readings, knitting circles, lectures by visiting designers, artists, architects, city planners (what's that?) and much more.
Stay tuned for more info.

We can't do any of this of course without community input and support. If you ever wanted to see the arts have a greater place in community life, this is the time to step up: volunteer your time, your talent, or dig deep as we will be asking for your help as we move forward.

In the meantime, don't forget to enter the ticket giveaway for Joe Chvala announced in an earlier entry.

Sue Wipf’s “Seasons of Change” oil paintings exhibition, Nov. 13 - Dec. 14.

2007-11-12T16:28:00.000-06:00

Sue Wipf, artist and oil painter, will be presenting “Seasons of Change”, Landscapes of Elk River and more at the Sherburne County Government Center November 13-December 14. Sue is showing some works featured at her first very successful one-woman show in October, as well as her most recent paintings. Her work is painted en plein air (out of doors), or from studies and photographs in her studio in Rogers, MN. Many of these paintings are of places she frequents, including Woodland Trails, Lake Orono, Sylvan Lake and the Mississippi River. The Sherburne County Government Center is open 8 am-4:30 pm, Monday-Friday. It is located west of downtown Elk River on Highway 10.

We previously mentioned her show in Otsego in this blog site and are happy to provide additional opportunities for others to see her work. The holidays are just around the corner and there is no present like the gift of original art.

Give me that! Free Tickets!

2007-11-02T10:04:00.000-05:00

Dear Blog readers,
We are giving you a chance to win a pair of tickets to see Joe Chvala and the Flying Foot Forum, on December 1st. We thought about making you tell us something difficult like what does C. Willi's 3 best school friends and the Central Minnesota Arts Board have in common, but decided that might be too difficult.
We thought about asking you to tell us in 25 words or less why the arts are so important to community life, but who could stop at 25 words?

So, we've decided that all you need to do to win a pair of tickets to see Joe Chvala and the Flying Foot Forum on December 1st, at 7:30pm at the Zabee Theater in Elk River (hidden inside the high school) is:
Send us an email message with: "Joe's Ticket Giveaway" as the subject to: elkriverart@sherbtel.net.
We will select a winner by random hocus-pocus. No need to purchase a thing to win. We will announce a winner before the turkey flys.

Or, if you don't want to miss out, call us at the office and order your tickets: 763.441.4725.

Luna Blu + Jean's art=you win!

2007-11-02T09:41:00.000-05:00

Hurry on down to Rogers and check out the lastest installment of art at our favorite Rogers locally owned coffee shop, Luna Blu.
Arts Alliance board member and past board chair, Jean Loy-Swanson is showing her art work at Luna Blu through November 30. The works are archival ink jet prints which Jean creates digitally from her photographs of nature. She has been working in this medium since 2005.

After receiving her master of fine arts degree in metals and ceramics, Jean worked for several years with precious metals creating jewelry and small sculpture and eventually she turned to drawing and mixed media sculpture. The drawing was later used with collaged photographs. With the advances in computer software and digital printing technology, Jean started collaging the photographs on the computer. The photographs are taken with digital and 35 mm cameras.

Collaging images digitally gives the artist greater flexibility allowing her to combine photographs in ways not possible through a hand cut and paste method. As an example, the digital method enables the artist to overlay photographs creating a transparency or a merger of overlapped images. Because the works are created as prints they can also be done in multiples and with the newer archival inks and papers they will not fade or yellow for up to 70 years or more.

The artist feels that working with color photographs digitally has many similarities to the dark room techniques used by traditional photographers. For example, digital programs allow the artist to create greater or less contrast and to burn and dodge parts of the photograph. However, the digital method of working allows the artist to do much more with the imagery such as repositioning parts of the photograph and altering colors.

The number of photographs and amount of manipulation with the original image vary greatly from one digital print to another in Jean's work. Of the prints being exhibited at Luna Blu, one work, Crucifixion, is created from as many as seven different photographs. Two other works, Autumn Wind and Spring Frost, are created from one photograph and have been only slightly enhanced digitally.

Jean's major intent with her photographs is to capture the momentary or transitory aspects of nature. The photographs combined to make up the final digital image may be from different places in the world, different times of the year or seemingly unrelated other than through the visual qualities which tie them together. The final print may retain the qualities of the original photograph or take the viewer to another place, one that is unfamiliar when seen as a whole yet has areas within the print that the viewer finds familiar. Then there are prints which the artist has created purely for their qualities of the design that can be found in textures, color, and patterns.

Luna Blu Coffee may be reached by taking Highway 144 east off of Highway 101 toward Rogers High School. They are in the 101 Marketplace Center at 14165 James Road. Stop in Luna Blu and check out Jean's work while sipping on your java or smoothie, and thank Cathy and Craig for supporting the arts and their community. Call the Luna Blu for hours: 763.428.0760.

Interesting looking lecture

2007-10-31T15:23:00.000-05:00

If you are looking to hear about the latest cultural landmark in Paris, you might not do better than to make your way into St. Paul to listen up to this lecture. The building was designed by the same chap that did up the Guthrie, ol' what's his name, M. Nouvel.

"Notice of an interesting lecture through the Alliance Francaise. More info on the lecture is at http://www.afmsp. org/Portals/ 0/Events/ martin.pdf. The website for this very intriguing new museum in Paris is http://www.quaibranly.fr. Check it out!
... we have the great pleasure of hosting Mr. Stéphane Martin, president of the new Parisien museum Quai Branly this Saturday, November 3rd at Macalester College for a lecture in English."

If you go, please do let us know what you think.

Flying Feet Captured

2007-10-30T15:32:00.000-05:00

We have been searching for a short segment of Joe Chvala and the Flying Foot Forum in action to share with you, and we found one.
This is a short piece (2 minutes) and gives just a hint of the Feet's approach to dance.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYB_Vc5sI5E

enjoy!

We have a winner!

2007-10-29T16:55:00.000-05:00

We were at the Flyway Artist show in Otsego a couple weeks back. At our table we had people jostling to fill out our survey so that they could enter to win a pair of tickets to see Joe Chvala and the Flying Foot Forum on December 1st at the lovely Zabee Theater, which is cleverly disguised as a high school auditorium by day.
After numerous plunges into the pile to find a legible hand, we pulled out the winner. Elaine Sokolowski of Elk River will be receiving a pair of tickets to see Joe + FFF go through their paces.
Now don't be jealous. We will soon be announcing a contest where you as blog readers will have the inside track in winning tickets. Stay tuned for instructions.
Or, you could forgo the suspense and just call us at 763.441.4725 and purchase your tickets now.
Then you too would be a winner!

Group Rates for Joe Chvala + FFF

2007-10-22T17:48:00.000-05:00

Group rates for the Joe Chvala and the Flying Foot Forum show, on December 1st, 7:30pm at the Zabee Thetaer in Elk River.
10 or more: at least 2 adults, $10 each and each youth $5. This offer only good through the Arts Alliance office. Call us.

We are hoping to attract dance teachers and their students; parents with a desire to get all the kids in the neighborhood out for a evening at the Zabee, or maybe a group of adults that regularly go places together and need that extra dollar-wise incentive to come to the Zabee for an evening of fun entertainment.

Call us and book your evening now!

Want more info about Joe and the Flying Foot [s]?
Check out their website: www.flyingfootforum.com

“Dance That Makes Music” a Flying Foot Forum Workshop.

2007-10-22T17:45:00.000-05:00

There will be a workshop for youth and adults on Friday, November 30th, from 6-8pm, in conjunction with the visit of Joe Chvala and the Flying Foot Forum visit to Elk River for an evening performance, Saturday, December 1.
The workshop will explore the style and pattern of percussive dance for which The Flying Foot Forum is known. Suitable for adults and youth, beginners or seasoned dancers, this quintessential Flying Foot Forum workshop synthesizes dance, drumming, and music. Creating a fusion of improvisational energy that culminates in a set of loosely structured improvisations. Participants will learn the essential skills needed to create percussive dance pieces.
Spaces are limited for this very intimate opportunity to learn from and work with professional dancers.
Fees are: $15 for youth, $20 for adults.

For more information or to register, please call the Arts Alliance office: 763.441.4725.

Money Matters

2007-10-19T10:11:00.000-05:00

Whoa be for us to tell you about money matters. However, we thought we would share with you a few items of good news and give thanks in a public forum.

In the last few days we have received news that:
1) the Arts Alliance has been granted money from the Sesquicentennial Committee to help support the visit of Warren Nelson and the Big Top Orchestra next May to put on the "Old Minnesota: Songs of the North Star" show for students shows during the day and a general admission show in the evening.
2) the Central Minnesota Arts Board has approved a grant to help put on the Arts In Harmony 08 national juried art exhibition that is up February 4- March 28 at the Sherburne County Government Center.
Both of these grants come from funding approved by the Minnesota Legislature.

3) a number of community partners have stepped forward to help fund the visit of the U.S. Army Field Band and Soldier's Chorus. They include: WalMart- Elk River, The Rotary of Elk River, Elk River Printing, major media sponsor the StarNews, Rogers Printing, I-94W Chamber of Commerce, the Friends of Rogers Library, and the Rogers Lions.
Though the visit is "free" there are costs associated with tickets, posters, programs, advertising, facilities use, and of course staff involvement.

The Arts Alliance could not provide arts events as varied as shown above without the strong community support we receive from all sectors of the community. We thank them and we thank you again and again for your continued involvement in making our communities stronger by making the arts an important part of of your life.

art sales

2007-10-19T09:13:00.000-05:00

Don't forget the FlyWay Artists art sale going on this weekend in Otsego at the Otsego River Front Market at the intersection of Hwy 101 +39. The sale is just next door to Cold Stone Creamery. It is inside. It is free to attend. The Arts Alliance will be there on Saturday; stop by say hello, pick up your U.S. Army Band tickets (free).
There are a number of Arts Alliance members going to be showing their work including: Sara Hartmann, Steve Hodder, Gene Olson, Roger Nordstrom (photo shown), Tara Roth, Mae Spencer, Isobel Stander, Jean Loy-Swanson, Chris Wilson, and Donna Winberg. There will be discounts at Cold Stone Creamery and 101 Market (just up the road).
Opening Reception: Friday evening: 6-9pm; sale hours: Saturday, 10am-8pm; Sunday, noon- 5pm.
The Bank of Elk River has provided support and Land Cor has provided space and logistical support for this event. Isobel + John Stander have organized this event.
The Arts Alliance is always happy to assiat arts events that include Arts Alliance members and other community partners.

Then on December 1, 10am -4pm, the Elk River Union Church is having an art sale and show. Arts Alliance member Marcie Babcock passed along a flyer seeking artists for this sale. For more info about the sale or showing, contact Marcie's at 763.441.7220 or email her: youse1232aol.com.

If you did not get a chance to stop at Krista Artista's opening for Glenn Quist, do stop by. They may have a few pieces left until the 29th. They are at 2005 2nd Ave. in Anoka. They have other great regional work for sale as well.

Visual Art happenings

2007-10-11T21:39:00.000-05:00

There are a couple of visual art happenings that involve Arts Alliance members coming up.

Glenn Quist is having an opening at Krista Artista Gallery, 2005 2nd Ave., Anoka, MN, on Friday October 12th, from 5-9pm. Stop in at Krista Artista, a supporter of the Arts Alliance and the Arts in Harmony exhibit.

The Flyway Artists are holding an art sale at the Otsego Riverside Marketplace. That's the place where Cold Stone Creamery is off of Hwy 101 + 39. On Friday October 19th from 5-9 there will be a reception for the twenty + artists. Then on Saturday October 20th, from 10am -8pm, and Sunday, October 21st, from noon- 5pm, they get down to business providing Arts Alliance members and the general public the opportunity to purchase original artwork.
Isobel Stander is the driving force behind this event, which she hopes will become a yearly event.

Then on Saturday, October 27th, from 5-9pm, just before the big US Army Band concert in Rogers, Sue Wipf will be having a show at the same Otsego Riverside marketplace venue at Hwy 101 + 39.
Stop in and support local working artists by purchasing an original work of art, just in time for the holiday giving season.

Monday, Monday

2007-10-08T22:09:00.000-05:00

Everyone that showed up Saturday night had a great time. Laura sang like a lark, Willi told us about ourselves in other ways. The Coldstone Creamery folks stopped by and gave away some ice cream cake, you shoulda been there.

This evening a few Arts Alliance members stopped whatever they were doing and came by the SCGC to put up some artwork for the Members Show, a yearly tradition that ebbs and flows as people have time and output to show. You shoulda been there.

Yes, yes, yes!

2007-10-03T12:23:00.000-05:00

Yes, season passes will be available for purchase Saturday, October 6th at the Zabee Theater so that you can take advantage of the great pricing for the entire 2007-2008 Performance Series. $60 for 5 events. That's $12 a night. If you are a member of the Arts Alliance, and of course you are, then you get a voucher good for one extra ticket for one performance. Bring your clueless friend, or perhaps a visiting family member for free one evening.

Yes, tickets will be available at the door for C. Willi Myles and Laura Harley on October 6th at 7:30pm. The front page story about them in the Star News today may lead you to believe otherwise.
Yes, you can buy them in advance at fine locations like Coborns, Luna Blu, Kemper Drug, and Rise N Shine Deli. Get there early Saturday night to get your favorite seat, as this is general admission. Tickets: $15 Adults; $12 Arts Alliance members or seniors over 65; $6 youth under 18.
Family Pak: a great buy. $30 gets you 2 adults + one youth tickets; each additional youth is $5.

Yes, this and free parking, close to home, and family friendly entertainment.

And yes, you can still get free tickets to the US Army Band and Soldiers' Chorus, but you need to send a self-addressed stamped envelope to the Arts Alliance office; 1170 Main Street, Elk River, MN 55330.

paperless society?

2007-09-28T10:42:00.000-05:00

Paperless society?
NOT.

Though we all think the use of the computer has reduced our use of paper, it hasn't. So why not LEARN TO MAKE YOUR OWN?
ArtScape has a one session class coming up on October 13th where you can embrace the texture, the fluidity, the fun of paper making.
If you have ever wondered how one turns cotton rags, trees, and other vegetable matter into the wonderful thing we use every day then you won't want to miss this class.
Learn how the Chinese developed the method of papermaking that hasn't really changed for over 2000 years. A screen, a frame, fiberous material, and a lot of water.

You will learn to create your own mold and deckle (frame and screen), learn how to turn ordinary scrap paper and vegetative matter into beautiful paper suitable for making cards, using in collages, making your own handmade books (just in time for holiday giving), or as a work of art on their own.

Our teacher, Cherene Bebeau is well known in the area for her accessible teaching method, her hands on help, and her dedication to your creative growth.

The vital statistics:
Saturday, October 13, 9am-noon
Handke Center in Elk River
$28 class fee

call 763.241.3520 to register for this ArtScape class.

Congrats to the winners!

2007-09-28T10:30:00.000-05:00

News just in from Dave Phipps of the Creative Department, Sunday at noon on Newstalk 1450 KNSI. The winners to the hotly contested tickets for the C. Willi Myles and Laura Harley event on Saturday October 6th have been announced.
They are: Janet Wensman and Don Fortner, both of St. Cloud. We hope you enjoy the show and pass the word on to your friends that Elk River is just down the road a piece.

Speaking of October 6th and all. According to a reliable news source, C. Willi is tearing up the house in Arizona this weekend, while troubadour, Laura Harley is making the rounds of small clubs and coffee houses in California this past week.

We know they'll be back to entertain you at the Zabee however.

Those of you that get there early that night will be in for a real treat.

See you there!

talk it up

2007-09-24T18:33:00.000-05:00

We saw an article in the Strib the other day that stated that over 70% of Sherburne County residents that work commute to outside of Sherburne County. This helps explain the back up from 101 to at least the 494-694 exchange every week day morning.

This also helps explain the challenge an arts organization has in reaching those that make many of the decisions about where to look for arts programming. Our neighbor commuters are tuning in to media outlets that generally speaking are focused upon the activities in the city. This reenforces the mistaken notion that only the city has arts programming. We know differently and attempt to get our message to the big city media just as we do to our local outlet(s). One can open the Sunday paper and not see an ad from us or perhaps even a listing of our events in their Fun Things To Do list.

The economics of the situation leaves only the best endowed organizations with the opportunity to regularly advertise in the big city papers or on the big city radio or television. Sometimes it seems we are shouting from a megaphone at cars speeding by. The internet is meant to be the great equalizer for this sort of dilemma. You dear reader need to spread the word for us.

Tell ten of your friends to come to the October 6th concert at the Zabee Theater featuring comedian C. Willi Myles and vocalist Laura Harley.

Tell another ten friends to join the Arts Alliance so they can participate in the nonjuried Members Show starting October 8th at the Sherburne County Government Center.

Then tell ten more friends that they should enter the Arts in Harmony 08 national juried art exhibit by December 7th to be eligible to win some of the $9000 that will be given out in prizes.

We could tell you to tell ten more friends about Joe Chvala on December 1st, but we’re not sure who’d be left in town that wouldn’t have already been told about it.

Arts in the xburbs. Talk it up.

C. Willi Myles and Laura Harley open the 2007-2008 Arts Alliance Performance Series at Zabee Theater, October 6 at 7:30pm.

2007-09-13T11:39:00.000-05:00

If you like to laugh at life, and it does provide many opportunities, doesn’t it, then you will want to be at the Zabee Theater on October 6th.

C. Willi Myles was born in Alabama and came North to go to college in St. Cloud. His recollection of his first winter in Minnesota, back when Minnesota had real winters, is enough to get your smile on. Then he goes ice fishing. “People, there is something wrong here...”
The New York Times has been quoted as saying C. Willi Myles "leaves them hurtin' with laughter and wanting more!" With extremely funny non-offensive stories and jokes, Willi makes everybody laugh, whether a child or a senior citizen.

C. Willi has opened for many of the top musical and comedy acts throughout the country and performs regularly at casinos and in concert with some of the biggest names in entertainment including Bill Cosby and Dennis Miller. He has appeared at the Minnesota State Fair, under the Big Top in Bayfield, Wisconsin, and has been featured locally and nationally on the Fox Network, Comedy Central, and Showtime at the Apollo. The Big Top says that they have never had so many phone calls after a performer has been on their weekly radio show as when C. Willi appeared.
C. Willi Myles is celebrating the release of his new CD, “The Big Show Live,“ recorded live under the Big Top.

He really is a truly funny guy.

Opening for C. Willi is Twin Cities based vocalist Laura Harley.

These days there are plenty of bad role models for young women to emulate. Laura Harley is the opposite of that. She is a trained life coach, works with young people on a daily basis helping them find a path through what can be a quagmire of mixed messages from the media and their peers. Her songs reflect her own search for meaning and a path in life.
Critics and fans alike rave about the "crystalline beauty" of Laura Harley's voice. In a time when the airwaves are jammed with the static of a world on the brink, Laura cuts through the noise. Her captivating voice, evocative lyrics, and unforgettable songs have brought her devoted fans and critical acclaim throughout her musical career.
At a high-school battle of the bands, Laura’s singing caught the attention of guitarist Teddy Kim, who was looking for a collaborator. The two cut a demo under the name Sliver and burst onto the Minneapolis club scene. Sliver became a buzz act when the local college radio station obtained a copy of their demo and put it into heavy rotation. That year, before releasing a record, Sliver was voted Minneapolis' best new band in a ballot sponsored by the prestigious First Avenue Club. They went on to release two critically-acclaimed CDs, tour nationally, and chart on the college music charts. Later she and Teddy began a new musical collaboration seeking new perspective.
Her 2006 self titled CD had critics outdoing themselves with praise. “Sounding like a snowcapped Sade, Harley (a trained life coach) strives for meaningful messages and inner explorations amid rich, subtle arrangements. Even empowerment anthems “Champion” and “Sing Out Loud” never lose their cool, but that’s in tune with Harley’s vision to make soothing, contemplative pop."
--Minnesota Monthly
"...Her self-titled album was written and recorded in both New York and Minneapolis, and it’s a unique mixture of urban chic and Midwest innocence. Part electro-pop, part trance and part muted rock, Harley hypnotizes the listener with a voice that is both beautiful and haunting, like a sharply chiseled icicle or a temptress stuck behind a thick sheet of glass. “I’m the fire / burning bright red light,” Harley sings on “Breathe It In,” and from the tone of her voice you have to believe her. “I’m the siren / Cut through all the noise / Feel it change me / I break the silence with my voice,” she sings, and her voice clears its way through a funky pop beat to dance with the listener, forcing the song to come alive..."
--Pulse

For more information about either of these artists check out their websites, or go to the Arts Alliance website and look for their link.
Arts Alliance: www.elkriverart.org
C. Willi Myles: www.cwilli.com
Laura Harley: www.lauraharley.com

It is not too late to purchase a season pass for our Performance series. $60. If you are a member you receive an extra ticket voucher for one performance, so that you can introduce a friend to our great value, high quality, close to home entertainment.

Single tickets are:
$15 adults
$12 Art Alliance members/Seniors
$6 Youth under 18.

We also have the Family Pak this year: $30 for 2 adults + one youth (save $6); each additional youth is $5.

State Fair Art

2007-08-30T09:31:00.000-05:00

Along with the sword swallowers, the carny barkers, the chunk-o-choco cookies, and really large hogs, there is real art at the State Fair again this year. The largest juried Minnesota only annual exhibit has once again something for everyone. Everyone that is unless you were rejected.

Not that we need to toot our own horn, but a number of Art Alliance members, lapsed members, and past entrants to our Arts in Harmony exhibit (the largest juried annual national exhibit in Minnesota) are present.
Six members of the Arts Alliance were among those whose work was chosen to be shown in the 96th Annual Fine Arts Exhibition at the Minnesota State Fair. Over 1,900 artists vied for one of 371 spaces in the exhibit.

Local artists accepted into the show are Kathleen Braud, who received a third place award for her watercolor Park Trails. Kathy Braud will be a guest on Dave Phipps Creative Department Radio Show on Sunday, September 9th, at Noon on Newstalk 1450 KNSI, The Talk of St. Cloud. Check out the live webcast at http://www.1450knsi.com.
Rita Beyer Corrigan who also received a third place for her pastel Morning Walk and Ron Merchant had his oil on canvas Street Walkers juried in.
Mark Pederson is showing his pastel Maroon and Gold Landscape, Richards Poey took first place honors for the second year in a row. His alabaster sculpture this year is Daydreams, and Kasey Westra is showing her oil on panel Blue and Yellow in Winter.
Other area artists exhibiting are Jody Brosko of Big Lake with an acrylic on canvas titled Chrysler in Pink Sky, Steven Hudak of Big Lake is showing his wood sculpture Body Broken - Faith Bruised - Cancer, and Chris Wilson of Otsego has an acrylic wash called Rooster 2.

When you are at the Fair this weekend don’t forget to check out the student art work in the Education Building, especially the shoe lace piece, and the fine crafts in the Crafts Building. We think creativity comes in lots of different packages, so enjoy the neon, the curly fries, the braided manes on the show horses, and of course the seed art in the Ag Building.

Other Ways to Help the Arts Alliance Help You.

2007-08-29T13:17:00.000-05:00

On our website, elkriverart.org, we have installed a couple of new buttons.
On the left hand side, just above the Blog button, there is a Donate Now button. You can securely donate to the Arts Alliance through this nonprofit portal. It’s easy, quick, secure, and helps the Arts Alliance to better fulfill its mission of providing access to the arts for everyone in our communities. This nonprofit group takes a small handling charge, less than any credit card service, to process your donation.

Another small button down below the Ticket Button, is the iGive.com Button. This is an on line portal to over 484 companies where when you shop on line. A percentage of your purchase comes back to the Arts Alliance. This for-profit company arranges with the vendors on their site to provide a portion of the sales to come to the Arts Alliance. If you are going to shop on line, and we all know we shop on line at least a little, why not support your favorite arts organization while you do it.

Our Ticket Button has some new twists too. You can now purchase tickets for our Performance Series on line too! Just click on that Ticket Button and purchase a season pass, or single or Family Pak tickets for the next performance, October 6th: C Willi and Laura Harley.

Memberships too! You can now purchase membership to the Arts Alliance on line so that you can take advantage of reduced entry fees to Arts in Harmony, get the Eddy delivered to your US Postal mailbox, and reduced prices on future performances.

Maybe some day we'll sell t-shirts, coffee mugs, CDs, and original art work. . . no, just kidding about some of that. . . well, maybe. Stay tuned as we work to make your interaction with us on line just a bit easier, fun, and more rewarding for you and us.

US Army Field Band and Chorus, Saturday, October 27 at 7:30pm

2007-08-29T12:42:00.000-05:00

US Army Field Band and Soldier's Chorus, Saturday, October 27 at 7:30pm
Rogers Field House.

The Arts Alliance is proud to sponsor the visit of the US Army Field Band and Soldier's Chorus at the Rogers Field House, at 7:30pm, Saturday, October 27. The last time they visited us in 2005, there was a full house at the Zabee Theater in Elk River, so this time they will be performing at the Rogers Field House, 20855 141st Avenue, Rogers, Minnesota.

The concert is free, but you must have a ticket in order to attend. To order your FREE tickets to the US Army Field Band and Soldier's Chorus at the Rogers Field House, October 27, at 7:30pm, you need to send a self addressed stamped envelope to the Arts Alliance Office, Handke Center, 1170 Main Street, Elk River, MN 55330. Limit of four tickets per request.

You'll be able to read more about their visit on the website, when you get the next issue of the Eddy (you are a member aren't you?) and when we send out press releases, but we wanted you blog readers to know about it first.

Artist Member links

2007-08-24T09:59:00.000-05:00

The Arts Alliance has a long history of mentoring, collaborating, assisting, and promoting artists; especially artists that are members in good standing. So, as a baby step in helping out member/artists better market themselves and help create a creative community we have implemented a page on our website that lists artist/members and links to their websites. Ideally, we would love to be able to highlight an art piece on that page. For now, we are listing your name, your phone number, and a hotlink to your website.
As of this morning we only a couple of names, but as we go public in the Eddy next month and here on this blog, we anticipate we will be getting more members that want to have a link.
How do you get on that page.
1) make certain your membership is paid up to date.
2) send us a link at elkriverart@sherbtel.com with your name and phone number.
3) please wait. We have a volunteer that updates our website, and she has a day job, and a couple of other things she does, so we will probably be updating every couple of weeks.
4) put a link to our website on your website.

So, you say you don’t know the first thing about creating a website? If you live in Minnesota you can go to www.mnartists.org and put up some images and a bio on their site. Then you can send us that URL and we can link to you. This site is funded by the Walker Art Center and the McKnight Foundation.
If you want to know more, check out the Springboard site, as they regularly run seminars on the arts of doing business for artists.
In fact, CMAB is hosting a series of workshops by Springboard this fall on ”The Work of Art: Business Skills for Artists.” Check out CMAB’s website for more info: www.centralmnartsboard.org.

We are starting this page with visual artists, but know there are musicians and authors that are members and if you raise your collective voices we will see that we can link to you too!

Dave Phipps and the Creative Department.

2007-08-17T16:08:00.000-05:00

Dave Phipps will has as his guest Patrick Grace, Executive Director of the Arts Alliance on Sunday, August 26 at noon on Newstalk Radio 1450 KNSI, St. Cloud.

Dave has worked as a cartoonist, is a writer, was a stay at home dad, and now has two radio shows, the Creative Department, and the Home Show with co-host Katie Harms.
He really tries to emphasis the whys and how comes of the creative process with his weekly Creative Department shows. His regional focus, that is central Minnesota, is an area of conversation sadly neglected by the statewide public broadcasters.
Unfortunately his programs are not archived or available as podcasts, yet. So, if you want to hear this show or any of the weekly shows about the creative process you have to hear it as it is broadcast. You can hear it anywhere in the world, because it is broadcast on the internet.

Check out the live webcast at http://www.1450knsi.com
(click the link by Dave’s photo at 12:05p Sunday).

As Dave says, “Be creative. Do good. And pass it on!”

P.S. he loves getting emails from his listeners

Members Show in October

2007-08-13T11:29:00.001-05:00

Calling all Arts Alliance members!
It is almost time once again for the Arts Alliance members to show off their latest art work. All Arts Alliance members are encouraged to submit up to four original art pieces on October 8th at the Sherburne County Government Center between 5:00pm and 7:30pm. This is a nonjuried show that is meant to highlight the depth and breadth of the many talented artists who are nurtured, mentored, and encouraged by their association with the Arts Alliance.

Artists are responsible for providing their own labels, which should include the artist’s name and title of the work, price of work, and phone number. The Arts Alliance takes no commission for any work sold during this show. It is one of the benefits of being a member of the Arts Alliance.
Artists are also responsible for hanging and securing their own work, and when it's time for the show to end you are responsible for picking up your work too.

The show runs October 8th through November 9th. It is open to the public during normal business hours at the Government Center, M-F, 8AM -4:30PM.

Call the Arts Alliance office for more information, 763.44.14725.

Arts in Harmony prospectus available

2007-08-03T16:37:00.000-05:00

The prospectus for the Arts in Harmony 2008 national juried art exhibit sponsored by the Arts Alliance is now available online for download at our website: elkriverart.org.
Over $9000 in cash prices will be awarded in what will be the thirteenth rendition of this popular exhibition.
In past years we have received entries from over twenty states and two nations.
This year's jurors are artist and educator Paul Benson and Lyn Nelson-Mayson, director of the Goldstein Museum of Design, see the July 19th blog entry for more information about them.
Once again volunteers will be doing much of the work for this exhibit, including Dave Beauvais, who swears after this year he is retiring.
The exhibit has been supported by the Central Minnesota Arts Board through a grant from the McKnight Foundation.

To download the prospectus as a pdf go to our website: elkriverart.org. For more info contact the Arts Alliance office: 763.441.4725.

Exhibit time open

2007-08-03T14:08:00.000-05:00

We are looking for a member-artist that is seeking to show a new body of work just in time for the holidays. The December 17, 2007 through January 25, 2008 time slot at the Sherburne County Government Center is still open.
We encourage you to contact us soon, as these time slots usually fill up quickly.
Don’t have enough new work to fill the halls at SCGC? Consider pairing up with a friend, or contact us and we can see if there is someone else in the same spot.
Heck, that’s four months out, you could have a whole new body of work done by then!

Nothing like a deadline to get you motivated.

Volunteerism

2007-08-03T10:00:00.000-05:00

We recently saw information that said that 4 in 10 Minnesotans engage in some form of volunteering over the course of a year. This is one of the highest rates of engagement in the country, and no doubt reflects upon our feelings about the quality of life available for most Minnesotans.
At the Arts Alliance we know the value of volunteers. We had over 100 community volunteers help us develop, work at, and cleanup at ArtSoup, the community arts festival that took place in June.
We have a loyal and dedicated board of directors that donate time, talent, and more time to help insure the arts can be reached by every home in our communities. These community members help insure that when you want to see art, take an arts class, or hear a performance by professional musicians or thespians, you can do so.
We rely upon volunteers to answer our phone and keep our membership list up to date (thank you Carolyn, Ann, and Edith!)
The Arts Alliance is always looking for community members that are interested in helping the Arts Alliance achieve its mission of providing access to the arts in our communities. We have many opportunities for engagement with the Arts Alliance, from helping get our event fliers out, to answering the phone, to becoming a board member and steering the planning for the organization.
We are especially interested in finding members of the community that have experience in business plan development, marketing and interactive web development, and generational transformative engagement (how about that?). If you, your spouse, business partner, or daughter/son are seeking a way to make the community just a little bit more artsy, want to work with fun people, and have time to roll up your sleeves, please give us a call or email us today.

Otsego Festival, September 15

2007-07-30T15:08:00.000-05:00

The Arts Alliance has been invited to showcase member visual artists at the new City of Otsego Public Works building. The recently opened facility normally welcomes visitors doing business with the City of Otsego, but because the City is rightly proud of this new facility they will have it open for inspection during the Festival, September 15th.
We will be showing off some of the local artistic talent in the public areas of the building and have a table there with information about our other programming. If you are an Otsego resident and member of the Arts Alliance and want people to learn more about your work, call the Arts Alliance office, 763.441.4725, to find out more. Space is limited.

Bush Artist Fellows

2007-07-25T16:05:00.000-05:00

The Bush Foundation recently alerted us to their email mailing list. Here is some info they sent to us. If you are a working creative person it would behoove you to check them out. They are a very suppportive Foundation of working creative people in Minnesota.

"The Bush Artist Fellows program makes awards in multiple categories that rotate on a two-year cycle. Categories for 2009 will include Performance-Based Work, Script Works, Literary Arts, Music Composition, and Performance: Traditional, Folk, and Ethnic Arts. The following are the categories for the 2008 application round:
· Visual Arts - fiber arts, painting, sculpture, photography, drawing, works on paper, book arts, mixed media, installation, etc.
· Media Arts - film, video, audio, digital, and new hybrid technologies.
· Visual Arts: Traditional, Ethnic, and Craft Materials - functional forms of traditional or contemporary craft arts.

As of June 2007, we have made two additions to the Bush Artist Fellows Core Program. The Enduring Vision Awards offers $100,000 to artists with at least 25 years experience as an artist, following the same category cycle as the Core Program. Dakota Creative Connections provides small project grants to be used for travel, study and research, artist residencies and retreats, equipment and materials, and short-term projects.

Bush Artist Fellowships provide artists with significant financial support that enables them to further their work and their contributions to their communities. Artists may use a Bush Artist Fellowship in many ways: to explore new directions, continue work already in progress, or accomplish work not financially feasible otherwise. Fellows may decide to take time for solitary work or reflection, engage in collaborative or community projects, embark on travel or research, or any other activity that contributes to their lives as artists. The Bush Artist Fellows Program is open to residents of Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Applicants must be 25 years or older. Students enrolled in degree-granting programs are not eligible."

Their website, at http://www.bushfoundation.org, will be regularly updated with new information about the programs. If you have questions or want further information not covered on their website, please feel free to contact them at BAFInfo@bushfoundation.org mailto:BAFInfo@bushfoundation.org.

Photography Exhibition

2007-07-24T15:48:00.000-05:00

Local photographer and Arts Alliance member, Roger Nordstrom, will be exhibiting new work from his recent trip to France and Italy that focuses upon the people, places, and things he observed. He will also be showing a collection of images from places closer to home, Minnesota and South Dakota, that have landscape and wildlife as their subject matter.
Roger’s interest in photography goes back to his childhood. "My interest in photography began when I was young and my father was a big influence on me. My dad always seemed to have a camera in his hand and it was so much fun looking at the pictures that he took. I developed my first roll of film as a young teen and would print pictures in a make shift darkroom. “
Life took Roger in other directions for a number of years, but with the dawn of the digital age, so too was awoken his interest in photography. By the turn of this century, he found he once again had time for his passion. “My professional career took me into the world of data processing and with increased professional demands on my time my darkroom activity suffered. It was hard to balance everything and as a result my camera was put down. By the turn of the century my professional career was well established and it was the dawn of the digital photography age. It was time to again to pursue an interest I had missed so much over the years. It was an easy transition back into photography and the rewards have been quite fulfilling.”

The exhibition runs July 30 through August 31 during regular business hours at the Sherburne County Government Center.

Young crowd

2007-07-22T17:11:00.000-05:00

Recently we got to sit down and listen to and speak with some younger members of the Arts Alliance audience. Their ages ranged from 15 to 25, both young men and young women, some are still in high school, one just out, one a college student, and one a working adult. They all had some dealings with the Arts Alliance, most recently at ArtSoup, our community arts festival that took place June 23-24.
The conversation was about opportunities for younger people to hear music, see art by a younger crowd, and generally a report card of how the Elk River area is doing in providing arts experiences for the generation that has grown up with computers and ipods.
Of course the Twin Cities was IDed as a significant draw for them, both for visual arts and music. They don't see any real concerted effort to provide them a place to participate, watch, or be seen in the local area.
They gave us some great ideas about how to improve ArtSoup and maybe have more participation by their generation. We talked about how they learn about events and how they decide whether they will go or not go. They all knew about the new park downtown and how downtown has a chance to be a place to do things, if the right venue or event took place.
The Arts Alliance recognizes that much of what we have been doing lately has been skewered to a slightly older age group. This isn't always by chance, as we need to pay for our events, just as everyone else. The opportunity to engage a younger crowd however is too important to not consider some chances. We know that if we don't hook young people before they leave high school on the importance of seeing live music and theater or seeing real art work, the chances are their lives will be less full and they and we will regret it.

The Arts Alliance has two opportunities this fall season to engage the young crowd.
On October 6 we have comedian C. Willi Myles headlining. Opening for him is singer-songwriter Laura Harley.

C Willi Myles takes everyday life challenges and applies humor to them. He has opened for many of the top musical and comedy acts throughout the country and performs regularly at casinos and in concert with some of the biggest names in entertainment. The New York Times has been quoted as saying Willi Myles "leaves them hurtin' with laughter and wanting more!" With extremely funny non-offensive stories and jokes, Willi makes everybody laugh. What happens when you take a guy from Alabama and you move him up to Minnesota and let him experience his first winter including ice fishing? One thing that happens for sure is a lot of laughs and a unique look at living in the Midwest.
See his website: cwilli.com

Critics and fans alike rave about the "crystalline beauty" of Laura Harley's voice. In a time when the airwaves are jammed with the static of a world on the brink, Laura cuts through the noise. Her captivating voice, evocative lyrics, and unforgettable songs have brought her devoted fans and critical acclaim throughout her musical career. At a high-school battle of the bands, Laura’s singing caught the attention of guitarist Teddy Kim, who was looking for a collaborator. The two cut a demo under the name Sliver and burst onto the Minneapolis club scene. Sliver became a buzz act when the local college radio station obtained a copy of their demo and put it into heavy rotation. That year, before releasing a record, Sliver was voted Minneapolis' best new band in a ballot sponsored by the prestigious First Avenue Club. They went on to release two critically-acclaimed CDs, tour nationally, and chart on the college music charts. Later she and Teddy began a new musical collaboration seeking new perspective. Her 2006 self titled CD had critics outdoing themselves with praise. “Sounding like a snowcapped Sade, Harley (a trained life coach) strives for meaningful messages and inner explorations amid rich, subtle arrangements. Even empowerment anthems “Champion” and “Sing Out Loud” never lose their cool, but that’s in tune with Harley’s vision to make soothing, contemplative pop."
--Minnesota Monthly
see her website: lauraharley.com

Later on, December 1, we have Joe Chvala and the Flying Foot Forum.
Some might accuse Joe Chvala (pronounce like Koala) of being slap happy. They might be right. Joe and his collaborators use their own bodies, floors, walls, slinkies, and other inanimate objects as percussion instruments. Add movement that brings the tempo to a whirling beat or to a quiet whisper and you have an evening of fun entertainment and beauty in motion. The Flying Foot Forum is a vibrant and bold percussive dance/theater company that fuses percussion and percussive dances with many other forms of music, dance and theater, telling unusual tales, creating a wild variety of characters, and exploring universal ideas in inventive and exciting new ways. "Creating beautiful images is relatively commonplace among those who make dances; being able to make a direct visceral link with the audience is far more rare and precious. Chvala has this talent, plus the capacity to create innovative and unexpected movement."
- Pittsburgh Tribune Review
see their website: flyingfootforum.com

We have season tickets on sale now. Individual tickets will go on sale after Labor Day. This year we are offering a special Family Pak: 2 adults + one student(under 18)= $30; each additional student(under 18) $5. Normally adults are $15@ and students are $6.

Call the Arts Alliance office for more info: 763.441.4725

Big Top Tent Show Radio show

2007-07-21T21:42:00.000-05:00

Warren Nelson and his crew broadcast weekly on KBEM Jazz 88 every Saturday at 4:00pm.

Tent Show Radio is a weekly variety series showcasing live performances from Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua. Featuring Big Top’s Artistic Director, Warren Nelson, the Blue Canvas Orchestra, and nationally and regionally renowned performers, Tent Show Radio is heard every week on listener-supported radio stations across the country, and twice a week on the Wisconsin Public Radio state-wide network.

Each week features a different live performance from Big Top Chautauqua’s summer season of concerts, lectures, musicals, and theater productions. Tune into Tent Show Radio and bring Big Top Chautauqua into your home!

Warren Nelson and the Big Top Chautauqua band will be coming to the Zabee Theater in Elk River, May 13, 2008.

You say you can’t even pronounce sesquicentennial. Not to worry, when Warren Nelson and the Big Top Chautauqua Orchestra are done with their evening presentation of Old Minnesota: Song of the North Star you will not only be able to say it, you’ll be able to sing about it, and know why Minnesota isn’t still part of Wisconsin!
Old Minnesota: Song of the North Star is a personal, musical, historical hike through the old ways of the Gopher State. What is gone now, or mostly so, from our sight and sound will be ‘songtold’. ‘Old Minnesota’ will be a grand excursion. Travel back down the river of time to see and hear what Minnesota was all about in its early history -- the native people, the immigrants, the farms, the forests, the waters, the iron ore. From Paul Bunyan loggers in the north to black earth farmers in the south, and from the founding of the Twin Cities to the tragic story of the Sioux Uprising, the history of our great state will come alive again. Using large scale historic photos from the Minnesota Historical Society collection, original songs, historic readings, dramatic reenactments, and dancing, the Big Top folks will tell the history of Minnesota at the time of statehood.
Warren Nelson, a native of Fairmont, Minnesota, host of the popular Big Top Chautauqua shows in Bayfield, Wisconsin, musician, historian, radio show host for the nationally public radio broadcast Tent Radio, and all around nice guy will lead his ensemble through an evening that will be fun and informative for the entire family.

check out the Arts Alliance website for more info.

Horizon Fund Letter Sent Out to Supporters

2007-07-20T11:03:00.000-05:00

The Arts Alliance recently sent out its Horizon Fund letter to its members and community supporters.
Here is the text of the letter:

Dear Friend of the Arts Alliance,

It is the beginning of our new fiscal year. A time to reflect and a time plan for the coming year. A time to ask our friends to step forward and particpate in helping the Arts Alliance continue providing outstanding arts events in the Arts Alliance service area.

We have just completed our most exciting ArtSoup community arts festival yet. There was great music, art, dance, and fun generated and enjoyed by people from all over the entire Arts Alliance region. As know, ArtSoup is but one of the events that the Arts Alliance produces and sponsors.
The Arts Alliance also supports visual art exhibitions like the annual national juried Arts in Harmony exhibition, a performing arts series at the Zabee Theater, which this year will include dance, comedy, musical history, japanese drumming, and music to entertain and enrich. Through ArtScape, we also co-sponsor arts educational opportunities for students of all ages and levels of skill.

These art opportunities and services of the Arts Alliance exist only because of the support we receive from the community members like you. In 2004, the Horizon Fund was created to provide the additional funding needed to accomplish the Arts Alliance mission of bringing professional arts experiences to our communities, showcasing local talent, and providing arts educational opportunities to people of all ages. The Arts Alliance services the communities of Big Lake, Elk River, Zimmerman, Princeton, Otsego, Rogers, Ramsey, Princeton, Dayton, Monticello and St Michael. Ticket sales, grants, memberships and class fees help with our operating expenses, but don't cover all of the costs of providing quality arts experiences in our communities. Your contribution will make a difference.

Your donation at this time will help ensure that the Arts Alliance can continue to bring quality arts experiences to our communities. Your investment in the Arts Alliance says that you believe the arts are an important part of community life. Please decide your level of support and complete the attached form and enclose your check payable to ERAAA, or use your credit card. Your donation to the nonprofit Arts Alliance is tax deductible.

Thank you in advance for your generous support!

Wendy Simenson, vice chair
Board of Directors

At this critical juncture in the Arts Alliance's annual drive for support, it is important that we all review what the arts bring to our lives and how we can help support the only arts group in the region that supports visual artists, presents professional performing artists, and partners to provide access to art classes and lectures.
Please consider a significant contribution to help the arts grow in your community.
thanks!

Jurors Chosen for Arts in Harmony exhibition.

2007-07-19T16:13:00.000-05:00

The Arts Alliance is pleased to announce the jurors for the 13th Annual Arts in Harmony national juried exhibition.

Paul Benson is an active backpacker, sea kayaker and gardener who lives in Afton, Minnesota. He has taught art at St. Paul Academy and Summit School for 24 years. Benson received a BS degree from Carroll College in 1972 and a BS degree in art education from the University of Minnesota in 1979. He has been an active member of the Twin Cities art community for 30 years and has served on selection committees for the Minnesota State Arts Board as well as the panel for the Minnesota Artists Exhibition Program at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. He has received two Minnesota State Arts Board Artist Assistance Fellowship Grants and an NEA/Arts Midwest Regional Visual Artist Fellowship. His sculpture can be seen at Western Park in St. Paul, Cathedral Church of St. Mark in Minneapolis, Southwest State University in Marshall, and at North Hennepin Community College in Brooklyn Park.

Lin Nelson-Mayson is the director of the Goldstein Museum of Design at the University of Minnesota. She has previously held leadership positions in the museum field including Director of ExhibitsUSA in Kansas City, Curator for the Minnesota Museum of American Art in St. Paul, and Deputy Director for Curatorial Services at the Columbia Museum of Art in Columbia, South Carolina. She received her Bachelor’s in Fine Arts with an emphasis in painting from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, and her Master’s of Fine Arts with an emphasis in sculpture and critical writing from The Ohio State University. She served as chair of the Curator's Committee for the American Association of Museums (1992-1994), chair of the Minnesota Association of Museums (1998-2000), and board member for the Association of Midwest Museums (2002-2005).

The Arts in Harmony exhbition prospectus will be available online at the Arts Allinace website:elkriverart.org soon.
For more information call the Arts Alliance office: 763.441.4725.