Art is the Emotion that Drives the Community

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mark Haglund

Fine Art Artist

Arts Alliance Member

Visual Art happenings

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.