Noteworthy

Clear Waters Life Center-Gonvick

received a $72,100 Arts Learning Grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board to develop Create It! Community Art Studios including: Pottery, Mosaic/Glass and Painting/Drawing Studios. Open Studio every day of the week; art teachers and art mentors on hand every Monday. Starting in May!  

 

The Lady Slipper Scenic Byway, Inc. received a $24,200 Minnesota State Arts Board grant for the Lady Slipper Festival, which celebrates Minnesota's state flower, the Showy Lady Slipper. Held June 16-17 in the city of Blackduck and on the Leech Lake Reservation, the festival will feature art, music, and information about the flower and the scenic byway along which it grows.

View the complete list of the Region 2 Arts Council Board Members. 

March 24 & 31    Build a Solid Oak Butterfly Bench. Join master woodscraftsman Duane Shoup in his Shevlin woodshop for a two-day workshop in which each participant will build their own solid oak bench for indoor or outdoor use.  The workshop will run from 11a.m. to 5 p.m. To register, send a check in the amount of $125 to Region 2 Arts Council, 426 Bemidji Avenue N, Bemidji, MN 56601 by March 16. Email or call 218-751-5447 with questions.

 

March 24    Acrylic Painting, the Abstract Experience for Beginners. Join artist and facilitator Shannon Lucas Westrum at Headwaters School of Music and the Arts in Bemidji for the opportunity to create abstract paintings by experimenting with techniques and mediums in a no-pressure environment. Easel, canvas, pallet, brushes will be provided. The workshop will run from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. with a break for lunch and is geared toward people who consider themselves "non-artists." To register, send a check in the amount of $40 payable to Headwaters School of Music and the Arts, P.O. Box 542, Bemidji, MN 56619 by March 16. Call 218-444-5606 with questions.

   

March 24   Winter Retreat for Writers: Dreams as Portals for Creative Energy. Join Dr. CarolAnn Russell for this lecture, discussion and workshop from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. at Headwaters School of Music and the Arts. Stream of consciousness writing will be the medium for self-exploration and generation of future writing projects in all genres. To register, send a check in the amount of $75 payable to Headwaters School of Music and the Arts, P.O. Box 542, Bemidji, MN 56619 by March 16. Call 218-444-5606 with questions.  The cost of the workshop includes snacks, meal and materials.  

 

March 26, April 2 & 9   Building a Bunraku-inspired Rod Puppet. Join puppeteer Margaret Burger of Fortuna Puppet Theatre on three Mondays from 6-8:30 p.m. and build a 16" puppet, with a paper mache head, and a wood, wire, cloth, and foam body. The focus of the workshop will be on construction, with an introduction to the basics of movement with your completed puppet. An amazing amount of expression can be achieved from this simple puppet. The workshop will be held in Freaxis Studios, lower level BCAC, 426 Bemidji Ave. To register, please send your check in the amount of $25 to Region 2 Arts Council, 426 Bemidji Ave N, Bemidji, MN 56601 by March 19. The cost includes all materials. Email or call 218-751-5447 with questions.

Other Workshops and Classes

March 5, 12, 19 & 26  Headwaters School of Music and the Arts presents Beginners Pottery Classes 

Ages 8-13: 4:15-5:30 p.m. / Ages 14-adult: 6:30-8 p.m.

The Third Street Singers is a non-audition senior chorus program that rehearses on Monday afternoons from 1-2 p.m. at the Headwaters School of Music and the Arts and performs regularly in the community. Call 218-444-5606 with questions about joining the group.  

The group is for students in grades 5 and up or those who have been in private instruction. Students must be able to play in 1st and 3rd position. Cost: $10 a month.  Call 218-444-5606 to register.  

   

March 7, 14, 21 & 28 Headwaters School of Music and the Arts presents Beginners Violin Class from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Wednesdays. This violin group is for students who have never played a string instrument but want to learn. This class is for students age 6-9. Call 218-444-5606 to register.

 

Headwaters School of Music and the Arts offers Private Music Lessons available in: Piano, Guitar, Voice, Violin, Viola, Saxophone, Clarinet, Trumpet, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba and Drums! Call 218-444-5606 to sign up for lessons with an instructors specializing in your instrument of choice.

Events 

Opportunities

McKnight Artist Fellowship for Visual Artists Deadline: March 6

The goal of the program is to identify four established Minnesota visual artists whose work is of exceptional artistic merit. The program provides unrestricted cash awards of $25,000 each, creates opportunities to meet with local and national art professionals, and organizes a group exhibition of the fellows' work in MCAD Gallery, accompanied by a catalogue. Visit the website for complete information. 

 

Student Artist Contest Deadline: March 14

Headwaters Center for Lifelong Learning invites Hubbard County high school art students to participate in creating an image portraying what the towns in Hubbard County will look like in 2058. The contest is open to students in grades 9-12 and offers cash prizes based on artistic merit. Winning student artists will share their work with the public on Tuesday, March 27. For more information and to pick up rules and contract for the contest, please contact your art teacher or Martha Leistikow at 218-732-3131. 

 

Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is compiling a database of artists interested in collaborating with county fairs to bring arts and arts programming to these events. The MDA is responsible for administering the County Fair Arts Access and Cultural Heritage grants to fund projects that enhance arts access, arts education and preserve and promote Minnesota's history and cultural heritage. If you are interested in being listed on the MDA Artist Database or want to learn more about the County Fair Arts Access and Cultural Heritage grant programs, please email Emily Murphy or call 651-201-6648.  

  

Northwest Minnesota Foundation Deadline: March 6

Through a collaborative venture with the Valspar Corporation and the Minnesota Beautiful Picture-It-Painted program, assistance will be provided to communities and organizations seeking paint and other coating materials necessary for restoration and beautification projects. Approximately 550 gallons of free paint will be available. Download application materials or email or call Holly at 218-759-2057 or 800-659-7859. 

 

Sanford Center Showcase Exhibit Deadline: March 15  

The Sanford Center Art Committee in Bemidji is seeking adult artists residing in Region 2 for six-week exhibits in the two new showcases in the Neilson Convention Center. The committee will select artists based on artistic quality, originality and craftsmanship of the work. Please contact Art Committee Chair Sandy Kaul with questions at 218-751-8940. 

 

Sanford Center Bike Racks Deadline: March 15

The Sanford Center Art Committee in Bemidji is seeking proposals from artists who wish to design and create functional bicycle racks to be integrated into the west side plaza of the facility. The artist-designed bike racks are to be unique and functional and be able to accommodate 14 bikes near Gate 4 and 7 bikes at Gate 2. Proposals should include a budget for additional racks should the Center wish to purchase more in a limited edition series. The artist will receive $1,000 for the design, fabrication and delivery to the Sanford Center. Please contact Art Committee Chair Sandy Kaul with questions at 218-751-8940. 

 

Bemidji Sculpture Walk 2012 Deadline: March 31

Participate this year in Northern Minnesota's premiere public art venue. The Sculpture Walk committee will select the 20 submissions based on their conceptual strength, originality and workmanship. These will be on display for 12 months in locations throughout Bemidji. Click here for more information or to submit sculptures.   

 

Call for Artists: 3rd Annual Opener Art Festival

This visual arts show and sale is open to artists in all areas of visual art. There are more than 50 vendor spaces available. The Festival will be at the Nielson Conference Center in the Sanford Center ballrooms on November 3, 2012. Fee:  $75 for 10x10 booth plus $15 processing fee. $10 discount on registrations postmarked before April 2. For information and application, visit the website or call 218-556-5907. 

 

First City of Arts Studio Cruise 2012: April 15

Artists with studios within a 40 mile radius of Bemidji are invited to apply to participate in the Bemidji - First City of Arts Studio Cruise 2012. This is a working studio event which provides an opportunity for artists to invite the public into their studios to showcase their art and craft.Studio Cruise dates: October 19, 20 and 21. Fees: $10 non-refundable jury fee and $100 artist participation fee. 

 

Call for Proposals Deadline: May 1

Region 2 artists are encouraged to submit proposals for a public-art project involving the façade of the 90.5 KBXE studios/office space at 305 America Avenue NW in Bemidji. For more information, view the Request For Proposals.