Quad Cities Journal

Iron Range Veterans Memorial Committee lays 102 memorial pavers

noreply@blogger.com (earthseeker) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:48:00 +0000

In anticipation of Veterans Day, 2009 and the impending ground freeze up plus snow, the IRVM Committee with Sjoberg Masonry installed another 102 memorial pavers at the IRVM park site in Virginia, Mn. near Bailey's lake. Pavers may be ordered by contacting the IRVM at Box 35, Virginia, Mn. 55792 and donations or inquiries are always welcome. The anticipated delivery of the 9 ton bronze sculpture "Shoulder to Shoulder" is spring 2010. Progress can be viewed at: http://www.oxbowart.com. The bronze table top version of the sculpture is currently part of a local display in the Lindbergh Terminal at the Mpls./St. Paul Airport in concourse C.

Fiber Arts Forest Display

noreply@blogger.com (earthseeker) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:45:00 +0000

Northland Women’s Policy Forum

jen3344@gmail.com (Jennifer) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 17:26:00 +0000

Saturday, November 7, 2009
12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Mesabi Range College, Eveleth Campus

The Northland Women's Policy Forum is a gathering designed to bring together policy makers, community leaders, advocates, and all those interested learning more about the intersection of women and public policy.

Guests include: Amy Brenengen, Office on the Economic Status of Women; Deb Fitzpatrick, Center on Women and Public Policy, Humphrey institute; Deborah Schlick, Affirmative Options Coalition; Suzanne Koepplinger, Minnesota Indian Women’s Resource Center; Kathleen Murphy, Constitutional Amendment For Equality (CAFE)

AGENDA

12:00 Registration and Lunch

12:30 The Status of Women in Minnesota: The 10,000 foot perspective

1:30 The Status of Women in Minnesota: The “on the ground” perspective (Panel Discussion)

2:30 Facilitated Roundtable Discussions – Three 30‐minute discussions centered around: Economic Justice/Disparities for Women; “What exactly is Policy?”; Around the Kitchen Table – What women’s issues are we talking about around the table that didn’t get mentioned here?

4:00 Women in Public Office

4:30 Interactive Discussion with Elected Officials including State Representative Tom Rukavina; St. Louis County Commissioner Peg Sweeney; City Councilors Nevada Littlewolf and Liz Kuoppala

5:00 Dessert Networking Reception

For more information, email womensforum09@gmail.com or call 1-800-662-5711 ext 423

Sponsored by: Office on the Economic Status of Women; Rural Women’s Leadership Project; The White House Project; Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, Mesabi Range College; Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency; Blandin Foundation; the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota

Please RSVP online!

Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund: Chisholm Listening Session & Online Survey

jen3344@gmail.com (Jennifer) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 13:00:00 +0000

The Minnesota Historical Society, the Minnesota State Arts Board and the Minnesota Humanities Center are hosting a series of listening sessions to obtain public input for a 10-year plan and 25-year framework for the use of funds made available through the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

Representatives from the three organizations and 10 other history, arts and cultural organizations and libraries will work together to develop a plan for how proceeds of the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund will be spent. The results of this collaborative planning process will be reported to the legislature by Jan. 15, 2010.

They will be at the Minnesota Discovery Center in Chisholm on Tuesday, October 27 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

The Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund was established through constitutional amendment, approved by voters in November 2008, which added a provision to Minnesota’s constitution that provides for an increase in the sales tax to support outdoor heritage, clean water, parks and trails, as well as arts, history and cultural heritage.

If you are unable to attend, please take the online survey!

If you are interested in the connections between the Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund and K-12 education, visit Parents United!

Webinar Series: Realizing Our Broadband Future

jen3344@gmail.com (Jennifer) — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 14:55:00 +0000

Are you interested in rural community and economic development trends? Yes.

Don't miss these upcoming Webinars about trends and the steps communities must take to increase their investment attractiveness. Learn about the role that technology plays in increasing economic vitality and present successful regional economic development strategies

Date(s): Tuesday, October 6, Tuesday, October 20, and Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Time(s): 8:00 AM - 9:30 AM
Location: ReadyTalk web conferencing
Access code: 4772080
Toll-free dial-in: (866) 740-1260
Learn More & Register!

October 6, 2009
A Futurist's View of Rural Minnesota
Presenter: Delore Zimmerman of Praxis Strategy Group, Grand Forks, ND
If you are interested in rural community and economic development trends, this webinar is for you. Delore Zimmerman will provide guidance for rural community leaders about development trends and the steps communities must take to increase their investment attractiveness.
The role that technology plays in increasing economic vitality will be presented both in theory and practice, and Delore will include information about successful regional economic development strategies.

Delore is a strategy consultant with twenty-five years of domestic and international experience working with local and regional economic development groups, companies and universities. He co-developed the High-Performance Community Initiative while a Senior Fellow at the Denver-based Center for the New West and has spearheaded its development and deployment for 10 years.

October 20, 2009
Broadband Best Practices in Greater Minnesota
Presenter: Bill Coleman of Community Technology Advisors, Mahtomedi, MN
Broadband is an essential asset for community and economic development. Greater Minnesota faces many challenges in keeping up with larger metro areas in Minnesota, across the country and around the world.

Community leaders are faced with navigating a whirlwind of dynamic technologies, policy discussions at the federal and state level, and funding through the ARRA stimulus programs as they wrestle with the the challenge of ensuring world-class broadband infrastructure and services and motivating the adoption of new technologies by businesses, institutions and citizens. This session will provide an overview of community best practices for network deployment and broadband-based economic development.

Bill Coleman has been helping communities make the connection between broadband and economic development. He specializes in helping communities accurately assess their situation, devise improvement strategies and implement projects. He brings equal attention to infrastructure and end-user technology adoption that leads to economic vitality.

November 3
Telling a Story with Social Media
Presenter: Ann Treacy, Treacy Information Services
Everyone has a story to tell, whether you’re recruiting people or businesses to your region, selling a product or preparing a presentation on future of broadband in rural areas. Social media tools such as YouTube and podcasts can help you establish your story, social networks such as Facebook or LinkedIn help you spread the word and ongoing blogs or Twitter can help maintain the story. We’ll talk about how to tell your story with social media.

Ann Treacy is a former librarian with 13 years of experience working with businesses and other organizations to get their message to prospective clients on the Internet. She works with resorts, realtors, manufacturers, nonprofits and others throughout Minnesota to develop Internet and socialmedia strategies to meet business goals.

USDA Study Finds Rural Communities Benefit From Greater Broadband Internet Access

jen3344@gmail.com (Jennifer) — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 13:21:00 +0000

WASHINGTON, August 18, 2009 - A new USDA economic analysis has found that rural communities with greater broadband Internet access had greater economic growth than areas with less access. The study, 'Broadband Internet's Value for Rural America' by economists at USDA's Economic Research Service, compared counties that had broadband access relatively early - by 2000 - with similarly situated counties that had little or no broadband access. Employment growth was higher and non-farm private earnings greater in counties with a longer history of broadband availability.

» Read the release

» Read the full report

Britt Community Historical Society Holds Annual Meeting

noreply@blogger.com (earthseeker) — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 15:11:00 +0000

BCHS annual meeting will be held at the
Laurentian Environmental Center (LEC) on
Sunday, July 12, 2009 from 4-6 p.m.

A brief business meeting will be held at 4 followed by another deilcious meal by “Marko”. Pam Brunfelt from Britt will be our guest speaker. Following this, we will have drawings for doorprizes. To conclude our evening, a special poem will be read by Darrel Swenson. All members and interested guests are urged to attend. Join us on Sunday, July 12, 2009 at the main lodge of the LEC located 14 miles morth of Virginia on Peppard Road. Please RSVP for the meal no later than July 10. Call 749-3860 and leave your name and number of people attending. See you there!

Minnesota Grant Opportunities for Artists

noreply@blogger.com (earthseeker) — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 23:48:00 +0000

The Minnesota State Arts Board has two upcoming grant opportunities for artists .

Artist Initiative grants support career building and creative development opportunities for artists. The Arts Board alternates disciplines eligible to apply each year. Music, photography, media arts/new media, poetry, and prose grants will be offered during the fiscal year 2010 grant round.
Application materials are available at http://www.arts.state.mn.us/grants/artist_initiative.htm
Applications must be received no later than 4:30 p.m. on July 30, 2009.

Cultural Community Partnership grants are designed to enhance the careers of individual artists of color through partnership projects. An applicant can collaborate with another Minnesota artist of color or a Minnesota nonprofit organization.
Application materials are available at http://www.arts.state.mn.us/grants/cultural_community_partnership.htm
Applications must be received no later than 4:30 p.m. on July 31, 2009.

Artist who would like to learn more about these opportunities are invited to attend a grant information session and, if interested, to schedule a one-on-one meeting with a program officer. Schedule and more details information available at http://www.arts.state.mn.us/calendar/info_sessions.htm

IRVM Artist gives Update

noreply@blogger.com (earthseeker) — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 23:44:00 +0000

Iron Range Veterans Memorial Sculpture Update
Gareth Andrews, Zim artist who designed and is constructing the Iron Range Veterans Memorial bronze sculpture, returned from the Crucible Foundry in Norman, Oklahoma. He reported to the IRVM committee about the status of the ”Shoulder to Shoulder” sculpture. Upon arriving at the foundry, with new digital equipment, he stated that, “it threw him for a loss in where and how to begin”. It turned into a larger project than he had anticipated. He said it was almost like making it all over again and he was amazed by the complexity of the project.
In the enlargement phase, the project came in the alloted time and it is ahead in the actual process but the time line for the end of September, 2009 does not seem probable at this time The foundry projects that with a completion date set as early as September, more manpower would have to be added at an additional expense. The hours of the workers have already been reduced, so consequently, a completion date has been set from New Years to spring of 2010. They hope it to be around Memorial Day 2010.
All of the eagle’s wing sections, around to the wrist, both sides and
the flag are in a metal state. The molds are done and the casting in resin sand. The quality of bronze construction has greatly increased since Gareth last worked. The WASP and on the other end the Coast Guardsman Merchant Marine are in mold or partially in metal. Those three figures are well along. The parachute is in a secure outside area and awaits other adjoining pieces. The helmet and feet are cast. The other five figures are in the mold stage or awaiting to be cut up for the mold stage. The items borrowed from the various museums have been returned with thanks. The museums want to be in attendance and should be recognized at the unveiling ceremony. A lot of details have been added to the figures including such items as a spoon in a knapsack for quick meals and other unique items that will be of great interest to the viewers.
Gareth explained some of the actual problems regarding installation and transportation. The foundry will attach footings to stabilize and level the statue.
Patina will be needed to match the head to the body if they are assembled at the destination spot. The varying temperatures affect patina and they will be matched accordingly. The head attaches like a tea pot or jack-o-lantern lid. It will be tack-welded and will have attachments of flanges. No grinding will be necessary.
If the construction is made so that head is separate from the body, the overall size of the sculpture will be reduced and help facilitate the transportation but even with the head off, some road or highway places might not allow it to pass through. It is the committee’s hope that only one truck is necessary for the transportation or perhaps railroad transport will be the better choice. If we can come up with the transportation from this end, it will reflect a savings. The price for shipment is estimated at $12,500 if it is handled from the foundry end. Installation is quoted at $5,000. The IRVM has had a promise of the usage of a crane for moving and erection of the sculpture but what is needed is the help of a railroad or trucking company to help with the transportation thus reducing the foundry shipping cost. The sculpture will pass through five states on the way here.
Further discussion followed at the IRVM meeting regarding connections in the art piece, assemblage, and future cleaning of the sculpture. Gareth’s design has taken into consideration various problems that might arise such as water accumulation, freezing and run off. Overall estimation of necessary funds is given at $150,000 including the foundry transportation cost, remaining foundry costs, artist fees, installation and upkeep. Questions, donations, and paver purchases may be sent to IRVM Box 35, Virginia, Mn. 55792.

Application of Arts and Cultural Heritage Funds

noreply@blogger.com (earthseeker) — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0000

In November 2008, Minnesotans overwhelmingly voted for a constitutional amendment that will create a new dedicated sales tax to fund activities related to clean water, land and habitat, parks and trails, and arts and cultural heritage. The Minnesota State Arts Board, the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council, and Minnesota's other ten regional arts councils will receive a significant funding increase because of this new tax.

Please plan to attend a public forum in Duluth on Thursday, June 18, from 6:00-8:00 p.m., at the Duluth Depot,506 West Michigan Street, and let us know how you think the new funds should be invested.

This is one of a series of forums that will be held throughout the state. The complete schedule is available on the Arts Board Web site http://www.arts.state.mn.us/calendar/public-forums.htm
Forums are free and open to anyone who would like to attend. You are welcome to attend any session--just pick the date and location that is most convenient for you. To help us plan accordingly, please call or e-mail to let us know which session you plan to attend.
Phone (651) 215-1600
Toll-free (800) 866-2787
E-mail msab@arts.state.mn.us

FROM THE WOODS ART SHOW

noreply@blogger.com (earthseeker) — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 22:49:00 +0000

FROM THE WOODS Water colors and Field drawings
By Bonnie DuFresne

June 11th thru August 29th
At The First Stage Gallery 514 Chestnut St. Virginia, Mn.
Thurs.—Sat. 11am—3pm
Join us for an Artist Reception: Thursday, June 11th 7:00pm
Lyric Center for the Arts
P.O. Box 416
Virginia, MN 55792
218-741-5577
http://lyriccenterforthearts.blogspot.com

Iron Range Veterans Memorial Soon To Be Completed

noreply@blogger.com (earthseeker) — Wed, 20 May 2009 16:42:00 +0000

"Honoring Those Who Served"
IRVM Mission Statement

As read at his 2007 funeral by his son Scott, some of Richard Edstrom's parting words were: "Always keep veterans and members of the armed services in mind". Dick served in the U.S. Marine Corps in the 1950's. Brother Russell was a sailor and brother Oscar Jr. was a paratrooper. Their father, Oscar Sr., was a member of Yoki-Bergman American Legion Post 220. The Iron Range Veterans Memorial dream (11 years ago) was very important to many including Dick as the first vice-chair of the IRVM committee. The non-profit was formed in 1998 for the sole purpose of collecting funding for a memorial for those who served.
Alongside Dick were others such as Don Tekautz , Bunny Isaacson, Larry Cuffe, and Floyd Jaros. Other now inactive initial supporters over the years have been: Bob Givens, Phil Carlson, Evelyn Raida, Larry Asbach, Dario Cuoco, Shawn Carr, and Barb Sanderson. Larry Lapatka, Ralph Harvey, Marge Pearsall and Dick Edstrom have passed away but the mission to build and complete this tribute still lives and moves forward. Current IRVM committee members are: Tom Berrigan (chair), Jim Lustig (treasurer), Louise Grams (secretary), Chuck Pottsmith (pavers), Jim Wilson, Jake Varoga, Don Tekautz, Larry Cuffe, Richard Obidowski and Charlene Luoma (vice chair).
The committee members have either been in active service themselves or have had relatives and loved ones who served. Thousands of Iron Rangers have served our country and deserve to be honored. During World War II, St. Louis County casualties were the highest in Minnesota. Ely had more men and women serving per capita than any other U.S. city. An unusually large number geographically of Vietnam war deaths were from the Iron Range. The sacrifices, injuries and deaths in addition to the iron and steel provided for war efforts places this area in a significant light for a monumental tribute to be erected.
Phase I in Virginia City Center Park near Bailey's Lake was completed in 2006 and is debt free. It includes memorial granite markers representing losses from five conflicts, lighting, circular handicapped accessible sidewalks, flags, statue underlay preparations, sod, landscaping and most importantly individual pavers. They bear items such as: names, branches of service, units, and deceased veteran's date of death. There are hundreds installed with room for hundreds more and purchases are steady. Pavers can be purchased or donations made through IRVM, Box 35, Virginia, 55792, Servicemen's Club (229 Chestnut St., Virginia Mn. 55792), or by calling Tom Berrigan 749-5362 or Chuck Pottsmith 741-8775.
Phase II is nearing completion and it's "when" not "if" that motivates everyone. Estimated completion date has been moved up to September 2009. It is a 26 x 13' bronze eagle sculpture that shields eight life size statues representing all military branches, five conflicts, both sexes and many ethnic groups. The artist, Gareth Andrews (Zim) is finalizing his work at the Crucible Foundry in Norman, Oklahoma. The estimated completion costs including freight transportation of $ 12, 500 and installation costs of $ 5,000 amounts to approximately $ 150,000.
We need everyone's help to complete this dream that has lived for over a decade and will honor those who served and those who are presently serving as well as being a beautiful tourism tribute to this entire area. A brief Memorial Day tribute will be held at the IRVM Bailey's Lake site on Monday following the Greenwood Cemetery program that is scheduled for 10. Everyone is welcome. Our mission statement is "Honoring Those Who Serve". Please join us in this honor.
(Photos courtesy of The Crucible Foundry, Norman Oklahoma showing local artist Gareth Andrews (Zim) working on the clay portion of the sculpture prior to the metal pour displayed in another one of the photos).

Interested Potters and Sculptors:

noreply@blogger.com (earthseeker) — Fri, 15 May 2009 23:04:00 +0000

A small group of potters has solicited a custom open studio
class at Vermilion Community College for the summer. This
class would be best for persons already familiar with clay
work, but there will be some instruction available.

The proposed schedule would be a start date of June 2 for 10
weeks with open studio time on Tuesdays and Thursdays from
4:30pm to 8:00pm. Price will be dependent on numbers
enrolled. There are still a few openings for this class.
Please call Wade Pharr at 365-2200 as soon as possible if
you are interested in this summer opportunity.

Salon de Garage Art Classes to be Held in Soudan

noreply@blogger.com (earthseeker) — Fri, 15 May 2009 23:03:00 +0000

Salon de Garage Art Classes
Artist Jeanni Burgwald will be teaching the 2009 Salon de Garage Project, to be held at her studio in Soudan. Classes are open to all skill levels and are focused on basic drawing and traditional painting methods, using oils & acrylics. Three classes will be held each week to provide basic and intermediate instruction as well as an open painting & critique session; 9:00am-12pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday June 2 thru September. Class fee is $25/class, and space is limited. Artists are to provide supplies. All participants are invited to celebrate and share their works of art during the ‘Salon de Garage Exhibition and Sale’ to be held July 31 and August 1, 2009. For further information, contact Jeanni Burgwald at 218.753.4215 or Email www.jmburgwald@prodigy.net.

Turning Your Art Avocation into a Vocation

noreply@blogger.com (earthseeker) — Fri, 15 May 2009 23:02:00 +0000

Turn your art into an income

Are you an artist with a desire to transform your avocation into a business? Do you want to be able to successfully market your artistic product/service? Are you wondering where and how to start down the path of artist-as-entrepreneur?

The Northeast Entrepreneur Fund introduces a new business learning program developed especially or artists who reside in northeast Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin.

C.RE.A.T.E. (Community Resources for Artists-to-Entrepreneurs) is designed to help artists turn their work into viable, income-producing businesses. Eligible participants include but are not limited to visual artists, sculptors, potters, filmmakers, photographers, musicians, and writers.

The next class series begins May 12. For program details, visitwww.entrepreneurfund.org/GNBcreate.htm, call 218-623-5747, or emailinfo@entrepreneurfund.org.

Britt Community Historical Society Seeks Board Members

noreply@blogger.com (earthseeker) — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 16:46:00 +0000

Needed: Two Britt residents to serve on the Britt Historical Society Board! 749-7162 (ask for Jessica or Jody). BCHSMail@gmail.com (website under construction) Next 2009 meetings are: July 22, and Oct. 21 at the Britt Forestry Guard Station (old highway 53). The annual meeting to be held this summer at the Learning Environmental Center in Britt.Election of officers and board realignment scheduled for first week in May. Interested board parties feel free to contact at the above phone number or email address or if you are interested in membership. We are also seeking photos, memories, artifacts, newspaper clippings etc. to help fill out Britt's history.

Britt Community Historical Society

noreply@blogger.com (earthseeker) — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 15:56:00 +0000

BRITT COMMUNITY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
BCHS BOX 477,
BRITT, MN. 55710
THE BRITT COMMUNITY HISTORICAL SOCIETY WAS FOUNDED IN MAY 2007 BY 52 FAMILY ENTITIES TOTALING 84 INDIVIDUALS. IF YOU HAVE NOT HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO JOIN OUR MEMBERSHIP, WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO REMIT A CHECK TO BCHS P.O. BOX 477, BRITT, MN. 55710. $15 INDIVIDUAL, $25 FAMILY, $100 LIFETIME INDIV., $175 LIFETIME FAMILY. BCHS YEAR IS JULY 1-JUNE 30. ELECTED OFFICERS/BOARD MEMBERS MEETINGS HAVE BEEN HELD AT THE BRITT RANGER GUARD STATION ON HIGHWAY 53. GENERAL PUBLIC/MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS HAVE BEEN HELD AT THE LAURENTIAN ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER ON PEPPARD ROAD WHERE WE RECENTLY HELPED THE CENTER CELEBRATE THEIR 30TH ANNIVERSARY. OTHER BRITT LOCATIONS HAVE BEEN UTILIZED FOR COMMITTEE MEETINGS AND WE ARE OPEN TO SUGGESTIONS.

THE SOCIETY’S MISSION STATEMENT IS TO RESEARCH, DEVELOP, AND PRESERVE THE HISTORICAL PAST OF THE BRITT COMMUNITY AND EXTEND THE COMMUNITY’S UNIQUE VALUE INTO THE FUTURE FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE. THE SOCIETY’S FUNCTIONS WILL ENCOMPASS BOTH HISTORICAL AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES.

DO YOU HAVE ANY LOCAL NEWS OR HISTORY TO SHARE WITH THE MEMBERSHIP? SEND YOUR TEXT, PHOTOS, OR INTERVIEWS BY POSTAL MAIL TO BCHS P.O. BOX 477, BRITT, MN. 55710

THE UNTOLD STORY OF BRITT REVEALS A RICH AND IMPORTANT HISTORY OF A WIDE GEOGRAPHIC AREA, VARIOUS IMMIGRANT PEOPLES AND A MELTING POT OF CULTURE, WE ENCOURAGE ALL PRESENT/PAST PERMANENT AND CABIN/SUMMER RESIDENTS TO HELP TELL BRITT’S UNIQUE STORY.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
*Needed: Two Britt residents to serve on the Britt Historical Society Board! 749-7162
1st 2009 Meeting: Jan. 21 6:00 Guard Station
2nd 2009 meeting: April 2 “ “ “
3rd 2009 meeting: July 22 “ “ “
4th 2009 meeting: Oct. 21 “ “ “
Annual mtg. held at LEC Center in summer
BCHS NEWSLETTERS PRINTED AND MAILED QUARTERLY
Contact:BCHS@gmail.com also website under construction

"Open Water" Exhibit at State Theater

noreply@blogger.com (earthseeker) — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 17:23:00 +0000

Open Water fishing and water enthusiasts' exhibit opened on Thurs. April 23. Look at what you missed if you didn't get a chance to attend the reception! The crowd was very complimentary and interested in the old motor display and the variety of art including utilitarian weavings, oils, watercolors, woven willow structures, photography, fish wood carvings, decorative weavings, pottery, trout stamp paintings, poetry etc. Plan to set aside some time on a Thurs., Fri., or Sat., 11-3 until May 30, to view the "Open Water" exhibit at the State Theater Gallery 514 Chestnut St. Virginia and be prepared to have some fun! Questions: 218-741-5577

"Open Water" Art Show

noreply@blogger.com (earthseeker) — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 21:06:00 +0000

Open Water
An exhibit to celebrate our local holiday: The Fishing Opener!
Opening Reception:
Thursday April 23, 6:00pm
The First Stage Gallery
514 Chestnut Street, Downtown Virginia

Exhibiting artists include:

Brenda Suihkonen, Casey Newberg, Cathryn Peters, Charlene Luoma, Cheryl Gillis,
Chris Koivisto, Daryn Lowman, Debra Gunderson, Ellen Pickering,
Gayle Streier, Heidi Niska, Karen Lamppa, Kate Whittaker,,Larry Rasen, Larry Rude, Ruth Koski, Steven Pellinen, Wanda Parks, Members of the SoHo Arts Center
The exhibit will also include antique outboard motors and more!
Exhibit runs April 23rd through May 30th.
Gallery Hours: Thursday, Friday and Saturday: 11am - 3pm.
Bring your favorite fishing or water sport enthusiast!

Lyric Center for the Arts
The First Stage gallery and performance venue
P.O. Box 416
Virginia, MN 55792
218-741-5577
http://lyriccenterforthearts.blogspot.com

Share Your Woodland Stewardship Photos

noreply@blogger.com (earthseeker) — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 13:30:00 +0000

The Minnesota Forest Stewardship Program is in the process of revising its 5-year strategic plan. As the plan is finalized, the committee is looking for images that illustrate the stewardship commitment and management activities of Minnesota’s family forest owners.

If you have pictures of your land that you are willing to share with the committee, please send high quality electronic files to info@dovetailinc.orgwith “Stewardship Plan Photo” in the subject line.

Please include a line identifying how you would like the photo credited if it is used (e.g., Courtesy of John Doe). The committee can not guarantee that any specific photo will be used, and photos will not be returned.

If you have any questions, please call Katie Fernholz at 612-333-0430. Photos must be submitted by May 29th for consideration. Thanks for your help!

Open Call for Springboard's Group Visual Art Exhibition (applications due May 8, 2009)

noreply@blogger.com (earthseeker) — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 21:44:00 +0000

Springboard for the Arts seeks five visual artists to display and sell artwork at our first-ever group art show at Springboard's second annual "Osgood Do-Good" fundraising event. Artwork sales will be split 50/50 between the artist and Springboard for the Arts. We're looking to feature a range of artistic disciplines including, but not limited to, drawings, paintings, sculpture, jewelry, pottery and glass.

Each artist must provide five artworks to be sold at face value during the event. Artwork prices cannot exceed $500. The suggested price of artwork is $100 to $400 each. Sales from the artwork will be split 50/50 with the artist and Springboard for the Arts (the artist retains all other rights as provided through the Copyright Act of 1976).

In addition to the five pieces shown at the group exhibition, the five exhibiting artists may have the opportunity to display and sell lower-priced artwork (less than $100) at a separate table space.

For more info and application requirements, please visitwww.springboardforthearts.org

Vikings Have Landed!

noreply@blogger.com (earthseeker) — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 14:28:00 +0000

Norse-Celtic Connection
with Mary Erickson
Thursday, April 16th at 6:30pm
The First Stage
514 Chestnut Street
Virginia

This is an overview of a tour taken through Vesterheim Museum, of Decorah, Iowa. which focused on Viking life in Scandinavia and Ireland.
Norwegian, Danish and Irish history will be viewed during the time of the Viking Era with a special emphasis on ships and textiles.

Ms Erickson is a fiber artist who has studied her ethnic heritage through their history of weaving.

Free-will donations accepted.

"Putting the Face of Business on the Soul of Art"

noreply@blogger.com (earthseeker) — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 14:24:00 +0000

ANNOUNCING A WORKSHOP
Greetings,

I am pleased to announce and invite you to a
"Putting the Face of Business
on the Soul of Art". A one day workshop to be hosted by Hibbing Community
College and the Entrepreneur Team Committee. Workshop will be conducted by Cindy
Kittredge, (see bio.), on Monday, April 27 from 9am
- 4pm.
The workshop will be free and open to the public with snacks and lunch
provided.

Enrollment will be limited, please let me know if you are interested in coming,
and I will send registration information.

Thanks,

Daryn Lowman

darynlowman@hibbing.com

Daryn Lowman
Hibbing Community College
Art Department

Brief Bio of Dr. Edrienne Kittredge

Dr. Edrienne Kittredge shares her knowledge of the connections between entrepreneurship, sustainability, cultural resources, folk life, and the arts through workshops, private consulting, and individual coaching.
She has presented workshops and lectures across the U.S., drawing connections to help people recognize and reach their potential by launching successful businesses in the world of art. She created and directed the groundbreaking TRACE (Transforming Rural Artisans into Creative Entrepreneurs) and Creative Arts Enterprise programs at Montana State University-Great Falls. Graduates of those programs have increased their income in art by 152%. Kittredge currently serves as the Folk Arts and Market Development Specialist for the Montana Arts Council, where she is involved in developing programs to brand the state’s arts and crafts while developing markets both within and outside of the state.
With thirty years experience in education, Kittredge has taught in high school and college, in addition to creating educational programs in the nonprofit sector. She has worked in cross-cultural communications at Marquette University’s foreign student office, has counseled and tested soldiers in the U.S. Army’s Project 100,000, and has worked in marketing in Arizona.
She served for a number of years as the Executive Director of a regional history museum, directing its move into a new home in a 47,000 square foot facility.
She graduated cum laude from the University of Montana, received an MA from Arizona State University, and a doctorate from Montana State University. She has attended the College of William and Mary, has done post graduate work in anthropology and museology, and received entrepreneurship training from the Sirolli Institute.
Writing and art are her passions. Besides helping artists learn more about the business of art, she is especially interested in issues affecting rural agrarian communities and was a founder of Hands of Harvest, a grass roots effort promoting cultural tourism and economic development. She continues to research and write about topics related to the land and its connections to the people on it.
Kittredge was born and raised on a ranch that lies along the banks of Montana’s Missouri River. Her rural roots shaped and continue to center her. She believes that foundation gave her skills and traits to survive and thrive in all kinds of environments, whether it be a one-room schoolhouse or a crush of people in a highly urban area. Still on the family ranch, her family raises purebred Highland cattle and Icelandic sheep, selling grassfed meat and naturally colored yarns direct to customers across the U.S. She is a fiber artist; her husband designs jewelry, and their son is at Oxford University where he is completing a three-year research position.

Iron Range Earth Fest - April 17 & 18, 2009

jen3344@gmail.com (Jennifer) — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 17:33:00 +0000

Activities will be held throughout the weekend at:
» Mt Iron Community Center
» Messiah Lutheran Church
» Mesabi Family YMCA
» Mt Iron Merritt Elementary School

The Iron Range Earth Fest will feature Iron Range food, skills, interests, and traditions – local food, local skills, local connection with wilderness, local music, and children’s activities, as well as offerings from local businesses, state, environmental, and public interest groups. People in our area still practice inherited traditions of hunting, fishing, trapping, gardening, quilting, weaving, canning, composting, furniture making and many other skills which make life sustainable. At the same time, cities, power companies and businesses in our area are developing new energy-saving and job-creating technology. All of these, along with agencies and programs for protecting our land and air and water, have a place and a voice at the first Iron Range Earth Fest.

More Information

Arbor Month 2009: My Favorite Tree

jen3344@gmail.com (Jennifer) — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 15:57:00 +0000

Friday, April 24 marks the beginning of an entire month of celebrating trees। For Arbor Month 2009, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is asking you to share a photo, drawing, or story about your favorite tree.

Get involved: share your favorite tree! Go outside to take a picture, make a drawing, or tell the story of your favorite tree, then post it here.

State champions needed for Minnesota’s big tree registry! While you’re at it, the DNR is also looking for state champion trees of the following species। Learn more or submit your champion trees at the DNR’s Big Tree Registry.

» Red Pine, Pinus resinosa
» Northern Mountain Ash, Sorbus decora
» American Hornbeam (also called blue beech), Carpinus caroliniana
» Mountain Maple, Acer spicatum
» Chinkapin Oak (also called yellow chestnut oak), Quercus muehlenbergii

From MyMinnesotaWoods.org