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Issue #26.2 |
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In this Issue: Touching Base
As we get into the shank of the 2008, mnartists.org is unrolling a number of new programs and series, many of which are explicitly intended to invite those who work in disciplines less robustly represented on mnartists.org into the site's community of artists. We're launching these initiatives—which range from increased opportunities for networking and substantive arts-issues forums, to field-specific technical help and professional development workshops or new competitive series which showcase Minnesota's array of creative talent—in direct response to the many helpful comments and suggestions you offered in the member survey we sent to you at the end of 2007.
Finally, we offer Kathleen our heartfelt thanks for all she's accomplished during her tenure as Project Director for mnartists.org, and we wish her every good fortune going forward. Her entrepreneurial verve and indefatigable optimism will be missed!
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| A Note From Outgoing mnartists.org Project Director, Kathleen Kvern |
AS mnartists.org RACES WITH A FULL HEAD OF STEAM INTO THE
new year, we've got lots of exciting things in store for our state's artists and arts lovers alike. This "radical democracy" now has well over 10,000 registered artists and tens of thousands of pieces of work stretching across the spectrum of creative disciplines; and with more arts programming, in-depth writing, new series in fashion, fiction, music, and artist opportunities than ever before—I think mnartists.org (and its vibrant community of member artists) has definitely earned some bragging rights.
All of which makes my letter to you today a bittersweet occasion. After three years and eight months of serving as mnartists.org's Project Director, the time has come for me to move on. Before I do, though, I want to share with you some of what I've most appreciated about my time with mnartists.org.
IT'S THE ARTISTS, OF COURSE
First and foremost, it is the talent and dedication of the artists that has moved me. The sheer number of distinguished artists working in every discipline, hailing from every corner of the state is staggering. Over the course of any given day, among the new work to appear on the website I find something beautiful or unusual or funny or compelling. Based on what I see every day, I’ve been moved to buy several pieces of art and inspired to attend performances. The articles have so engaged me that I've been spurred to email a writer to have a private conversation about an arts issue they've raised or an insight they've shared. And every week I meet face-to-face with artists, and talk to arts administrators, arts lovers, and just those interested bystanders who want a bit more introduction to what's going on in the arts in Minnesota. I've loved every minute of these privileged opportunities to meet and talk with artists and to promote the amazing art and artists from our state. This has been the very best part of my job...continue reading this note from Project Director Kathleen Kvern on mnartists.org.
 CLICK HERE to read Kathleen Kvern's farewell to the mnartists.org community of artists and arts-lovers.
Photo of Kathleen Kvern appears courtesy of Escape Magazine, Sun Country Airlines' in-flight magazine, and was taken for a December 2007 article promoting mnartists.org.
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Artist Opportunities
»CLICK HERE for a daily-updated list of many, many more opportunities for Minnesota artists in every discipline on mnartists.org |
CALL FOR WRITERS: miniStories, a new short-short fiction competition and publication series from mnartists.org, is set to launch and we're looking for flash fiction submissions in any genre from Minnesota writers
(Submission deadline is March 28)
CALL FOR MUSICIANS: mnSpin, mnartists.org's quarterly music contest, is launching its second round of competition and is seeking song submissions from local musicians
(Submission deadline is March 15) CALL FOR FASHION DESIGNERS, PHOTOGRAPHERS, AND STYLISTS: MN FashionFLASH is looking for creative submissions from artist teams around the theme of the color green
(Submission deadline is March 1)
CALL FOR PROPOSALS: Intermedia Arts seeks your class and workshop proposals to be presented during spring 2008's "Think Local" neighborhood development programming
(Deadline March 3)
CALL FOR MUSICIANS: Band registration for this summer's Homegrown Music Festival in Duluth is underway
(Deadline for registration is March 1)
CALL FOR SUMMER INTERNS: ArtiCulture is looking for both Art Education and Marketing/Administration interns for this summer
(Application deadline is April 1)
CALL FOR PLAYWRIGHTS AND PERFORMERS:
The Space, a centre for creativity in New Richmond, WI, is seeking original plays, musicals or one person shows |
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Michael Fallon ruminates on the origins of the artistic impulse and concludes that it's a mixed bag of wish fulfillment and vanity that, occasionally, includes a fruitful urge actually to make art.
Everyone at some time in life ends up with a friend like Mike. Mike wanted desperately to be a screenwriter. Or, to put it more accurately, he wanted you to think of him as a screenwriter....continues on mnartists.org
Click here to read Michael Fallon's provocative essay on the origins of the artistic drive.
Photo appears courtesy of the writer |
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Julia Durst recently took in the varied work at the much beloved, democratically presented annual DAI membership show held in The Depot's Great Hall. All told, she found it delightful.
In the second grade life was different. Life was fair. Everyone got a turn as line leader. Everyone ate the same taco boats at lunch. And, regardless of artistic aptitude, everyone’s creations went on display in the hallway...continues on mnartists.org
Click here to read Julia Durst's engaging review of this beloved annual tradition
What: Duluth Art Institute’s Annual Membership Exhibition 2008
Where: The Depot Great Hall, Duluth, MN
When: The exhibition is on display from through March 6
Credit: The Marshes by Kate Whittaker, the piece which took home top honors at this year's member exhibition. |
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Theater veteran Dean Seal experienced composer Craig Harris's presentation of the voice of God at a recent Nautilus "Rough Cuts" session. Now, he's urging you to do the same at the world premiere performance of Five Books at the Sabes JCC, March 13-15.
I'd like a bumper sticker that says, "Honk if you know the difference between translation and interpretation.” I suspect there would be few takers, but it is a key distinction in performance, in music theory, and in the study of sacred texts...continues on mnartists.org
Click here to read Dean Seal's insightful analysis of this ambitious, genre defying production.
What: Five Books: First Series, concept and music by Craig Harris, featuring Bradley Greenwald and Norah Long (vocals) and Tom Linker (keyboards).
Where: The Sabes Jewish Community Center, Minneapolis, MN
When: Thursday, March 13th at 8 pm; Saturday, March 15th at 8:30 pm; Sunday, March 16th at 2 pm
General admission is $20 (some discounts for JCC members, students, and seniors) For ticket information or directions, call 952-381-3499 |
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Critic Lightsey Darst offers an incisive review of the premiere performance of DEBUT by a promising new chamber ballet company which makes its home in "the twin city less frothing with dance."
It's not every day that a new ballet company appears in the Twin Cities. But today, we have one: The Chamber Ballet of Saint Paul debuted Valentine’s Day weekend at the Fitzgerald. The press materials for the Chamber Ballet came out sporting some truly extravagant claims, proclamations of pre-eminence and novelty initially puzzling to anyone familiar with the long-established Minneapolis-based chamber ballet companies James Sewell Ballet and Minnesota Dance Theater...continues on mnartists.org
Click here to read Lightsey Darst's take on this new ballet company's first performance
What: The Chamber Ballet of Saint Paul Presents DEBUT
Where: The Paramount Theatre, St. Cloud, MN
When: March 7 at 8 pm; March 8 at 2 pm and 8 pm
Tickets: $24 ($20 students/seniors). Call 320-259-LINE for tickets.
Credit: Photo appears courtesy of The Chamber Ballet of Saint Paul |
FEATURED COLLECTION: The Land Revisited, Aaron Dysart and Gregory Fitz
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Land Revisited is a two-person exhibition featuring Aaron Dysart’s sculpture and Gregory Fitz’s painting. The show promises to have a strong combination of visual dissonance and conceptual harmony.
Click here to see a sampling of work featured in this exhibition on mnartists.org.
What: The Land Revisited: Aaron Dysart and Gregory Fitz
Where: Gallery Two at the Phipps Center for the Arts
When: February 15 – March 24, 2008
There will be an opening reception: February 15, 6:30 to 8:30
Credit: Cross Section by Aaron Dysart |
mnSpin Playlist: Josiah Wordsworth, Chris Perricelli, and Whitney Chase
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mnSpin, a quarterly music contest for Minnesota musicians, features a weekly playlist highlighting homegrown talent. This week listen to three winning tracks by Josiah Wordsworth, Whitney Chase and Chris Perricelli.
 Click here to listen to this week's winning mnSpin tracks
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| Classes and Workshops |
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Class: Spinning for Knitters: make yarn!
(Weavers Guild of Minnesota, Minneapolis, February 21-March 20)
Class: Young Artist Studio - Anything goes in the class for grades 1-5
(ArtiCulture, Minneapolis, February 23-March 29)
Class: Watercolor & Ink Studio
(ArtiCulture, Minneapolis, February 26-March 25)
Class: Let's Make Tile! Introduction to Tile
(Northrup King Building, Minneapolis, March 3)
Writing Workshop: Common Threads, Unique Voices
(Amazon Bookstore Coop, Minneapolis, March 5-26)
Class: Abstract Painting
(Minneapolis Community and Technical College, Minneapolis, through March 5) |
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| Dance |
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James Sewell Ballet, Fergus Falls Performance
(A Center for the Arts, Fergus Falls, February 22)
SCUBA 2007 Touring Network
(Southern Theater, Minneapolis, February 22-23)
Ballet of the Dolls presents La Dolce Vita: an Italian cabaret
(Ritz Theater, Minneapolis, March 6-15)
Hauser Dance March Concerts - For Instance
(JDC Studio Theater, Minneapolis, March 7-16)
9' x 22' Dance Lab: featuring new work by Jaime Carrera, Lamb Lays With Lion, and Rachel Brammer-Shlay
(Bryant Lake Bowl, Minneapolis, February 27)
Credit: Photo from SCUBA, courtesy of the Southern Theater
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| Festivals and Group Shows |
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Art In the Home - Twenty local artists specializing in home related artwork
(Bloomington Art Center, Bloomington, February 15-March 21)
Soul On Ice - 100 artists will display work, curated by TAWU and Obsidian Arts
(The Soap Factory, Minneapolis, February 23-March 23)
48th and Nicollet: Celebrating Community Event
(Simply Jane, Minneapolis, February 23)
Spark Festival of Electronic Music - creators and performers of new media present a multimedia arts showcase
(Various venues near the U of MN West Bank, February 26-March 2)
Prints in Time: Contemplations of the Multiple Exhibit
(Saint Olaf, Northfield, February 16-March 9)
Bitter Fruits - Studies of woman's role as object in art - 80 artists
(Altered Esthetics Gallery, Minneapolis, thru February 28)
March at Mezzolago – a casual gallery with art from 50 local artists.
(Mezzolago Art Gallery, Minneapolis, March 6-9) |
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| Lectures and Readings |
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Oh Grow Up! Poetry Slam
(Minnesota Museum of American Art, Saint Paul, February 21)
Gazing At Stars, A Reading - Five writers connect the stars in Karen Hanmer's installation
(Susan Hensel Gallery, Minneapolis, February 23)
National Geographic Live- Greg Marshall
(State Theatre, Minneapolis, February 21)
Arnold Flaten Lecture: Mika Negishi Laidlaw
(Saint Olaf College, Northfield, February 25)
Charles Ritchie lecture - creator of watercolor drawings and journals
(Minneapolis College of Art and Design, Minneapolis, February 26)
Award-winning graphic designer Chip Kidd reads from his new book, The Learners
(Minneapolis Central Library, Minneapolis, February 27)
Credit: Self-portrait with Open Journals and Half-moon. Courtesy Charles Ritchie.
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| Music & Film and Video |
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USA vs Al-Arian - award-winning documentary
(New Brighton Family Service Center, New Brighton, February 27)
Native American Film Series - Buffy St. Marie: A Multimedia Life
(Augsburg College, Minneapolis, March 12)
Fallout Fridays - open mic
(Fallout Urban Center, Minneapolis, February 22-July 25)
The Brentano String Quarter with Michael Kannen
(St. Anthony Park United Church of Christ, Saint Paul, February 24)
Chulrua in Concert - Irish traditional music
(Lowry Theater, Saint Paul, February 25)
The Twin Cities Community Gospel Choir with Robert Robinson
(O'Shaughnessy Auditorium, Saint Paul, March 1)
Regina Carter Quintet
(Petters Auditorium, Saint Joseph, March 8)
Mu Daiko - Theater Mu the region's favorite Asian ensemble
(Elk River Arts Alliance, Elk River, March 8)
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| Openings and Parties |
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| Theater |
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Peace Crimes: The Minnesota Eight vs War--peace crimes or treason?
(Rarig Center - University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, February 21-March 9)
Theatreworks USA presents Max and Ruby
(Stephen B. Humphrey Theater, Collegeville, February 22)
Jon Ferguson Presents You're My Favorite Kind of Pretty –a world premiere multidisciplinary, collaborative production exploring the entanglements of romantic love
(The Southern Theater, Minneapolis, February 28-March 9)
She Stoops to Conquer - a comic play by Oliver Goldsmith
(Lakeshore Players Theatre, White Bear Lake, February 22-March 16)
Parade - the innovative Tony Award-winning musical
(History Theatre, Saint Paul, February 23-March 16)
House Arrest: A Search for American Character in and Around the White House
(Saint Olaf College, Northfield, March 5-9)
Five Flowers: World Premiere
(St. Mane Theater, Lanesboro, March 7-9)
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| Visual Arts |
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One View, Three Visions: paint-outs that produce works of art highlighting each artist's personal response
(Bloomington Art Center, Bloomington, February 21-March 30)
Journey from Minneapolis to New Mexico: a discovery of quiet places
(R.P. Kittsteiner Art Gallery, Minneapolis, February 23)
Cuttlefish #1 - the first installment of the Cuttlefish Exhibition
(Stevens Square Center for the Arts, Minneapolis, February 23)
Sam Spiczka: New Sculpture
(Alice R. Rogers and Target Galleries, Collegeville, February 25-April 7)
Panels Without Borders exhibition - pushing the boundaries of sequential art
(Minneapolis College of Art and Design, Minneapolis, February 29-March 23)
Coming of Age: Photographing the Journey, OPENING NIGHT
(Minnesota Museum of American Art, Saint Paul, March 1)
Revision, Reiteration, Recombination: Process and the Contemporary Print
(College of Visual Arts Gallery, Saint Paul, March 6-April 5)
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You Are Here event listings are drawn entirely from the mnartists.org calendar, so if you want to improve the odds that you'll see your happening linked here, you'd better start posting your events!
We've made it super easy to begin: here's a step-by-step guide that'll show you how to promote your own events on the new arts calendar. Browse through more up-to-the-minute events listings or post a show of your own on mnartists.org's new DIY arts events calendar. |
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One for the Road |
Untitled by Gabriel Combs
Gabriel Combs' artwork marries the rogue appeal of graffiti with the soul of fine art. His subject matter varies from Cyclopean phantasms to lovely technique experiments that pay homage to modern art masters. Catch a collection of this up-and-comer's work, curated by fellow artist James Michael Lawrence. Click here for more links and information about this artist.
Statik Kinetik Prophet,
4" x 3,"
acrylic/oil on found wooden box, 2007
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The mission of mnartists.org is to improve the lives of Minnesota artists and provide access to and engagement with Minnesota’s arts culture. |
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