Arts Minded: Ever growing sustainable community network spreads roots in area
It’s a new year and what we need is here! With the deep chill and shovel busting snows this winter, more vital than ever is this network of non-profit organizations (What We Need Is Here) to the well being and enrichment of St. Croix valley communities in Wisconsin and Minnesota.By: Phyllis Goldin, columnist, River Falls Journal
It’s a new year and what we need is here! With the deep chill and shovel busting snows this winter, more vital than ever is this network of non-profit organizations (What We Need Is Here) to the well being and enrichment of St. Croix valley communities in Wisconsin and Minnesota.
What began tentatively in 2006 as a glimmer of possibility of sustainable community development under the umbrella of The Phipps Center for the Arts, is gaining traction over time. Participation has grown to 14 organizations including Arcola Mills, ArtReach Alliance, Franconia Sculpture Park, Hammond Arts Alliance, Minnesota Food Association, River Falls Community Arts Base, River Falls Public Library, St. Croix ArtBarn, St. Croix Festival Theatre, St. Croix Valley Buy Fresh Buy Local, St. Croix Valley Foundation, The Phipps Center for the Arts, UW-River Falls’ St. Croix Institute for Sustainable Community Development and the Women’s Environmental Institute.
The network is dedicated to local awareness and action through community gatherings, engagement in the arts, educational programs and dissemination of local resources. There is a monthly newsletter with articles by people making unique efforts to live and work more sustainably, lots of information about local events and opportunities, as well as an annual event free and open to everyone in the region.
This year Kelly Cain, UW-RF professor and director of the St. Croix Institute for Sustainable Community Development, will expand on his previous talks when he delivers Sustainability 401 at The Phipps at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 25. A reception will follow.
Want to jump on board this movement? Then contact Anastasia Shartin, visual arts director at The Phipps who has so capably guided the growth of WWNH. You may ask to sign up for the e-newsletter and explore ideas or questions you may have at 386-2305, ext. 103, or ashartin@thephipps.org. River Fallsians link to WWNH at www.RiverFallsCAB.org
Events and opportunities (please confirm details):
Saturday, Jan. 16, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Green Creativity: Exploring Sustainability Through the Visual Arts, an art education workshop with UW-RF Professor of Art Dr. Lynn Jermal and artists from WWNH who will stretch your ability to generate ideas, imagine solutions and collaborate on problem solving while exploring issues of sustainability and environmental preservation as motivation for creativity; The Phipps Center for the Arts; free for members of the WI Art Education Association and $45 for non-members. Register with ashartin@thephipps.org or WAEA members with lynn.m.jermal@uwrf.edu.
The following are all at the RFPL without charge. For more information, call 425-0905:
“Working Systems: What are sustainable art making practices?” an exhibit by WWNH.
Glass exhibit by UW-RF student Brad Labadie.
Monday, Jan. 25, 9:30 a.m. to noon: Watercolor Workshop with artist Wilson Decker.
The following free events will all be at Earth Angels, 321 Second St.; for more information, call 715-220-2975:
Friday, Jan. 15, 6:30-9 p.m.: Open Mike for local musicians, singers, poets and storytellers with MC Peggy Gantt
Saturday, Jan. 16, 6-9 p.m.: New American Folk
Friday, Jan. 22, 6:30-9 p.m.: Earlier and 50s, 60s, and 70s rock, pop, country, and folk era singer Dennis “Denny” Cooper.
Monday, Jan. 18, 7-9:30 a.m.: Third annual River Falls Community Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Breakfast with program and music; St. Bridget Catholic Church Fellowship Hall, 211 E Division St.; donation $5; for more information, go to: www.saintbridgets.org.
Friday, Jan. 22, 6:30-8:30 p.m.: Opening reception for Making Metaphors; a WWNH exhibition (includes a weaving demonstration by Patty Kuebker Johnson) in the Atrium Gallery, The Phipps; for more information, call 386-2305.
Monday, Jan. 25 through Feb. 5: High School Exhibition; at UW-RF Gallery 101; Kleinpell Fine Arts Building; for more information, call 425-3266.
Friday, Jan. 29, 7:30 p.m.: The Honky Tonk Café; opens with Fizz Kizer and Jonathan Earl followed by Toby Lee and the HD’s and featuring Davina and the Vagabonds; advance tickets $12 at the Whole Earth Grocery, 425-7971, or $15 at the door; open at 6 p.m.; soup and sandwiches available for purchase; make reservations at lupine.anderson@gmail.com; for more information, go to www.fizzkizer.blogspot.com or www.myspace.com/honkytonkcafe.
Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 30 and 31, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Workshop at Blue Horse Farm with Karla Faith Ness and Gregg Rochester at 1089 County Road E, New Richmond; cost is $175 both days; register at 715-247-9100 or bluehorsefarm@frontiernet.net.
Tags: arts and entertainment, st croix valley, river falls, local news, lifestyle, columns, minnesota, wisconsin
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