Doing Business Online is a FREE professional development workshop for Region 2 artists taking place in Bemidji on June 11, 2012.

Are you an artist?  Are you interested in using the Internet to expand your arts business? University of Minnesota Extension’s Ryan Pesch is returning to Bemidji to present Doing Business Online, a FREE professional development workshop for artists.

Monday June, 11, 2012
5:30-8:30 Math Computer Lab
Bemidji High School, Bemidji

Come explore the tools available to best connect with current and future customers.  Learn about selling your work online. Discuss major concerns related to online transactions like security, shipping, and costs.  Explore the use of Paypal and online banking platforms.

All artists served by the Region 2 Arts Council are invited to attend Doing Business Online.  Make an investment in the future of your arts business!  Call 751-5447 / 800 275-5447 or email staff@r2arts.org to register.  Registration Deadline Monday June 4, 2012.

Come appreciate student art, May 19-26, 2012!

Art will be on display at the Tin Pan gALLErY
located in the Blackduck History and Art Center
at Main Street and Margaret Avenue in Blackduck, MN.

Special “Open House” hours for this event are
4:00 to 6:30 P.M. –  Wednesday, May 23rd.

Stop by after school, during the Building Trades show or
before the School’s Band Concert!

Author Judy Merritt to read from her recent novel, Ghost Dancer.

The Arts Downtown PR series continues from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 17 in downtown Park Rapids.

Brian Skinness will entertain from 5 to 5:30 and 6 to 6:30 p.m. at Bella Caffè, 116 3rd Street West. He plays and sings a wide range of music he describes as “improvisational psychedelic country in the tradition of jazz.” One could also say he puts a new twist on a lot of favorites. Skinness owns Terrapin Station, Music, Art and Wellness Centre in Nevis.

Judy Merritt, who is also from Nevis, will be signing and reading from her new novel, Ghost Dancer, from 5 to 5:30 and 6 to 6:30 p.m. at Beagle Books, 112 3rd Street West. Three and a half years in the writing, the book chronicles the extraordinary dream journey of Spotted Weasel, the ghost of a Lakota Ghost Dancer, whose dreams include the present (1986) landscape of rural South Dakota and the people who lived there, the timeless and mysterious world of the Great Spirits, and the stone temples and people from an ancient past. Part of the research for this novel was made possible through a grant from the Region 2 Arts Council which funded a trip to South Dakota, where Judy met with historian Chuck Rambow, author of the book, Bear Butte: Journeys to the Sacred Mountain.

Chasing Clarence, a friendly international folk jazz trio, will play from 5 to 5:30 and 6 to 6:30 p.m. at The Good Life Cafe, 220 South Main Ave. This group finds its soul deeply rooted in the forests of Minnesota and Malaysia. With musical influences as wide ranging as the Mississippi River, their tenacious blend of vocal harmony and acoustical wittiness provide a true feeling of fresh. Prone to wander into territories uncharted, they offer toe-tapping tunes with authentic backwoods lyrical depth. The participants are Eric Bervig, Ezra Overly, Phoebe Mathius. Joining the trio for 3rd Thursday will be professional violinist Jeff Menten.

From 5 to 5:30 and 6 to 6:30 p.m. Park Rapids students will share their speeches from this year’s round of contests at Blank Canvas Gallery & Education Center, 311 South Main Ave. Students participating are: Olivia Fischer – drama, Rachel Konshok – storytelling, Noah Schulz and Madi Griffith – duo interpretation (participated in state speech), Sarah Schultz – storytelling (participated in state speech), Myah Schultz – humor, Tori Campbell – poetry and Kalee Holland – extemporaneous reading.

The Park Rapids Lakes Area Arts Council’s 3rd Thursdays will suspended for the summer and resume Sept. 20. Until then, you’re invited to 2nd Street Stage events from 6-8 pm Thursdays, June 21-Aug. 16.

This activity is funded in whole or in part by a Region 2 Arts Council Grant through an appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund passed by Minnesota voters on Nov. 4, 2008.

The show opens on Friday, May 11, 2012, at 7:30 pm and with performances on Saturday, May 12, at 7:30 pm, Sunday, May 13, at 1:00 pm, and Monday, May 14, at 7:30 pm.

The tickets are $12.00 for adults and $6.00 for children under age 18 and are on sale at Ken K. Thompson Jewelry in the Paul Bunyan Mall or Iverson Corner Drug in downtown Bemidji. They will also be available at the door.

Head over to the Wild Rose Theater, on the corner of Paul Bunyan Drive and 5th Street, Bemidji MN.  Come and share a laugh!

This concert will have some surprises as well as a wide variety of literature. The theme of the program is: Reflection, Possibility, Whimsey, which opens the door to some unique musical styles.

Some featured soloists include Jim Dougherty, Josh Gunderson, Eric Benson, Carla Norris Raynbird, Sharon Shuster, Sutton Stewart, Maddy Lawrence, and our remarkable accompanist, Wayne Hoff. The concert is conducted by Patricia Mason. Freewill offering. Ice Cream Social following. Everyone is urged to attend.

This activity is funded in whole or in part by a Region 2 Arts Council Grant through an appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature, and the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund passed by Minnesota voters on November 4, 2008.

Professional Artist, Ruth Ann Nordlund will teach an oil painting still life workshop May 18 – 20 at the Lake of the Woods School Art Room.

Cost is only $25.00 plus supplies for the entire weekend. The class is open to anyone ages 9^th grade through adult and all skill levels. Class size will be limited to 15 and available on a first come first served basis.

Friday, May 18^th  Optional pot luck at 5 pm; demonstration session 6 – 8 pm.  Saturday,  May 19th 9 am – 5 pm
Sunday, May 20^th 12 pm – 4 pm

This workshop will be a fabulous skills-building opportunity for students to learn about Ruth Ann Nordlund’s methods and techniques in order to produce their own original creative works.  Students will set up a still life, including choosing objects, arrangement and lighting.  Following this, the students will begin to create their own painting with assisted support.  Instruction will be emphasizing the main principles of concepts, value, edges, and color and their relationship to the surface.  Students will discover the interaction between objects and how light travels across the painting.

Ruth Ann Nordlund is from Shevlin, MN where she operates a professional studio.  She was an art educator for over 20 years and studied at workshops in Taos, New Mexico and Norway.  She is a member of Women Artists of the West and Oil Painters of America.  Examples of her work can be viewed on her website: www.ruthannsart.com

Registration deadline is May 12.  To register for the class call 218-341-9692 or 218-634-1561, and mail a check for $25.00 payable to the Lake of the Woods Art Guild, 745 21^st Ave SW, Baudette, MN  56623.  Please include your name, address, phone, and email address.

This activity is made possible, in part, by a grant provided by the Region 2 Arts Council through funding from the Minnesota State Legislature.

May 11th and 12th, 2012 – Great Twin Cities Poetry Road Show: Reading and Workshops

Reading Friday May 11th, 2012 5:30 to 7:00pm: Hosted at the Headwaters Unitarian Universalist Fellowship located at 522 America Ave. Downtown Bemidji.

The BCAC presents the “Great Twin Cities Poetry Road Show” as a part of the 2012 Spoken Word Series.  Join us on Friday May 11th from 5:30 to 7pm for an artist reception and reading featuring Matt Mauch, Paula Cisewski, Sean Hill and LouAnn Muhm.  Reception with refreshments start at 5:30, reading begins at 6:00pm with Q&A and book signing to follow.  The artists will be reading their own work including selections from “Poetry City, USA Vol. 2″

Workshops on Saturday May 12th to be hosted at Bemidji Public Library Conference Room – 509 America Ave.  Downtown Bemidji.  Workshop is $45 for one, $80 for both (students $20 per session with student ID).  Limit 20 per session, early registration recommended.  For more info. http://bcac.wordpress.com/spoken-word-series/2012-sw-series/  To register call 218-444-7570 or visit the art center at 426 Bemidji Ave.

Morning Workshop – 9:00 am to 12-noon – Poets Matt Mauch and Paula Cisewski
“No discovery for the writer, no discovery for the reader”

Afternoon Workshop – 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm – Poets Sean Hill and LouAnn Muhm
“Past Inspiration: Using Historical Research in Poetry and Creating Found Poems from Historical Documents.”

The 2012 Spoken Word Series is made possible by a Region 2 arts Council Grant through an appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature and the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund passed by Minnesota Voters on November 4, 2008.

Jackpine Writers’ Bloc, Park Rapids, received $1,415 to publish its 21st volume of “The Talking Stick,” a literary journal featuring the poetry and prose of Minnesota writers, and fund a workshop and book release party.

Depot Preservation Alliance, Baudette, was awarded $1,500 to purchase displays for art exhibitions.

The Bemidji Community Arts Council, Bemidji, received $800 to present, with curator Jason Clark, an exhibit of wood cut prints by artist Eugene Dalzotto featuring educational information on the process and materials used, work by Dalzotto that has never been shown publicly, and also work by Clark.

Bemidji – First City of Art Studio Cruise 2012, Bemidji, was awarded $1,500 to organize and promote an open studio event of participating artist studios in the Bemidji area that is free to the public.

District 309 Community Education, Park Rapids received $1,385 to offer a Kids’ Theater Camp which will engage students in writing, developing and producing an original play with music.

Kelliher Community Education (KISD 36), Kelliher, was awarded $410 to produce a summer theater day camp at the Old School Center in Kelliher, MN.

Pequana Playhouse, Baudette, was awarded $1,500 to contract with the Prairie Fire Theater to prepare and present a children’s theater production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”

Headwaters School of Music & the Arts, Bemidji, was awarded $1,479 to host a week-long drumset camp for area percussion students.

Depot Preservation Alliance, Baudette, was awarded $1,500 to present a series of ten arts activity days for kids during the summer of 2012 at the Baudette Depot.

Loon Opera Company, Bemidji, was awarded $1,500 to perform Puccini’s Madama Butterfly at the Bemidji High School Performing Arts Complex, Bemidji, MN.

The Bemidji Community Arts Council, Bemidji, received $1,500 to present and host the 10th Annual “It’s Only Clay” National Juried Ceramics Competition and Exhibition juried by ceramic artist Robert Briscoe and in conjunction with “Sharing the Fire Tour” at Bemidji State University.

Minnesota Folklore Theater, Park Rapids, received $1,500 to produce “Annie” in celebration of 100 years of the Nevis Schools as part of their second annual Youth Theater Camp.

Headwaters School of Music & the Arts, Bemidji, was awarded $1,500 to provide a concert series at the Lake Bemidji State Park amphitheater every weekend during the summer of 2012.

Lake of the Woods Art Guild, Baudette, was awarded $754 to host a still life oil painting workshop instructed by accomplished artist Ruth Ann Nordlund.

CSSI/Hope House, Bemidji, was awarded $1,500 to contract with artists-in-residence Cindy Ekren and Judith Selby to create a second book featuring client writing and artwork.

Nemeth Art Center, Park Rapids, was awarded $922 to host a grand opening exhibit of the permanent collection of Old Masters, including a narrated slideshow of the full collection and a separate slideshow on the establishment of the art center and the history of its permanent collection.

The next deadline for the Arts Project Grant is September 12, 2012. Call the Region 2 Arts Council office at 751-5447 or 1-800-275-5447 for more information. Applications for these grants will be available this summer in the Region 2 Arts Council Office at 426 Bemidji Avenue, Bemidji, MN  56601, or for download from our website.

*News from Region 2 Arts Council
*Recently awarded R2AC grants
*Beadwork and sewing detail from two Mahnomen artists
*Legacy funded events in Gonvick, Park Rapids, and Bemidji
*Lake of the Woods Art Guild sponsored Oil Painting Workshop
*Marketing Workshop for Artists in Park Rapids
*And more!

To ensure you get Northern Arts News delivered at the beginning of each month to your email inbox, contact us at staff@r2arts.org.

MEET THE ARTISTS   -   OPEN HOUSE

Each artist has their own style, subject, and medium preferences. BCG tries to show a wide variety of artwork so the viewing public may have the pleasure of seeing different artists’ work that they may otherwise not have the opportunity to appreciate.

At the Open House Reception, plan to enjoy refreshments and mingle with June, other BCG artist members and guest artists at the gallery.  This is a wonderful opportunity for the public to see unique and beautiful art, ask questions of the artists, and learn more about the artwork that is created by the many talented artists in the region. Visitors may even be inspired to dig out their old, forgotten art materials and start creating again themselves.

It’s always free, fun and inspiring to visit:
Blank Canvas Gallery and Education Center
311 Main Ave. S.
Park Rapids, MN 56470    218-237-5112      www.blankcanvasgallery.org

This activity is funded in whole or in part by a Region 2 Arts Council Grant through an appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature Arts, and the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund passed by Minnesota voters on November 4, 2008.