Welcome to the new format for the ACCC ArtMatters Newsletter. The newsletter is a culmination of reports from our various leaders, liaisons, and committee chairpersons. It is our way of keeping everyone informed about what’s going on with the Arts Consortium of Carver County.

If you have questions about particular events, feel free to contact the liaison or any board member. View the current Board and Volunteers. You can also complete the Contact form on our Contact page anytime and we will get back to you as soon as possible. Thank you and enjoy!

Annual Meeting
Over 50 guests joined the ACCC Board for the annual meeting on March 20th to learn more about the ACCC and the new Arts Center in Victoria at 7924 Victoria Drive, Victoria. Winners of this year’s Flash Fiction contest were announced: 1st Place: “Butternut” by T. Marie Bertineau; 2nd Place: “Abandoned Child” by Virginia Sievers; 3rd Place: “What I Deserve” by Anne Jackson and their works presented to the group.

Guests were able to learn more about arts activities in the county including what’s happening in music, literary arts, visual arts, and art tourism. President Cynthia Anderson provided an overview of the vision for the new space and discussed potential uses including as a gallery, classrooms, event space, art shows, and more. Guests enjoyed refreshments provided by our new neighbors, Ruby’s Roost Cafe! We want to thank all of our members for their support. It is only through your support that the new Arts Space will become reality.

2018 Annual Statement – it includes a letter from our President, expanded Mission, Reports from our Genre and Committee Leaders, our signature annual Events, Board of Directors, and finally our Financial Statement and Annual Budget.

Visual Arts
By Liaison Mary Strother
The exhibit at Ridgeview Medical Center ended April 30th. We are looking forward to the next show at the Chaska Community Center.

Call for EXPO Artists
Annual Artists’ Expo at the Chaska Community Center
Show Dates June 1-29
Opening Reception Sunday June 10 from 3:30-5pm
This is open to members of the ACCC. Artists may submit up to 3 jpegs of their work by Wednesday May 16 to MaryStrotherStudio@gmail.com include in the subject line, EXPO. Notice of acceptance by email will be sent Friday May 18.

Accepted work should be delivered to the art room at the Chaska Community Center May 30 either from 10am-12pm or 7 -8pm. More EXPO details

Music Arts
By Liaison Steve Kelzer
I am working with local musicians on the 4th CD of music of Carver County. Eighteen songwriters will be featured on the CD. The CD Release Concert is set for June 8th at the Chaska City Park. Musicians have been chosen to perform for ArtStock in July and the Victoria Art Fair in August.

Literary Arts
By Liaison Jim Kane
The first reading to be held at the new Arts Center in Victoria will be by Daniel O’Brien, local author and teacher. Daniel holds an MA in Advanced Japanese Studies, is creator of the Japan Series, “Exploring Japanese culture through mysteries” (www.japanseries.com). He is also founder the Authors Collective, and a member of the Chanhassen Library Writer’s Group since 2011. He has read and presented his work at coffee shops, literary centers, bookstores, and libraries around Minnesota. He teaches Medieval History and literature at Eagle Ridge Academy Classical Charter High School in Minnetonka, MN.

Event is planned for June 15, 2018 at the ACCC Arts Center
6:00 to 6:30pm Social Time
6:30-7:30pm Author Presentation, Japanese Culture Slide Show, and Q&A
7:30-8:00pm Book Signing

Arts Center
The Arts Consortium will move into their new space in Victoria at the beginning of June. The first event will be a reading by Daniel O’Brien. Planning for the new space is well underway. Watch for an announcement of an opening event.

ArtStock Art, Wine & Music Festival
Artists’ applications are coming in via the online form Zaaplication. Barb Hone reported we are on schedule for a great event July 14-15.

Art Wander
The annual Edge of the Big Woods Art Wander is September 21, 22 and 23. Friday 1-6pm, Saturday 9am to 6pm and Sunday 11am to 4pm. All the details are at ArtWander.com.

Victoria Fine Art Fair
Artists’ applications are also coming in via the online form Zaaplication. We anticipate a great event August 11.

Art Tourism
Liaison Janet Fahey has already scheduled 28 Barn Quilt Tours for 2018. Her tours will include a stop at the ACCC Arts Center when it is open. Barn Quilts Tours is featured in the latest issue of Scene Magazine. Learn More about Barn Quilt Tours.

Call for Volunteers
We are looking for quality individuals and volunteers wanting to be involved with the Arts. We are busy preparing for the opening and operation of the new ACCC Arts Center in downtown Victoria at 7924 Victoria Drive as well as our annual events including ArtStock and the Victoria Fine Art Fair. We are taking inquiries and matching your talents to our needs.

Please become involved today by filling out the online Volunteer Form. Let us know how you would like to help us further our mission of connecting communities with the Arts.

Membership Update
By Deborah Barce
Is it time to renew your membership?
Please send your membership in today! Use our easy online form to submit your information and pay online, or visit our Membership page for instructions to mail in your Membership. Thanks for supporting the ACCC!

Contest Update
Poetry Contest by Barb Hone
ACCC’s 2018 Poetry Contest – Blue Ribbon Winners Announced. This year 75 poems were submitted to our 5th annual poetry contest. Our preliminary judges selected 5 poems in each category to be sent on for final consideration. First place winners were chosen by our Minnesota State Poet Laureate, Joyce Sutphen, a resident of Carver County who teaches at Gustavus Adolphus College.

A “reading & ribbons” event will be planned at our new ACCC Arts Center. Also, poets will read at ArtStock Art. Wine. Music Festival, Sunday, July 15. All winning poems and poets are posted on the Arts Consortium of Carver County website, link below, and have been submitted to local newspapers.

Blue Ribbon Winners from the schools include: Sydney Zabel – 8th Clearwater Middle School in Waconia, 9th Sydney Turner, Chaska High School; Ava Joos, 5th Chanhassen Elementary and Charlotte Bloom, 2nd Bluff Creek. Adult winners include Suzanne Thiesfeld, Carver County and Heather Hollermann, Hopkins.

Read the Winning Poems

Note of Thanks
We want to welcome our newest volunteers in leadership roles, our new ACCC Treasurer is Linda Stuckey and Jourdan Hay is the Chairperson of our new Finance Committee. Thank you!