ArtMatters Newsletter April 2021

Welcome Message from Barb Hone, New ACCC President

2021 is finally here. Spring has arrived and brings rebirth. Vaccines offer hope. With this backdrop, I welcome the new Board of Directors and look forward to working together to grow the Arts Consortium and remain focused on our Mission: to strengthen our community through the arts – and cultivate the arts through the community.

President, Barb Hone
Vice President, Mary Williamson
Treasurer, Dan Nelson (New)
Secretary, Katie Trent (New)

Members at Large: Amy Stender, Anne Krocak, Janet Fahey, Kristin Lebben, Lesley Wyman (New), Mary Strother, and Steve Kelzer

Meet the Board

Visual Arts News

Come to the ACCC Arts Center to see our newest exhibit, Sense of Place from March 31, 2021 to May 8. Join us for the Artists’ Reception on April 15, 2021 at 6:30pm at the Arts Center Gallery in the Chaska Community Center.

Literary News

Summer Festivals
Are you an author who is looking for more ways to get your books into the hands of readers, whether you’re a seasoned professional or new to the summer festival scene? Join us for two great opportunities this summer! The Literary Committee is planning to have an authors booth at two local festivals this summer: The Norwood Young America Springfest Artisan Fair May 15, 2021, and ArtStock Art, Wine & Music Festival July 10-11, 2021.

This is open to ACCC members and non-members alike and there is a nominal fee to secure registration for event(s). Please contact Amy at literary@artsofcarvercounty.org for information and to register. Both events will be outdoors and in-person and will follow all Minnesota state/event organizer Covid-19 guidelines, current at time of the event, to ensure the safety and enjoyment for all in attendance.

April is National Poetry Month
A virtual Celebration of National Poetry Month will be held on April 21 at 6:30pm.  The reading will feature the winners and participants from the Adult Resident and Nonresident categories of our contest.  If you would like to hear the reading, please RSVP by April 18 to poems@artsofcarvercounty.org to receive the Zoom invitation.

We are pleased to announce the 2021 winners of the Arts Consortium of Carver County Poetry Contest. This is the 8th annual Poetry Contest sponsored by the ACCC. Our theme was Change. This year we had almost 30 entries with the largest number coming from students in grades 3-5 and from poets living outside of Carver County (Nonresident).

We read many good poems and had a hard time choosing the winners.  Congratulations to the following winners: Grades 3-5:  1st Rebekah Davison, “The Way I See”; 2nd Avery Williams, “Change”; 3rd Mari Sullivan, “Snake in the Sea.”  Grades 9-12: 1st Amelia Fischer, “Riverbed Body.” Adult Residents: 1st Jen Anderson, “Solstice; 2nd Bruce Coghill, “Moving.”  Adult Nonresidents: 1st Jeannnie L Piekos, “Becoming Again;” 2nd Micki Blenkush, “This Community Garden.”

We were especially happy with the students’ participation from classes at Victoria Elementary, Chanhassen Elementary (Mrs. Jackson’s class), and Online Learning/Carver Elementary (Jami Weber’s class) for submitting poems. Congratulations to all the students, even if they did not receive an award. The winning students will receive a ribbon to mark their honor.

All of the winning poems in every category will be published with the permission of the poet on the ACCC website. Do watch for those coming soon!

Open Readings
The Literary Committee is open to hosting Virtual Open Reading events throughout the summer, and—if the interest is there—in person readings held at the theater within the Chaska Community Center (enough space for social distancing!). If you are a published author, casual writer, writing club, poetry group, etc., please contact Amy at literary@artsofcarvercounty.org to schedule a reading event!

Music News

There still is time to submit an original song to this year’s songwriters compilation and we’re still looking for cover art for the Songwriters CD from Consortium members. Plans are to have a CD release concert in August. Direct your questions to Steve Kelzer, music@artsofcarvercounty.org.

Education

The ACCC is continuing to offer more in person and online classes for our community. We are working with the Chaska Community Center to offer fantastic programming for the whole family. We welcome all artists, writers, musicians and creatives to propose a class offering. The ACCC knows that the arts are more than a pass-time. Art allows expression, brings people together and creates a greater sense of wellbeing.  Consider joining the ACCC and supporting our mission!

Attention Artists, Teaching Artists, and Instructors
The Chaska Community Center is asking people to submit their class ideas by April 7th to be published for their May – August programming. If submitted after the date they will still be able to offer the class, however it will not be promoted in the big summer catalogue of activities.

Please go to the How to Submit A Class page on our website for instructions on how to submit your class.

Empowering Self Through Art Workshop (Zoom) 6:30- 8:00pm
Participants are enjoying great community dialogues and fun Improv Comedy.  Learning a few new photography tricks while continuing our dialogue of empowering ourselves and our community through diversity, inclusion and equity.  Each week we will be adding more depth to our conversation that will culminate in an outdoor show throughout Carver County!  You can still register for this fun filled Zoom workshop. The workshop series continues on April 1, April 8, April 15 and April 22, 2021. Read the complete details on our Classes page. Instructor Anne Krocak.

Fresh Work Group (Zoom or in person) April 14, 1:00-2:00pm
A place for artists to share their most recent creations, ideas, resources and be inspired by others. Come and enjoy – we may meet virtually via zoom or in an art studio.  Last month we had a great discussion and we would love to see more artists this month. RSVP to Anne Krocak, classes@artsofcarvercounty.org.

Succulent Wreath Workshop (in person) April 21, 6:00-9:00 pm
Come enjoy a glass of wine and relax while creating a beautiful living wreath!  This is the ACCC first Ladies Night Out workshop.  We will continue to offer fun art-filled creative adventures once a month at the Chaska Event Center. Instructors: Cindy Anderson and Anne Krocak

Festivals

Purple Reigns Honors Prince
The Arts Consortium of Carver County (ACCC), with the Prince Estate’s approval, is posthumously naming Prince Rogers Nelson the ACCC’s Honorary Member of the year. 2021 is the 5th anniversary of his passing. The ACCC is focusing on and celebrating Prince’s musical genius and his international acclaim. The ACCC invites Carver County, the cities, schools, libraries, and businesses to join Purple Reigns and to contribute to “painting the County purple.” Email your questions or interest in being on the Committee to Barb Hone at festivals@artsofcarvercounty.org.

ArtStock Art, Wine and Music Festival
Artists are registering for our annual event. If you would like to participate as an artist, please visit our website. Mark your calendar, ArtStock is July 10 & 11.

If you’d like to be on our Festivals Committee, please let us know! Contact Barb Hone, Festivals Committee Chairperson, festivals@artsofcarvercounty.org 

Art Tourism News

Throughout 2021, the Art Tourism Committee of the Arts Consortium of Carver County will be doing a bi-monthly call of Ag Art. For March – April, 2021, we are sponsoring a call for photographs of Silo Art. Visit our Ag Art Gallery online to see the many entries submitted thus far! We look forward to receiving yours as well. Email your questions and your entry to arttourism@artsofcarvercounty.org.  We are accepting silo ag art photos through April 30, 2021.

New Membership Coordinator