The Arts Consortium of Carver County is looking for passionate board members wanting to contribute their time and expertise to continue on the efforts to lift the arts and creative expression within Carver County. The Board serves over 200 ACCC members, including visual artists, writers, musicians and songwriters, performers, business, and supporters of the arts. We sponsor the arts in Carver County through our Art Fairs, music concerts, art exhibitions, photo contests and literary events since our start in 2009. Our board members are actively involved in these events, they serve on the board and work on projects or committees with other volunteers. We are seeking board members from a variety of backgrounds and experiences and we hope to bring a diversity of new talents to the board. If you are interested, we welcome you to apply now. If you know someone who should consider this opportunity, please nominate them and we will reach out to ask them to apply. Application info is on our website. You can direct your questions to Cindy Anderson, ACCC President, info@artsofcarvercounty.org, or any current Board Member (meet the board).
We are seeking volunteers for the following roles/positions. If you are interested in learning more, please fill out our Volunteer Form on our website so we can match your skills and talents with various needs for the ACCC. Thank you!
- Arts Center Volunteer Coordinator
- Membership Coordinator
- Arts Center Gallery & Gift Shop Volunteers
- Committee Members
Visual Art News
The Youth Art Show Exhibit in the ACCC Gallery starts March 3 and runs through March 27th. Join us for an Artists’ Reception on Thursday, March 18th from 6:30-8:30pm at the ACCC Arts Center in the Chaska Community Center.
The year 2020 was unprecedented in all matters of life. We experienced something much greater than expected. Through the twists and the turns of the everyday news, we anticipate your creative drive found a way to express yourself and your sense of place. We look for the What, the When, the Where, the Why, and How your creative expression brought you through the year and how you brought inspiration to yourself or others through your art. We are looking for entries in all mediums of work; visual, literary, music, etc… All are welcome to apply whether you are an artist or an artist at heart.
The Call for Submissions for Sense of Place (made in 2020) Exhibit is coming soon, watch your email inbox for details. The exhibit starts March 31, 2021 and we will have an Artists’ Reception on April 15, 2021.
Literary News
Spring is just around the corner, bringing not only warmer weather but more fantastic writing events! The Poetry Contest deadline is today, March 1, 2021, by midnight, so you still have time to enter! See our website for Poetry Contest submission guidelines. More events are being planned all the time so please check the ACCC webpage and Facebook page for additions or changes to any listed events. If you have any questions or ideas for events, please contact the Literary Committee at literary@artsofcarvercounty.org.
Join us March 11th, at 7pm, as the Literary Committee hosts a virtual gathering in honor of the Flash Fiction contest winners. The authors will share their winning works during an evening of prose and celebration, see the winners below. Please email literary@artsofcarvercounty.org or flashfiction@artsofcarvercounty.org for more event information and invitation links.
ACCC Flash Fiction Contest Winners Announced
Waconia resident Jillian Van Hefty has been awarded 1st Place in the adult category of the 2021 flash fiction contest sponsored by the Arts Consortium of Carver County. In her story, Speechless, a mother’s love and determination is miraculously rewarded.
Chaska writer D.E. Munson took 2nd Place for A Race Against Angelus Morti, a story about a son’s effort to beat the Angel of Death to his father’s bedside.
Third Placed went to Victoria writer Candace Almquist for Vision Quest, a tale about a Native girl’s quest for spiritual help against the ethnic cleansing of the white man’s boarding school program.
EJ Haas took 1st Place in the young adult category with Mary’s Manger, an encounter with a vulnerable girl at a hospital.
Ciara Schoen received Honorable Mention in that category for The Girl Who Sees Dragons, a young girl’s other-worldly encounter at a gravesite.
Virtual Book Launch March 24
Just announced is a Virtual Book Launch/Reading from the Waconia Writers Group for their new anthology View from the Shore, on March 24 at 7pm. Join us as contributing writers will read their selected works as well as talk about the writing process and their group. Please email literary@artsofcarvercounty.org to RSVP and receive online invitation.
Music News
Submissions for this year’s Songwriting compilation are rolling in. Any Songwriters out there please let us know what you’re up to. We’re also looking for performers for music events in the fall at the Chaska Community Center Theatre. Please contact Steve Kelzer, Music Liaison. music@artsofcarvercounty.org
Education
Classes
The Opalescent World of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night class via Zoom in February was a success. Be sure to look for similar classes in the coming months.
Empowering Self Through Art Workshop, ages 12 through adults. This is a FREE six week Art Workshop focusing on Photography and geared to people with and without disabilities to learn about Public Art through Photography and Improv Comedy. Share your perspectives and learn about inclusion while finding your voice. We will create and display our outcomes through a community wide Outdoor Exhibition. No experience is required. We will meet via zoom for an hour and a half for six weeks starting March 18th, register by March 15, 2021. Registration info is on the Classes page on our website.
Watercolor classes in-person and via Zoom currently being offered through the CCC:
- Watercolor class ages 6 and up for people with and without disabilities offered at CCC via Zoom. 45 Minutes (free)
- Watercolor class for active older adults (AOA) ages 55+ listed at CCC. 45 Minutes (free)
- Watercolor class ages 6 and up for people with and without disabilities offered at CCC in person ($3.00)
Click here for date, time and registration information.
NEW! On Demand Learning is now available through the ACCC
Members and artists of all different mediums and backgrounds are encouraged to view Sunflowers as an example of what you could create and sell in our NEW On Demand Learning platform. We are seeking ACCC Musicians, Poets, Watercolorists, Potters and more to consider creating a 1 to 2 hour complete lesson on your area of specialty. Teach an art lesson, how to play a particular song on the guitar, how to write different styles of poetry. These lessons are then made available for purchase in our On Demand Learning catalog (on the ACCC website) to anyone seeking to expand their knowledge and skill in any number of artistic areas. What sets these apart from traditional classes is that these are available to the consumer 24/7, no need to wait for registrations and you can earn money on one video in perpetuity! Create a one off or a series! You decide!
Please check out Sunflowers, an acrylic painting class taught by Mary Williamson of Ripple Art Studio in Carver. This one is FREE to provide an example of what is possible for you! The NEW On Demand Learning videos are located under the Education tab on the ACCC website. Please contact Mary Williamson at ondemandlearning@artsofcarvercounty.org or visit the How to Submit an On Demand Lesson.
We look forward to filling up the On Demand Learning catalog with amazing lessons, supporting the artists creating them and sharing them with the public and other ACCC members! Thank you for supporting our efforts to continue to serve our members and our community throughout this pandemic.
Attend Fresh Work Group – A community based Art Opportunity for ACCC Members
We are looking for Carver County artists willing to share their new and old work and artist story. We meet, virtually for now, at 1pm on the second Wednesday of the month. This group offers a chance for a dialogue and to get to know one another. Please let us know if you are interested in this opportunity and what month you would like to present. We are looking forward to hearing from you! More info in our website. Contact Anne Krocak at classes@artsofcarvercounty.org with your questions.
ArtStock Art, Wine & Music Festival
ArtStock Art, Wine and Music Festival 2021 is on Saturday July 10th and Sunday July 11th. Find detailed information on how to apply for a booth on the ACCC website. We are seeking talented artists representing diverse mediums such as photography, sculpture, wearable arts, glass, fibers, painting, and more. ArtStock is an outdoor event featuring regional and local art, curated wine, and live music throughout both days of the Festival. In it’s 10th year, our Anniversary celebration will be big! ACCC Members get a 10% discount. See our website for details.
Mark your calendars to attend our Music fundraiser the evening of July 10th, featuring the ever popular Monroe Crossing Band. An evening to relax and enjoy your favorite glass of wine as you help support ACCC programming.
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
Thanks, from the Art Tourism Committee, for the robust response to our call for Ag Art. Twelve photographs were submitted in January and February. This month we announce a call for “silo art.” Images will be accepted through the end of April. To submit a photograph, see our website for details.
Throughout 2021, bi-monthly, we will call for specific examples of Ag Art. Watch for the next call starting, May 1. Meantime, please, visit the ever-changing Ag Art gallery.
Join the ACCC
OUR MISSION: The Arts Consortium of Carver County strengthens our community through the arts – and cultivates the arts through the community. Show your support by becoming a valued Member of the ACCC. View our Member Benefits on our Membership page. Send your questions to: membership@artsofcarvercounty.org.
Social Media
Be sure to check out and follow us on Instagram and Facebook to see what is going on with the ACCC. We post regularly about artists, authors, musicians, art, the gallery and more.
Thank you for reading our ArtMatters Newsletter March 2021 issue. We appreciate your support!
We INVITE YOU to attend the Arts Consortium of Carver County Annual Meeting to celebrate with us the changes we’ve made in an unprecedented year. We have experienced the solitude of the pandemic and the excitement of moving into our new location, all within our 11th year. We are thankful for our community partners we work with to lift others up and we are thankful to have had such diligent board members, volunteers, class instructors, donors, sponsors, members, business and organization advocates.
