ArtMatters Newsletter Volume 10 Issue 4 | May 2020
Greetings to You
Every Arts organization is grappling with the situations we are faced with during this time of uncertainty. We are all reaching out to change our modes of operation and continue in other ways that we can connect. We have had to cancel many of our activities at the Arts Center and our events to come due to CoVid 19, but we are striving to bring a new breath of virtual programming to your table. With this in our minds we hope to add that much needed breath of fresh air to your day and look forward to the interaction between the artists, writers, musicians and members at large as we explore, express and document this change in normalcy and life as we know it. We are introducing the ACCC Pandemic Arts Journal with this issue.
Our hearts go out to the people who have been affected by this unprecedented global health event that is currently unfolding before us. We appreciate the healthcare workers, communities, governments and those on the front lines, locally and globally working to best contain this pandemic. We keep this in our minds as we plan for the future.
We are set to reopen on the 20th of May as the State of MN’s #stayinplace order is lifted. With this, I want to assure you we have also prepared ACCC set guidelines for our volunteers and our visitors to the Arts Center and are vigilantly monitoring the CoVid19 situation closely. We want to make sure we are diligent in keeping everyone safe and ensure a healthy environment for all. We also will continue social distancing at the Arts Center during phase one of reopening and we plan to follow the State guidelines for everyone’s benefit and safety.
Please take some time out of your schedule to visit us online and in person, join us virtually or submit your perspective of these uncharted waters as we make our way into the future. We have wonderful gift ideas for the special people in your life. We have plenty of space to roam our Gallery and Gift Shop in person. We can also curate gift items for you ahead of time virtually and deliver to you curbside for your convenience. Contact us at giftshop@artsofcarvercounty.com for help with your gift lists today. Just let us know how we can serve you through the Arts.
Stay Healthy and Be Well. Cynthia Anderson, President
Announcing the ACCC Pandemic Arts Journal
Send us Your Literary Work, Images of Your Visual Arts, Your Music! The ACCC is creating a very special project called the ACCC Pandemic Arts Journal. This will be a collection of creative work from artists, writers, musicians and songwriters, and others in the region as well as an historical record of the abounding creativity in Carver County during these uncertain times. We will add to it over the course of 2020 as we adjust to these times.
We invite all Visual Artists, Writers, Songwriters, and Musicians, young and young at heart to submit your responses to the COVID- 19 pandemic. Your work will be published on the ACCC website as part of our ACCC Pandemic Arts Journal page. Your creative expression will become part of a collective work expressing your thoughts, emotions, inspirations, etc. throughout the year. The journal will provide an artistic perspective on what is happening during this time. See our Call for Submissions for instructions.
This is a FREE opportunity. If you would like to support activities like this and other activities of the ACCC, please consider making a DONATION today. Thank you for your support.
Lots of Literary News
2020 Poetry Contest Results Announced: Check out our website to read and hear the winning poems. Entries were reviewed by six local poets and winners were chosen by Minnesota Poet Laureate and Carver County resident, Joyce Sutphen. Thank you to all the judges. The decisions were difficult because there were so many good poems submitted. Thanks to all of you who participated.
In this round of the contest we discovered that poetry can be a family undertaking.There are winning entries from the Van Hefty, Yidnekachew, and Awes families. We also especially appreciated the teachers who submitted their students’ work this year. They included Virginia Jackson, Amy McGinnis, and Jennifer Williams.Thank you! Entries were primarily from Carver County but came from as far away as Florida, Texas, and England. Congratulations to all the winners and to those who took Honorable Mention. Each one of you inspires us!
Here are the names of winners and Honorable Mentions: Students Grades K-2: Charlie Van Hefty, Award of Excellence. Students Grades 3-5: Alex Van Heftey, First Place; Mackenzie Jensen, Second Place; Tatum Luedke, Third Place, Reese Marie Slechta, Honorable Mention; Teshan Liyanage, Honorable Mention. Students Grades 6-8: Adonai Yidnekachew, First Place; Yabsera Yidnekashew, Second Place. Students Grades 9-12: Jade Evans, First Place; Henry Awes, Second Place; Reeti Thakkar, Third Place; Robert Jensen, Honorable Mention. Adult Carver County Residents: Angela Hunt, First Place; Jen Anderson, Second Place, Maria Awes, Third Place; Rob Luke, Honorable Mention; Jillian Van Hefty, Honorable Mention. Adult Non Residents: Tim J. Brennan, First Place; Vicky A. King, Second Place; Jeannie L. Piekos, Third Place; A. Carol Scott, Honorable Mention; Laura L. Hansen, Honorable Mention.
Call For Writers: Would you like to share the poetry and literary prose you have been writing while you shelter in place? We are starting an ACCC Pandemic Arts Journal, and we encourage you to submit your work in written, video or audio form. In fact, we would especially encourage you to make a video of you reading your work, upload it on YouTube, and submit it as directed on the website. If you don’t know how to do that, there are many places on the internet to find out. Check out the website for details on how to submit. Use #ACCCPandemicArtsJournal if you post it on your social media accounts.
Haikus for Healing: Want to lighten someone’s day? If you write a haiku in chalk on a sidewalk (where permitted) or post a haiku in your yard, take a picture and post it on the ACCC Facebook and Instagram pages along with #ACCCHaikus4Healing. A haiku is three lines of poetry with 5, 7, 5 syllables on the first, second, and third lines respectively. Wouldn’t it be fun to make someone smile reading poetry!
ACCC Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Artsincarvercounty/
ACCC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artsofcarvercounty/
Literary Liaison: Are you interested in serving on the board of the Arts Consortium as the next Literary Liaison? You will be working with an active literary committee and helping to elevate the visibility of literary work as one of the thriving arts in our county. If you are interested, please fill out an application for the board, indicating your interest in becoming the next literary liaison. If you have questions, you may contact Susan Coultrap-McQuin at literary@artsofcarvercounty.org.
Music News
The latest Songwriters and Musicians of Carver County CD is being completed and will include 20+ contributions. We think this is the best one so far! We will have CDs and the songs available for download on the Bandcamp website along with all of the previous CDs. The CD Release Concert is set for June 18th at 6:30pm, but is pending further notice from The City of Chaska. We will keep you updated. Send your ACCC Music questions to Steve Kelzer at music@artsofcarvercounty.org. Visit our CD page.
Barn Quilts of Carver County MN Offers Support During COVID-19 by Barb Hone, Janet Fahey and Suzanne Thiesfeld
The Arts Consortium of Carver County, a 501c(3) nonprofit organization, was the fiscal agent for the Barn Quilts project in Carver County.
What began in 2011 as a community-wide, public art project – continues as one during this unprecedented time. This year, the project celebrates its 10 Year Anniversary. Throughout this time, barn quilts have represented Carver County’s heritage and families. While the 10 Year celebration has been postponed due to COVID-19, the project has stepped up to help our community: Families, teachers and students. Barb Hone, Janet Fahey & Suzanne Thiesfeld, all original members of the Barn Quilt Project, have come together to offer unique ways to stay connected – yet apart.
We invite you to see the Barn Quilts from different perspectives. We have created barn quilt education, ideas for Independent Study related to art, literature, history, math and agriculture. Free resources, self-guided tour map and curriculum for teachers, students and citizens are available on the Barn Quilt MN website. Visit BarnQuiltsofCCMN.com to learn more.
Welcome New Board Members
Jean Kubes-Werremeyer
Mary Williamson
The Arts Consortium is pleased to announce that Jean Kubes-Werremeyer and Mary Williamson have joined the board as new members. Those who have been to the Arts Center will know Jean, who has been an active volunteer and has recently taught a class for us. A former elementary teacher, she current works in the field of art retail. Mary has been active in the arts in the county for many years and has served in local government and on other boards. She has her own studio and gallery and is passionate about involving young people in the arts. Please join us in welcoming both of them. Read more about Jean and Mary on our Meet the Board page on our website.
Submit a Nomination or Application for the ACCC Board of Directors
Our ACCC Board Members are actively involved in all aspects of the ACCC including events, classes, festivals, the Arts Center, community initiatives and more. They serve on the board and work on projects or committees with other volunteers.We are seeking board members with the skills and talents mentioned in the qualifications below. SUBMIT
- Commitment to the arts (visual, literary, musical, performing) as an artist or supporter
- Membership in the Arts Consortium of Carver County
- Previous involvement with ACCC activities a plus
- Skills or experience in one or more of the following areas: social media, education, program coordination, theatre arts, finance, fundraising, marketing, other nonprofit boards
- Willingness to contribute your time and talents to our projects
ACCC Membership
Not an ACCC Member? Consider joining! Our Membership page lists all the benefits and opportunities we offer our Members.
If you are a Member, please take a minute to log into your ACCC account and review your Membership. You can see when you joined and when your Membership is up for renewal. We automatically send you reminder emails before your due date. Membership questions can be directed to our Membership Coordinator, Beth Billstrom at membership@artsofcarvercounty.org.
Go to our Account page to access your Membership info as well as your Directory Listing. Keep it up-to-date. Be sure to include your social media accounts as we have been promoting our Member artists on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
Volunteer Opportunities with the ACCC
The Arts Consortium of Carver County Volunteers are working diligently behind the scenes on some exciting new opportunities for 2020. Volunteer and work to bring the arts to the people of your community. We seek a wide range of strengths and talents, art experience not required. We are actively looking for additional Members for our Board of Directors to fill several positions and for people to serve on a committee, special project or participate in new initiatives. Volunteer Form.
Saturday and Appointment Shopping
The Songwriters and Musicians of Carver County, Volume VI CD is finished and we are waiting for the finished product from the duplicator. This year we have 24 songwriters featured. The first song on the CD was written by Grace Bury in 1942. Grace was a piano teacher in Chaska for many years. The recording of her song was done by her son John Bury and his trio featuring Sue Drude on vocals in the early 70’s. It still sounds fresh and hip today. A lot of the music on the CD was written in 2020 with artists from age 18 to 72. Watch our website and email for the official announcement of when and where you can purchase the CD. Thank you to Steve Kelzer for your continued work to produce this valuable ACCC project. We all are looking forward to hearing the recordings! Steve Kelzer, music@artsofcarvercounty.org.
We are excited to welcome Amy Stender to the ACCC Board. She will serve as Literary Liaison working with the Literary Committee to expand opportunities for writers in our area. Amy is a Minnesota Book Award-nominated author of Relic Chosen: Magic and Madness (North Star Press, St. Cloud), Through the Woods and Next Weekend (Lulu Publishing). She began writing at a young age and never thought to stop. She graduated from Concordia University, St. Paul, with a BA in Psychology but never strayed far from her artistic and literary passions. Amy is currently working on a rural cozy mystery series, the first book Farmed & Dangerous, soon to be released from Fox Pointe Publishing. A native Minnesotan who grew up in Chaska, MN, this “city girl” now lives with her husband, their daughter, a 15lb cat, & 100 dairy cows on their farm in Norwood Young America. Please join us in welcoming Amy Stender to the board.
