Owatonna Arts Center Home of Creativity and Artistry

The Owatonna Arts Center encourages and celebrates the creative and performing arts that enrich the human spirit. May/June 2016

Business Hours 10-5 Tues-Fri

Message from the President

Gallery Hours 1-5 Tues-Sun

We welcome spring and anxiously await the completion of the building addition. As we look forward, we wait for the arrival of the windows. At this time that is slowing the progress a bit. All of the interior walls have been completed, interior steps are in, framing on the outside for the windows is being installed, and the elevator (which was the thrust of the addition) is available and ready to be installed whenever the construction schedule calls for it. We continue to encourage contributions to the building fund. We need to replace the unfortunate shrinkage of pledges. Our objective was to raise $150,000; to date we have received approximately $85,000. Contributions may be sent to the Owatonna Arts Center and directed to the Building Fund. Thank you to all who have donated and for all who continue to contribute.

507-451-0533 www.oacarts.org

Calendar at a Glance: May 8-29 Steele County Art Exhibition May 19, 2-4PM Program 2:30PM Sculpture unveiling

So much activity takes place at OAC. Please check this newsletter for all the special the hospital’s Healing events we have scheduled. Keep watching for our Grand Opening, with a special event planned for all contributors. The exact date is yet to be determined. Obviously it Garden depends on the construction schedule so we anticipate it to be late summer. More on that will follow. June 5-26 and poetry reading at

Mary Maggio and Mike Pliner Exhibition June 24, 7-11PM Grease 50’s Dance Party June 26. 1-4PM Program 2PM Heritage Quilters 20th anniversary program and speaker Be sure to check the website for an

The additional space requires us to evaluate which services will be relocated. Along with those decisions will be realignment of telephone and computer sevices. Luckily, the Arts Center Foundation is supporting OAC financially in all of this relocation and expansion. A number of computers will be purchased, they will be linked, and we will be wireless which will put us in the 21st Century. We are thankful that we have a source of funds from the Arts Center Foundation. The Board of Directors held a retreat on April 23. Pete Connor served as the facilitator and we came away with a better understanding of our direction for OAC. Please watch for additional announcements about a Crazy Days event this summer. The Owatonna Business Partnership welcomes artists to set up their booths as part of the Farmers Market on July 23. John Meixner at Little Professor bookstore will help you if you’d like to take this opportunity to show your work. Save the Date! Grease is opening on the LTO stage July 7th, and OAC is hosting an evening of music, dancing, and snacking on June 24. We invite you to come – get in the spirit of the 1950’s.

updated listing of classes and events. www.oacarts.org

Arlan Burmeister, President

Upcoming Gallery Exhibitions Gallery hours are 1-5pm Tuesday through Sunday. The gallery is closed Mondays.

64th Annual Steele County Art Exhibition May 8 - 29, 2016 If the president offers a state of the union address, and the governor offers a state of the state address, then the 64th Annual Steele County Art Exhibition is the state of the visual arts address for Steele County. The visual arts are healthy and alive! This is an opportunity to see the latest creations by your friends and neighbors, to see how they have grown as artists, and to be introduced to new artists as they begin their journey. All artists 18 years or older and residents of Steele County or members of the Arts Center are eligible to exhibit art works. Artists' applications are available at the Arts Center during regular business hours. Applications must be received by May 3. The following media may be shown: oil, watercolor, acrylic, casein, pencil, pen and ink, hand pulled prints, charcoal, pastel, crayon, sculpture and clay.

Mary Maggio, Photos and Mike Pliner, Wood Turnings June 5 - 26, 2016 Chairs and wood turnings are the subject of our June exhibition. The artwork of former Owatonnans Mary Maggio, photographer, and Mike Pliner, wood turner, will open in the gallery on June 5th and run through the 26th. Mary Maggio's grandparents were born in Sicily. Though a US citizen from birth, her father didn't speak English until he was 5 years old. So, her affinity for Sicily is in her blood. Her first visit to the island was in 1975 and she visited again in 2014. She stated, “What do you do on a beautiful island? Walk the streets and beaches. Eat simply. Take photos. After hours and days of wandering in Palermo, I kept seeing chairs. Worn chairs. Lonely chairs. Chairs with partners. Unusable chairs. Dead chairs. Chairs in impossible places. Chairs that had escaped. Chairs that were indeed utilitarian. When I asked my Sicilian cousin why there so many chairs in the streets and on sidewalks and in the trees and on roofs he asked, 'What chairs?' The display is a fraction of the Sicilian chairs I took captive with my camera. My personal belief is that the chairs escaped from the houses because, 'Why would you be inside on a day in Paradise?'” Mike Pliner writes of his personal artistic development. If you hear a voice w ithin you say 'you cannot paint,' then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced. – Vincent Van Gogh “I became interested in wood carving when my father started about twenty years ago. I started wood carving with traditional animal carvings. After a visit to the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, I decided to make three dimensional versions of them. I was surprised to find that it took much longer to paint than it did to carve. About nine years ago I purchased a wood turning lathe. I enjoy making different designs and seeing what evolves during the process.”

Owatonna Arts Center

New Classes at the OAC Bob Ross Wet-on-Wet Oil Painting Class The purpose of the Bob Ross wet-on-wet oil painting class is to teach students the “JOY” of putting paint to canvas. The instructor is certified to teach the techniques and has the equipment for those who are willing to learn.

You will paint one 16” x 20” painting from start to finish in the 3-4 hour class. At the end of the class you can take home your treasure. All supplies are provided for you. Please bring a snack or sack lunch for the break. Wear clothing that you don’t mind getting paint on. Date: Saturday, May 21, 2016 Time: 10:00 AM SHARP!

Cost: $65.00

Instructor: Dennis Neidt

Capture Owatonna Photography Class This is a beginner digital photography club that goes all year round, meeting locally three times during each of the four seasons. The spring session will consist of three classes: Monday, May 2 at Village of Yesteryear (meet at entrance) Monday, May 9 at Kaplan’s Woods Parkway (meet in parking lot off the main road into Lake Kohlmeier) Monday, May 16 at Mineral Springs Park (meet in parking lot on the other side of the small bridge) Classes will begin at 5:00 and run approximately one hour. Registrants are responsible for their own transportation to the meeting location. Please bring your own DSLR with charged battery and clean SD card. Basic photography skills are worked on as the instructor assigns students different tasks throughout the hour. Q&A is held at the end as we look through the photos that were taken. Students are encouraged to submit their best two photos to the instructor via Facebook to be posted on the Capture Owatonna page. Date: See Above

Time: 5:00

Cost: $10

Instructor: Naomi Jirele

Art, Wine, Design: Floral Essence Painting ** Art, Wine, Design Nights are created so you can sip wine and create art in a relaxed environment with your friends. Dar’s teaching style is fun and spontaneous! She will guide you through the easy steps to creating your own unique acrylic floral painting on canvas. Each student will choose their own color choices. No experience necessary! Create a bigger-than-life flower using the Georgia O’Keefe style. All supplies are included. You will have an exciting adventure, and leave with a colorful completed piece of art! Please bring an apron. Registration deadline is one week prior to the class. Participants must be 21 years or older to register. Date: May 4, 2016

Time: 5:30-8:30 PM

Cost: $49.00

Instructor: Dar Brooks

Owatonna Arts Center

Clay Class for Kids Throwing Together (Grades 4+)** Kids -- how about grabbing Mom or Dad or Grandma or an adult friend and have some messy fun in the clay studio. You can both use the pottery wheels to “throw” a “pot” of your choice (or outcome). Whether experienced or not, you will end up with a bowl, or cup or vase that is truly your own . . . one that you can actually use to eat your cereal out of every morning, or a cup from which to drink your hot chocolate. You will paint your pieces or leave instructions for glaze color. Pieces may be picked up 2 weeks after class. Create a lasting memory together. Please wear clothing that can get messy. Date: Thursdays, May 5 and 12

Time: 5:30-7:30

Cost: $29

Instructor: Judy Srsen

Clay for Kids on the Wheel (Grades 4+)** Develop a new skill or work on improving your clay techniques. In this class, students who are new to creating pottery on the wheel will learn the basic techniques for successful completion of bowls, plates, mugs, etc. Those students with experience are encouraged to work on improving finishing techniques and try new and larger forms on the wheel. Returning students are able to work independently, with instructor support always available. Students also have the option of hand-building later on in this summer session. Please wear clothing for playing in the mud and athletic shoes, and long hair tied back.

Date: Tuesdays, starting June 21 Instructor: Judy Srsen

Sessions: 7

Time: 3:30-5:00 PM

Cost: $72

**Registration for Art, Wine, Design and for clay classes is through Community Ed. Visit www.owatonnacommunityed.org

Russell Stover Candies Fundraiser Mothers enjoy chocolates and they are a perfect gift for Mother's Day. Russell Stover suggests that you give your mother a box of candy. When you visit the shop on Saturday, May 7, the day before Mother's Day, 10% of your purchase will go to the Owatonna Arts Center. To assure OAC receives credit for donations, a coupon is required when making the purchase. A coupon is enclosed in this newsletter; additional coupons may be picked up at the Arts Center before the event or at Russell Stover the day of the event. This is a sweet treat for mothers and for the Arts Center.

Sculpture Unveiling and Poetry Reading Thursday, May 19 2:30pm Allina Hospital is honored to unveil an angel sculpture created by Greg Mendez and poetry by Ev Stransky to the healing gardens on the Health Campus. The dedication is Thursday May 19, 2-4 PM, with a program at 2:30 PM. Artist Greg Mendez has a BFA in sculpture from the University of St. Francis and has studied with stone sculptor and master Scagliola craftsmen. He is the recipient of numerous awards and has many works permanently placed in public spaces. Owatonna's own poet Ev Stransky has work published in the SELCO poetry book. She is a member of the poetry group that meets monthly at the Owatonna Public Library. Writing poetry has been a part of Ev's life since the fifth grade. She stated, “I have always reacted to major events with poetry.”

Grease 50’s Dance Party June 24, 2016 7-11pm The classic rock 'n roll of the 50's may bring back memories of Sock Hops and the Lindy. Join us on June 24, 7:00-11:00 PM, as the Performing Arts Hall is decked out as Rydell High gym for our Grease 50's Dance Party. Emcee Jeffrey Jackson will be our very own Dick Clark. The music will be provided by Tim Fitzgerald. It is an evening to reminisce, have fun, and re-learn those dance steps with Katie and Ryan Gillespie. While you have your poodle skirt or blazer and narrow tie out of the closet, plan to attend a Grease performance at the Little Theatre of Owatonna from July 7th through July 17th. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for OAC members, and $7 for ages 12 and under.

Heritage Quilters Guild June 26, 2016 2pm The Heritage Quilters Guild of Southern Minnesota is celebrating its 20th anniversary at the Owatonna Arts Center on June 26, from 1:00 - 4:00 PM. Darlene Zimmerman will be the guest speaker. She is a well known Minnesota quilter educator, quilt and fabric designer, and author of numerous quilting books. The Heritage Quilters Guild of Southern Minnesota was started in 1996 by a group of quilters to share ideas, information, and inspiration of their craft. The first meeting was held on June 26, 1996, at the Owatonna Arts Center. Meetings are held at St. Joseph Catholic Church on the second Thursday of each month at 7:00 PM. Membership is open to quilters of all skill levels. The public is invited to the 20th anniversary celebration. A social time with refreshments will begin at 1:00 pm. The program featuring Darlene Zimmerman will begin at 2:00 PM. Quilts made by members will be displayed.

Secret Garden Tour July 24, 2016 As you are freshening up the yard, adding new plantings, and preparing for the summer growing season, remember that the Secret Garden Tour will be on Sunday, July 24. If you would like to open your garden or know of one that should be included on the tour, please contact Silvan.

Spring House Cleaning? Spring is the time to freshen up the house. When you rearrange your décor to achieve that new look, you may no longer want to showcase a lovely piece of art. But you'd like it to continue to be viewed and enjoyed. The Steele County Historical Society and the Arts Center will partner for a sale in the Fall to benefit both organizations. We welcome your donations for this art sale.

Looking for Creative Gardeners The building addition will soon be finished and the area that has held scaffolding during construction will be planted with grass. We would like to have some Creative Gardens planted for the summer. This is a chance for you as a gardener to choose a theme, plant it, and care for it through the summer. Please talk with Silvan if you are interested in participating.

Need an activity for an event this summer? Try Colorwheels! What is Colorwheels? Colorwheels is a unique, traveling art experience that nurtures creativity, inspires the imagination, and assists to activate artistic talent. Colorwheels provides supplies and artistic instruction necessary to complete a project of your choosing! A passionate and experienced instructor will lead you through a creative process that will always leave you with a wonderful piece of art and colorful experience! Who is Colorwheels for? Colorwheels is for all age groups. We have a variety of projects and activities suitable for artists of any age or skill level. If you have a group of artists eager for a fun project, we have instructors ready to bring an artistic experience straight to your doorstep! Let Colorwheels cater an artistic venue to your business team building event, Holiday parties, birthday parties for adults and kids, church groups, you name it “wheel” be there. Large or small, consider hiring Colorwheels to provide a custom creative experience for your next celebration!

Thank You! The Arts Center board, staff and membership appreciate all the wonderful volunteers and supporters to help make this place the center for arts in Owatonna. Here are a few important THANK YOUs for recent events and gifts: Donations Brian Kuehn V.F.W. #3723 Andrea Gaffke Wes and Jodi McMains AAUW Memorials Photo Caption In memory of Greg Horecka, given by Margreet Visser Building Fund Contributors Joanne Lockner Mary Butler-Fraser Peter and Joann Moothart Anne and Thomas Deetz Linda Boorman Harvey and Maxine Ronglien Craig and Lynn Oien Dave and Cathy Effertz Jim and Gabrielle Thon Kathleen Tillotson Wayne and Marlene Camilli Fred and Deb Mather Marilyn A. Voss Jeanne Dombrosky Mary Hitzeman Carole and Karl-Heinz Nilsson Dallas and Peg Ketchum Audrey Hammel Memorial Romana Wesely Steve and Karen Jensen Frederick and Eileen Knudsen Mary Ellen and Craig Wingen Ray and Helen Stawarz Dean and Patricia Francis John and Marilyn Betlach Portia Johnson

Membership Renewals . and New Members Charlene Ost Mary Butler-Fraser Anne Peterson Mary McCartney Marilyn Henke Tom Schmitt Brian Kuehn Myrtle Brittain V.F.W. #3723

Cheryl Deason Reyna Marshall Andrea Gaffke Del Cass Jerry Ganfield Grant and Lori Heslep Jerry and Janet Besser Deb Mather

Rita Stilwell Patti and Bill Hoversten Mary Virginia Betlach Marlys Mickelson Gwendolyn Fichten Jean Zamboni Karen Sarazine Katie Mullally Dick and Marilyn Pedersen Jerry and Mary Monson Tom and Mary Olson Greg and Bonnie Krueger Dale and Jade Gandrud Rossi Law Office Wendy Wenger Dankey and Jeff Dankey Wayne and Doris Klinkhammer Prairie Ridge Orthodontics Owatonna Granite and Monument Silvan Durben Jack and Diane Spitzack Randall’s License Bureau Ludewig Financial Group Dr. Darren and Kathleen Roemhildt

Bev and Arlan Burmeister Hy-Vee Mages Insurance Group Noble RV Edward Jones – Kim Cosens Mrs. Margreet E. Visser Sally Nelsen Anonymous

Owatonna Arts Center 435 Garden View Lane Owatonna, MN 55060

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 257 OWATONA,MN 55060

507-451-0533 www.oacarts.org Artistic Director Silvan Durben Admin. Assistant Otilia Johnson Education Coordinator Tara Volkmann Newsletter Editor Kristin Warehime

OAC Board Members Arlan Burmeister, President, [email protected] Barb Klinger, Treasurer [email protected] Beth DeCoux, Secretary [email protected] Naomi Jirele [email protected] Marlene Camilli, Vice Pres. [email protected] Nancy Deetz [email protected] Shirley Erickson [email protected] Stephanie Shea [email protected] Sue Vedder [email protected] The Owatonna Arts Center Board meets the Third Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. All members are always encouraged to attend.

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THANK YOU! March was National Youth Art Month and Women's History Month. Thank you to the art faculty and the students for a very impressive exhibition. Thank you to the women’s organizations that hosted speaker Lori Sturdevant and made a donation to the Arts Center.

Phone: 507-451-0533