MontiArts May Newsletter
Boioioioing
This is it… it’s finally spring after a looong winter.
I hope no one floated away in the spring flooding, and now that it’s getting nice outside I hope your senses are reawakening to the beauty of all the nature around us. Get out and visit those wonderful parks we have!
We have all kinds of fun things launching this month and early in June, so have your calendar handy so you don’t miss out!
Stay Curious & Creative. - Sue Seeger
Riverfest Volunteers Needed
Want to help out at Riverfest or Party In The Park this year? We go to the Car Show, Party In The Park, are IN the Parade, and would like to be at the post-parade Block Party at the MCC manning a sidewalk chalk activity, IF we can find some volunteers. If you enjoy chatting with people, working with kids, and are reliable about being on time etc, this is an easy fun way to help Monticello and MontiArts.
Email Sue if interested at sue.montiarts@gmail.com
MontiArts Once Again Hosting School District Art Show!
Come see what our talented young people have in this year’s show! Open to the public Thurs 5/18.
Stan Is Back!
Many of you already know Stan Thorud, the incredibly talented local artist who shares his creativity with us all summer long, and spends winters down south. Well he’s back!
This year he’s agreed to a solo show at MontiArts, and you’re all invited! We’ll have an opening night reception Fri June 2nd, from 7 to 9. Make it a night out! We’ll have light refreshments, and if the weather cooperates our front patio will be open too!
Come meet Stan and check out his mind-bogglingly detailed paintings, many featuring National Parks. Most people are amazed they are paintings rather than photographs. That’s how real they look! He will have some prints for sale too, while they last. Do not miss this!
His extremely popular painting class schedule will be announced soon.
Open Studio Reminder
We are really are lucky to have such a beautiful space to meet and nourish our creativity in. Thank you Monticello Parks Arts & Rec Dept!
We host Open Studio here (213 W Broadway) every Tues from 10 to noon, and Wed nights from 6 to 9. Artists of all ages and skill levels bring in their materials and get creative in a room full of others doing the same; working on their own projects, and visit. It is a GREAT way to meet new art friends.
Hey Teens:
As you’re sitting around in your room, rockin’ out to the radio and reading our newsletter…
Yeah, that is NOT happening. We do have that much of a clue.
Anyway, Just to let you know, in case you know an appropriate teen for this brand new program; we’re starting a Summer Arts Program for kids ages 16 to 18!
Space is very limited, and they need to apply to get in. This is not for your kid who you wish would find something, anything, do to for a couple hours every week. This is for serious art kids who want to work with a lead artist on some community art projects and to learn a bit about various techniques and about being an artist out in the world along the way.
I mean, you can probably tell some pretty fun creative stuff happens around here…
To apply have them (THEM, not you, helicopter parent) email (yes, email- not Tiktoc, I know, “Ugh! Cringe!” Yes, EMAIL) sue at sue.montiarts@gmail.com . Send some jpegs of your work and tell me why I should pick you and not one of the other zillions of applicants to this high-value summer learning/hanging out with artists experience. Tell me your availability too.
Resume teening.
Residency Program Changes
One of the cool things about MontiArts is that we are always experimenting with ideas, getting feedback from you all, and making adjustments. Sure that means things sometimes change, but we look at that as a good thing— being able to be responsive and try out versions of ideas until we get it right.
The Artist Residency Program we offer is something very unique to Monticello; a rare chance for local creatives who lack the space at home to practice their art to have somewhere to go to concentrate and hone their skills.
After trying a few versions of this we’re moving to a needs-based model for a while to see how that works. This means if you’ve been on the waiting list— sorry— the waiting list doesn’t exist anymore. We now want you to apply. Here’s how:
Email Sue at sue.montiarts@gmail.com with a title of REZ PROG. Answer these 4 questions as best you can:
1) Explain your need for a studio space. Why is it difficult for you to work on your art at home?
2) Tell us about how frequently you anticipate using the space; how many times a week. What would a typlical week look like for you?
3) Explain to us how you will share your work/your creative journey with the public. This is a big part of what we do- give our community access to the arts. How would you help with this effort?
4) How involved in MontiArts have you been up to this point? Describe ways you’ve contributed/ been involved.
Finally, include some work samples (jpegs please, or writing samples.)
We will review and score applications every few months. Current residency artists may apply to re-up. Applicants with the highest scores will be chosen, regardless of how long applicants have been waiting. We’re doing this in an effort to allow artists who truly need the space to access it over those who just think it is an appealing idea but actually do have more options (space at home to work).
We’ll see how this goes for a while.
The MCC, and Brides, Need Creative Help!
Our Community Center hosts a lot of weddings and other special events that call for specialized decor. Have you always wanted to do display work, or maybe you’ve helped with sets for a play before? We’re looking for an artist with some creative tasteful ideas for how to transform our Mississippi Room from a City Council meeting room to a dazzling bridal wonderland, and the skills to make it happen. (Ok— most brides actually have their own ideas for decor, and work with wedding planners, but we do need to create a beautiful template for them. This is what the MCC needs help with.)
This is a paid gig! (For the right person.) You’d have to be comfortable on ladders and maybe even a lift, and good with tools and improvising solutions. It will undoubtedly involve draping miles of fabric around the room creatively, and working closely with MCC management. You’d also have to be 100% reliable, obviously.
If this could be you, please contact Sara Cahill or Tricia Handorff at the MCC to apply / get details. Tricia.Handorff@ci.monticello.mn.us. / Sara.Cahill@ci.monticello.mn.us
Participatory Show: Face Time
The first blank faces banner is up and ready for adult/teen artists who want to contribute to this show which will keep building momentum as people add to it. Of course right away, artists being artists, people started asking about what the rules were and how to break them. WAY ahead of you guys. We’re artists too. (Eyebrow wiggle.)
There are no rules other than cover the Local Artists Only side of the room with face art, and don’t be a space hog; don’t turn it into your own personal art show. Be cool, in other words.
We will have a fun strike party when it’s time to swtich to a new exhibit, so mark your calendars for Fri July 28th. Details when we have them.
Open Mic Details and Something in the Works
Stop by to listen, share, or to check us out at 7pm on Saturday 5/13 at 213 W Broadway. Reach out to ben.montiarts@gmail.com with questions. We’ll be adding a songwriting workshop in the Fall hosted by some amazingly talented musicians/writers.
