MontiArts August Newsletter
This Is It- Soak It In
Wasn’t it just like a week or two ago I wrote about how the State Fair would be here soon and summer would be wrapping up? Seriously, HOW??? Well, we’re in it; summer’s home stretch. Enjoy the heck out of it. I love living somewhere where we have all the seasons. Multiple times throughout the year as I anticipate changes on the way, I take a chance to focus on my surroundings… to really look around and notice details, feel the air, and the sun on my skin, etc. Hopefully, we all can store up these summer memories for winter, which will bring fresh sensations to take in.
At MontiArts this summer we’ve been immersed in our Mosiaic Bench Project. It has brought in a whole new group of amazingly cool local artists who are donating their time and talents to our community and making new art friends in the process. Open Studios remain a lively connection point for local creatives too- newcomers welcome! Monticello, Let’s Chalk is coming up SOON! Scroll and check out things you can get involved in.
Stay Curious & Creative. - Sue Seeger
Mosaic Bench Project
This is such a special project. Getting to work with very talented professional mosaic artist Laura Ruprecht, whose work will be installed at the Minneapolis Airport in 2026, would not be possible without our funding from a CMAB project grant. Her designs and instruction, and the many many hours local artists are investing in creating these spectacular pieces will give Monticello some truly stunning works of community-built public art for all to enjoy for years and years.
Look at this level of detail!
These will look even more amazing once we thinset and grout them, so stay tuned. You can also follow the project on our Facebook page. Thank you Central MN Arts Board, and MN voters for making projects like this possible!
Arts In The Parks
This program is another CMAB funded opportunity for Monticello residents to participate in arts activities right in their neighborhoods. Next week we’ll be at Ellison Park. Stop by Thurs 8/15 from 1 to 4, and Thurs 8/29 at 4th Street Park to see what fun Erica, Sadie and Yasmin have cooked up for you. These events all include a Spanish translator, thanks to local artist Yasmin Solares.
Monticello, Let’s chalk
MontiArts will be open all weekend during this fun downtown event, so be sure to stop in and check out Brian Larson’s art show, Color & Flow. Also check out the new mural being created on the back of MontiArts by Brian and helpers from our High School Art Club Intern Program! Will it be finished by then? Stop by and see for yourself! (This is yet ANOTHER cool project funded by a CMAB grant!)
Interns, You Say??
This is such a great program. Every year, assistant Director Ben Lundquist, who facilitates our High School Art Club, interviews applicants who would like to deepen their involvement in the club and MontiArts by helping with special projects and being the student leaders at Art Club. Many even stay on after granduation and return to help with civic events like Walk and Roll, Riverfest, Party In The Park, and Pride. We plan to feature more about these cool folks and this wonderful program in future issues, so stay tuned.
Have You Seen Our Series On The Superheros Of The Parks?
This is a special series of videos by Ben Lundquist focusing on the humans who help make Monticello the amazing place it is by their hard work for our Parks Dept. These Superheroes do such a wonderful job we wanted to shine a spotlight on them. They also, unfortunately, have to deal with many challenges like vandalism, which is a chronic and rampant problem in our area. We’re hoping by showcasing the people behind the work, and putting human faces on our Parks, we can not just give these essential workers a morale boost, but also help the public value the amazing parks we have, and help be good strewards of our public spaces. It’s a cool use of creativity applied to a real world challenge; another great video series by Ben. Find all the videos, released weekly, on our Facebook page. Here’s the first one.
