MontiArts January 2025 Newsletter

This is your year

As we reflect on the past year, we’re filled with gratitude and pride. 2024 was an incredible year for our community—full of creativity, connection, and inspiring moments. From murals to mosaics and everything in between, we celebrated the power of art to bring people together.

But we’re not slowing down! We’re rolling full steam ahead into 2025 with even more exciting projects and events on the horizon. Starting with our annual event, Glow Fest, we’re kicking off the year with a burst of light, color, and creativity. This community favorite is just the beginning of what’s shaping up to be an unforgettable year.

Read on to see what’s next for the MontiArts community!

Erica

Glow Workshops

✨ Starting Off the Year with a Glow! ✨

I said we’d start the year with a bang, and here we are! Right away, we’re diving into creativity with our Glow Workshops, offering something for everyone to enjoy. Whether you’re a beginner, an experienced creator, or somewhere in between, we’ve got a workshop for you!

Balloon Decorating Workshop

A kid-favorite and perfect for families! In this workshop, kids (with an accompanying adult) will decorate a balloon lantern to carry at Glow Fest. It’s fun, hands-on, and a great way to get little ones excited about the event.

Link to sign up: https://secure.rec1.com/MN/monticello-mn/catalog?filter=c2VhcmNoPTM0NzM0OTQ=

Wings Workshop

Calling all teens and adults (ages 15 and older)! This workshop is all about crafting wearable, light-up wings using foam and hot glue—our trusty tools of creativity! Perfect for those who want to light up the night in style at Glow Fest.

Link to sign up: https://secure.rec1.com/MN/monticello-mn/catalog?filter=c2VhcmNoPTM0NzM0MDE=

Advanced Workshop

For our more experienced makers, this workshop is a deep dive into the art of reed and rice paper balloon lanterns. Led by our talented Lead Artist Sue Seeger, participants will learn advanced techniques to design their own stunning creations. With nearly 6 weeks to work on their designs, this is an incredible opportunity to take your skills to the next level and shine at Glow Fest!

To apply please email: sue.montiarts@gmail.com

Would you Like To Become A Teaching Artist? The CMAB Has Got You Covered!

The Central MN Arts Board’s Teaching Artist Roster Program or TARP is such a great resource for both artists in our area, and those wanting to partner with artists to teach through their public programs. We love the way the program gives artists a pathway to become instructors through their TARP training program. There are many talented artists out there, but teaching is another skill, which can be learned. Once through the training, qualified artists are added to the roster where school districts, local governments, senior centers and others can find artists to come teach classes at their facilities. The CMAB even provides teaching grants to artists making sure they can get the needed materials and supplies, and helping classes to be offered affordably to the public.

Here’s what Leslie Hanlon, the CMAB’s Director says about the program:

The Central MN Arts Board will be accepting applications for the Teaching Arts Roster Program beginning in late July. This unique program is a seven-session training designed to help artists in all disciplines learn how to build curriculum and feel more confident leading artist residencies in a variety of settings, including schools and community organizations. A small cohort of artists are selected to participate in this training, which takes place every other year. The deadline to apply is January 28, 2025 and I’d welcome any and all questions from people interested in participating.

We strongly recommend this program to anyone considering this path as a working artist. Here is Leslie’s contact info:

320-968-4290 ext. 2
leslie.hanlon@centralmnartsboard.org

If you have been through the TARP program and are on the roster, consider coming up with a proposal and applying for a grant to work with MontiArts as your public partner. Here’s a link to the grant app page.

Artist in Residency Grant - Music, Winter/spring 2025

We’re excited to announce that MontiArts has received an Artist in Residency grant from the Central MN Arts Board for 2025 winter/spring, and this time, it’s for music! While we can’t spill all the beans just yet, we’re excited to share that this grant will bring together local students, musicians, and bands for a series of creative events.

Stay tuned—more information will be coming soon about how you can experience the magic of this musical residency. We can’t wait to share more with you!

A new mural in the works

Have you been to the MCC lately?

If not, it’s time for a visit! We’re excited to share that a new mural is being created by none other than our very own Aryn Lill! Aryn is a talented professional painter and muralist who moved to Monticello from Detroit Lakes just two years ago, and we are so lucky to have her!

Thanks to another grant from the Central MN Arts Board, MontiArts was able to hire Aryn to paint a stunning mural that will run the entire length of the east hallway, where the meeting rooms are located. The mural is inspired by Aryn’s studies of our gorgeous riverfront parks at sunrise, showcasing local flora and fauna in a beautiful, vibrant scene.

Stop by soon to see the progress and wave hello to Aryn as she brings this breathtaking artwork to life!