Artful News January 2025

In This Issue

Open Ceramics Studio Reservations Available
Thursdays Are For Fiber Artists
Sunday Socials Beat The Winter Blahs
January Classes & Workshops
Social Dances & Dance Movies Are Coming To The CAC
Cabin Fever Reliever Series on Tap for Winter
Our Members In The News

Open Ceramic Studio
​Reservations Available

Wednesdays, January 8 - March 26, 5-8 pm

Info / Register

Reservations are still available for Art of the Lakes' Open Ceramic Studio. Open Ceramic Studio is a series of twelve dedicated sessions for the community and AOTL Members to use the ceramic studio in the Creative Arts Center. During Open Studio, artists work individually on personal ceramic projects.

Participants will need prior ceramics background, as no formal instruction will be given. Dar Eckert, Kathrine McDowell, and other ceramic artists will be available during the Open Ceramic Studio hours, for questions and assistance if needed.​

Please join us!

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Thursdays Are For Fiber Artists!

Thursdays, 1-3 or 5-7 pm

If you work with fiber - knitting, felting, quilting, weaving, stitching, or something else - Thursdays at the CAC are for you.

​Our Fiber Arts Group holds meet-ups twice each Thursday, from 1-3 or 5-7. Bring a project to work on, connect with other fiber artists, and enjoy some conversation and coffee.

Free to AOTL members; $10 at the door for non-members.

Want to expand your fiber skills? Take a look at our January classes below!

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Sunday Socials
​Beat The Winter Blahs

Sundays, 2-4 pm

​​Stop in to the CAC on Sunday afternoons and mingle with friends new and old. Bring a project to work on. A great way to get out, connect with the community and beat the winter blahs! Your mental health will thank you.

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January Classes & Workshops

Start the new year with some fresh (or refreshed) skills! Classes are held at the Creative Arts Center, 112 W Main, Battle Lake.

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Hardanger for Beginners & Refreshers, with Mary Williams
Thursday, Jan 16, 1 pm
Sunday Jan 19, 2-4 (optional)
Hardanger is a traditional Norwegian cutwork and a form of counted thread embroidery. It's done on an even weave fabric, usually in white but can also be done on other colored fabric. Participants will finish a project over the course of 1-2 classes.
​Register

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Knitting Basics for Teens, with Kat Smith 
Friday, Jan 17, 10 am
Plus 2 more dates TBD
Knitting's not just for grandmas anymore! This class will get you started using simple steps towards a completed scarf or cowl. Materials included in the fee. Ages 13+
​Register

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Learn to Weave, with Torri Hanna 
Saturday, Jan 18, 9 am; Saturday Jan 25
Learn the basics of weaving using a rigid heddle loom and leave with a beautiful scarf, table runner, potholder or wall hanging. Materials and looms provided. Ages 13+
​Register

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Dance Socials & Dance Movies Are Coming To The CAC

Holiday Social Dance February 14
Dance Instruction In Development

On February 14th (Valentine’s Day), the Eagle Lake Lutheran Church is hosting a Holiday Social Dance at the Creative Arts Center. The Valentines Day Social Dance will include Waltz, Polka, Two-Step & Line.

As a lead-in to this event, AOTL is adding some basic dance instruction to its “Night at the Roxy” movies in January and early February. The movies themselves will be dance-themed. 

As Winter progresses into Spring, AOTL plans to host additional dance instruction (combined with a movie) for group social folk dancing. We're hoping for a live band/caller traditional square dance to follow. Instruction will be oriented to beginners, with emphasis on very simple group (squares, circles, lines) dances with little or no “fancy footwork” – the approach is “if you can walk, you can dance.”

​We're looking for volunteers to help with the planned instruction. Announcements seeking volunteers will be sent in February. For more information, email Brian Wyneken.

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Cabin Fever Reliever 2025

With support from a West Central Initiative Grant, Art of the Lakes will be offering a series of classes and performances over the next three months under the label, Cabin Fever Reliever 2025.

​We're looking for teachers, volunteers, and attendees. More information about this series will be arriving in your inbox shortly. Watch for it!

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Our Members In The News

​Art of the Lakes members are among the most active and accomplished artists and art supporters around! Here's a selection of news about just some of them.

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M-State in Fergus Falls  will feature two Art of the Lakes members in their Winter Exhibits.

Ruth Hanson will share her watercolor batik naturescapes in an exhibition titled "Wending Through Watercolor Batik." Her exhibit will be in the Charles Beck Gallery from January 16-March 13.

Mary Jo Wentz will exhibit original needle felting, wet felting and fiber art paintings in "The Fusion of Fiber and Nature." Her show will be in the Waage Gallery from January 16-May 11.

A joint artist reception will  be held February 20 from 2-4 pm. The exhibits and reception are free and open to the public.

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Board Minutes

Board Minutes December 2024

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Got AOTL News?

Please email stories and images to AOTL's newsletter editor, 
​Tom Kuder. Deadline is two days before the end of each month.