Newsletter August 2023

In This Issue

Ventriloquist James Wedgwood To Perform at CAC
What A Month - AOTL Sparkled in July
Get Ready For The Art & Craft Affair
Enjoy Featured Artists and Artist Talks in August
Members In The News
Volunteer Appreciation Soiree
2D Gallery Art Reminder
Threshers Association Vendor/Crafter Event

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Ventriloquist James Wedgwood

Creative Arts Center
​August 3, 7:00 PM

James Wedgwood, Ventriloquist
"The most fun you can have without moving your lips"

James Wedgwood will perform his highly entertaining show on Thursday, August 3 at 7:00 PM at the Creative Arts Center in downtown Battle Lake.
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Wedgwood is a renowned ventriloquist known for his exceptional talent in bringing puppets to life. His captivating performances mesmerize audiences of all ages, bringing laughter and amazement to the stage.

His expertise lies not only in his ability to flawlessly work his puppets but also in creating unique voices and personalities for each of them.

​James' performances are a delightful blend of comedy, storytelling and illusion, making for an entertaining and unforgettable experience for the whole family!

Hurry - Buy Tickets!

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​AOTL Sparkled in July!

Some of the Studio Tour artists
​Photos by Donna Westerling

Bubbles at the Kite Fun Fly

Milk Jug Boat Race in under 3 minutes

July is known for its spectacular fireworks, and this year, Art of the Lakes didn't disappoint. AOTL burst across the region with scintillating local art, events and entertainment!

Here's just some of what went on:
Throughout the month, outdoor painters converged on Otter Tail County as part of our 2023 Prairie Lakes Plein Air art festival. (The series continues through August and September, culminating in the Collector's Preview Reception and Award Ceremony on September 29. Learn more and get Preview tickets) 

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Mid-July found Art of the Lakes members exhibiting a variety of work at the two-day Phelps Mill Festival where they also ate pork-chop sandwiches and dodged severe thunderstorms.

Later in the month, nearly 40 artists met personally with art enthusiasts across Lakes Country at members' studios in the three-day 2023 Studio Tour. This year's Tour was a combination of great weather, wonderful connections and, of course, art sales!

The new AOTL Creative Arts Center was part of the pyrotechnics, too, hosting our first-ever performing arts event: the Quad Squad improvisation troupe. Our lucky audience was nearly rolling on the floor with laughter - and some even became part of the show!

As part of Battle Lake's Wenonga Days, AOTL held a Kite Fun Fly event. Despite some calm winds, children of all ages did have fun, aided by some giant bubbles. Later that same day we held the inaugural Milk Jug Boat Race. Three crews assembled and raced boats at the Lions Park boat landing, cheered on by an enthusiastic crowd. The day was capped off by the close of our Silent Auction for Artisan-Made Kites, which earned AOTL $550 in donations!

A huge "Thank You!" to all the planners, participants, donors, sponsors and volunteers in these events. You helped make AOTL sparkle all month long!

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Get Ready For The
​Art & Craft Affair!​

Our popular Art & Craft Affair will be held August 12, 2023 from 9am - 4pm in downtown Battle Lake, MN. 

The Art & Craft Affair was launched in 1977 by Art of the Lakes. It's a great one-day show that draws nearly 5,000 visitors yearly.
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• ​Wanna go? Come to Battle Lake August 12 for local hand-made crafts, art, food and more!
• Wanna show? AOTL artists, please bring your work to the Gallery the week of August 7, with prices clearly marked on the front of 2D art.
• Wanna help?  If you're able to help take down the AOTL booths after the event, we could really use your assistance! Contact Donna Westerling.

Hope to see you there!

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Enjoy Featured Artists and
Artist Talks in August​

Calvyn deRuyter, featured artist in August

Gyotako by Becky Albright

Featured Artists
In peak season, Art of the Lakes features the work of one or two of our member artists in the Gallery each month. Featured in August:

• Calvyn deRuyter, August 1-15
  • "A stunning collection!"
  • "Exceptional as expected!
• Becky Albright, August 16-31
  • Becky will have an assortment of her original gyotaku, as well as several of her fiber art works on display and for sale. ​

​Artist Talks - August 31, 4pm
We also hold a series of Artist Talks with member artists, who speak about their methods, inspirations and insights. Our next Artist Talk will be held Thursday, August 31 and will feature Becky Albright and Sarah Browne. Light refreshments are served. Free!

Plan to visit the Gallery during these special times!

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Members In The News​

Sunny by Della Conroy

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Let Us Gather Apart by Kristi Kuder

Eternal Spring by Donna Westerling

Della Conroy had her watercolor, Sunny accepted into the Fine Arts Show at the 2023 MN State Fair.​

• The Fair runs from August 24 to September 4. 
• A free Preview Night will be held in the Fine Arts Center at the fairgrounds on August 22 from 7p-9p. Everyone is cordially invited to attend. 

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Kristi Kuder had two of her metal fiber works accepted to the MacRostie Gallery 31st Annual Juried Show.

• She Had Her Doubts is a brass wire mesh composition.
• Let Us Gather Apart combines stainless steel mesh, colored thread, paint and more.

​The juror is contemporary sculptor Aaron Spangler.  The show runs from August 4 - September 29, 2023. An opening reception will be held Friday, August 4, 4 - 7 pm.

​MacCrostie Gallery is located in Grand Rapids, MN. More information

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Vicky Radel's cold wax and oil painting Northern Winter was accepted into the LRAC Guest Juror Exhibit (Brian Fink, juror) along with other AOTL members.

Vicky also received a Career Development Grant from LRAC and the McKnight Foundation. Her focus is continued online education in the Cold Wax Academy and a 5-day immersion workshop on Abstract Painting with Jodi Ohl.

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Donna Westerling had her painting Eternal Spring accepted into ArtPrize in Grand Rapids, MI.  Her painting will be displayed at Brush Studio Sept 14- Oct 1, 2023.

Donna also had her painting Taking Flight accepted into the Small Works Show at Frameworks Gallery in St. Paul 
Aug 5 - Sept 23, 2023.

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Volunteer Appreciation Soiree!

Wednesday, August 23
5:30pm to 8:00pm​

To show our appreciation and recognize our volunteers, the lifeblood of this organization, AOTL is throwing an evening party. A soiree, if you will!

​Our volunteers run the gamut. Event coordinators. Booth assemblers. Booth attendants. Board members. Boat builders. Gallery sitters. All-around can-do people. And more!

We thank and salute you!

Plans are still shaping up, but it could be a happening you won't want to miss. The Volunteer Appreciation Soiree will be on Wednesday, August 23 from 5:30 to 8:00. Details on location and other fun stuff to follow. All members welcome. Watch your email!

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2D Gallery Art Reminder​

2D artists: All 2D art must have a wire hanger (short enough that the nail doesn't show when hung on the wall.)

​Thanks for helping out!

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Lake Region
​Pioneer Threshers Association
​Crafters and Vendors​

The Lake Region Pioneer Thresher's Association is holding a Crafter and Vendor event September 8-10. There are spaces available for artists. 

AOTL member Elyse Olson says, "This was a great opportunity last year for me. It's a big draw and I had good sales. Please call me if you need more information."

If interested, contact Elyse at (701) 200-8160.

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Got AOTL news? Please send stories and images to Tom Kuder, [email protected]