Newsletter: March 2022

In This Issue

• Artist Display Opportunities
• Studio Tour Last Call
• New Spring Workshops
• Workshop Series Expanding
• Prairie Lakes en Plein Aire
• Morsels & Tidbits
• ​Helpful Links

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Artist Display Opportunities

Looking to get your work in front of admirers and buyers? Here are six great display opportunities this summer:

1. Featured Artist, AOTL Gallery. There's one opening left this year: June 16-30. To display your work on the Featured Artist wall at that time, please contact Donna Westerling, donna@trumanrc.com or 612-386-2868.
2. ​SummerFest, Fergus Falls. It's Fergus Falls' 150th birthday and they invite you to celebrate with them June 10-11. More info and application.
3. Phelps Mill Festival, Phelps Mill County Park. Exhibit your art in AOTL's booth, July 9-10. Contact Debbie Ness (aotl@arvig.net) if interested. Event information here.
4. AOTL Studio Tour. This July 15, 16 and 17, artists across lakes country can show and sell their work in one of the Midwest's largest rural art crawls. Register now. Deadline March 31.
5. Art in the Park, Alexandria. The Alexandria Area Arts Association is looking for exhibitors for their July 30-31 event. Info and registration here. Deadline March 20.
6. Art & Craft Affair, Battle Lake. ​Artists are invited to submit an application for the Art & Craft Affair held on August 13. AOTL members can use coupon code Jury22 to waive the jury fee. Details and application.

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Studio Tour Last Call!

This is the last month to register for participation in the Art of the Lakes Studio Tour for 2022. Registrations are due no later than March 31. Easy online registration right here.

Last year's Tour was the best ever financially, both for participating artists and AOTL. Proceeds from 2021's event will help fund our second Prairie Lakes en Plein Air festival, as well as an expanded array of art workshops this year.

​Also this year, we'll be using a new tiered commission structure: 20% for sales up to $1500, and 10% for sales beyond that.

Do you have images or videos of 2021's Tour? Please contact Kristi Kuder (kristi@kskuder.com) to share them for use in this year's event promotion.

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New Spring Workshops

Get your creative juices flowing as the weather warms, with three new workshops for Spring!

• April 2, Paint Easter Eggs at LACC. Paint beautiful ceramic eggs for Easter and keep them for years to come. An informal, family fun experience! More info and registration.
• May 5-6, Silversmithing in Alexandria. Taught by Potomac Bead Co., this workshop just might help you create that perfect Mother's Day gift (or a gift for yourself.) Registration opening soon on our workshops page.
• May 19, Paint & Wine at Stella's. Information and registration coming soon on our workshops page.​​

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Workshop Series Expanding

AOTL's workshop committee has been hard at work this winter creating the biggest and best workshop series ever for 2022!

Last year, AOTL presented eight workshops. This year, a total of fourteen workshops are being planned, plus several Paint Out opportunities during the Plein Air events.​​ And, there will be more multi-day, intensive workshops for intermediate and advanced artists. Grant applications are now in process to help fund the expanded series.

​This expansion is the direct result of input from our 2021 AOTL Member Survey. "More workshops - Longer workshops - More advanced skills" were common requests from Members. We heard you! 

​Watch our workshops page for details about these classes.

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Prairie Lakes en Plein Air

It's back and even better for 2022: the second annual Prairie Lakes en Plein Air festival!

This summer-long celebration of outdoor painting promises to be a delight for artists and collectors alike. Activities will include the Opening Reception, en Plein Air Competition, Workshops & Demonstrations, and Quick Paint. The concluding Collectors' Preview and Award Ceremony will showcase a variety of en plein air motifs and styles of artwork.

Competition judge Dan Mondloch will oversee nearly $2000 in awards. And if last year's entries are any indication, the artistic talent and quality on display will be stunning!

More information and artist registration are available here. Registration is now open.

We hope you'll join us as we explore the pristine landscape of gently rolling hills and fertile farmland amongst clear blue lakes and streams - en plein air!

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Morsels & Tidbits

Intern referrals wanted. AOTL is looking for intern candidates to help run our organization's busy summer schedule this year. This is a paid position for high-school graduates or college students. Contact Debbie Ness (aotl@arvig.net) if you have a potential candidate or to learn more.

Intern host(s) wanted. Would you be able to house our interns for part or even all of the summer? It would be a great help to hear from you! Contact Debbie Ness (aotl@arvig.net).

Framing discounts for 2D Artists! Art of the Lakes, in partnership with Bridgette’s Framing of Perham, is excited to offer a discount on framing to our displaying artist members. This applies only to pieces displayed and/or sold in the gallery. Pieces to be displayed can receive a 20% framing discount when presented with an AOTL Member card (available in the gallery). Customers who buy bin work can receive a 10% framing discount with an AOTL sales receipt. 
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Gallery-sitting signup.​ We still have open gallery-sitting shifts to fill this summer. If you're a displaying artist and haven't scheduled your required shifts yet, please sign up on the scheduling calendar today. 

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Helpful Links

​Board Member list
AOTL Contacts list
Facebook page
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Got News? Send hot tips to Tom Kuder tom@entente1.com