Newsletter September 2022

In This Issue

Inspirations 22 to Feature 19 AOTL Artists
Call for Artists: Mini-Workshop Marathon
Three Artist Talks in September
Members in the News... a Lot!
Volunteer Central
Artist Opportunities: Metal Arts Festival, Perham Art Group

---

Inspirations 22 to Feature
​19 AOTL Member-Artists

The jurors have chosen, and 19 AOTL members' art will be featured and honored at Inspirations 22 this fall.

Inspirations 22 is our first juried member exhibition. It's a representation of the range of innovation and artistic vision found within the Art of the Lakes art community. Showcasing a diversity of expression, this exhibition highlights the many different mediums, styles, and techniques used by our member-artists.

The exhibition features work by 19 member-artists selected by jurors Lori Charest and Tania Blanich, including original work in painting, printmaking, fiber, ceramic, and sculpture.

Congratulations Lisa Burns, Judi Celaschi, Deb Connolly, Della Conroy, Shanna Cramer, Calvin deRuyter, Dar Eckert, Diana Fuder, Ruth Hanson, Grace Haverty, John House, Phyllis Joos, Lyssa Lovejoy, Vicky Radel, Susan Seaborn, John Shaw, Michael Weatherly, Mary Jo Wentz, Donna Westerling, and Mary Williams.
​

• Inspirations 22 runs from September 12 through October 27 at the Charles Beck Gallery, M-State Fergus Falls.
• An artist reception and awards presentation will be held October 6 from 1-3 pm at the Charles Beck Gallery.

We invite and encourage all members and supporters of art in the AOTL region to view the show and attend the reception.

Again, congratulations to our Artist-Members in this show!

---

Call for Artists:
​Mini-Workshop Marathon

Art of the Lakes is planning a "Hunter's Weekend" mini-workshop marathon. If you're able to provide a 1-2 hour make-and-take style workshop in the gallery on November 5, 2022 this may be an opportunity for you.

• Mini workshops will take place in the AOTL Gallery
• Items must be make-and-take style
• Workshops will run for 1-2 hours each, back to back throughout the day
• Fees for workshop attendees will go through the register, and AOTL will get the standard 30% commission. 

If you're interested, contact 

• Sue Kelseim [email protected] or
• Shanna Cramer [email protected]

---

September Artist Talks

Barbara Johnson and Mary Stich
​Barbara Johnson and Mary Stich will each present an artist talk on Thursday, September 1 beginning at 4:00 pm in the gallery.

Barbara says, "“Since getting my first digital camera in 2003, I have been taking pictures in earnest. It is a joy to share my love of travel and nature with others through my photographs."

Mary says, "I am constantly in search of capturing artistic moments with a camera lens or paintbrush. Canvas photographs and layered acrylic paintings are my passion. West Battle Lake and Glendalough State Park create my inspiration."

Please put these two artist talks in today's to-do list!
​

---

Dan and Sandy Thimgan
​​Dan and Sandy Thimgan will present an artists’ talk on Wednesday, September 14 at 6:00 p.m. in the gallery.

Dan and Sandy will each share how they got into creating and how they continue to address all the different kinds of art they've tackled over the years.

​This promises to be a fun and informative presentation! 

---

Members in the News...
​A Lot!

State Fair Fine Art Exhibitors
Congratulations go to members Scott Lloyd Anderson and Ruth Hanson for getting pieces juried into the very competitive Minnesota State Fair Fine Arts Exhibition.

Entered in the category for oil, acrylic, & mixed media is Scott’s piece in oil on canvas titled, Snowfolk II, the Entertainer. In the watercolor category is Ruth’s piece in watercolor batik titled Winter’s Blue.

​All juried pieces can be viewed at  https://www.mnstatefair.org/competitions/fine-arts/

---

John Shaw's ceramic cup titled Sometimes These Marks Can Last a Lifetime has been accepted into the international juried exhibition ​2022 Great Northern Art Explosion at AuSable Artisan Village in Grayling, Michigan.

​The show was open to art “in all styles and mediums, with no specific theme”. It runs from August 26 through September 11, with over $10,000 in awards offered in various categories.

​Congrats, John!

---

Becky Albright is proud to share a link to Minnesota Bound's TV episode “The Art of the Outdoors.” 

This show includes her segment, Gyotaku Art, which aired on August 14 this year:
http://mnbound.com/episodes/2022/8/23/t4jmi03a4fua59jo2xxff9wj1sgity

Becky hopes you enjoy watching it as much as she enjoyed being tapped for it! Congratulations, Becky!

---

Off the Wall by Robyn in Clitherall recently held a Textile Art Competition. Three Art of the Lakes members won awards!
People’s Choice Award = Donna Westerling 
1st Place = Mary Jo Wentz
3rd Place = Becky Albright 

​Congratulations!

---

Volunteer Central
Where we ask (and answer) the question,
How can members help their organization,
help themselves?

Thank you Art & Craft Affair Volunteers!
By Debbie Ness​
We'd like to thank all of the volunteers who helped make the Art & Craft Affair a success again this year!  We couldn't do it without you!  John & Kathy Olesen, Mary Jo & Ken Wentz, Nancy & Dave Little, Kristi Floersch, Shanna Cramer, Mary Williams, Tamara Dahlanger, Janet DeMars, Rod Amos, Jim Varner, Amy Buckingham-Flaming, Dan & Sandy Thimgan, Sharon Fleischauer, Catherine Barner, Paul Ness, Ann Smith and sons!! Whew! We truly appreciate all of your help!

---

Gallery Training
To all members, new and veteran: if you need training or re-training to help you comfortably succeed during your gallery-sitting shifts, please do not call Debbie at the gallery — call the trainers, Sandy and Dan Thimgan! They are the direct route to training and training scheduling, both for new members and those members who wish a refresher. Thank you in advance!
Thimgans, ​218-371-5964 

---

AOTL Google Calendar
​Do you use Google Calendars? If so, here's how to subscribe to the Art of the Lakes Google Calendar.

1. Go to https://www.artofthelakes.org/calendar.html 
2. At the bottom right of the calendar, click the + icon
3. Accept (if asked)

AOTL Events will then show up in your Google Calendars.
Use it to:

• Identify your volunteer opportunities,
• Plan your participation, and
• Support your organization and your fellow artists.

---

Artist Opportunities:
PRCA Metal Arts Festival,
​Perham Art Group

Prairie Renaissance Cultural Alliance (PRCA) is holding a Metal Arts Festival in Morris, MN on September 24. Metal workers from all regions are welcome to participate. PRCA is focused on attracting folks from the surrounding area to attend this new event. Learn more on their event page:
http://prairierenaissance.org/metal-arts-festival/

---

The Perham Art Group was mentioned in last month's Artful News. Here's more info from AOTL member Catherine Erickson:

​"Almost all Saturday mornings a group of 4 artists meet at the Perham library from 10am to noon. Most of us work in watercolor, but others draw ink pen. We would like to encourage others to join us. There is no cost involved; artists do supply their own supplies."

​Contact Catherine [email protected] if interested.