Tag Archive for: ArtMatters Newsletter

Arts Consortium of Carver County

ArtMatters Newsletter Jan 2021

New in 2021
Seems hard to believe we have made it across the 2020 finish line but we did and are so thankful for the support we received from the community throughout these tough times. While the Arts Consortium had to pull back and alter much of our programming for 2020, we have been hard at work behind the scenes to bring an amazing 2021 to fruition. Be on the lookout for new classes online and, when we can, in-person. There will be an amazing 10th Anniversary of ArtStock Art, Wine & Music Festival that is being planned already. Exciting news will be forthcoming about a new ACCC online store. There is so much more to share, stay tuned! 2021 Is looking to be a stellar year; thank you for being part of this inspiring community of artists, writers, musicians and lovers of all things art. Cue the fireworks!

Minnesota State and Clean WaterWe are happy to announce that our first grant for “The Art of Being Human Series – Creating Community through the Arts”  has been accepted! It is about opening new horizons with the intersection of race, class, gender and inclusivity in Carver County Communities. We look forward to starting this programing this year. Watch for new activities and class offerings in 2021. Thank you to Anne Krocak and Cindy Anderson for putting the grant together, we are so pleased that it was accepted!

“Fresh Work” for Artists in Carver County is a new group for ACCC Members that will meet monthly on the second Wednesday of the month at 1pm, starting on January 13, 2021. This is free to any member who would like to join to share art and support each other in their art careers. Meeting details are on our website. You can send your questions to classes@artsofcarvercounty.org.

Fresh Work Group

Live Online Art Classes for all ages by Anne and Phoenix Designs
A weekly online live course coming soon. Classes will be held on Tuesdays from 4-5 pm for any age or ability to join in the small group fun. Class will be limited to 5 participants and a small donation of $5/student/class for the ACCC is requested. Students will register and a link will be sent for the online access. A list of art materials will be listed with the class registration information on our website. Class will meet on a weekly basis through 2021…look on our website to learn more about weekly activities! Instructor Info.


What’s New in the Gift Shop?
Artists are replenishing the inventory at the Gift Shop regularly. Stop by to see what’s new! We have a unique collection of one-of-a-kind gifts for every occasion! If you’d like to volunteer at the ACCC Arts Center please fill out the Volunteer Form on our website.

New Arts Center Hours
Starting January 6th, the ACCC Arts Center will be open Wednesday-Friday 11am to 6pm, Saturday 9am to 4pm, subject to volunteer availability.

Thank you to our valuable Arts Center Volunteers
We would like to thank our 30+ Arts Center Volunteers and supporting Artist Gift Shop Helpers who took shifts the past few months to keep our Arts Center Gallery and Gift Shop OPEN. We appreciate your dedication and commitment to the ACCC. The sales for our Holiday Gift Show (Nov-Dec) were higher than 2019, even with the pandemic! That was possible because of our volunteers and the beautiful works submitted by our ACCC Members! We look forward to seeing everyone at the Arts Center as we bring in new inventory for the new year! Michelle Aspelin has been serving as our Interim Arts Center Volunteer Coordinator. If you’d be interested in helping her and learning the ropes, please let us know by filling out the Volunteer Form on our website.


Literary News

Welcome to 2021! We hope you had a warm and safe holiday season, and are ready for all the New Year has to offer. January kicks off with three exciting events: Our Flash Fiction Contest starts January 1st with the theme: “A Very Bad Day with a Very Good Ending”, see info below. Later in the month look for a limited run virtual course on Twelfth Night presented by Walter Cannon, as well as a virtual book launch of View from the Shore, an anthology work by the members of the Waconia Writers Group. If you’d like to plan ahead, the theme of the April Poetry Contest has been announced as “Change”, the deadline for submissions is March 1stPlease check our webpage and Facebook page for updates on these and other events. If you have any questions or ideas for events, contact the Literary Committee at literary@artsofcarvercounty.org.

flash fiction contestFlash Fiction Contest

ATTENTION WRITERS: We all love happy endings, so conjure one up and enter it in the  2021 flash fiction contest sponsored by the Arts Consortium of Carver County (ACCC).

The theme is A VERY BAD DAY WITH A VERY GOOD ENDING. Those words do not have to appear in the body of the story, and per flash fiction definition your entry should have a distinct beginning, middle and end. Maximum story length is 600 words. Entry deadline is Feb. 1, 2021. See our Flash Fiction post for submission instructions. Send your questions to flashfiction@artsofcarvercounty.org.

Music News

We are excited about live music for 2021. We are in the planning process to have live music at ArtStock (July 10 & 11), CD Release Concert and Music Events at the Chaska Community Center Theater. Stay Tuned! Music Liaison, Steve Kelzer music@artsofcarvercounty.org

Window into the World of Classical MusicWindow into the World of Classical Music

Join us for Window into the World of Classical Music virtual event via Zoom on January 19th, 7pm, presented by Barb Hone. We will explore the era of Classical Music. All five periods will be presented. Including, highlights about the most famous composers and their compositions. With each to listen to, scores to view, and stories to tell, you’ll be guided through the distinct aspects of this amazing European music we call “the classics”. We already have several signed up but there’s room for more in this virtual event. RSVP by January 17th, details are on our website.

Visual Art News

Watch your email for the Call for Artists for our next opportunity for artists, the Family Connections Exhibit. Entry deadline is January 20, 2021. The Family Connections Exhibit is January 27-February 27, 2021. And in March we will celebrate Youth Art Month!

Members’ Show Extended
Enjoy our Members’ Show Exhibit in the ACCC Art Gallery at the Chaska Community Center. All works are available for purchase unless marked accordingly. Support local artists! This show is extended through January 23, 2021.

Ag Art by K McCannArt Tourism News

Ag Art – Invitation for Carver County Agriculturalists/Farmers to share their Artistic Creations

Having wandered the County and observed all the wonderful yard art, I’m sure you have more in your homes and barns. The call is for agriculturalists/farmers to photograph their works of art and submit to arttourism@artsofcarvercounty.org to be posted on the ACCC & Barn Quilt websites. Not a contest – just sharing!

The entry deadline is by midnight, January 31, 2021. See our website for submission details. This is a FREE program, sponsored by Art Tourism Committee of Arts Consortium of Carver County, Barb Hone and Janet Fahey, 952-443-2066.


Volunteer Opportunities

Help us kick off the new year on the best foot possible. We are seeking volunteers for the following roles/positions. If you are interested in learning more, please fill out our Volunteer Form on our website so we can match your skills and talents with various needs for the ACCC. Thank you!

  • Treasurer
  • Arts Center Volunteer Coordinator
  • Membership Coordinator
  • Arts Center Gallery & Gift Shop Volunteers

Join the ACCC

OUR MISSION: The Arts Consortium of Carver County strengthens our community through the arts – and cultivates the arts through the community. Show your support by becoming a valued Member of the ACCC. View our Member Benefits on our Membership pageSend your questions to: membership@artsofcarvercounty.org.

Social Media

Be sure to check out and follow us on Instagram and Facebook to see what is going on with the ACCC. We post regularly about artists, authors, musicians, art, the gallery and more.

Arts Consortium of Carver County

ArtMatters Newsletter Nov 2020

Welcome to ArtMatters Newsletter Nov 2020! We have several announcements and volunteer needs, thank you for reading!

Artists’ Reception Event a Success!

It was so wonderful to welcome our Member Artists and all the guests to our first Artists’ Reception in our new space at the Chaska Community Center. We loved being able to see everyone – socially distanced and masked up – again! If you haven’t done so yet, be sure to come to the gallery located just outside of the Theater in the CCC. It is open when the Community Center is open. The show is beautiful and an outstanding example of the work our artists are doing in Carver County. Attendees to the reception got to have a sneak peek at the new Art Center as we are busily getting ready for opening on November 4, along with the Holiday Show.

Visit the Members’ Show Exhibit at the Chaska Community Center now through December 28, 2020. The works are located in the hallway near the Theater. Enter through the main entrance and turn right down the hallway.

ACCC Members Show 2020

Holiday Gift Show November 4 – Dec 23

Our highly popular Holiday Gift Show starts November 4th! We have a unique collection of one-of-a-kind gifts. Shop local and support our local artists! Our Gift Shop is located just inside the main entrance of the Chaska Community Center. Hours are Monday – Friday 11am to 7pm, Saturdays 9am to 5pm, subject to volunteer availability.

If you’d like to help Volunteer for shifts at the ACCC Arts Center, please fill out our Volunteer Opportunities Form.

Holiday Gift Show 2020

Literary News

Our virtual reading by Minnesota Poet Laureate, Joyce Sutphen, on Oct. 19 was a great success. Joyce did a wonderful job of reading and telling us about her poems. There was an opportunity in the end for some questions and answers. We have received many positive comments about the evening.

Our second virtual event will be held on Nov. 10 at 7pm via Zoom. Walter Cannon, Professor Emeritus of Central College, will talk about Shakespeare’s Audiences: Then and Now. He will discuss how Shakespeare expected the audiences of his plays to be involved, unlike the way in which the audiences sit away from the stage in the dark these days. If you are a fan of Shakespeare, you will want to hear this talk. You may register for the event by emailing literary@artsofcarvercounty.org no later than Nov. 8. The Zoom link will be sent out to those who register. The talk is designed for all who love Shakespeare, whether you are now a student or if you are an older lover of Shakespeare.Please join us for this event and invite your friends to participate also. Professor Cannon will answer questions after his talk.

Literary Liaison, Amy Stender literary@artsofcarvercounty.org.

Music News

We are in the planning process to be able to showcase music events at the Chaska Community Center performance space. All ACCC Music CDs are available for purchase at the ACCC Arts Center or on our website as a physical CD or now downloadable! All proceeds benefit the ACCC. Music Liaison, Steve Kelzer music@artsofcarvercounty.org

Thank you Barb Kelzer

The entire ACCC Board and Volunteers would like to extend our sincere appreciation to Barb Kelzer for being our Volunteer Coordinator since the ACCC first opened our Arts Center in June 2018. Due to COVID-19, Barb has recently “retired” from this volunteer position. Barb has been a reliable pillar for the Arts Consortium and kept us humming along by keeping the Art Center open, staffed and organized. She has been invaluable to the arts in Carver County and we thank her for her significant and generous contributions. Best wishes and much love, Barb.

We are currently seeking a new Volunteer Coordinator. This position uses a fantastic, easy to use app called Sling to keep everyone managed. See details below.

Seeking Volunteer Coordinator

This is an exciting time for the ACCC as we recently moved to the Chaska Community Center, in Chaska MN. In addition to our studio and gallery, we host many successful art fairs, music performances, and literary events.

We are currently seeking a Volunteer Coordinator to join our growing and thriving Consortium group. This is a volunteer position, with the following responsibilities:

  • Use the system we have set up, with the fantastic app called Sling, to schedule volunteers
  • Overseeing the development and coordination of the volunteers for the Arts Center
  • Overseeing the training and support of volunteers
  • Ensuring volunteer coverage of center during core business hours and Arts Center classes and special events
  • Working with the Operations and Center Administration Committee to ensure successful volunteer staffing of Arts Center
  • We are not asking you to recruit volunteers, but rather to follow up with those who have already raised their hand to become a volunteer

For further information, please contact Janet Fahey, Board Member or visit our website.

The position requires a minimum monthly time commitment. If you think this opportunity is right for you, please send a message of interest and summary experience information to Janet Fahey, Consortium Board Member at janetfahey@embarqmail.com.

Desired experience:

  • Customer Experience
  • Past scheduling or staffing experience
  • Volunteer experience through nonprofit work

No criminal history.

We desire all of our staff to have a strong passion for the Arts.


Membership

We’d like to give thanks to Linda McNulty for her brief term on the ACCC Board. We appreciate Linda’s input and the effort she put forth helping with our Membership management.

Seeking Membership Coordinator
If you’d like to Volunteer, send an email to janetfahey@embarqmail.com to learn more or go to the Membership Coordinator post on our website.

To manage your ACCC Membership Account, please go to our ACCOUNT page and login with your email address. If you forgot your password, you can request it to gain access.

Want to Join the ACCC? View our Member Benefits on our Membership page. Direct your questions to: membership@artsofcarvercounty.org

Membership Info

Member Benefit – Promote Your Events

As promoted, the Arts Consortium of Carver County’s 3rd annual ACCC Holiday Gift Show will be open November 4 – December 28. We are at our new location, the Chaska Community Center, 1661 Park Ridge Dr, Chaska. Come and shop!

ACCC Members, if you have private events or open houses, please, let us know so we can promote you. It is a membership benefit. We will promote it primarily via Facebook. Send a link to your event to Barb Hone at festivals@artsofcarvercounty.org.

As an organization that is committed to raising up all the arts in the county, please, note there will be a Christmas Market event in Victoria, November 6,7,8 and another called Angel Christmas Market at Sovereign Estate Winery Nov 17 – Jan 2. For more information, click the following Facebook Event links:
Victoria Christmas Market
Angel Christmas Market Call for Artisans


Submit a Nomination or Application for the ACCC Board of Directors

Treasurer: Are you good with numbers and want to volunteer your time? We are seeking an ideal energetic candidate for Treasurer on our Board of Directors. This is a great way to get to do something you love, be immersed in art and are able to stay home while still being effective. If you feel you are a good fit, please apply online, link below. For questions, please contact Cynthia Anderson, info@artsofcarvercounty.org

Members at Large: Seeking artists and supporters of the arts interested in being on the Board of Directors to help navigate the new norms that challenge our organization and to bring focus on the arts. If you believe in the arts and want to help support artists, writers, and musicians in the county through the Arts Consortium, please apply today, or if you know someone who is passionate about the arts, please nominate them, and we will send them an invitation to apply.

Online Application
ACCC logo

ArtMatters Newsletter November 2019

ArtMatters Newsletter Volume 9 Issue 11 | November 2019

Mark Your Calendar

Holiday Gift Show Nov 6 to Dec 21
Holiday Gift Show Artists’ Reception Thursday, Nov 7, 6:30-8:30pm
New Song Collective Friday, Nov 8, 7-8:30pm
Class – How To Get Started Writing a Book Tuesday, Nov 12, 6:30-8:30 (Registration required)
Photo Contest Ribbon Award and Workshop Thursday, Nov 14, 6pm
Class – Glass Paint Pour Wednesday, Nov 13, 7-9pm (Registration required)
Writers Read Their Books Thursday, Dec 5, 7-9pm

Arts Center Gift Shop and Gallery open Wed-Fri 12-5pm; Sat 9am to 3pm
We will extend hours for special events and community events.

Check our online Calendar for more events and classes

Arts Center in November

Holiday Gift Show Artists’ Reception
Please join us on Thursday, November 7th as we welcome in the 2019 Holiday Shopping Season. Meet our talented local artists and enjoy beverages, wine and light fare as you mingle and explore. Doors open at 6:30PM!  ENJOY!

New Song Collective

Join us for an evening of original instrumental music. Enjoy beverages, wine and light fare. Friday, November 8th 7-8:30pm.

FEATURED MUSICIANS
Bob Mueller
Tom Bright
Jacob Whalen
Tom Sedio
Steve Kelzer

Agriculture Photography Contest Entry Deadline is by midnight November 5th

The top three winners in each category will be awarded a blue, red or yellow ribbon with our appreciation at the Photography Workshop on Thursday, November 14th at the Arts Center. All are welcome to attend. This year’s Photo Contest theme is “Agriculture” and photographs can include any aspect of agriculture and rural life. Ribbons will be awarded in the following categories: K-4th grade, 5-8th grade, 9-12th grade, Adult (18+ years of age) resident of Carver County, Adult (18+ years of age) non-resident of Carver County. The application deadline is midnight November 5.  Check our website for submission instructions.
Shown is the 2018 Adult Resident Blue Ribbon winner Rebecca Willette.

Register For Classes

ACCC Membership Benefit – Members, be sure to get the current Discount Code from your ACCC Account before you register. Discount Code saves you 10% on all ACCC Classes.

How to Get Started Writing a Book with Debbie Johnson
Even if you don’t know what you want to write about, you will find out in this class, and get started simply, with step-by-step instructions in this two hour workshop by best-selling author, editor, publisher, and award-winning filmmaker, Debbie Johnson. Appropriate for fiction, non-fiction, poetry, screenplays and teleplays, workbooks, tech-manuals, whatever!
Class Details and Registration
Debbie Johnson is the bestselling author of Think Yourself Thin published originally by Disney’s publisher, Hyperion. She has ghost-written as well as edited books for her clients for three decades. Johnson is also the author of a dozen other books, including her latest tween novelettes, and is an award-winning screenwriter.

Glass Paint Pour with artist Katie Trent
Create a swirling mix of colors using enamel paint on glass! You will learn how to combine and mix paints on glass to create a plate or bowl that will become a treasured work of art! During the class you will choose colors and learn how to swirl and drag them across a clear glass base to create a one-of-a-kind design. Outside of class, the instructor will fuse this piece onto colored glass and then slump it into a mold to create a plate or bowl that you can pick up at the Arts Center in a week or two.
Class Details and Registration
I have been working with glass for more than 20 years. Fusing glass is my latest passion, though I still love to work on commissioned traditional stained glass pieces. I keep experimenting with new techniques and ideas. I really love to teach, and look forward to sharing my expertise with the Carver County community. My classes are for anyone interested in glass as an artistic medium. Typically NO prior experience with glass is required. All you need is an inquisitive spirit and a willingness to climb outside of your box.

Jim Hillis just finished teaching Watercolor, Acrylic and Drawing Classes in October and plans to schedule more classes soon! As soon as they are scheduled, we will let you know!

Would you like to teach a class at the Arts Center? Start by going to our How to Submit a Class page on our website for step by step instructions on how we can partner with you to support the Arts in Carver County.

Writers Read Their Books

Calling all those who have books for sale in the Holiday Show! The Literary Committee would like to feature you at a public event Writers Read Their Books on Dec. 5 in the Arts Center, Victoria.  Do come and tell the audience about your work, read a little of it, and autograph your books for sale. The event will begin at 7pm. Refreshments will be served. If you are interested, please contact Susan Coultrap-McQuin for more details and to let the committee know you plan to participate. Email Susan.

Literary Arts

Writers Read Art, held on Oct 17, was a delightful event.  We heard stories and poems from ten writers inspired by the works of artists and writers in the Member Show.  After each reading, the artists present told us about what they had in mind in creating their own works.  In pairs the artists, writers and audience members drafted haikus about other works of art in the show, which we then shared aloud. Artists received copies of the writings about their own work. It was an enjoyable evening of sharing art, literature, and inspiration. In 2020 we are planning a whole show featuring the collaborations of artists and writers. Watch for more details in the new year.

Writers, please don’t forget that you can submit your literary work to any of the shows in the Arts Center.  If you have a one-page piece that is printed in at least 16 or 18 font and framed for hanging, you may enter it in a show, using the same theme, procedures, and deadlines as the visual artists. Your piece must be for sale, as are the works of art.

New Membership Coordinator

Hello! I’m Beth Billstrom.
I’m glad to volunteer as the new ACCC Membership Coordinator. I joined ACCC in spring of 2017 and have met many talented artists who love to share their work and inspire others to create. It’s the artists and supportive business/organizations that are at the heart of ACCC. We currently have 251 members! I feel lucky to be a part of such a vibrant community.

As the Membership Coordinator I’ll be helping current and new members manage all the details of their membership: initial registration, membership renewal, setting up membership profiles, answering questions, and being a liaison with board members and chairpersons as needed. Members needing assistance can email me at membership@artsofcarvercounty.org or stop by the Arts Center when I’m volunteering.

I’m looking forward to getting know more of our members. If you see me at an exhibit or ACCC event, please introduce yourself. Last, but not least, if you’re a new member or just haven’t had a chance to get your ACCC membership profile set up on our website, I’d be happy to help you. It’s a great way for all our members to promote their work and share what they love to do.

2 Specific Volunteer Opportunities

ACCC seeks a volunteer to help spread the word about us on social media.  You will work in collaboration with our webmaster and board members to advertise all the good events and activities of the ACCC. This would take only a few hours a month from your own home on your own schedule. Interested? Fill out a volunteer form on the website and fill in your interest in being Social Media Coordinator.

ACCC seeks two volunteers who would like to coordinate ArtStock and Victoria Fine Art Fair.  Working together under the mentorship of those who have done these festivals before and have the process in place, each of volunteer would take responsibility for one of the festivals.  If you are interested in volunteering to work with a small group on festivals and to lead one of them, please fill out a volunteer form on the ACCC website and indicate your interest is Festivals—ArtStock or Festivals—Victoria Fine Art Fair.

End of Year Donations Accepted

We rely on donationssponsorshipsmemberships, grants, and contributions to support our initiatives and programs throughout the year. We work to fulfill our mission of elevating the arts within our communities. If you’d like to make a year-end donation, we have open arms for your support. We accept donations from individuals, families, charitable funds, estates, charitable organizations, businesses, schools, government agencies and nonprofits. You don’t need to be an artist to support the ARTS!

As a 501(c)3, the Arts Consortium of Carver County is a registered charitable organization. Your Donation should be 100% tax deductible. Please verify with your accountant. Thank you for your support! Donate TODAY on our website. Join us by becoming a valued Member.

ArtMatters Newsletter November 2019

Arts Consortium of Carver County

ArtMatters Newsletter July 2019

July 2019 ArtMatters Newsletter

 

Arts Consortium of Carver County

ArtMatters Newsletter June 2019

ArtMatters Newsletter June 2019

Save These Summer Dates

Culture & Community Exhibit at Arts Center now through June 7
George Crockett, Featured Artist at Arts Center through end of June
CD Release Concert at Chaska City Square Park, 6:30 pm, June 7
Nature: Water & Waves Exhibit at Arts Center June 12 to August 23 – Reception, 6:30-8:30 pm on June 20
ArtStock Art, Wine & Music Festival at Parley Lake Winery July 13 & 14
Victoria Fine Art Fair in downtown Victoria on August 3
Arts Center Gift Shop and Gallery open Wednesday-Friday 12-5pm, Saturday 9am to 5pm. Until 8pm on Classic Car nights, Wednesday June 12 and 26!

Check our online Calendar for more events and classes

Arts Center in June

Our next exhibit Nature: Water and Waves welcomes entries until midnight June 3.  All media are welcome.  The show will open on June 12 and run through August 23.  You can meet the artists at an Artist’s Reception on June 20 from 6:30-8:30 pm. To enter, go to our Call for Artists post on our website for details.

Our Featured Artist this month is George Crockett, whose landscapes, done in pastels, reflect the beauty of our upper Midwest region.  You may be familiar with his work, but these pictures are quite special.  Do come see them.

Our hours in June will be extended until 8pm on Discover Victoria Classic Car Nights, so drop in to see what is new in the retail shop and to view the art on the wall.  Remember, all the art for sale in the shop is by Carver County artists.  We hope you will support their work.


THE SONGWRITERS AND MUSICIANS OF CARVER COUNTY VOL. V CD CoverVolume V of The Songwriters and Musicians of Carver County CD

Please join us on June 7 at 6:30pm in the Chaska City Square Park to celebrate the release of Volume V of The Songwriters and Musicians of Carver County CD.  Performers will include Bob Mueller, Holly Holldorson, Tara B, Ted Hajnasiewicz, Tom Bright, Tanecsha Jones, Yvette Nelson, and the Blue Skies Band.  Proceeds from the CD sales will be used for promotional activities by ACCC to further the music scene in Carver County.  The Arts Consortium of Carver County thanks the songwriters and musicians in this collection who have generously donated their songs for inclusion on this project, and we extend a special thank you to Steve Kelzer, the producer of the CD, for all of his hard work over the past five years!


Summer Festivals

Planning is well underway for ArtStock Art, Wine & Music Festival at Parley Lake Winery to be held on July 13 & 14.  This is always a popular event with opportunities to purchase great art and to enjoy fine wine, food and music.  We are excited to announce a new theme this year in honor of the Woodstock 50th anniversary:  a 60s theme asking artists and guests to dress the groovy part.  The deadline for booth applications is midnight July 1 on zapplication. See our website for details.

Planning is also underway for our 3rd annual Victoria Fine Art Fair on August 3rd! This year we have a French Flair complete with French wine, food and, of course, the Eiffel Tower. Our French-themed Art Fair will be held in conjunction with the German Volksfest in Victoria, bringing us together like the Rhine River! Enjoy music, sample fine French wines, French food and pastries, and explore the fine art for sale in the lovely lakeside setting in Victoria. Nearby cafes and restaurants will be open as well as specialty food trucks. Guests will walk along the park overlooking scenic Stieger Lake and shop for the most unique treasures, gifts and displays of fine art.  The deadline for booth applications is midnight July 15 on zapplication.  See our website for details.


Photography Contest

Summer will be a good time to work on your entries for the ACCC Photo Contest 2019. This is the ACCC’s 5th annual photo contest. This year’s theme is “Agriculture” and photographs can include any aspect of agriculture and rural life.   Ribbons will be awarded in the following categories:  K-4th grade, 5-8th grade, 9-12th grade, Adult (18+ years of age) resident of Carver County, Adult (18+ years of age) non-resident of Carver County.  The application deadline is midnight November 5.  Check our website for more details.

Shown is the 2018 Adult Resident Blue Ribbon winner Rebecca Willette.

Barn Quilts and ACCC at Springfest Artisan Fair

The 1st Annual Springfest Artisan Fair, hosted by the NYA Area Chamber of Commerce and the NYA Economic Development Commission, was held on Saturday, May 18, 2019 in Norwood Young America. Despite the rainy weather, this event united local painters, designers, authors, potters, quilters, craft brewers, farmers, musicians, and others together in a small-town setting to display their talents and wares. Vendors were able to be inside! We had great participation, and it brought much awareness to the arts, along with the history of Historic Downtown Norwood.  Barn Quilts of Carver County was nestled between the Quilting Grounds- Quilt Shop and a Quilt Show hosted within the Norwood Young America Library. We had record traffic and great interest in our Barn Quilt Tours, books and souvenirs, along with showcasing the Arts Consortium of Carver County information.

The Barn Quilts tour season officially started with a large group from Zumbrota Community Education visiting Carver County on May 22nd. Another tour group will be arriving on June 6th and will be visiting the Arts Center to see the latest Culture & Community exhibit.


Could You Volunteer 2-3 Hours of Your Time?

Arts Center Volunteers: We always welcome new volunteers to help us in the Arts Center for a few hours every month. We will provide training by experienced volunteers before you will be asked to work on your own. You can always choose to work with others. It is fun and supports the arts in our county. Shifts are 2 or 3 hours. If you are interested, please fill out the Volunteer Form.

ArtStock:  Art, Wine & Music (July 13-14) would like volunteers to help at this Parley Lake Winery event in the ACCC booth for 2-hour shifts or help with setup. If you are interested, please fill out the form on the ArtStock page to indicate your availability.  Event coordinator, Sue Thompson Steenhoven, will contact you to confirm and provide details.

Victoria Fine Art Fair (Aug 3) also needs volunteers for 2- or 3-hour shifts to help setup or work in the ACCC booth.  If you are interested, please fill out the form on the Victoria Fine Art Fair page to indicate your availability.  Event coordinator, Sue Thompson Steenhoven, will contact you to confirm and provide details.

Thank you for your support of the Arts Consortium of Carver County!


Member Directory Listings

Hello ACCC Members! Thank you to those Artists, Businesses and Organizations who have completed their online Directory Listing on the ACCC website. If you haven’t logged into your new ACCC Membership Account for the first time yet, please start on our Account page by requesting your password. Contact Michelle Aspelin with any Membership questions at admin@artsofcarvercounty.org.

View Visual Artist Directory
View Music Artist Directory
View Literary Artist Directory
View Theater & Dance Directory

To become a Member of the Arts Consortium of Carver County, please visit our Membership page. You’ll find a list of Member benefits as well as different membership levels to choose from. Thank you for supporting the Arts in our community!

Arts Center Hours

Wednesday – Friday 12-5pm, Saturday 9am-5pm
Open Until 8pm 
on Discover Victoria Classic Car Nights
Wednesday, June 12 & 26

ACCC 10 Year Anniversary badge

 

Arts Consortium of Carver County

December ArtMatters Newsletter

Mark Your Calendar

December 13 Writers Read the Holidays, 6:30pm, Arts Center, Victoria, free.

December 15 Clark Machtemes, Traveled Ground, with Jenn Bostic, ACCC House Concert, 7 pm, Charlson Meadows, ticketed event.
January 17 Artists’ Reception Open House for The Passage of Time, 6:30 pm, Arts Center, Victoria, free.

Thank You to our Supporters!

Thank you to our generous donors who contributed to the Arts Consortium of Carver County in our recent matching grant campaign. Our goal was to match $2500 from a generous anonymous donor. We raised $3075! With those contributions, we secured the original matching gift of $2500. In addition, as a result of our success, we will receive a second donation from the anonymous donor, bringing us to a grand total of $10,575!
Thank you so very much for believing in us!

ACCC Arts Center Activities

writers read the holidays

Writers Read the Holidays, December 13, 6:30 pm.  Come share an evening of holiday cheer with prose and poetry celebrating winter holidays, such as Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Solstice, and New Year’s Eve.  If you are a writer yourself, bring two or three short pieces to read in a round-robin format.  Otherwise, come with your family and friends to enjoy an evening of creative works and holiday treats at the ACCC Arts Center, 7924 Victoria Dr, Studio Level, Victoria.  You will also have a chance to browse the Holiday Gift Show in process.  We hope you will join us.  For more information visit our website or contact Jim Kane, Literary Liaison.

Holiday Gift Show now through December 22.  Have you seen the Holiday Gift Show yet?  If you are looking for the perfect art lovers gift or something beautiful or practical for yourself, please stop by the Arts Center soon. Items are selling every day from the 30 artists and 8 authors who are participating in the show.  For a donation, you can secure a new A Carver County Christmas CD created by 15 Carver County musicians. Come soon, then come again. It is a fabulous show. For more information, contact Deb Barce, Holiday Gift Show Coordinator.

Call for Artists Participation in new show, The Passage of Time:  You are invited to submit your art work for The Passage of Time Art Exhibit scheduled to open to the public at the ACCC Arts Center on the 11th of January 2019.  If you are interested in submitting to this gallery show, you should consult the website for application and submission details.  We hope the work in this show will explore ideas about the passage of time as it affects each person and generation, considering such themes as memory, our sense of time, our views of the past, present and future.  We ask you to bring your own meaning to this exhibit to showcase your ideas about the Passage of Time. The dates for the exhibit are January 11-March 22, 2019. We will host an Artists’ Reception Open House from 6:30-8:30 pm on January 17, 2019.  For more information, see the website. For questions, contact Mary Strother, Gallery Coordinator.

Passage of Time

New Class Starting Tuesday, January 15, 10:30-11:30am: Barb Hone will teach an 8-week course on William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. This tragedy is the core of the class, but the class will also provide a capsulized history of drama: the worldview as the Middle Ages tumbled into the Renaissance; Shakespeare, the man, the playwright, the poet; and the culture of the Elizabethan Era. The cost is $65/student and includes the book. Register by January 10, 2019. Details and Registration is on our Classes page on our website. Questions, contact Barb Hone.

Visual Arts

The “Emerging Photographers” Exhibit continues at Ridgeview Medical Center through Dec. 20th. Photographs are located in the Same Day Surgery Gallery hallway in Waconia.

4th Annual Photo Contest Winners Announced

We are pleased to announce the winners of this year’s photo contest. They were honored at the Victoria Burrow on November 15. Dr. Joe Kandiko judged the contest.  We had 81 entries from 28 photographers and 15 winners! In the K-Grade 4 category Elle Jay (EJ) Black won the Blue, Red, and Yellow ribbons.  In the Grade 5-8 category Cullen McPhillips won the Blue, Red, and Yellow ribbons. In the Grade 9-12 category, Zoe Hearon won the Blue ribbon, Emma Aspelin won the Red ribbon, and Disha Thakkar won the Yellow ribbon. In the Adult 18+ Carver County Resident category, Rebecca Willette won the Blue ribbon, Shannon Swanson won the Red ribbon, and Neil Wingert won the Yellow ribbon. In the Adult 18+ Non-Resident of Carver County category, Jim Teske won the Blue ribbon, Barbara Van Nest Zadeh won the Red ribbon, and Roslyn Long won the Yellow ribbon. Congratulations to the winners. View all photos.

A Carver County Christmas CDMusic Arts

The new A Carver County Christmas CD includes songs from 15 Carver Country musicians. It is fantastic! There are two different covers on the CDs: one by acclaimed rural artist Bonnie Mohr; and one with a photo taken by Mark Olson, editor of the Chaska Herald, of City Square Park in Chaska. The CDs can be obtained in the Arts Center for a donation. Questions, contact Steve Kelzer.

Musicians and Songwriters are listed on our website. Thank you to all who made this CD possible!

House Concert, Charlson Meadows December 15, 2018, Limited Tickets Available!

ACCC is sponsoring a House Concert featuring Clark Machtemes, his band Traveled Ground and protégé, Jenn Bostic. Last year, Jenn won the BCMA (British Country Music Association) award as International Touring Artist. This year she’s been nominated for both International Song of the Year and International Album of the Year. The ACCC is taking this opportunity to introduce these outstanding songwriter-musicians to the metro-wide music market. This celebration will be hosted at Charlson Meadows, a private foundation in Victoria, MN, in their grand, new Nancy Nelson Lake House.

The “Wander Hour” starts at 6pm to allow time for guests to wander the Nancy Nelson Lake House, tour the various rooms, learn about the history of Charlson Meadows before the concert starts at 7pm.

Tickets are $35/person and limited to 100 people; tickets can only be purchased on the ACCC website. A potluck is part of the ACCC House Concert tradition, so please bring a dessert or snack to share. Charlson Meadows Retreat Center is located at 1601 Hwy 7, Victoria. For more information, contact Barb Hone, Festivals Liaison. Purchase Concert Tickets

Literary Arts

On October 25 we hosted the first Writers Read at the Arts Center with about 20 people in attendance. Eight writers read their work in multiple rounds. You can find some of their books at the Holiday Gift Show. Thanks to all who attended and to those who read. We are looking forward to Writers Read the Holidays on Thursday, Dec. 13. For more details, see the Arts Center Activities above. Questions, contact Jim Kane.

Join for the First Time or Renew your ACCC Membership

We are a growing organization. If you have not renewed your membership for this year, or have yet to join, please do so by 12/31/18. Our membership has risen to over 200 Artists, Arts Supporters, Businesses and Organization Members with renewals still coming in.

If you have questions about your ACCC Membership, please contact admin@artsofcarvercounty.org. Thank you and Happy Holidays!

JOIN OR RENEW HERE

Call for Volunteers

Want to get involved in a wonderful organization? There are many ways to do so! Just fill out the Volunteer Sign-up Form.

Arts Center Volunteers: Would you like to become involved in ACCC by volunteering a few hours a month in the Arts Center? We will provide training and support for your time in the Arts Center.

Volunteer Finance Advisor: Do you have public finance experience, familiarity with federal and state non-profit regulations and a few hours to contribute every quarter? We are looking for someone to consult with us on a volunteer basis to help ensure that as we grow our financial practices continue to be aligned with nonprofit regulations and requirements.

Festivals Liaison Trainee: As trainee over the next year, you would, with the help of the current Festivals liaison, Barb Hone, learn to manage one or both of our festivals: ArtStock: Art, Wine, & Music Festival, July 13 -14, 2019 and Victoria Fine Art Fair, August 10, 2019. This position requires advanced computer skills to interface with ZAPPlication, software that manages artist application process, jurying, and communication for 2 festivals. This is not time consuming but requires attention from November – August. The festivals will involve working with a committee of volunteers and overseeing successful activities of the special events. Position requires membership in the Arts Consortium. Contact: Barb Hone, Festivals Liaison

Festival Committee Members: These volunteers report to the Festival Liaison and are responsible for the following tasks the week of the festivals: Distributing promotional materials (postcard & signs), placing signage along the roads, coordinating and assisting with artist setup, and manning the Arts Consortium booth. Time commitment required: Attending an orientation meeting in the spring, 2019, and active support the week of the festivals. Committee members must be members in the Arts Consortium. Contact: Barb Hone, Festivals Liaison

 

Arts Consortium of Carver County

ArtMatters May Newsletter

Welcome to the new format for the ACCC ArtMatters Newsletter. The newsletter is a culmination of reports from our various leaders, liaisons, and committee chairpersons. It is our way of keeping everyone informed about what’s going on with the Arts Consortium of Carver County.

If you have questions about particular events, feel free to contact the liaison or any board member. View the current Board and Volunteers. You can also complete the Contact form on our Contact page anytime and we will get back to you as soon as possible. Thank you and enjoy!


Annual Meeting
Over 50 guests joined the ACCC Board for the annual meeting on March 20th to learn more about the ACCC and the new Arts Center in Victoria at 7924 Victoria Drive, Victoria. Winners of this year’s Flash Fiction contest were announced: 1st Place: “Butternut” by T. Marie Bertineau; 2nd Place: “Abandoned Child” by Virginia Sievers; 3rd Place: “What I Deserve” by Anne Jackson and their works presented to the group.

Guests were able to learn more about arts activities in the county including what’s happening in music, literary arts, visual arts, and art tourism. President Cynthia Anderson provided an overview of the vision for the new space and discussed potential uses including as a gallery, classrooms, event space, art shows, and more. Guests enjoyed refreshments provided by our new neighbors, Ruby’s Roost Cafe! We want to thank all of our members for their support. It is only through your support that the new Arts Space will become reality.

2018 Annual Statement – it includes a letter from our President, expanded Mission, Reports from our Genre and Committee Leaders, our signature annual Events, Board of Directors, and finally our Financial Statement and Annual Budget.

Visual Arts
By Liaison Mary Strother
The exhibit at Ridgeview Medical Center ended April 30th. We are looking forward to the next show at the Chaska Community Center.

Call for EXPO Artists
Annual Artists’ Expo at the Chaska Community Center
Show Dates June 1-29
Opening Reception Sunday June 10 from 3:30-5pm
This is open to members of the ACCC. Artists may submit up to 3 jpegs of their work by Wednesday May 16 to MaryStrotherStudio@gmail.com include in the subject line, EXPO. Notice of acceptance by email will be sent Friday May 18.

Accepted work should be delivered to the art room at the Chaska Community Center May 30 either from 10am-12pm or 7 -8pm. More EXPO details

Music Arts
By Liaison Steve Kelzer
I am working with local musicians on the 4th CD of music of Carver County. Eighteen songwriters will be featured on the CD. The CD Release Concert is set for June 8th at the Chaska City Park. Musicians have been chosen to perform for ArtStock in July and the Victoria Art Fair in August.

Literary Arts
By Liaison Jim Kane
The first reading to be held at the new Arts Center in Victoria will be by Daniel O’Brien, local author and teacher. Daniel holds an MA in Advanced Japanese Studies, is creator of the Japan Series, “Exploring Japanese culture through mysteries” (www.japanseries.com). He is also founder the Authors Collective, and a member of the Chanhassen Library Writer’s Group since 2011. He has read and presented his work at coffee shops, literary centers, bookstores, and libraries around Minnesota. He teaches Medieval History and literature at Eagle Ridge Academy Classical Charter High School in Minnetonka, MN.

Event is planned for June 15, 2018 at the ACCC Arts Center
6:00 to 6:30pm Social Time
6:30-7:30pm Author Presentation, Japanese Culture Slide Show, and Q&A
7:30-8:00pm Book Signing

Arts Center
The Arts Consortium will move into their new space in Victoria at the beginning of June. The first event will be a reading by Daniel O’Brien. Planning for the new space is well underway. Watch for an announcement of an opening event.

ArtStock Art, Wine & Music Festival
Artists’ applications are coming in via the online form Zaaplication. Barb Hone reported we are on schedule for a great event July 14-15.

Art Wander
The annual Edge of the Big Woods Art Wander is September 21, 22 and 23. Friday 1-6pm, Saturday 9am to 6pm and Sunday 11am to 4pm. All the details are at ArtWander.com.

Victoria Fine Art Fair
Artists’ applications are also coming in via the online form Zaaplication. We anticipate a great event August 11.

Art Tourism
Liaison Janet Fahey has already scheduled 28 Barn Quilt Tours for 2018. Her tours will include a stop at the ACCC Arts Center when it is open. Barn Quilts Tours is featured in the latest issue of Scene Magazine. Learn More about Barn Quilt Tours.

Call for Volunteers
We are looking for quality individuals and volunteers wanting to be involved with the Arts. We are busy preparing for the opening and operation of the new ACCC Arts Center in downtown Victoria at 7924 Victoria Drive as well as our annual events including ArtStock and the Victoria Fine Art Fair. We are taking inquiries and matching your talents to our needs.

Please become involved today by filling out the online Volunteer Form. Let us know how you would like to help us further our mission of connecting communities with the Arts.

Membership Update
By Deborah Barce
Is it time to renew your membership?
Please send your membership in today! Use our easy online form to submit your information and pay online, or visit our Membership page for instructions to mail in your Membership. Thanks for supporting the ACCC!

Contest Update
Poetry Contest by Barb Hone
ACCC’s 2018 Poetry Contest – Blue Ribbon Winners Announced. This year 75 poems were submitted to our 5th annual poetry contest. Our preliminary judges selected 5 poems in each category to be sent on for final consideration. First place winners were chosen by our Minnesota State Poet Laureate, Joyce Sutphen, a resident of Carver County who teaches at Gustavus Adolphus College.

A “reading & ribbons” event will be planned at our new ACCC Arts Center. Also, poets will read at ArtStock Art. Wine. Music Festival, Sunday, July 15. All winning poems and poets are posted on the Arts Consortium of Carver County website, link below, and have been submitted to local newspapers.

Blue Ribbon Winners from the schools include: Sydney Zabel – 8th Clearwater Middle School in Waconia, 9th Sydney Turner, Chaska High School; Ava Joos, 5th Chanhassen Elementary and Charlotte Bloom, 2nd Bluff Creek. Adult winners include Suzanne Thiesfeld, Carver County and Heather Hollermann, Hopkins.

Read the Winning Poems

Note of Thanks
We want to welcome our newest volunteers in leadership roles, our new ACCC Treasurer is Linda Stuckey and Jourdan Hay is the Chairperson of our new Finance Committee. Thank you!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Arts Consortium of Carver County

ArtMatters ACCC Newsletter January 2018

Welcome to our new format. Now you can read our newsletter in full, on your desktop, tablet or phone, in an easy-to-read format. Enjoy!

ArtMatters ACCC Newsletter January 2018

2018—The ACCC Enters its 9th Year!

Thank you for supporting the ACCC. Your memberships have created opportunities for artists to exhibit and sell their art and to participate in a thriving art-community. Communities thrives in an art environment.

2018 Spotlight—This spring the ACCC will move into its new home – the historic Notermann Building in Victoria at 7924 Victoria Drive!


Contests

Flash Fiction Accepting submissions now through midnight, February 1, 2018.

Poetry Contest Poems may be submitted now through midnight, March 1, 2018.


National Book Clubs

The PBS NewsHour has teamed up with The New York Times to bring you a new book club called Now Read This. It will allow readers to participate in discussions in real time. January book is Sing Unburied Sing by Jesmyn Ward. Join on Facebook.

Complete our survey about Carver County Book Clubs
If you currently participate in, or know of, book clubs in Carver County, please complete our quick online survey so we can collect information about book clubs. Read our newsletter next month for the results!

Link: Book Club Survey


Your Membership enables the ACCC to successfully apply for grants, providing funds to grow our Mission, which is
To strengthen our community through the arts—and cultivate the arts through the community.

Join or Renew your ACCC Membership Today! We welcome artists, businesses, organizations, individuals and art supporters at various support levels.

ACCC logo

March ArtMatters Newsletter

Our March ArtMatters Newsletter is packed full of information about meetings, announcements, contests, deadlines and events. We are thankful to bring such opportunities to artists and the communities in Carver County. To help support these efforts, please consider RENEWING your ACCC Membership or JOINING US for the first time.

Annual Artist Membership starts at $50. We welcome all sorts of membership types; artists, individuals, businesses, organizations, arts supporters, etc. We have many different levels of support and you can conveniently pay online or mail a check.

Please visit our MEMBERSHIP page now for complete details. Thank you for supporting the Arts!

ArtMatters Newsletter

ACCC logo

January ArtMatters Newsletter

Happy New Year! Welcome to the January ArtMatters Newsletter by the ACCC.

We are seeking Board Members for the ACCC and committee liaisons. Please nominate yourself or someone you think would be a good fit to help us continue our mission of connecting communities with the arts.

We welcome all Member Photographers to consider joining our new Arts Consortium Photography Club. Initial Meeting is set for January 31 at the Chanhassen Library in the Longfellow Room at 6:30pm. Updates at: Photography Club page

Reminder about our new Flash Fiction contest, Deadline January 31, 2017.

We welcome Poetry Submissions for our 2017 contest, due by March 15.

And as a final reminder, you can still purchase a 2017 Barn Quilt Calendar! See page for locations.

Wishing all ACCC Members and Supporters a happy and prosperous 2017!

January ArtMatters Newsletter