Come to the Arts Center! Set an appointment to shop the ACCC Arts Center by sending an email to giftshop@artsofcarvercounty.org. We will not be open Saturday, July 4th. Enjoy your Independence Day celebrations! We are open on Saturdays for limited hours, depending on volunteer availability. If you see the door open, come on in!
Be sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook where we showcase items in the Arts Center for sale.
We are following CDC guidelines in maintaining a safe space. Please wear a mask and maintain social distance. We will provide a way to sanitize your hands and can have up to 6 people at a time in the shop. We hope to see you soon.
Announcing Volume VI of The Songwriters and Musicians of Carver County CD
The Songwriters and Musicians of Carver County, Volume VI CD is finished and we are waiting for the finished product from the duplicator. This year we have 24 songwriters featured. The first song on the CD was written by Grace Bury in 1942. Grace was a piano teacher in Chaska for many years. The recording of her song was done by her son John Bury and his trio featuring Sue Drude on vocals in the early 70’s. It still sounds fresh and hip today. A lot of the music on the CD was written in 2020 with artists from age 18 to 72. Watch our website and email for the official announcement of when and where you can purchase the CD. Thank you to Steve Kelzer for your continued work to produce this valuable ACCC project. We all are looking forward to hearing the recordings! Steve Kelzer, music@artsofcarvercounty.org.
Have you been writing, creating music or visual art during our time of sheltering at home? We’d love to help you share your work with a larger audience. To participate, all you need to do is to send your work, following the guidelines for submission, to the ACCC Pandemic Arts Journal, an interdisciplinary collection of Music, Literature, and Visual Art.Take a look at the wonderful contributions we have already published on our website and send us your inspiration today. The guidelines for submission can be found on our website.
#Haikus4Healing
For those of you who are “sometimes writers,” we’d love to have you submit a haiku for our ACCC Facebook page, use #haikus4healing on your post. Have some fun with this one. Write a haiku on your sidewalk, take a picture, and post it on https://www.facebook.com/Artsincarvercounty/.
Welcome New Board Member
We are excited to welcome Amy Stender to the ACCC Board. She will serve as Literary Liaison working with the Literary Committee to expand opportunities for writers in our area. Amy is a Minnesota Book Award-nominated author of Relic Chosen: Magic and Madness (North Star Press, St. Cloud), Through the Woods and Next Weekend (Lulu Publishing). She began writing at a young age and never thought to stop. She graduated from Concordia University, St. Paul, with a BA in Psychology but never strayed far from her artistic and literary passions. Amy is currently working on a rural cozy mystery series, the first book Farmed & Dangerous, soon to be released from Fox Pointe Publishing. A native Minnesotan who grew up in Chaska, MN, this “city girl” now lives with her husband, their daughter, a 15lb cat, & 100 dairy cows on their farm in Norwood Young America. Please join us in welcoming Amy Stender to the board.
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.
So many things have changed over the past few months, but art continues to unite Carver County through creative expression and engagement. Visiting the ACCC website and updating your Member Profile are two great ways to stay connected while we’re all apart. The ACCC is busy developing new ways of connecting you to newer audiences. Stay current and remember to renew your membership.
ArtMatters Newsletter Volume 10 Issue 4 | June 2020
Greetings
The ACCC Arts Center Gallery and Gift Shop located here in beautiful downtown Victoria is going to reopen it’s doors on Wednesday June 3rd on an appointment basis. Connect with us. We can arrange for a pick-up or we invite you to come in person to our Gift Shop. Our volunteer base is currently limited due to CoVid-19 so we will accommodate opening as much as possible during this time with pre-planning. If you would like to shop our store, please schedule an appointment, and as always, if our doors are open, we welcome you to come in. Send your request to giftshop@artsofcarvercounty.org.
We will be following the State of Minnesota’s Guidelines to Reopening Business. We will have masks, gloves, sanitizers and visuals to help keep you safe.
During the break we have created the ACCC Pandemic Arts Journal, a place for you to share images of your works of visual art, short stories, poems, music and more. Please go to our website and submit your entries online. We welcome young to young at heart to take part in this year long expression of life as we feel it, see it and know it, in the new norm. We invite you to become part of the story. Join us.
The growing consumption of information and the increased screen time many are experiencing has led us into bringing more visuals of the artwork available for sale at our gallery and gift shop to the public platforms. We continue to promote our Artists and their artwork via Facebook and Instagram. We have space to accept in new work which enables us to promote new and exciting finds for our followers. If you would like to add to the interest and have your work featured in our posts, please let us know about your new creations and how we can work together. Each month we will also showcase artist members through articles in the local newspapers. Contact us at giftshop@artsofcarvercounty.org.
ACCC Pandemic Arts Journal
Have you been writing, creating music or visual art during the pandemic? Would you like to share your work with a larger audience? We’d love to have you submit what you have created for the ACCC Pandemic Arts Journal, an interdisciplinary collection of Music, Literature, and Visual Art. We are accepting submissions in written, photo, song or video form. Take a look at the wonderful contributions we have already published on our website and send us your inspiration today. The guidelines for submission are on our website.
#Haikus4Healing
For those of you who are “sometimes writers,” we’d love to have you submit a haiku for our ACCC Facebook page, use #haikus4healing on your post. Have some fun with this one. Write a haiku on your sidewalk, take a picture, and post it on https://www.facebook.com/Artsincarvercounty.
Submit a Nomination or Application for the ACCC Board of Directors
The ACCC is seeking a writer to serve as Literary Liaison on the Board. If you are interested, please complete a board application on our website, link below. If you have questions, please contact Susan Coultrap-McQuin, literary@artsofcarvercounty.org.
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
Member at Large: Seeking artists and artists at heart 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 feel you are a good person to help create that change, we welcome you to apply today or nominate someone you know who might be interested.
ACCC Membership
Not an ACCC Member? Consider joining! Our Membership page lists all the benefits and opportunities we offer our Members.
If you are a Member, please take a minute to log into your ACCC account and review your Membership. You can see when you joined and when your Membership is up for renewal. We automatically send you reminder emails before your due date. Membership questions can be directed to our Membership Coordinator, Beth Billstrom at membership@artsofcarvercounty.org.
Go to our Account page to access your Membership info as well as your Directory Listing. Keep it up-to-date. Be sure to include your social media accounts as we have been promoting our Member artists on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
Volunteer Opportunities with the ACCC
The Arts Consortium of Carver County Volunteers are working diligently behind the scenes on some exciting new opportunities for 2020. Volunteer and work to bring the arts to the people of your community. We seek a wide range of strengths and talents, art experience not required. We are actively looking for additional Members for our Board of Directors to fill several positions and for people to serve on a committee, special project or participate in new initiatives. Volunteer Form.
https://www.artsofcarvercounty.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/ACCC-4-squares-2017-2.jpg588589Katie Trenthttps://artsofcarvercounty.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Untitled-design-5.svgKatie Trent2020-06-01 11:46:022020-06-01 11:46:02ArtMatters Newsletter June 2020
ArtMatters Newsletter Volume 10 Issue 4 | May 2020
Greetings to You
Every Arts organization is grappling with the situations we are faced with during this time of uncertainty. We are all reaching out to change our modes of operation and continue in other ways that we can connect. We have had to cancel many of our activities at the Arts Center and our events to come due to CoVid 19, but we are striving to bring a new breath of virtual programming to your table. With this in our minds we hope to add that much needed breath of fresh air to your day and look forward to the interaction between the artists, writers, musicians and members at large as we explore, express and document this change in normalcy and life as we know it. We are introducing the ACCC Pandemic Arts Journal with this issue.
Our hearts go out to the people who have been affected by this unprecedented global health event that is currently unfolding before us. We appreciate the healthcare workers, communities, governments and those on the front lines, locally and globally working to best contain this pandemic. We keep this in our minds as we plan for the future.
We are set to reopen on the 20th of May as the State of MN’s #stayinplace order is lifted. With this, I want to assure you we have also prepared ACCC set guidelines for our volunteers and our visitors to the Arts Center and are vigilantly monitoring the CoVid19 situation closely. We want to make sure we are diligent in keeping everyone safe and ensure a healthy environment for all. We also will continue social distancing at the Arts Center during phase one of reopening and we plan to follow the State guidelines for everyone’s benefit and safety.
Please take some time out of your schedule to visit us online and in person, join us virtually or submit your perspective of these uncharted waters as we make our way into the future. We have wonderful gift ideas for the special people in your life. We have plenty of space to roam our Gallery and Gift Shop in person. We can also curate gift items for you ahead of time virtually and deliver to you curbside for your convenience. Contact us at giftshop@artsofcarvercounty.com for help with your gift lists today. Just let us know how we can serve you through the Arts.
Stay Healthy and Be Well. Cynthia Anderson, President
Announcing the ACCC Pandemic Arts Journal
Send us Your Literary Work, Images of Your Visual Arts, Your Music! The ACCC is creating a very special project called the ACCC Pandemic Arts Journal. This will be a collection of creative work from artists, writers, musicians and songwriters, and others in the region as well as an historical record of the abounding creativity in Carver County during these uncertain times. We will add to it over the course of 2020 as we adjust to these times.
We invite all Visual Artists, Writers, Songwriters, and Musicians, young and young at heart to submit your responses to the COVID- 19 pandemic. Your work will be published on the ACCC website as part of our ACCC Pandemic Arts Journal page. Your creative expression will become part of a collective work expressing your thoughts, emotions, inspirations, etc. throughout the year. The journal will provide an artistic perspective on what is happening during this time. See our Call for Submissions for instructions.
This is a FREE opportunity. If you would like to support activities like this and other activities of the ACCC, please consider making a DONATION today. Thank you for your support.
Lots of Literary News
2020 Poetry Contest Results Announced: Check out our website to read and hear the winning poems. Entries were reviewed by six local poets and winners were chosen by Minnesota Poet Laureate and Carver County resident, Joyce Sutphen. Thank you to all the judges. The decisions were difficult because there were so many good poems submitted. Thanks to all of you who participated.
In this round of the contest we discovered that poetry can be a family undertaking.There are winning entries from the Van Hefty, Yidnekachew, and Awes families. We also especially appreciated the teachers who submitted their students’ work this year. They included Virginia Jackson, Amy McGinnis, and Jennifer Williams.Thank you! Entries were primarily from Carver County but came from as far away as Florida, Texas, and England. Congratulations to all the winners and to those who took Honorable Mention. Each one of you inspires us!
Here are the names of winners and Honorable Mentions: Students Grades K-2: Charlie Van Hefty, Award of Excellence. Students Grades 3-5: Alex Van Heftey, First Place; Mackenzie Jensen, Second Place; Tatum Luedke, Third Place, Reese Marie Slechta, Honorable Mention; Teshan Liyanage, Honorable Mention. Students Grades 6-8: Adonai Yidnekachew, First Place; Yabsera Yidnekashew, Second Place. Students Grades 9-12: Jade Evans, First Place; Henry Awes, Second Place; Reeti Thakkar, Third Place; Robert Jensen, Honorable Mention. Adult Carver County Residents: Angela Hunt, First Place; Jen Anderson, Second Place, Maria Awes, Third Place; Rob Luke, Honorable Mention; Jillian Van Hefty, Honorable Mention. Adult Non Residents: Tim J. Brennan, First Place; Vicky A. King, Second Place; Jeannie L. Piekos, Third Place; A. Carol Scott, Honorable Mention; Laura L. Hansen, Honorable Mention.
Call For Writers: Would you like to share the poetry and literary prose you have been writing while you shelter in place? We are starting an ACCC Pandemic Arts Journal, and we encourage you to submit your work in written, video or audio form. In fact, we would especially encourage you to make a video of you reading your work, upload it on YouTube, and submit it as directed on the website. If you don’t know how to do that, there are many places on the internet to find out. Check out the website for details on how to submit. Use #ACCCPandemicArtsJournal if you post it on your social media accounts.
Haikus for Healing: Want to lighten someone’s day? If you write a haiku in chalk on a sidewalk (where permitted) or post a haiku in your yard, take a picture and post it on the ACCC Facebook and Instagram pages along with #ACCCHaikus4Healing. A haiku is three lines of poetry with 5, 7, 5 syllables on the first, second, and third lines respectively. Wouldn’t it be fun to make someone smile reading poetry!
ACCC Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Artsincarvercounty/
ACCC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artsofcarvercounty/
Literary Liaison: Are you interested in serving on the board of the Arts Consortium as the next Literary Liaison? You will be working with an active literary committee and helping to elevate the visibility of literary work as one of the thriving arts in our county. If you are interested, please fill out an application for the board, indicating your interest in becoming the next literary liaison. If you have questions, you may contact Susan Coultrap-McQuin at literary@artsofcarvercounty.org.
Music News
The latest Songwriters and Musicians of Carver County CD is being completed and will include 20+ contributions. We think this is the best one so far! We will have CDs and the songs available for download on the Bandcamp website along with all of the previous CDs. The CD Release Concert is set for June 18th at 6:30pm, but is pending further notice from The City of Chaska. We will keep you updated. Send your ACCC Music questions to Steve Kelzer at music@artsofcarvercounty.org. Visit our CD page.
Barn Quilts of Carver County MN Offers Support During COVID-19 by Barb Hone, Janet Fahey and Suzanne Thiesfeld
The Arts Consortium of Carver County, a 501c(3) nonprofit organization, was the fiscal agent for the Barn Quilts project in Carver County.
What began in 2011 as a community-wide, public art project – continues as one during this unprecedented time. This year, the project celebrates its 10 Year Anniversary. Throughout this time, barn quilts have represented Carver County’s heritage and families. While the 10 Year celebration has been postponed due to COVID-19, the project has stepped up to help our community: Families, teachers and students. Barb Hone, Janet Fahey & Suzanne Thiesfeld, all original members of the Barn Quilt Project, have come together to offer unique ways to stay connected – yet apart.
We invite you to see the Barn Quilts from different perspectives. We have created barn quilt education, ideas for Independent Study related to art, literature, history, math and agriculture. Free resources, self-guided tour map and curriculum for teachers, students and citizens are available on the Barn Quilt MN website. Visit BarnQuiltsofCCMN.com to learn more.
Welcome New Board Members
Jean Kubes-Werremeyer
Mary Williamson
The Arts Consortium is pleased to announce that Jean Kubes-Werremeyer and Mary Williamson have joined the board as new members. Those who have been to the Arts Center will know Jean, who has been an active volunteer and has recently taught a class for us. A former elementary teacher, she current works in the field of art retail. Mary has been active in the arts in the county for many years and has served in local government and on other boards. She has her own studio and gallery and is passionate about involving young people in the arts. Please join us in welcoming both of them. Read more about Jean and Mary on our Meet the Board page on our website.
Submit a Nomination or Application for the ACCC Board of Directors
Our ACCC Board Members are actively involved in all aspects of the ACCC including events, classes, festivals, the Arts Center, community initiatives and more. They serve on the board and work on projects or committees with other volunteers.We are seeking board members with the skills and talents mentioned in the qualifications below. SUBMIT
Commitment to the arts (visual, literary, musical, performing) as an artist or supporter
Membership in the Arts Consortium of Carver County
Previous involvement with ACCC activities a plus
Skills or experience in one or more of the following areas: social media, education, program coordination, theatre arts, finance, fundraising, marketing, other nonprofit boards
Willingness to contribute your time and talents to our projects
ACCC Membership
Not an ACCC Member? Consider joining! Our Membership page lists all the benefits and opportunities we offer our Members.
If you are a Member, please take a minute to log into your ACCC account and review your Membership. You can see when you joined and when your Membership is up for renewal. We automatically send you reminder emails before your due date. Membership questions can be directed to our Membership Coordinator, Beth Billstrom at membership@artsofcarvercounty.org.
Go to our Account page to access your Membership info as well as your Directory Listing. Keep it up-to-date. Be sure to include your social media accounts as we have been promoting our Member artists on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
Volunteer Opportunities with the ACCC
The Arts Consortium of Carver County Volunteers are working diligently behind the scenes on some exciting new opportunities for 2020. Volunteer and work to bring the arts to the people of your community. We seek a wide range of strengths and talents, art experience not required. We are actively looking for additional Members for our Board of Directors to fill several positions and for people to serve on a committee, special project or participate in new initiatives. Volunteer Form.
https://www.artsofcarvercounty.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/ACCC-4-squares-2017-2.jpg588589Katie Trenthttps://artsofcarvercounty.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Untitled-design-5.svgKatie Trent2020-05-01 12:09:182020-12-17 13:03:31ArtMatters Newsletter May 2020
If you write a haiku in chalk on a sidewalk (where permitted) or post a haiku in your yard, take a picture and post it on the ACCC Facebook and Instagram pages along with #ACCCHaikus4Healing.
A haiku is three lines of poetry with 5, 7, 5 syllables on the first, second, and third lines respectively.
Wouldn’t it be fun to make someone smile reading poetry!
Saturday and Appointment Shopping
Saturday and Appointment Shopping
The Songwriters and Musicians of Carver County, Volume VI CD is finished and we are waiting for the finished product from the duplicator. This year we have 24 songwriters featured. The first song on the CD was written by Grace Bury in 1942. Grace was a piano teacher in Chaska for many years. The recording of her song was done by her son John Bury and his trio featuring Sue Drude on vocals in the early 70’s. It still sounds fresh and hip today. A lot of the music on the CD was written in 2020 with artists from age 18 to 72. Watch our website and email for the official announcement of when and where you can purchase the CD. Thank you to Steve Kelzer for your continued work to produce this valuable ACCC project. We all are looking forward to hearing the recordings! Steve Kelzer, music@artsofcarvercounty.org.
We are excited to welcome Amy Stender to the ACCC Board. She will serve as Literary Liaison working with the Literary Committee to expand opportunities for writers in our area. Amy is a Minnesota Book Award-nominated author of Relic Chosen: Magic and Madness (North Star Press, St. Cloud), Through the Woods and Next Weekend (Lulu Publishing). She began writing at a young age and never thought to stop. She graduated from Concordia University, St. Paul, with a BA in Psychology but never strayed far from her artistic and literary passions. Amy is currently working on a rural cozy mystery series, the first book Farmed & Dangerous, soon to be released from Fox Pointe Publishing. A native Minnesotan who grew up in Chaska, MN, this “city girl” now lives with her husband, their daughter, a 15lb cat, & 100 dairy cows on their farm in Norwood Young America. Please join us in welcoming Amy Stender to the board.
Not an ACCC Member? Consider joining! Our 
Send us Your Literary Work, Images of Your Visual Arts, Your Music! The ACCC is creating a very special project called the ACCC Pandemic Arts Journal. This will be a collection of creative work from artists, writers, musicians and songwriters, and others in the region as well as an historical record of the abounding creativity in Carver County during these uncertain times. We will add to it over the course of 2020 as we adjust to these times.
