The Big Stone Arts Council is pleased to announce Carol J. Larson’s one-woman show at our gallery at 42 NW Second Street in Ortonville, MN. The public is cordially invited to the opening reception from 4-6 pm on Friday, April 19, 2013. The gallery is open Tuesdays through Fridays 11 am – 4 pm. The telephone number is (320) 487-1001. The exhibit will run until May 31st.

Carol is an artist, author and physician. In 2010 she retired from the practice of medicine to pursue full time her keen interest in art and writing. As an artist, Carol paints both watercolors and acrylics and is inspired by vintage objects. “Nothing gives me greater pleasure than roaming the back roads and byways of South Dakota and western Minnesota looking for old rusty objects. Sometimes these gems are hidden amongst overgrown weeds in an abandoned farmyard or are sitting on a dusty shelf in a small town antique shop. When they evoke a strong emotional response from me, it is time to pick up a paintbrush and bring out their beauty once more.”

These inspirations have resulted in several series of watercolor paintings: Classic Tractors, Vintage Machinery, Antique Toys, Old Timey Folks, and Landscapes/Nature. One of Carol’s recent works, entitled Rusty Memories,depicts four old little red wagons. “I saw these wagons in the yard of an antique shop in Big Stone City and they made me feel sad and childishly delighted at the same time.”

Carol is a signature member of the Minnesota Watercolor Society and a member of the Transparent Watercolor Society of America. She has won numerous awards from the groups and from the Minnesota State Fair in 2007.

As author, Carol writes historical fiction for teens and young adults. Given her lifelong interest in the history of medicine, her books do have medical references. “Whether the heroine is delivering a baby in an 1886 farmhouse (Big Stone Heart) or is tending to gunshot wounds in a blacksmith’s cabin in 1883 (The Secret Society of Sugar and Spice) the dash of medicine adds a unique touch to all of my books.” Carol’s books are also on sale at the gallery.

Carol lives in Minnesota and South Dakota with her husband, Mike, and their dog, Lucy

WHO: All Writers – beginners, intermediate and published
WHAT: Writers’Workshop
WHEN: Friday October 18th – Sunday October 20, 2013
WHERE: Lakewood Lodge, Ortonville, Minnesota
COST: $65.00 Includes Saturday and Sunday workshop and food

Dr. Judy Wilson, Professor of Creative Writing at Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU), and author of “Trespass” will lead the workshop participants in writing techniques, and present information about publishing. In past years, Wilson has had several short stories in literary journals and has won several awards for her writing, which includes the Southern Literary Festival Award for Best Short Fiction, the Joan Johnson Writing Award, the Henfield Foundation’s Transatlantic Review Award and a Truman Capote Fellowship.

What: Community Gospel Concert with free admission
Place: OHS Auditorium, this facility is wheelchair accessible from Door 7, 200 Trojan Drive, Ortonville, MN
Time: 2-4 pm with a short intermission on Sunday, May 5th, 2013. An afternoon Tea will be served in the OHS Commons after the Concert.

Local talent, school and church choirs are encouraged to sign-up early to sing one or two gospel songs. Choir robes of all colors are welcome. We are hoping for groups, soloists, families, children, and seniors to join us from Big Stone, Grant, and Roberts counties. BSA will gift $100 to each entry. In addition, there will be a $100 prize given for Community’s Choice.

Please sign-up before March 15th. We want to keep the concert to less than two hours long. Consequently, we may need to limit registration to the first twelve respondents. All of the entrants will receive sheet music and participate together for the Grand Finale, a group song that will close this Gospel celebration. OHS Choir Director, Wayne Huselid, has graciously agreed to again direct the Grand Finale.

This event is a fundraiser for BSA. With each $5 Donation, a donor will receive one ballot to vote for their favorite performance. Multiple ballot purchases and other generous contributions are encouraged to help us fulfill our mission “To Promote the vitality of the Big Stone area by continually developing the region into a recognized hub of cultural-artistic expression and engagement. Ballots will be collected and tabulated after the Grand Finale. The Afternoon Tea reception will immediately follow the concert and the cash gifts will be distributed.

In the lobby of the Commons Area we will have an exhibit of Krista Hartman’s photography of Mission of Hope, Haiti.

Last year’s concert was a huge success! Part of that success was the beautiful Afternoon Tea hosted by members of The Granary Food Co-op. The wonderful assortment of teas and treats provided a relaxing family gathering for the whole community. We hope that you will join us as in celebrating the voices of the Big Stone Lake region.

For more details or questions, contact:
Douglas Holtquist
Tel: 917-250-2645
holtquist@gmail.com

The Big Stone Arts Council is pleased to announce JoAn Melchild’s one-woman show at their

gallery at 42 NW Second Street in Ortonville. The public is cordially invited to the opening reception
from 4-6 pm on Saturday, March 2, 2013. The gallery is open Tuesdays through Fridays 11am – 4 pm.
The telephone number is (320) 487-1001. The exhibit will run the month of March.

JoAn’s one-woman exhibit at Big Stone Arts Gallery combines her past and present painting efforts.
The artwork includes both her early watercolors and her later work with Golden Fluid acrylics. The
media are so very different that it’s almost as if it is a two-person show. The exhibit includes still lives,
landscapes, and portraits.

Majoring in commercial art at the Minneapolis School of Art, JoAn eventually married and had a family.
But she continued classes in painting at the Minnetonka Art Center while her children were quite young.
Then her life changed; and she began supporting her three children by herself. Still, painting was always
a favorite pastime activity (whenever there was any spare time.) Over the years her different painting
groups provided her with good friends and a busy social life.

At first, JoAn started painting with oils; but, they were messy, dried very slowly, and didn’t transport
well. So, she switched to watercolors. For JoAn, watercolors have a certain soft quality to them; and,
they dry quickly. She particularly likes the challenge of manipulating effects as the pigment follows the
water as it moves with her brush.

JoAn said, “I continued to take painting classes whenever they were available. Over the years I think
I’ve taken more than 45 workshops with various teachers in different locations. Of those instructors,
Don Tiller (Seattle) was a very big influence on my acrylic painting. Karlyn Holman (Wisconsin)
greatly affected my ability to work effectively with watercolor. And, locally, Pat Johnson (Watertown)
taught some terrific watercolor workshops at Blue Cloud Abbey. This facility was such a wonderful
retreat. Many of us are sad to see it closed.”

Twelve years ago JoAn retired for the last time and moved to Ortonville. “I promised myself that I
would Paint. And Paint is what I have done. I’ve had more darn fun and I enjoy sharing my work with
anyone who is interested.”

Consequently, JoAn taught beginning watercolor classes in Ortonville and Clinton for several years.
“We also did plein-aire painting at the Big Stone Wildlife Refuge that was so enjoyable. As a teacher, it
is very gratifying to see students get excited with watercolors, progress in their skills, and go on to study
more advanced techniques.”

“Presently I paint with the group, Whetstone Valley Artists. We meet once a week to paint where
each artist works on his/her own projects. The group support while doing something creative is very
beneficial; the camaraderie is essential; and, one’s background is immaterial. It’s the Doing that’s
important. And lastly, there is no excuse, every Tuesday you’re painting and the brushes never dry out.”

Big Stone Arts Council and the Big Stone County Commissioners are pleased to feature the artwork of local artist, Carol. J. Larson, at the Big Stone County Courthouse now through January.

Carol was born and raised in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.  She met and married her husband Mike, a Milbank boy, while in college. For over twenty years they have divided their time between their home in Minnetonka, a suburb of Minneapolis, and their home on Big Stone Lake.  After attending Medical School in South Dakota, Carol worked as a pathologist in Minneapolis. She retired from the practice of medicine in 2010 to pursue her interests in art and writing. Carol recently became a member of Big Stone Arts Council.

Watercolor is Carol’s medium of choice, although she also paints in acrylic.  She has attended many workshops and received numerous awards for her paintings, including second prize at the Minnesota State Fair in 2007.  In 2009, her painting Gone to Seed II was accepted into the Transparent Watercolor Society of America’s national show.  The exhibit in the courthouse features lovely watercolor and acrylic paintings related to agriculture and the rural life. Be sure to check them out, they are worth the stairs to see them! You can also contact Carol directly if you are interested in purchasing a painting.

Carol is also an author.  Her first novel for teens/young adults, Big Stone Heart, was published by Whiskey Creek Press in June, 2012.  Her second novel, The Secret Society of Sugar and Spice, is scheduled for release in March, 2013. To purchase or see more of Carol’s art, please email her at carol@vintageartstudio.com or visit her website at www.vintageartstudio.com. To learn more about Carol’s books, please visit her blog at www.caroljlarson.com, or her website atwww.caroljlarsonauthor.com.       

If you are interested in learning more about the arts council or how to display your artwork in the community, contact Deb Larson at larson.deborrah@gmail.com or 839-7084.

As part of their 40th Anniversary Celebration,

Jo Lee’s Jewelry invites you to meet their featured local artists…

Tuesday, Nov. 20, 5:00 – 7:00 pm

• Barb Ash – Intuitive Glass, Copper and Brass Jewelry
• June Harms – UpCycle Jewelry using bicycle parts
• Bonnie Volkenaut – Wire Wrap and Bead Jewelry
• Val Berg – Signature Engraving and Etching on Glass
• Kathy Longhenry – Personalized Engraving on Jewelry and Gifts
• Mary Taffe – Whimsical one-of-a-kind Folk Art Dolls
• Lila Salls – Wood Carving.

Big Stone Arts Council

Celebrates

‘Hats Off To The Arts!’

2012 Annual Meeting

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

7-9pm 

Java Jule’s Bistro & Coffee House

To RSVP,

please call the BSAC Headquarters & Gallery at 487-1001

or email us at bigstonearts@gmail

BSAC has a lot to celebrate this year

and we would like to share our successes

with our members, patrons and the public.

  Wear a hat

and

bring a non-alcoholic beverage with a creative name for a fun party game!

And of course we will also enjoy Julie’s treats together! 

Big Stone Arts presents…

A Meander Group Exhibit

featuring Big Stone Lake Area Artists

at the

BSAC Art Gallery

Main Street in Ortonville below the Community Center

November through December

Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday 11-2pm.

Stop in and browse or start your holiday shopping!

The October Big Stone Arts Council ARTgathering

Free Writer’s Workshop Kick-off Event

Enjoyed by ALL!

Author Dennis P. Slattery offered a lecture titled, The Value of Classical Literature and Mythology for Personal Understanding and Growth. Award-winning poet Athena Kildegaard, faculty with The University of Minnesota, in Morris, read two of her poems from her lates book Cloves and Honey and joined Dennis Slattery on stage to talk about poetry and the creative process of writing.

General consensus was that it ended way too soon!

This event was not just for writers!

It was a creative exploration of how we define ourselves in relation to our ancestries, landscape and personal experiences. Dennis introduced ways to value and express our personal story.

Next…writer’s workshop, Saturday and Sunday!

For more information on the writer’s workshop, please go to that article on the home page of this blog.