Around the Arts

Watermark to hold Poetry Slam events

BEMIDJI-Watermark Art Center will present three poetry slam events as part of the 2019 Spoken Word series. The first slam will take place at 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 18, at Red Stu Breakfast Bar, 217 Minnesota Ave. NW, #109. Details for the subsequent slam events will be announced at a later date.

Each slam will feature contestants reciting original poetry in three rounds of competition, with prize money for the top three finishers. The first-place winner will receive $100.

Poets who wish to participate should prepare three original poems, none exceeding three minutes. Admission to the slam is free and audience members are encouraged to let their opinions on both the poetry and the judging be known. Judges are selected from the audience.

Pre-register by calling Watermark at (218) 444-7570. Same-day registration is available in advance of each event, but space may be full.

The Spoken Word series is a Watermark Art Center program celebrating the literary arts. Learn more about this program at watermarkartcenter.org.

BSU to hold Arts of the Earth Festival

BEMIDJI-Bemidji State University will hold the second annual Arts of the Earth Festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, April 27 and 28, in BSU's Hobson Memorial Union. The Arts of the Earth Festival is a family friendly event to celebrate art, honor Mother Earth and inspire community, a press release said. Colorful art displays, workshops, live music, dancing and vendors will be part of the event. The weekend will help celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the Sustainability Office, the 50-year anniversary of the Hobson Memorial Union and the 100-year anniversary of BSU, the release said.

The first 25 people in the door either day will receive a free large canvas tote bag made of recycled cotton. The tote bags are decorated by local children. Attendees will also have the chance to win a hammock or a solar phone charger.

Workshops will include the following:

• Zero Waste Living by sisters Paige and Maren Carter

• Planning and Packing for the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness by father and son duo, Bruce and Matt Johnson

• Northern Phenology expert, John Latimer, will share his knowledge

• Needle felting by Sharon Nordrum

• Nate Johnson on how to make nettle string and wooden spoons

• Barry Babcock will host two workshops on Wolves and Sugar Bush

A panel of local poets and authors will share their work at 2 p.m. both days and with several documentaries will also be shown. There will be children's activities provided by the Headwaters Science Center on Saturday.

Musicians will also showcase their talents both days and will include Curtis Takkunen, Del Lyren and Dan Nelson, Caige Jambor, Kylie DeGrote, The Occasionals, and Corey Medina & Brothers.

The complete list of presenters and workshops can be found at www.bemidjistate.edu/offices/sustainability/arts-of-the-earth-festival-2... . Follow the event on Facebook at "Arts of the Earth 2019."

Storytellers series continues in Bagley

BAGLEY-Author Wendell Affield, will be presenting "Reawakening Memory through our Senses" as a part of the Farm By the Lake's Storytellers Series, 3 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, April 7, at Bagley Public Library, 79 Spencer Ave. SW. This event is free and open to the public.

Affield will speak about his life growing up in Minnesota and his time in the Vietnam war, which evolved into what became "Muddy Jungle Rivers" (2012). His memoir has been used in universities and reading clubs. The book led to reconnecting with men he hadn't seen in more than 50 years.

In 2010, Affield's mother died. He later discovered thousands of letters, dozens of diaries, scrapbooks, and photo albums documenting his maternal family history, locked in the chicken house on the farm where he was raised. He spent eight years unraveling his mother's past. In the process, he came to understand her struggle with mental illness.

In 2017, Wendell's first book in the Chickenhouse Chronicles series was published; "HERMAN, 1940s Lonely Hearts Search," followed by "Pawns" (2018). Today, Affield works on the next book in his series, does public speaking and holds Veterans Writing Workshops to promote expressive writing therapy. Affield and his wife are advocates for Bemidji Community Food Shelf. He is a 2017 recipient of Minnesota Humanities Center "Veteran's Voices Award" for his work with the underserved in his community.

Watermark art class schedule for April

BEMIDJI-Here are two upcoming classes for youth and families to make art at Watermark Art Center:

Second Saturday Kids Art will be held from 1 to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 13. For this month's project, children age 6 and older will create small woven tapestries using yarn and fabrics of various colors and textures. Cost is $15/child, but only $12 for Watermark members. Parents can drop their kids off and are not required to stay. Pre-register at www.watermarkartcenter.org .

Watermark's "Art Family Style" program is a monthly opportunity for families to participate in an art project together. Cost is $5 per family. The next event, held on Thursday, April 18, will be Garden Stone Art. Participants will have two options to try: Textile Wrapped Stones and Mandala Painted Stones. Textile wrapped stones are inspired by the Japanese tradition of cane wrapping stones; Mandela is an ancient art form created in a circular pattern. In addition to these options, participants will also be able to freestyle their own design on a rock, as well. This is a drop-in style class; families can come by Watermark any time between 5-6:30 p.m. to work on their project, no pre-registration required.

Watermark Art Center is a member-supported nonprofit dedicated to encouraging the growth and development of art located at 505 Bemidji Ave. N. Visit www.watermarkartcenter.org .

Connecting With Kids Through Art 2019

BEMIDJI-Gallery North recently announced class listings for homeschooled and alternative learning children. The classes are free to participants and are offered by local Gallery North artists. Call or stop by Gallery North, 310 Fourth St. NW, to sign up for these classes.

All classes are for ages 10 and older; class is limited to 10 students.

April 18: Intro to Woodburning with Les Sanders from 1 to 3 p.m. Learn wood burning techniques to design a project basswood.

April 19: Drawing and Painting Landscapes with Charles Alberti from 1 to 4 p.m. Learn to draw and paint landscapes using cut paper, black & colored pencils, crayons and acrylic paints. These materials will be applied to paper as well as canvas. Non-latex sterile gloves will be provided.

April 23: Alcohol Ink with Mary Morton from 1 to 3 p.m. Using the versatility of alcohol ink, create a one of a kind alcohol ink tile as well as a piece of jewelry using an ordinary industrial washer.

April 25: Greeting Cards with Kathy Sanders from 1 to 3 p.m. Design a unique greeting card using Micron pens and watercolor pencils, or mat and frame for a 5"x7" wall art.

April 30: Reverse Painting on Glass with Marion Caroline from 10 a.m. to noon. The class will be reverse painting on glass. Students will bring a 8x10" inch frame with glass and a paper copy (8x10") of the image they wish to paint.

Theater Day Camp returns in June

BEMIDJI-The city of Bemidji will host a Theater Day Camp June 3-14. This half-day camp will run from 1 to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. The camp is put on in collaboration with Bemidji Community Theater. There are four levels campers can pick from based off of their performance experience and interest. Level 1: Skill Building & Performance: Campers will work on basic theater skills which include acting, singing and dancing. Level 2: Advanced Performance Camp: Campers will audition for roles and produce a more challenging performance. Out of the Box: Campers will write their own script as well as perform their original play at the end of camp. Tech Camp: For those campers who want to learn about the behind the scenes. Campers will participate in scenic painting, costuming and stage combat. Each level will have a final performance for families and friends. The location is to be determined. Cost is $8 per participant.

Headwaters to hold paint, pottery events

BEMIDJI-Headwaters Music & Arts will hold Paint & Sip and Pottery & Pints events on Saturday, April 13, at Headwaters, 519 Minnesota Ave. NW. No previous art experience necessary, this event is intended for those age 21 and older.

Paint & Sip: Bring a friend and enjoy a glass of wine while you create a painting, 3 to 5:30 p.m, on Saturday, April 13. Area artist and teacher Diamond Knispel will walk participants through the steps of creating an original spring forest scene, offering tips and tricks throughout this fun, no-pressure, event. There will be a cash bar courtesy of Brigid's Pub. Supplies provided. Advance registration required. The cost to attend is $35 ($30 for Headwaters members). Find out more or register by calling (218) 444-5606 or online at: https://headwatersmusicandarts.org/product/paint-sip

Pottery & Pints: Enjoy a relaxing Saturday afternoon glazing pottery and drinking good brew, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 13. Headwaters resident potter Tom Daly will walk participants through the process of glazing two pottery pieces created by Daly, such as a beer mug or bowl. In between pieces students can try their hand at basic pottery techniques. There will be plenty of breaks for socializing and enjoying beer. There will be a cash bar on campus courtesy of Brigid's Pub. Learn in a fun and supportive environment surrounded by friends. Advance registration required. The cost to attend is $45 ($40 for Headwaters members). Find out more or register by calling (218) 444-5606 or online at: https://headwatersmusicandarts.org/product/pottery-pints .

Watermark seeks art for water-themed exhibit

BEMIDJI, MN - Watermark Art Center is seeking artists of all mediums to submit work for an upcoming group exhibition. "Nibikaang - From the Water" will celebrate the importance of water in our everyday life. The premise of the exhibit is to have artists living within the Mississippi Watershed, Great Lakes or Red River of the North submit work about their relationship to water: interactions, observations, history, concerns, etc.

Rivers and watersheds are a metaphor for how we are all connected. This exhibit will bring together diverse perspectives and shared experiences that have been formed in this region, where water is so fundamental to our way of life.

"Water is important to all of us and we are proud that both Native and non-Native organizations of this region have taken a lead in matters concerning our waters," said Karen Goulet, Miikanan Gallery Program Director at Watermark Art Center, in a release. "We know there are many exceptionally talented people who live in places because of their love and connection to water. We encourage artist who wants to remind people about the importance and value of our waterways to submit work."

Jurying the exhibit will be two regional artists. Aaron Spangler and Hillary Kempenich are both award-winning artists who live and work in places influenced by water. Spangler is an internationally-recognized sculptor and printmaker currently living in Park Rapids; his work has been shown in prominent galleries throughout the country, including the Walker Art Center. Award winning artist Hillary Kempenich, a member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, currently resides in Grand Forks, ND. Kempenich is an established studio artist and advocate for the arts, education, social justice and Native issues.

Submissions for "Nibikaang - From the Water" will be accepted online only. To enter, go to watermarkartcenter.org. Deadline to submit work is Friday, April 19. There is no submission fee to enter.

"Nibikaang - From the Water" will be on display at Watermark, 505 Bemidji Avenue N, from July 8 - September 22. More about the show, including eligibility and requirements, as well as a full prospectus, can be found at watermarkartcenter.org.