Around the Arts, March 24

Arts Resource Expo to be held April 6

BEMIDJI-The Region 2 Arts Council has announced that the Arts Resource Expo will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 6, at the Northwest Indian Community Development Center,1819 Bemidji Ave. N.

The free event is for artists, community members, craftspeople, public entities, arts-interested organizations and media. All are invited to attend.

Here's what to expect:

Learn about arts events and programming, funding opportunities, and ways to engage in arts activities across the region, a release said. View artist demos including rosemaling, mitten and moccasin-making, porcupine quill medallions, quilt making and more. Attend professional development workshops for artists and arts organizations including: how to plan your new art career, crafting an artist statement and resume, learn about self-publishing, learning about state Arts Board grant eligibility and application process, and how to attract patrons with vision/hearing loss. The Minnesota Theater Alliance will host a networking session for members and theater enthusiasts.

Visit with resources such as Minnesota State Arts Board, Jerome Foundation, Springboard for the Arts, Macrostie Art Center, Bemidji Community Theater, Minnesota Council for Nonprofits, Bagley Area Arts Collaborative, Paul Bunyan Playhouse, 4 Directions Development, Supple Studios, Northern Light Opera Co., and more.

Visit www.r2arts.org and the Region 2 Arts Council Facebook page for details and up-to-date information.

For questions, call (218) 751-5447, (800) 275-5447 or email staff@r2arts.org .

Friday to perform at Storytelling Series

BAGLEY-Paulette Friday will be performing "Experiencing History through Story-a closer look at some significant events in our country's lifetime," at 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 24, at the Bagley City Library, 79 Spencer Ave. SW. The event is free and open to the public.

Friday's stories will likely include 19th Century immigration, the Civil War, the Great Depression/Dust Bowl, Vietnam, women's suffrage and Minnesota pioneering.

Friday graduated from the South Mountain Community College Storytelling Institute in Phoenix, and has more than 10 years of experience telling stories in public venues. She also has more than 40 years of corporate experience-30 of which were in the Human Resources management field where she used and taught storytelling as an effective management tool.

Friday volunteers her services as a storyteller to local senior care centers, service clubs and museums; and she facilitates a monthly storytelling circle for those interested in honing their storytelling skills.

BAAE seeks grants and scholarship applicants

BEMIDJI-The Bemidji Area Arts Endowment (BAAE), a component fund of the Northwest Minnesota Foundation, recently announced its 2019 grant and scholarship opportunities. This grant and scholarship program supports the mission of the BAAE, which is to "create a community in which the arts flourish and enhance our lives."

Schools, nonprofit groups, or arts organizations in the Bemidji Area may request a grant up to $1,500.00 from the BAAE Arts Project Grant fund to produce an arts event, put on a workshop, develop your arts organization, sponsor touring arts events, sponsor an artist in residence, etc. Applicants that are not schools or 501(c) 3 organizations must use a fiscal agent.

The Everett Wilimek Endowment for Orchestral String Studies was established by his family to honor his memory, his long-time love of music and his dedication to young musicians. Each year the fund provides scholarships for young people from the Bemidji area, ages 8-15, to study violin, viola, cello or bass, including but not limited to costs for lessons, training and instrument rental. Two $250 scholarships will be awarded.

The deadline to submit an application is Tuesday, April 2. Contact Chris at (218) 759-2057 or (800) 659-7859 for information, or email chrisb@nwmf.org . Applications are available at www.nwmf.org under latest news.

Northern Light Opera Co. seeks auditions

PARK RAPIDS-The Northern Light Opera Co. is offering an opportunity to become part of its summer production 'The Drowsy Chaperone.'

This is the perfect chance for anyone who likes to sing, dance, and entertain people, a release said; this summer will be the 18th year NLOC has shared fun musical theater with the residents and tourists in the Heartland Lakes area.

Auditions for The Drowsy Chaperone will be held on:

March 27 from 3 to 5 p.m. at BSU, Bangsberg Hall, 1500 Birchmont Drive NE, No. 13, Bemidji.

March 28 & 29 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Calvary Lutheran, 112 Park Ave., Park Rapids.

March 30 at 10:30 a.m. Dance auditions at Calvary Lutheran, 112 Park Ave., Park Rapids.

March 30 at 1 p.m. Invited Call-Backs at Calvary Lutheran, 112 Park Ave., Park Rapids.

Be prepared to sing one verse of a song and give a 1-2 minute monologue.

This show is a musical within a comedy, where characters like show people, gangsters, millionaires and servants ham it up, just like the parodies on "The Carol Burnett Show."

The Drowsy Chaperone will be produced at the Armory, 203 Park Avenue S., from July 26 to Aug. 3. For more information, contact info www.northernlightopera.org and click on the Auditions button.

Gallery North First Friday open house

BEMIDJI-Gallery North's First Friday open house will be held 2 to 6 p.m. on Friday, April 5, and the Showcase Artist is Diane Sauer.

Sauer has always been interested in watercolor art. She is the daughter-in-law of local artist Betty Sauer. Betty lived with Diane and her husband for a few years. At that time, Diane took classes from local artists and received instruction from Betty on a casual basis.

Diane is currently semi-retired, working a few days a week, allowing more time to follow her passions. She finds inspiration in nature, often using photographs as the basis of her work, adding her own creativity to the theme.

Featured Artist is Gallery North member Maureen O'Brien. Her love of painting has given her 40 years of acrylic painting experience. A teacher, O'Brien offers classes locally, often from her farm near Solway.

The gallery is located at 310 Fourth St. NW. For more information, visit www.gallerynorthbemidji.com .

First City Dance to hold annual dinner

BEMIDJI-The 7th Annual Dinner Dance Show will be held at 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 6, at the National Guard Armory, 1430 23rd St. NW in Bemidji. Dinner and show cost is $15, children younger than 10 are $8, show of support ticket is $5. There will also be a silent auction. Dinner will be spaghetti with garlic toast, salad and dessert.

Take-out meals are also available Friday, April 5 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at First City Dance Studio, 657 Mag 7 Ct SW, or from a team dancer. For more information, call (218) 751-5425.

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.

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. 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 to Sept. 22. More about the show, including eligibility and requirements, as well as a full prospectus, can be found at watermarkartcenter.org.