Business, Art, Downtown Red Wing, local issues, Creativity John Becker Business, Art, Downtown Red Wing, local issues, Creativity John Becker

Busy, busy, busy…

Busy Behind the Scenes

It's been busier here than it might seem.

Earlier this year, we embarked on an exciting project to measure the local Creative Economy and compare it to other communities. With this information, our goal is to make well-informed recommendations for the future.

This project is crucial to our business for obvious reasons, but it's also vital for the community, as this sector of the economy is experiencing rapid growth.

We couldn't—and shouldn't—undertake a project of this magnitude alone. We've partnered with the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, Red Wing Downtown Main Street, Inc., Anderson Center at Tower View, Red Wing Arts Association, ArtReach, and the Sheldon Theatre of Performing Arts.

Being in such good company adds credibility to the final report.

We are proud of the final report and encourage you to download your own copy.

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Business, Art, Downtown Red Wing, Fine Art Printing, Framing, Local John Becker Business, Art, Downtown Red Wing, Fine Art Printing, Framing, Local John Becker

Catch-up/ketchup

Reinventing and Expanding Our Horizons

We've been very busy reinventing ourselves here at the shop. To start, we've been focused on unveiling Red Wing Digital. This print-on-demand product offers unique large-format presentation options, including the Panel Print and the Acrylic Print. While the Acrylic Print has taken longer to get ready for production, we're excited about its potential.

Additionally, we have a new business partner, Fine Art Prints on Demand, a UK-based company. We've been quietly working and growing this side of the business (printing and framing fulfillment) for several years. FAPoD is our third customer in this area.

These developments have driven our third initiative: moving our production to a larger facility. We've narrowed down our options and expect to make some final decisions soon.

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Business, Friends, Events, Exhibits, Art John Becker Business, Friends, Events, Exhibits, Art John Becker

2011 Flyway Film Festival

Flyway Film Festival: A Creative Celebration

The Flyway Film Festival is one of our favorite events each year. This uninhibited creative endeavor spans three days in October. Each year, the festival has grown in size and scale, and this year promises to be especially exciting.

First, the Flyway Film folks received a generous grant from the Wisconsin Department of Tourism, which will significantly boost marketing efforts. This extra funding will help expand the festival's reach.

Second, the festival graphic is noteworthy for its artist. Gaylord Shanilec created the original etching of the three pelicans used in the poster. Gaylord is undeniably talented, and pelicans are indigenous to this area, making it an exceptional image representing our region.

Lastly, a very limited edition of signed fine art prints will be available for purchase, with proceeds helping to fund the festival. We printed these limited edition prints on Hahnemühle textured 100% cotton paper, ensuring they will last for hundreds of years.

Mark your calendars for October 23-25. We can't wait!

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Flyway Film Festival, Friends, Art, Culture, Creativity, Events John Becker Flyway Film Festival, Friends, Art, Culture, Creativity, Events John Becker

2010 Flyway Film Festival

Flyway Film Festival: A Red Carpet Sponsorship

Once again, we are delighted to be a red carpet sponsor of the Flyway Film Festival. Now in its third year, this event is really beginning to gain traction. The quality of the movies this year is very impressive.

The Festival kicks off on Thursday, October 21, with a gala event where sponsors, directors, actors, and organizers get together to nibble on snacks, drink some wine, and engage in creative discussions. The evening will conclude with an awards ceremony.

The films start on Friday, October 22, with the screening of "Baraboo," an intriguing film about life and the hands we are dealt. Over the course of the weekend, 21 films will be screened.

For more details, visit FlywayFilmFestival.org. See you in Stockholm in two weeks!

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Events local, Social issues, Photojournalism, Exhibits, Art John Becker Events local, Social issues, Photojournalism, Exhibits, Art John Becker

American Poverty and Catholic Charities USA wrap-up

Final Chapter of the Poverty Awareness Photojournalism Exhibit

This week marks the final chapter of the poverty awareness photojournalism exhibit entitled "In Our Own Backyard." This exhibit has crisscrossed the United States for the past 18 months and next week the exhibit finishes in Washington DC at the annual Leadership Summit for Catholic Charities.

Since this is the final and highest-profile stop of the tour, all of the large-format images are being reprinted and remounted, which is close to 120 images.

It is a very moving set of images, addressing all manners of poverty and everyday life. It is really hard not to stop and soak up the texture and realism of each image.

This has been a challenging and gratifying project. One of the best parts of this project has been working with Steve Liss. He is a natural-born educator and an amazing photojournalist who gets right into the thick of it.

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