Art al fresco
Art al Fresco: A Weekend Mini-Art Festival
No, not art in the nude (maybe next year), but rather 'art in fresh air'. We're trying something different this weekend by hosting a mini-art festival in our parking lot. We have a terrific street-side parking lot, and the plan is to pop up a tent and host a different artist each weekend.
This brilliant idea came from Ingrid Bjerstedt Rogers of Beldenville, Wisconsin. Ingrid is a veteran of the art fair circuit, and it was her suggestion to turn our parking lot into an art venue. And why not? We have a beautiful black walnut tree that shades the entire lot and it's very pedestrian-friendly. Stop by this Saturday and check it out.
Ingrid will be our first artist. I would describe her pottery as both primal and whimsical. It creates a very positive vibe and is very affordable. Good stuff.
I will post the 'Art al Fresco' schedule as it evolves. We aim to have something new every week.
Red Wing Photography Club
This past February, the Red Wing Photography Club kicked off its first meeting. This grassroots organization is driven by a shared passion for photography. All skill levels are represented, and there are several sub-groups focused on wildlife, strobists, and special events.
It's fun to be involved with these lively enthusiasts. Several contests are underway, and several photography outings are in the works. Mary Ouret and Jeff Marcus provide the energy, and the growth of the group is impressive. One of the aspects I enjoy the most is how grounded the group is. There is no sense of elitism, and all of the support is positive.
Several local businesses have taken note of how popular the photography club is. These businesses are clever enough to understand that by providing a venue for the photos, they are ensuring foot traffic for themselves. Smart.
See for yourself. The main group meets once a month (3rd Monday of the month) at the St. James Hotel.
Blog from the Baghdad Bureau
Photojournalism Exhibit by Max Becherer
In September 2005, we hosted a photojournalism exhibit by Max Becherer. Max was an embedded photographer during the initial 'Shock and Awe' invasion of Iraq in 2003 and has traveled back and forth between Iraq and Afghanistan several times, often for months at a time. Max's exhibit presented various storylines depicting what life is like for Iraqis in the post-Saddam era. The objective was to offer an honest portrayal; it is what it is.
The exhibit was very moving, and I am proud to have Max as a friend. Max is a giant of a man with an uncanny eye for capturing the emotion within an image. His work includes some pretty horrific combat photography, requiring a special skill set to be both sensitive to the subject matter and still tell the story.
Max has shared some very emotional reflections on the past five years in Iraq. His piece was published in The New York Times on March 18, 2008. You can read it here. After that, visit his website at www.MaxBecherer.com.
To Max: Keep your head low and travel safely.