May First Friday at a Glance

• Bemidji Community Art Center –  invites you to the  Annual 5^th Grade Invitational and First Friday Art Walk Opening Reception on May 3^rd from 4 to 6pm, featuring work by area 5^th grade students from Central, Horace May, JW Smith, Lincoln, Northern, Red Lake, Schoolcraft, Solway and St. Philips Elementary Schools.  
• Bemidji Public Library and Hope House – presents an exhibit of watercolor and creative writing along with a book release called “Leaves of the Writer – dreams and Visions”, created by Hope House Members with the guidance of painter in residence Judith Selby and writer in residence Cynthia Ekren. Join us for the opening reception from 2:00 to 5:00 PM featuring a reading at 3:30 and book signing by the authors as a part of the First Friday Art Walk on May 3^rd.
• Gallery North – is pleased to host Mary Naylor as the Showcase Artist and Marie Hamre as the Featured Artist for the month of May with a reception on Friday afternoon, May 3^rd from 2-5 pm.
• Glazed and Amused – presents artist Cody Bartz.  Join us for the opening reception on Friday, May 3rd from 6:00 to 7:30 PM. 
• Rail River Folk – presents Jon Heller and his exhibit “Odds & Ends” as their  featured Artist for May. Opening reception is Friday May 3rd from 5pm to 7pm.
• Northwoods Folk Collective at Rail River – open mic starting at 7:30pm. 
• Wild Hare Bistro and Coffeehouse will present “A Little Local Color”, by painter Joan Wilson.  Also featured will be an installation by mixed media artist Jami Burdick.  Join us for the opening reception on First Friday, May 3rd, from 3-5pm. 

EXHIBITS AROUND TOWN

Headwaters School of Music and the Arts and the Bemidji—ACLU-MN (Greater Minnesota Racial Justice North Project) presents the fourth annual “Art from Within” exhibit now extended through the month of May.   

Neilson Place - The Neilson Place Art Committee Neilson place presents artist Beverly Joslyn on display now through June 2013.  

Cate and Al Belleveau this years Friend of the Arts

The Bemidji Community Art Center and First National Bank Bemidji Present the 25th Annual Friend of the Arts Celebration in honor of Cate and Al Belleveau.

Join us for this Special Art Event on Tuesday May 7th

Event Starts at 5:30 at Sanford Center

Tickets are $35 for BCAC Members  – $40 for Non-Members – $10 for Youth ticket

and available at the Art Center now through May 1st.   Limited Seating – Advanced Tickets only

For more information contact the Art Center at 218-444-7570

High School Opening presents varied work – People’s Choice Award!

“Age” – mixed media by Kali Benson

Over 150 guests enjoyed work by area High School Students at the Annual Spring Show hosted by the Art Center.  Work presented by students from Trek North, Bemidji High and Lumberjack School ranged from 2-D paintings, photography and mixed media to 3-D sculpture and functional ceramics.

For the second year the BCAC has provided a prize to the student for work that was selected as the Peoples Choice Winner  during the opening.    This years recipient was Trek North 10th Grader Kali Benson seen here with her work.

People’s Choice Winner Kali Benson with her mixed media entry “Age”

Crawdad Sculpture by Josephine Spry – 12th Grade BHS

“Native Pride” – relief sculpture by Sheilene G.
- 12th grade – BHS

April First Friday at a Glance

• Bemidji Community Art Center –  presents the 13th Annual High School Spring Exhibit featuring work by area High School Students.  Join us during the opening reception from 4 to 6pm for art – refreshments – music. PEOPLES CHOICE AWARD – Come early and vote for your favorite work of art and help us select the “Peoples Choice Award”.  Voting is available between 4pm and 5:30 pm.  Winner announced at 6pm!
• Bemidji Public Library – presents mixed media and collage artist Melanie Rietveld and her exhibit – Dreaming In Color”.  Join us for her opening reception from 3:00 to  5:00  in the Main Reading Room of the Bemidji Public Library for the Meet the Artist reception.
• Gallery North – is pleased to host the Artists of Minnesota Traveling Mini Show and wish to invite the public to view the exhibit during our First Friday Open House April 5, 2013 from 2-5 pm.   First Friday featured artist Curtis Shagunn will also be present.
• Glazed and Amused – presents Diamond Knispel as their April First Friday Art Walk artist.  Diamond is a self-taught visual artist from Northern Minnesota.  Join us for her opening reception on Friday, April from 5:30pm to 7pm.
• Headwaters School of Music and the Arts and the Bemidji—ACLU-MN (Greater Minnesota Racial Justice North Project) presents the fourth annual “Art from Within” exhibit from April 5th through April 27th.   The community is invited for the opening reception on Friday April 5th at 5:00 pm followed by the art awards announcements at 6:00 pm. The event is part of the First Friday Art Walk and is free and open to the public.
• Rail River Folk – presents Kailey Babcock and Justice Deiter for their duo show at the Rail River Folk School for the month of April.  Join us for the opening of “New Beginnings” from 4 to 6 pm.  After the reception, stay for the Northwoods Folk Collective open mic starting at 7:30pm.
• Wild Hare Bistro and Coffeehouse proudly presents “Wetland” by painter Mary Lingen through the month of April.  Meet Mary, and try her famous cookies, at the opening reception on First Friday, April 5th, from 3:00-5:00pm. After the Art Walk, experience Wild Hare’s own culinary artists at the First Friday Wine Bar, 5:00-9:00pm.

EXHIBITS AROUND TOWN

• Neilson Place – The Neilson Place Art Committee Neilson place presents artist Beverly Joslyn on display now through June 2013.  Originally from Cass Lake Beverly is a self taught, wildlife artist who now resides in Walker, MN.  Neilson Place is located on the Sanford WoodsEdge campus 1000 Anne Street NW.   For hours or more information call 751-0220, ext #1.

For more information on the April First Friday Art Walk go to Upcoming First Friday

Spoken Word presents Poet Carol Ann Russell for March First Friday

The Art Center Spoken Word Committee invites you to join us on March 1^st as a part of the First Friday Art Walk for a reading by Poet Carol Ann Russell.  Along with reading selected poems from previously published books she will be sharing work from her new manuscript.  Reception begins at 5:30, reading at 6 pm with Q&A and signing to follow. This event is free and open to the public.

Poetry Workshop Offered - In conjunction with the reading the Art Center will be hosting a writer’s workshop with Carol Ann Russell – on Saturday March 1^st from 9 am to noon.  $40 for Adults / $20 for Students.   Space is limited.  

Collage created by Zoey Schelmper

The POEM as Kaleidoscope -  An individual’s poem contains not only a map of undivided consciousness, but also the potential for generating work in other genres:  creative nonfiction; memoir, short fiction; experimental writing.  Bring 3 pages of your typed poetry for discussion and critique.  Will include dynamic exercises and ideas to stimulate new writing. 

For more information on the workshop go to our link.

Learn more about about Carol Ann Russell.  Hear her read her poem “Things We Talk About at Home”  on KAXE’s – The Beat.

To register, call the art center at 218-444-7570.  The BCAC is free and open to the public.  Visit the BCAC and Shop 426 at 426 Bemidji Ave N (upper level of the Historic Carnegie Library on 5th St) or at www.bcac.wordpress.com  For information contact us at (218) 444-7570 or at bcac@paulbunyan.net  Hours are Tues. to Fri. 12 to 5pm and Sat. 10am to 2pm.

 

Full March First Friday Listing.

Nominations Open for the 25th Annual Friend of the Arts

For the 25th year the Bemidji Community Art Center is asking people in the community and surrounding area to nominate this year’s Friend of the Arts. The nominee for the Friend of the Arts award should be a living person (or couple) who has given generously of time and effort to promote the arts in the greater Bemidji area.

Nominations must be received at the Bemidji Community Art Center (BCAC) at 426 Bemidji Ave, Bemidji, MN 56601, no later than February 28th, 2013. The public will be informed of the selection committee’s choice after March 8th with the announcement of the celebration to follow.

Starting back in 1989 with our first honoree Helen Gill, the very first Friends of the Arts Award was presented, and since then has continued a long standing tradition of acknowledging those in our community who have been committed to the arts.  Helen’s picture along with those award winners who followed her can be seen on display in the Bemidji Public Library Meeting room.

If you know someone who should be honored by the Bemidji Community Art Center and the community, please contact the BCAC for more information – (218)444-7570  bcac@paulbunyan.net

Application forms available here.

February First Friday at a Glance

• Bemidji Community Art Center – Join us on February 1st as we open our 2013 Exhibit Season with “Cultures in Change – Photography of Bhutan and Cuba” by artist Cal Rice.  Join us for the opening reception from 5 to 7pm with an artist talk at 6pm.
• Cabin Coffeehouse and Café – is pleased to host Tawnee Geller as their featured artist for February with  ”Open Your Eyes”. Join us to Meet the Artist on Feb 1st, 5-7pm at the Cabin Coffeehouse. Free refreshments will be served.
• Dunn Bros – Dunn Bros Coffee – presents artist and employee Amanda Brueggemeier and her, mixed media exhibit entitled “Home”. Join us on February 1st from 5 pm to 7pm for a reception with Amanda as a part of the First Friday Art Walk.
• Gallery North – presents Luke Hagen and Fred Schrupp as their February Showcase Artists with a reception on Friday afternoon, February 1st from 2-5 pm.
• Glazed and Amused – presents AJ Dombeck as their February First Friday Art Walk artist with “Minnesota through the Seasons”. Join us for his opening recepition on Friday, February 1st from 5pm to 6pm.
• RailRiver Folk School’s featured Artist for February is Bemidji artist Gary Hill. Join us for the opening reception of “Folk Artfish” on Friday, Feb 1st from 5pm to 7pm.  After the reception, stay for the Northwoods Folk Collective open mic starting at 7:30pm.
• Wild Hare Bistro and Coffeehouse will present “Layers”, by their very own Malisa VanMaasdam, February 1st through 27th.  Join us for the opening reception on First Friday, February 1st, from 3 to 5 pm.  Malisa has also planned this months First Friday dinner menu, featuring a variety of world delicacies and a wine and beer list to match. Join us after the Art Walk, from 5:00-9:00pm.

EXHIBITS AROUND TOWN FOR FEBRUARY

• Neilson Place – The Neilson Place Art Committee continues their exhibit of two noted regional artists: Jane Freeman and D.L. Houseman with their show titled “Translations: The Views of Two Artists”  on display now through the end of February.

For full listing of the February First Friday Activities visit our  Upcoming First Friday page.