Art is… by Bev Jackson Cotter

“Guten Abend! We are happy to have you join our festivities. We hope you enjoy the polka music and beer and art and hors d’oeuvres and silent auction and German atmosphere! We’re so glad you came!”

How’s that for a welcome?

On Friday, the Albert Lea Art Center is sponsoring its fifth annual fall fundraiser at Wedgewood Cove. We have had so much fun at these events, and this year promises to be no different. We’re calling it “Artoberfest” and instead of featuring only one artist, this year we have nine local artists whose work you may or may not be familiar with. We promise that you will be surprised at the talent in our area.

Chris Charlson, Melinda Ewert, Judy Gannon, Kay Hay, David Lenz, Debb Peterson, James Petersen, Mary Schulte and May Ya-ya will all be on hand displaying their art and visiting with you.

Also, Jack Koppa will be here from Austin sharing his concertina skills. Irmgard and Gerhard Kleih will welcome you, bringing their German heritage to our event.

While you are there, be sure to check out the Albert Lea Art Center history display. Lloyd Herfindahl incorporated the Art Center in 1959 following an art class, and this year we are celebrating 55 years as a major role player in the culture of our community. Please take the time to review some of the news clippings, posters and scrapbooks on display. There have been many changes throughout the years, and it is interesting to revisit some of the events that have taken place. It’s fun to note, too, that changes are still happening, and we have an especially exciting future just around the corner. You’ll have to check out our new location display, too.

It promises to be an exciting evening. Once again — 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday at Wedgewood Cove. Please join us!

On a totally different topic, I had to opportunity to attend mass at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church in Austin recently. St. A’s is an incredibly beautiful, Gothic-style church with a fan-vaulted ceiling, and the stained glass windows and woodcarvings are amazing. I have to admit that it is difficult to concentrate on the homily when such beauty surrounds you. I was caught by the window designs that are a part of the window design.

That may not make sense, but windows in art fascinate me. It’s as if there is the suggestion of another place within the place that you are viewing, and even though you know that you are looking at a flat surface, you are seeing different locales.

One of my favorite artists is Thomas McNight. His work often shows indoor scenes with windows or French doors that open to a balcony overlooking an ocean or seaside. You cannot help but be visually drawn out onto the balcony. He also often leaves a half empty glass of wine on a table, or a book lying open on a chair, so you get the feeling that someone just stepped out and we are waiting for him or her to return.

It’s funny that a piece of art, a drawing or painting or sculpture, can touch one’s feelings and remain in one’s thoughts like a melody that sings in your head all day long.

Maybe there will be a piece of art at our Artoberfest that will sing to you. Just maybe.

Please join us at the Cove. It promises to be a wonderful evening.

“Danke Schon!”

 

Bev Jackson Cotter is a member of the Albert Lea Art Center where the show “Envision the Impressionist” will be on display through Sept. 27 and a display by Steve Larson, formerly of Albert Lea, is planned for October.