Art is by Bev Jackson Cotter

Bev Jackson Cotter is a member of the Albert Lea Art Center. The Art Center will be celebrating its 60th anniversary on March. The special exhibition and sale of Merna Sunde’s art will continue through March 23.

I wish that I could sit down to coffee with Albert Lea Art Center members, representatives from each of the 60 years of its history. Come to think of it, I guess there would have to be several of these coffee parties. Sixty years is a long time. I imagine conversations like these.

1959, first person: “You know, this painting class with Lloyd Herfindahl was fun. We should do it again. Maybe we could even start an arts group, we could call it an art center.”

Second person: “Naw, that sounds too complicated. Let’s just talk Lloyd into doing another class. Keep it simple.”

Third person: “You know, an art center sounds like a good idea. Albert Lea doesn’t have anything like that. There are lots of talented people around. Maybe we should give it a try.”

1960s, first person: “I never dreamed, when we started talking about an art center, just what we could accomplish. Here we are, recuperating from another Art in the Park, celebrating a huge success, artists from miles around and local people turning out like crazy. Wow! How did we do it?”

Second person: “Even with the rain, and the move to the church basement, people kept their great attitudes, though I did think that minister was a bit of a prude when he took the painting of a nude off of its display and hid it.”

Third person: “You know, I’m getting tired of meeting at the savings and loan. I think it’s time we start looking for a more permanent home.”

1970s, first person: “We did it! We finally own our own building. This little church is the perfect place.”

Second person: “Just think, after art shows at the Hotel Albert and Skinner Chamberlains and that home that was torn down to make way for the new hospital and that old laundry building, we finally have a place of our own.”

Third person: “And John Lacis, the artist and immigrant from Latvia, has offered to take care of it for us. How perfect.”

1980s, first person: “We need more room. We need more activities. We need better parking.”

Second person: “We need more money.”

Third person, “I’ll go talk to the city. They helped the theater, maybe they will help us.”

And after a conversation with the city manager: “You’re not going to believe what he says they will do! We just have to match $40,000 in federal revenue sharing money.”

1990s, first person: “We did it! Since 1986 we’ve been in the Rivoli Mini Mall, the rebuilt Rivoli Theater. We’ve got a beautiful gallery, another smaller one, a meeting/classroom, and even a store.”

Second person: “And we’re still doing the Winter Art Show in the mall and Art in the Park and now the Art and Garden Tour.”

Third person: “Don���t forget the children’s art show, the all-school art show. That brings in more people than any other exhibit.”

2000s, first person: “Oh, oh. The furnace is going out. Can we take out a loan? There’s got to be a way.”

Second person: “The roof hasn’t been repaired for years. What do we do when that needs replacing?”

Third person: “We’ve had an offer on the building. Should we find a different location? Maybe someplace where we can do all of our events under one roof.”

2010s, first person: “Well, here we are, a temporary spot. It’s small, but will work until just the right place comes along.”

Second person: “We can do our big shows in the mall, and we can squeeze our classes and lectures into the meeting room. We’ll make it work.”

Third person: “We’ve just received a significant donation from the Merna Sunde estate. Who’s on the building search committee?”

2018, first person: “We found it!”

Second person: “The perfect location!”

Third person: “And plenty of room for gallery shows, classes, meetings, storage, the store, receptions and fundraisers!”

2019, first person: “It’s time to plan our 60th anniversary party.”

Second person: “OK, we formed our organization in March 1959. Let’s celebrate. How about on the 3rd?

“We’ll do it with cake and balloons and a special showing and sale of Merna Sunde’s art.”

Third person: “We’ll invite all our members and the public. Hey, we’ve accomplished so much, more than we ever dreamed. It’s time to party!”