One of Annandale’s unique annual events returns for a 10th season Thursday, Oct. 2, when artists take up residence in more than a dozen downtown businesses to display their work before hundreds of onlookers.
The Downtown Annandale Art Crawl, put on by the Annandale Community Team’s Arts Committee, will feature 16 businesses hosting 21 artists and six musical performances between 5:30 and 8:30 p.m.
"It’s an opportunity to meet business owners, explore downtown Annandale, see a very wide variety of art and hear live musical performances," said event chair Brittany Tomes.
The event has continued to expand by the year, with two more host businesses participating than last year and a fresh supply of new artists and familiar artists with new work.
"Nothing excites me more than artists and musicians who want to participate," said Tomes. "We have some artists who have been participating in this event for years. It is so wonderful to see how their work has developed. I have been thrilled to receive emails, phone calls or messages to the Annandale Art Crawl Facebook page by new artists and musicians that want to participate. Everyone is bringing something new, whether they have participated before or not. You just don’t want to miss any of it."
Tomes was a featured artist herself in 2012 and 2013 when her last name was Worden, and this is her first year on the organizational side of things.
"I love it! I know a lot of local artists and I am familiar with sites like the Minnesota Central Arts Board, where local artists can register, so I was able to find and introduce new artists to the Annandale Art Crawl," she said.
"We are always looking for more artists. For some of them, it is their first time writing art statements or showing their work publically, and I really enjoy helping them through that process. It’s emotional, and nerve racking, and just so exciting! I definitely understand that. For the artists who have been doing this for years and have the discipline to continuously work and improve their skills, I just enjoy watching their process. It’s very inspiring."
Tomes has been helped in her first year as chair by Maureen Fisher. Some of the other ACT members serving as hosts during the evening include Laura Hood Beckman, Wendy Webb, Ardis Nelson and Robin Davidson.
What you’ll find and where
The following is a guide to the artists who will be displaying and where you can find them.
■ Annandale elementary art teacher Amanda Pawelski, a nine-year member of the Annandale staff, will be displaying her work at American Family Insurance. She has a passion for art history and has recently been doing a great deal of painting.
■ The Annandale Advocate will host Mandy Van Lith of Buffalo. She has a degree in art from St. Cloud State University with an emphasis on painting, drawing and ceramics. She is also interested in incorporating welding into her work.
■ Annandale Embroidery will host three Annandale High School senior artists: Vincent Rossberg, Sarah Grimm and Sammantha Stumpfl. They will show drawings and work from their advanced graphic design class.
The same site will also feature high school musicians Nicole Kotila and Lyle Fashant. Both will sing and Fashant will play guitar.
■ The Annandale Roadhouse bar will feature artist Amber Lamar and musician Joey Ahlm.
Lamar has taken a great interest in portraits and draws inspiration from high fashion portraits mixed with elements of nature and works in oil paint.
Ahlm blends edgy lyrics, groovy guitar riffs, funky bass lines, syncopated key hits, and driving drum tracks using a three-track looper pedal to create a bluesy rock and roll fusion that sounds like a full band.
■ Arenson’s Pharmacy will host artists Geoff Welles and Jenna Tanttil.
Welles is an area art teacher and creator of Abstract Machina, which is a random, geeky and mechanical nightmare art form. Usually done with straight pen and ink, it also includes some watercolor to create an art style that is different and very original.
Tanttil is an artist and art educator from Howard Lake. She works primarily with pencil and watercolor.
■ The B.L. Johnson and Decker Law office will host Krystee Decker, a multimedia artist creating paintings, ceramics, jewelry, illustrations, and more. Her work is earthy and nature-inspired and ranges from figurative works to things more abstract, with some works being usable or wearable.
■ Cafe Jules will feature artist Blake Wiehle and a jazz quartet.
Wiehle enjoys oil on canvas work that reflects interconnection.
‘"As above, so below!’ I have embraced the fact that this world is fractal, aging, and always moving forward," said Wiehle. "The patterns that render life also describe the universe at large. My imagination brings this curiosity to fruition in the work I represent."
The jazz quartet includes Annandale elementary music teacher Penny Koetz, her husband on drums, Bill Healy on string bass and Becky Unger on piano.
■ Diva’s is hosting Annandale alumni Chantal Boone. Her bold and beautiful murals and art are meant not only make a statement, but also to spark conversation.
■ In Hot Water will host a collection of art from Betty Hood Anderson’s students and other area artists, as well as the Arts Farm Trio musical group.
The Arts Farm Trio consists of former music educator Zane Schaefer and his grandchildren, Toby and Talia Stumpf. Toby, a ninth grader at Annandale High School, has written "Journal of an ADHD Kid," which has been picked up by a national publishing house. He will have copies available to sign and sell.
■ Miller’s Jewelry will host artists Dave Warner and Tanya Stevens.
Warner obtained his comprehensive art degree many years ago and had a love for pottery. He made a career in graphic arts, but has not been able to pursue pottery until his retirement. He now shares his love of pottery with his grandchildren.
Stevens is from Fair Haven and works in oils, most often painting wildlife and portraits. She will be featuring prints of the Fair Haven grist mill.
■ The Off Oak Avenue Art Studio will feature the artwork of Hood Anderson and Kathy Wenngatz. Both women helped to start the art crawl event 10 years ago.
■ Rich’s Bar and Grill at Russell’s will host live music, though specific information was not available when this edition went to press.
■ Sassy’s Salon and Spa is hosting artist Linda "L" Brobeck and musician Shelby Lengyel.
Brobeck is a painter, photographer, ceramist, and mixed media artist. She works at her studio, Crow River North, located along the Crow River in rural Waverly. Her work has been exhibited nationwide, and she is a former university administrator and instructor. Brobeck holds a master’s degree in art.
Lengyel, of Maple Lake, will be accompanied by Jesse Ray Ernster of Buffalo. She is an alternative-Indie-style singer, songwriter and guitarist, and Ernster is a producer, singer, songwriter and guitarist.
■ Stone Creek Original Art will host artist Julie Caird and her collection of jewelry and paintings.
■ Twin Lakes Chiropractic is hosting Megan Van Lith of Buffalo, a current student at St. Cloud State University. Van Lith works mostly in pencil and has recently has begun using Photoshop to color them. She is interested in fashion, fantasy, figures and animals.
■ Zahler Photography will host artist Sheila Holm Blum, and Annandale alumni who now lives and works in St. Cloud.
Be the first to comment