June brings Studio Hop, our annual studio tour.  This year’s dates are June 16 and 17.  Both New London and Spicer are planning summer art projects.  New London is planning a Guitar Challenge which involves artists creating “guitar art” on recycled acoustic or electric guitars.  The guitars will be on public exhibit in New London from May 31 to Autust 31 when they will be sold at auction for the benefit of the participating artists.   The Spicer Beautification Committee, which gave us Fish Gone Wild in 2010, is planning a pole project.  They have obtained permission to have artists paint twenty utility poles.  Weather permitting, they hope to kick-off the event in early June.

               August brings the New London Music Fest and the New London Fine Arts Festival the third week-end.  Celebrate Art! Celebrate Coffee! is scheduled for Sept. 15.  Monroe Crossing  will be one of the performers on the outdoor stage and will conduct workshops and jams sessions throughout the day. Their visit is also made possible by a Legacy Touring Artists grant. 

               More details will be posted here as the events draw closer.
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                            New Board Members  

     Susan Mattson and Kristin Allen's terms on the Board of Directors expired the end of 2011.  We thank them for their years of service and the enthusiasm they brought to the board.  We are pleased to announce we have three new Board members:  Patt Nelson, Matt Stark and Deb VanBuren have all agreed to serve for three years.
   Patt Nelson is a founding member of C.A.T. (Creating Art Together), a group of local artists which has grown from three women meeting in homes to thirty-three members meeting weekly at Peace Lutheran Church in New London.  As a self-motivated artist she feels she has benefitted from the support and art venues available through the Arts Council.  She delights in entertaining friends and hosting art professionals in the field of mixed medium at her barn studio in Spicer.  She enjoys being a grandma to her six grandchildren and her husband’s nineteen grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.   
   Matt is the owner/operator of Pro Color Graphics located just East of Domino's Pizza on highway 12. He is a member of the Willmar Chamber, currently active with the Chamber Ambassadors and Grow MN! committees. He is a very involved youth leader at First Covenant Church along with his wife Beth. He has enjoyed growing his business in the graphic design and printing industry and is now very excited to get into the fine art market with the purchase of new equipment that allows him to print everything from photos to canvas up to 44" wide. He is very excited to work with the Arts Council and meet more local artists in the area, as art has always been a passion of his.
   Deb VanBuren brings her marketing skills to the Board.  She has worked for both the Chamber of Commerce and North American State Bank.  She is currently involved as a marketing and membership volunteer at the YMCA, member of the Child Guide Board of Directors, Stewardship Committee at First Covenant Church, Host Family Coordinator for the Willmar Stingers, and works as a substitute teacher for the Willmar Public Schools. Her favorite role however is being a grandma! 
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                          Regional Artists Receive Grants
  The Southwest Minnesota Arts and Humanities Council (SMAHC) awarded grants under the Arts in the Schools and Individual Artist categories to regional artists and schools. 
Individual Artist Career Grants were awarded to:
Janet Olney, Willmar, $5,000 for exploration of large works.
Jedd Peters, Spicer, $4,966 for purchase of mill and clay.
Bruce Bednarchuk, Redwood Falls, $5,750 to compose a concert piece entitled "Dreams."
Individual Artist Development Grants were awarded to:
Christopher Boedigheimer, Litchfield, $1,500 for professional display for exhibition.
Bradley Hall, Granite Falls, $1,500 to frame watercolors for an exhibit.
Shalese Sands, Willmar, $1,500 for professional portfolio building.
Dand Weiss, New London, $1,500 to explore new dimensions of hand-built pottery techniques.
LeAnn Atchison, Willmar, $1,500 for research in France.
Samuel Hathaway, Montevideo, $1,500 to direct/produce "Once Upon a Whitsun."
Patricia Nelson, Spicer, $1,499 to cultivate and improve watercolor skills.
Art in the Schools Grants were awarded to:
New London-Spicer, $1,650 for a residency with Craig Edwards and Leona Rock
Renville County West, $2,500 for residency with The Russian Kaleidoscope.