As you peruse this archive, please keep in mind that:

2024

Creating Connections through Music: St. Charles Artist in Residence

Program

St. Charles Public Library, St. Charles Elementary School, St. Charles Lions Club, St. Charles Police Department

The St. Charles Public Library hosted Dallas Johnson and Siama Matuzungidi (Dallas & Siama) as artists-in-residence. Their residency included a morning workshop for seniors, a day of workshops at St. Charles Elementary School, and an evening session for the public. Workshops introduced participants to traditional African instruments and Congolese music styles, emphasizing creativity and cultural understanding. The residency culminated in a five-piece band performance at the library’s National Night Out celebration, held in partnership with the St. Charles Police Department and Lions Club. The event celebrated community connections through music, culture, and collaboration.

Indigenous History: Our Past and Present

La Crescent Public Library, City of La Crescent, La Crescent Area Historical Society

The La Crescent Public Library honored Native American Heritage Month by hosting Minnesota-based Indigenous makers and speakers to share Indigenous history and contemporary issues with the community. The goal was to deepen understanding of Indigenous heritage and foster preservation, acknowledgment, and collaboration. La Crescent, a predominantly white city with a 10% Indigenous student population, sought to provide cultural support for biracial students who often lacked connections to their heritage. With limited access to cultural organizations locally, the library’s initiative created a vital opportunity for education and community engagement within the city.

Instilling a Sense of Place: River Town History

Wabasha Public Library, Wabasha County Historical Society, Wabasha Heritage Preservation Commission, Wabasha Main Street

The Wabasha Public Library undertook the second phase of its "Instilling a Sense of Place" project to celebrate the community’s river town history. This phase featured a mural painted by local artist Sue Mundy, complementing her earlier work and promoting cohesion within the library and the broader community. A live event educated attendees on Wabasha's rich history, while educational takeaways, such as a bookmarks, showcased the mural and river town facts. The project aimed to connect the community’s present with its past, ensuring its history lives on while fostering informed, positive contributions to its future.

Kasson Public Library Celebrating 125 Years: Where Adventures Begin With

a Turn of a Page

Kasson Public Library, Dodge County Historical Society, Friends of the Kasson Public Library, Kasson Chamber of Commerce, Kasson-Mantorville Lions Club, Mantorville Art Guild

To celebrate the Kasson Public Library’s 125th anniversary in 2024, events were held throughout the year with a focus on bringing the community together. Community Collaboration funding supported key events, including: the Arts & Literature Exhibit Opening, which featured original book-inspired art, jazz music, and historical displays; the Art & Literature Open House, which offered storytelling, student performances, and family-friendly activities; three parades in which the library participated with a themed float; a music festival featured live bands, food trucks, and workshops. Additional programs were provided through other avenues of funding included historical talks, a fashion show, and public service announcements to highlight the library's pivotal role in the community.

Roots and Rhythms

Rushford Public Library, Rushford Area Historical Society, Rushford Area Society of the Arts

The "Roots and Rhythms" series celebrated art, culture, and history in the Rushford-Peterson Valley. Designed to foster lifelong learning and inclusivity, events highlighted the valley's four seasons with history displays by the Rushford Area Historical Society, local musical performances, painting events, puppet theater, and "Storytime Under the Stars" by the Rushford Area Society of the Arts. SELCO Vetted Performers, including a mobile sign shop, a miniature horse, and a comedy magic show, added variety. This collaboration between local organizations expanded programming, engaged new audiences, and enriched the community's cultural and artistic landscape.

2023

Captivating Creations in Caledonia

Caledonia Public Library, City of Caledonia, Friends of the Caledonia Library

The Caledonia Public Library provided a series of events to introduce different mediums of art and creativity to the community. Events included pumpkin painting, glass bottle painting, quilting squares on canvas, and 70 "celebrating fall" canvas kits distributed at the city's annual Fall Fest. Caledonia is known as “The Heart of Quilt Country” and offers a scenic driving tour route of nearly 60 Houston County barns sporting squares of plywood painted in vivid colors in a variety of quilt patterns. The canvas quilting square paintings were turned into postcards to display and sell in local shops, with all proceeds going towards children's programming at the library.

Celebrating a Centennial

Rushford Public Library, Rushford Area Historical Society

Celebrating a Centennial brought heritage and community awareness to the Rushford-Peterson Valley through history, music, and art. In 2023 he Rushford Public Library celebrated 100 years in the Tews Memorial Building. This anniversary was celebrated with presentations by local historians, historical exhibits at the library, a rededication of the Tews Memorial Library Building with a musical performance from a local band, and adult art classes with themes focused on the Root River Valley area.

Instilling a Sense of Place Mural

Wabasha Public Library, Wabasha County Historical Society, Wabasha Heritage Preservation Commission, Wabasha Main Street

The grant was part of a larger project to update the Wabasha Public Library's physical space and strengthen the role of the library as a community partner. Local muralist Sue Mundy collaborated with indigenous artists, community members, and local historians to design a mural highlighting the history of indigenous peoples in the Wabasha region. In addition, the library hosted a presentation by a local historian on indigenous history and a bead art demonstration.

Laird's Legacy: 125th Anniversary Documentary

Winona Public Library, Mary Farrell, Winona Public Middle School

In celebration of the 125th anniversary of the Winona Public Library, Frozen River Film Festival award-winning filmmaker, Mary Farrell, directed and filmed a documentary based on the book Laird's Legacy: A History of the Winona Public Library, which was published through a Community Collaboration grant in 2016. Following production of the documentary, a series of premieres were held at the library and local middle school.

Preserving the Past

Preston Public Library, Preston Historical Society

In 1978 47 interviews were conducted in the Preston community in an effort to collect local oral histories. This 2023 grant project was a follow-up to the original interviews in order to continue collecting and preserving the history of Preston and its residents. The Preston Historical Society identified a list of people within the Preston community to interview, and the library hired an interviewer/transcriptionist to conduct and transcribe the interviews. The results were made available to the public through a variety of ways.

2022

Celebrating Caledonia on Canvas

Caledonia Public Library, Friends of the Caledonia Library, Mainspring

This project built community belonging by bringing people together to celebrate the unique environment, history, and culture of Caledonia. A series of events were held including four canvas art workshops (two for children and two for adults) led by local artist Jackie Johnson. Each class focused on different aspects of community identity such as the "Hot Air Balloon Rally," and the Bluff Country views. In addition, local nonprofit, Mainspring, led four Creativity & Movement classes for kids. They also created a Houston County Activity Booklet that was distributed around the community.

Our Austin, Our America

Austin Public Library, Austin Artworks, Parenting Resource Center, Riverland Community College

Since 2019, the Our Austin, Our America project has brought awareness to Austin's diverse community through portrait exhibits portraying peple of color who live and work in Austin. The publication of a book of photographs and stories was created, and this grant was used to help get books distributed and create events to share the book and its stories. Community members featured in the book were brought in to do panel discussions about their experiences as well as arts and cultural workshops for the community.

2021

No Community Collaboration Project took place in 2021 due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

2020

No Community Collaboration Project took place in 2020 due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

2019

One Austin: Many Stories

Austin Public Library, Austin Area Art Center, 4th Ave Fest Committee, Riverland Community College, Southgate Elementary School

This project celebrated Austin's diverse community. Many events were held to further community conversations and understanding of issues of diversity, inclusion and equity. Programs included book clubs, a Unity project during a community festival, a silent play, an interactive lecture on building community, a workshop on Race and Equity, and a three-part documentary screening and discussion.

Seed Library

Rochester Public Library, History Center of Olmsted County, "Plant a Seed" Initiative, Rochester Area Foundation, University of Minnesota Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Program, University of Minnesota Extension SNAP-Ed Southeast Regional Team

This project offered 45 varieties of vegetables and herbs for checkout at the library. There was no due date for the seeds, but at the end of the growing season, successfully harvested seeds were returned to the Seed Library for others to grow. In conjunction with the seeds, the library offered seed lists in multiple languages, growing guides, reading lists, seed saving, and garden design classes to help make gardeners of all abilities successful in growing their own food. Over 8,400 packets of seeds were checked out.

Teen Mural Public Art Project

Cannon Falls Public Library, Cannon Arts Board, Cannon Falls Library Foundation

The library commissioned local artist Kelli Bickman to work with area teens on designing and painting a mural for the library. Over the course of four days Bickman guided the teens through creating their own concept drawings, sketching out the design, and finally, painting. The completion of the mural was followed by an unveiling event.

Uke Can Do It!

Plainview Public Library, Green Prairie Rehabilitation Center and Assisted Living

This project fostered an inter-generational atmosphere of fun and learning and provided community access to instruments, learning tools, workshops, a concert, and jam sessions. The library engaged the services of Star Belle Ukulele Band to lead the events. Thirteen ukuleles and accessories were purchased to ensure that individuals who didn't already own a ukulele could participate in the programs without the commitment of ownership.

2018

Children's Library Mural

Wabasha Public Library, Friends of the Wabasha Library, River Valley Academy, St. Felix School, Wabasha County Head Start

The library collaborated with local muralist, Sue Mundy, to design four distinct murals. The design process for the mural began with surveying children in the community, and then library staff worked with Sue and the Board to synthesize the children's ideas into four distinct but cohesive designs. The completion of the murals was followed by an open house.

Houston County History Hunt

Caledonia Public Library, Hokah Public Library, Houston Public Library, La Crescent Public Library, Spring Grove Public Library, City of Hokah, City of La Crescent, City of Spring Grove, Houston County Government, Houston County Historical Society, Houston Nature Center, International Owl Center 

This project created a self-paced scavenger hunt designed to get individuals and families out and exploring the historical and natural sites in the county, including the five public libraries. 26 sites were chosen for their historical or natural importance, and participants were given bags that included a map of the sites, crayons, and a book which provided more information about each site as well as a spot in which to make a rubbing. At each site there was a tile marker which participants had to locate and then make a rubbing in their booklets using the crayons provided.

Summer Playlist On the Road

Rochester Public Library, Natural Grocers, Olmsted County Public Health, Riverside Central Elementary School, Rochester Alternative Learning Center, Rochester Parks & Recreation, Rochester Public Schools School Age Child Care (SACC)

This project increased connections in the community through targeted outreach programming to low-income communities. To reach as many youth as possible, staff brought interactive activities and free produce grown by students at the Rochester Alternative Learning Center and Riverside Central Elementary to select Bookmobile stops. The library also partnered with Rochester Public School’s School Age Child Care (SACC) program to bring the Summer Playlist (Summer Reading Program) and enrichment activities to students.

2017

Houston County Little Free Libraries

Caledonia Public Library, Hokah Public Library, Houston Public Library, Spring Grove Public Library, City of Eitzen, City of Hokah, City of Spring Grove, Friends of the Caledonia Public Library, Friends of the Spring Grove Public Library, Houston Arts Resource Council, Houston County Historical Society, Page Turners Book Club

This project placed 25 Little Free Library structures around Houston County. Each library partnered with their city to determine locations and sought out local artists to decorate the structures. Launch parties were held to celebrate the installations.

Our Stories, Our Community

Rochester Public Library, History Center of Olmsted County, Rochester Central Lutheran School

The library worked with the history center to develop an oral history program to collect, document, and archive stories from the Rochester community - both past and present. Under-represented residents and middle school students were interveiwed for the project.

2016

Book Bike

Houston Public Library, Friends of the Houston Library, Houston Arts Resource Council, Houston Elementary School

This project offered residents of the city of Houston and surrounding townships a new, fun, and surprising way to take advantage of all library services and access materials. Librarians pedaled the book bike to Summer Recreation practices and games, weekly "Wednesday Night Music in the Park" events at the Houston Bandshell, and the new public ballpark. They also participated in Houston's Hoedown Parade, a Bike Rodeo at the library, and a class on Bike Safety.

Douglas Wood - A Writer's Path: Motivation, Perspiration, Inspiration

Cannon Falls Public Library, Cannon Falls Elementary School

Minnesota Author, storyteller, and musician, Douglas Wood, presented four programs for the community of Cannon Falls. Throughout the presentations Wood shared his struggles as a poor reader in school who learned to love reading. Three programs were presented to various elementary school grades, and the final evening program was presented to the general public at the library.

The Enduring Things We Do Today

Northfield Public Library, Friends and Foundation of the Northfield Public Library, Minnesota Historical Society, Northfield Public Schools, Northfield Senior Center

This project created and published a comprehensive history of the library titled The Enduring Things We Do Today. The book detailed the library's 118 years of service to the citizens of Northfield and was published in e-book and hard copy formats.

Expansion of the Mower County Traveling Art Studio

Austin Public Library, Brownsdale Public Library, Grand Meadow Public Library, Lake City Public Library, LeRoy Public Library, Wabasha Public Library, Zumbrota Public Library, Austin Area Commission for the Arts, Austin High School, Lyle Public School, Riverland College

This project was a follow-up to the 2015 Community Collaboration grant that funded the creation of the traveling art studio. In order to increase community access to the studio and expand community engagement with a variety of art forms, grant funding provided a teaching artist and teaching assistant to staff the traveling art studio throughout the summer. The trailer was stationed at each library for a week, and each day of the week a different teaching artist and medium of art were presented to participants.

Hooked on Preston Community Mural

Preston Public Library, City of Preston, Fillmore Central Elementary School, Preston Area Arts Council, Southeastern MN Arts Council, Southern MN Initiative Foundation

The project was a collaboration of many community groups to create a 28' x 16' outdoor mural located on the outside of the library that celebrated the past, present, and future of the Preston community. Local mural artist, Alison Love Unzelman, was commissioned to design the mural and facilitate two public community mural painting studios during which community members and students could help with the painting process.

Librarian on the Loose

Hokah Public Library, Friends of the Hokah Library, Hiawatha Valley Education, St. Peter's School

This project promoted the broad array of library services and activities to people in the Hokah community who may not be using the library. The focus was on building more connections with community members and educating them on how the library has evolved to be more than "just books." Riding a three-wheeled bicycle with baskets full of books, puppets, and fun activities, library staff attended summer recreation events, visited the local parks and pool, and had a stand at the local Farmer's Market. 

Laird's Library Legacy - Book Release

Winona Public Library, Friends of the Winona Library, Winona History Center

This project was a continuation of the library's 2015 Community Collaboration grant, which produced research and a manuscript on the history of the Winona Public Library. For this project, the manuscript was turned into a book with information and photos preserving the library's rich story. Library staff then hosted a book launch event with author and local historian, Greg Gaut, Ph.D, J.D.

Light of Learning

Blooming Prairie Branch Library, Owatonna Public Library, Owatonna Public Library Foundation

The library commissioned local artist, Wil Natzel, to create the "Light of Learning", a sculpture of metal, light, and shadow, locally crafted in Steele County and installed in the lobby of the Owatonna Public Library. As traditional beacons guide ships and airplanes, the sculpture provides literal and physical light, but also provides metaphorical light, calling the community to search for the light of insight, inspiration and poetry.

Little Free Library Outreach

Dodge Center Public Library, Dodge Center Friends of the Library, Mantorville Art Guild, Triton High School

This project improved access to literature and literacy materials in Dodge Center and the surrounding communities. The Industrial Arts classes at Triton High School planned and built ten Little Free Libraries, which artists from the Matorville Art Guild then decorated. Emphasis was placed on locating the Little Free Libraries in towns with no public library and neighborhoods the farthest distance away from the library. The libraries were stocked with books donated by the Friends of the Library.

Reading Garden

Lanesboro Public Library, Friends of the Lanesboro Library, Lanesboro Public School, 

This project created an appealing space where people could comfortably sit while accessing the library's Wi-Fi, reading, working, or relaxing. Lanesboro Public School Horticulture students designed the garden space, and members of the Friends of Lanesboro Library, local volunteers, library staff and the horticulture students prepared the site and installed the mulch, plantings, benches and other landscaping features. 

2015

Apollo Music Festival

Houston Public Library, Caledonia Area Public Schools, Cross of Christ Church

This festival provided residents of Houston and Fillmore Counties with free opportunities to experience classical music performed by professional musicians. The festival consisted of five concerts, three master classes, and one story time. The church provided the space for the concerts and the workshops took place at the library and the school.

Book Bike @ RPL

Rochester Public Library, Olmsted County Public Heath, Rochester Area Family YMCA, Rochester Boys & Girls Club, Rochester Downtown Alliance

The library provided outreach via a custom made book display trailer that attaches to a bicycle. Library staff biked with materials for circulation, programming, and other library information to locations within a one mile radius of the library. They also signed up visitors to the bike for library cards.

Creating Murals of Garden Fantasy Books

Harmony Public Library, City of Harmony Arts Board, Fillmore Central High School

Six artists, along with art students from the high school, participated in the creation of several murals on the exterior of the library depicting a garden of books. Londey Metal Works in Lanesboro was commissioned to create a set of patio furniture to complete the scene. An open house was held to debut the new murals and the updated patio space.

Creative Writing: Craft & Genre

Northfield Public Library, Northfield Senior Center

Writing instructor Emily Urness taught a six-week class on creative writing. Each class explored a different genre of writing. Following the workshop series, a final celebration with class readings and the debut of a printed book took place.

Karla Nweje and Samimejon Movement

Owatonna Public Library, Cultural Diversity Network of Owatonna

Dance instructor Karla Nweje hosted several dance workshops as a part of Owatonna's annual CulturFest. Participants learned West African and modern dance. Nweje and her dance troupe also hosted a booth featuring the culture and music of the Gullah Geechee nation. They then gave a performance that featured traditional Gullah Geechee dance and poetic readings.

Laird's Library Legacy: Refresh Our Future by Exploring Our Past

Winona Public Library,  Big River Magazine, Friends of the Winona Library, Winona County History Center

The library hired historian Greg Gaut, Ph.D, J.D, to conduct research on the history of the Winona Public Library. Dr. Gaut produced a manuscript detailing the history of the library and gave two public presentations on his progress. For the final event, the library hired local actor Ray Felton to portray William Laird, and Dr. Gaut reported on his findings.

Mower County Traveling Art Studio

Austin Public Library, Brownsdale Public Library, Grand Meadow Public Library, LeRoy Public Library, Austin Area Commission for the Arts, Riverland College

An enclosed trailer was purchased and converted into a traveling art studio with a custom wrap to help with promotion and visibility. The Austin Artworks Center provided their services and materials to teach workshops at libraries throughout Mower county. Workshops included still life painting, working with clay, birdhouse design, and hula hooping. 

Telling Your Own Story

Rochester Public Library, Rescarta Foundation, Surviving Tsunami Waves Project

This project incorporated lectures, hands-on activities, classroom experience, and art exhibits to encourage community members to share their stories. Programs included a four-part memoir writing class taught by columnist and editor Jennifer Koski, a community art project led by multidisciplinary mosaic artist and poet Lisa Arnold, two author events featuring memoirists Catherine Friends and Sara Mansfield Taber, a bookbinding class, and a week-long art exhibit and lecture presented by local artists Jon Allen and Tom Erickson. 

3D Printing @ RPL

Rochester Public Library, Rochester Community and Technical College

The library purchased a 3D printer and collaborated with instructors and design students from the local Community college to host two programs introducing 3D printing to the general public and six hands-on workshops.

2014

"The Art of Music" Mural

Rochester Public Library, Rochester Choral Arts Ensemble, Southeastern Minnesota Youth Orchestra (SEMYO)

The library contracted with local artist, Peter Lex, to design and paint "The Art of Music" mural on a circular architectural feature in the library's music area. The mural was celebrated with an unveiling event which featured the music of SEMYO and the Rochester Choral Arts Ensemble. 

Artist in Residence Program

Rochester Public Library, Concerned Citizens for a Creative Community (C4)

This year-long program was designed to increase opportunities for community members to engage with a variety of art forms and to learn about, create, and display works of art with the help of experienced artists. Each month a different Rochester area artist held programs at the library. A wide variety of art forms were included such as Cartoon Animation, Knitting, Screen Printing, Junk Art, Creative Writing, Oil Painting, and Belly Dancing. 

Great River Shakespeare Festival Library Partnership Program

La Crescent Public Library, Lanesboro Public Library, Northfield Public Library, Rochester Public Library, Rushford Public Library, St. Charles Public Library, Winona Public Library, Great River Shakespeare Festival

Each library hosted two workshops led by GRSF actors; one for adults focusing on historical context and themes from each production of the 2014 GRSF season and one for middle and high school students on stage combat. They also donated copies of each play as well as the YA book Ophelia, by Lisa Klein, to the libraries and offered ticket vouchers for young people who read Ophelia as part of the summer reading program. 

Memoir Writing Workshop

Northfield Public Library, Carleton College, 

Writer and editor Emily Urness held a memoir writing workshop over the course of six weeks. Participants learned memoir writing techniques, connected with each other and built community. Following the workshops, a collection of stories written by participants was published through Carlton College Press, and the library hosted a reading to celebrate.

Minnesota Pool of Dreams

Rochester Public Library, Rochester Area Family YMCA

The library commissioned local artist, Stephanie Podulke to create a 4' x 8' stained glass window depicting a cutaway view of a Minnesota Pond. In addition, Podulke spoke about stained glass artistry and the process of building the window with three groups from the YMCA and led a stained glass drawing program for children at the library.

Owl Prowl for Whoo-ston

Houston Public Library, Houston Arts Resource Council, International Owl Center

The library and arts council commissioned local artist, Howard Tomashek, to create six stainless steel metal sculptures, each featuring a different species of owl native to the Midwest. These sculptures, along with informational plaques, were installed in highly visible public locations around Houston. The Owl Center created a brochure leading people on a "prowl" to see the owls and learn more about their unique species.

Pride on Display

Red Wing Public Library, Red Wing Arts Association, ArtReach, Red Wing High School, Sunnyside & Burnside Elementary Schools, Twin Bluff Middle School

This project produced new structures to display the works of budding and established artists at the public library, as well as promote the art already on display. An art showcase was built within the library to help local artisans increase their exposure in the community, as well as display the work of local students. In addition, a gallery-style hanging system was installed to display works already in the library. Finally, the Midwest Art Conservation Center was commissioned to clean and preserve the library's marble statue, "Harriet," bequeathed to the library in 1905.

2013

Community Conversations, Conflict, and Collaboration

Northfield Public Library, City of Northfield, Friends of the Northfield Public Library

Local historian, Bruce Colwell, as well as Steven Edwins, the architect who designed the library's expansion in the 1980s, held a series of discussions and presentations detailing the history of Northfield's Carnegie Public Library. In addition, community members were invited to participate in a panel and share their own personal stories about the library and its many changes over the years. 

Great River Shakespeare Festival Library Partnership Program

La Crescent Public Library, Lanesboro Public Library, Hokah Public Library, Houston Public Library, Northfield Public Library, Rochester Public Library, Rushford Public Library, St. Charles Public Library, Winona Public Library, Great River Shakespeare Festival

476 ticket vouchers were distributed to the libraries. Each library hosted a workshop led by GRSF actors focusing on historical context and themes from each production of the 2013 Great River Shakespeare Festival season. In addition, GRSF donated five copies of each play to the libraries for public circulation. 

Freeborn County: Glimpses of the Past

Albert Lea Public Library, Freeborn County Historical Society Library

This project began with digitizing and cataloging 3,000 photographs in the Freeborn County Historical Museum's Collection. Following the digitization, two public viewings and presentations were conducted, one at the museum and one at the library.

Shelf Portrait

Rochester Public Library, Rochester Area Family YMCA

Local artist, Peter Lex, was commissioned to create a mural of books on the library's garage door. Lex presented two programs at the library during the project; an airbursh art workshop and the unveiling of the mural, during which patrons had the opportunity to create their own bookshelf art. Four workshops were also held at the YMCA, during which children learned art techniques and created bookshelf art. 

2012

Exploradome Traveling Planetarium

Wabasha Public Library, St. Felix School

The University of Minnesota's Bell Museum facilitated back to back 45 minute programs in their Exploradome Traveling Planetarium. During each interactive program, participants learned to identify stars and constellations, navigate through the night sky, and were introduced to the mythological characters for whom many astronomical objects are names.

"Light"

Rochester Public Library, Diversity Council, Rochester Civic Theatre

In conjunction with the MN Science Museum's RACE exhibit, the library commissioned a play for community performances. "Light" featured local actors and explored the resonant injustice of racism through the eyes of a young girl as she strives to understand the actions of her peers, community, and her parents. The play was performed seven times at the library, and volunteer facilitators from the Diversity Council led post-play conversations with the attendees about their perspectives and reactions as well as what actions they could take to embrace diversity.

A Tale of Two Libraries

Northfield Public Library, Red Wing Public Library, Friends of the Northfield Library, Friends of the Red Wing Library

Local historian Bruce Colwell researched the history of both libraries, particularly the history of their Carnegie buildings. Colwell produced handouts detailing the history of each library and gave presentations in both locations.

Zumbrota Iron Pour

Zumbrota Public Library, Zumbrota Area Arts Council

This event included demonstrations, workshops, music and local food vendors. The iron pour allowed community members to experience the ancient art of metal casting. Foundry artists demonstrated the process, and community members were able to design their own molds to be poured at the event. Live music and local food vendors were also present.

2011

Be an Illustrator

Austin Public Library, Austin YMCA

The project supported five art classes for elementary-aged children. The classes focused on book illustration techniques and purposes.

In Cold Blood

Lake City Public Library, Friends of the Lake City Library, Lincoln Secondary School

This project consisted of ten events including an opening reception, five author talks, presentations by a criminologist, an attorney and a corrections officer, a movie night, a board game night, a mystery theater dinner, and a closing reception. During each event there was a book discussion on a different mystery/thriller book.

My Backyard Mural

Rochester Public Library, Quarry Hill Nature Center

Local muralist, Greg Preslicka, was commissioned to create a mural for the Children's area of the library. The design included bright, eye-catching colors, wildlife specific to the Rochester area, and wood pieces glued to the wall and painted to add a 3D effect to the mural. Children participated in the creation of the mural by voting for which four animals to include. In addition, two classes visited from the local elementary school to watch Greg work and to learn about murals and the painting process. To celebrate the mural, a naturalist from Quarry Hill Nature Center brought several live animals to the library and presented on backyard wildlife.

Pedal, Park, Explore

Blooming Prairie Branch Library, Owatonna Public Library, City of Blooming Prairie, City of Owatonna, City of Owatonna Parks & Recreation, Owatonna Arts Center, Owatonna Public Library Foundation, Steele County Public Health

Local artist, Wil Natzel, was commissioned to design five sculptural bike racks which were installed near public buildings and parks in Owatonna and Blooming Prairie. A collection of materials on biking, public art, and green living was added to the libraries, and Natzel delivered a presentation on the project at both libraries. 

Perfect Partners

Houston Public Library, Kasson Public Library, La Crescent Public Library, LeRoy Public Library, Preston Public Library, St. Charles Public Library, Rochester Civic Theatre

The Rochester Civic Theatre provided tickets and transportation to library patrons with financial and/or transportation limitations. Over 700 tickets were distributed and actors from the theatre held several workshops following the performances.

Performing Arts Series

La Crescent Public Library, Neighbors in Action

The library provided low-income citizens with tickets to the Performing Art Series organized by La Crescent-Hokah Community Education. The series consisted of five events by a variety of performers. 

Red Wing Public Library Mural

Red Wing Public Library, Friends of the Red Wing Library, Burnside Elementary School, Sunnyside Elementary School

Local muralist, Greg Preslicka, was commissioned to create a mural for the Children's area at the library. The mural was designed to brighten up the space and inspire children to be imaginative and engaged with books. Greg held two working presentations during which patrons could stop by to watch and learn about the painting process. The library also hosted a grand opening.

Spring Break Music and Magic

Northfield Public Library, KYMN Radio, Northfield Arts Guild

The library hosted three programs over the local schools' spring break. The programs featured a musical storytime with music educator Emily Lund and a musical instrument petting zoo led by Geoffrey Weeks.

2010

CORRUGATION: Build, Live, Discover

Blooming Prairie Branch Library, Owatonna Public Library, Gainey Conference Center of the University of St. Thomas

The library purchased 1,000 16" slotted cardboard circles and held two workshops led by local artist, Wil Natzel, during which participants could build and create art with the provided materials. Books and materials on Frank Gehry, cardboard construction, and architecture were also purchased for the Owatonna Public Library and Blooming Prairie Branch Library collections.

Festival of Quilts

Spring Grove Public Library, Piecemaker's Quilt Guild, 

The Festival of Quilts was held in conjunction with the UffDa Fest. Quilt enthusiasts came from all over the region to view the 127 quilts made by quilters in the Tri-State area. In addition, a workshop for all ages was held in which participants learned the basics of quilting and were provided with materials to start their own quilt. 

LeRoy Historical Public Library Mural

LeRoy Public Library, LeRoy-Ostrander Schools

The library commissioned local muralist, Greg Preslicka, to paint a historical mural of the town of LeRoy in the library. The design included many references to local history and wildlife, and students from the local middle school were able to visit during the creation process and learn about different painting techniques. In addition, students from the local high school came to study the mural in anticipation of creating their own mural at the school.

Minnesota Children's Theatre Mini Bridges Workshops

Buckham Memorial Library, Faribault Area Senior Center, Paradise Center for the Arts

This project provided a theatre workshop for school-age children followed by a summer performance by the Children's Theatre Company. The workshop consisted of ten 2-hour sessions held at the library.

Summer of the Arts

La Crescent Public Library, Appleseed Community Theatre, La Crescent-Hokah Community Education

During this project, actors from the Guthrie Theatre led two workshops. The first was "storytelling" for children, during which participants were introduced to the components of a story, learned exercises for voice, movement and basic acting, and worked together to create a play that they presented to family and friends at the end of the workshop. The second was a Shakespeare workshop for tweens and teens. Students worked on language and poetry writing and learned exercises for basic acting and combat moves. They also produced a play, which was presented at the local High School.