April fool, April showers

April Fool, April showers, April love – What will it be? I guess we will find out as April is here. I can’t predict the future, but I can tell you what is coming up at the Aurora Center for the Arts and the Fosston Library for the month of April. The third-grade musical will be held in the theater the first week of April. Hopefully we won’t have too many April showers – I don’t think the roof is completely waterproof yet. There is usually a full house for that event with all the parents and grandparents, but if you want to watch there may be a spot for you. On Thursday, April 9, DeeDee Narum will be teaching participants to create a beautiful glass suncatcher. Anyone 15 or older is welcome. Materials are all provided. Learn layout, adhesive tehniques, and finishing methods. Leave with a completed piece readyto hang in a sunny window. Register at the Aurora Center for the Arts website. There is a fee. Narum is a mosaic artist living in Bemidji. Her work is often inspired by her garden and the natural world. It has been showcased at Minnesota galleries in Bemidji, Grand Rapids, Brainerd, and Aitken. She will have an exhibit at the Sorenson Gallery at the Aurora Center coming soon in the newly repainted gallery. If working with glass sounds too intimidating, and painting a little less so, the Fosston Library is hosting a barn quilt painting workshop on Tuesday, April 7, from 2-5 p.m. Mary Jo Schmid from Crooked Lane Farm Folk School is the instructor. At this point, the class is filled. However, if you would like to take a chance on the waiting list, call the Fosston Library at 218-435-1320. Materials are provided for this free workshop. The library book club will meet Tuesday, April 21, at 2 p.m. This month’s book is The Stolen Child by Ann Hood. I haven’t read it yet, but apparently it features secrets, love lost and found and the nature of forgiveness. Contact the library to obtain a copy of the book. Everyone is welcome. No waiting lest. Bingo for the kiddos is scheduled for Wednesday, April 15. It’s always a popular event because everyone loves a chance to win a prize.

March is Here

March is here –it’s probably still winter, but spring should be on its way. At the Aurora Center for the Arts, there is still time to view the Northwest Minnesota Arts Council traveling exhibit, which will be on display at the Sorenson Gallery through mid-month. The display features work by artists from Ada, Argyle, Badger, Climax, Crookston, Grygla, Hallock, Karlstad, Lancaster, Red Lake Falls, and Thief River Falls. There are paintings (acrylic, pastel, and watercolor), a photograph, an ink print, sculptures, a drawing, and a couple of mixed media pieces so there is something for everyone. The gallery is open during library hours. The next artist represented in the gallery will be DeeDee Narum who does incredible mosaic work. She will also be teaching a mosaic suncatcher class on April 9. On Friday, March 20, there will be a sculpture class for students taught by Heidi Danos. There is no school for the kids on that day so this should be a good alternative. There is a cost for this workshop with sign-up available online at auroracenterforthearts.org. Meanwhile, at the Fosston Library, book club will meet on Tuesday, March 17, at 2 p.m. Although that is St. Patrick’s Day, the book to be discussed has nothing to do with Ireland. The Song Poet by Kao Kalia Yang is the story of Bee Yang, a Hmong refugee in Minnesota. It should be an interesting read. I haven’t read it yet but am looking forward to it. Of course, there will be refreshments. On Wednesday, March 18, there will be after school bingo for the kids. That’s always a popular activity. While you are waiting for spring to show up, check out a book or two from the library. Remember that if you don’t see what you are looking for on the shelves, you can request most anything you can imagine to be sent from another location. The library also has DVDs and magazines. If you like jigsaw puzzles, there is a puzzle exchange (take one home, bring one to share, or both).