Sorenson Gallery

 Lisa Mathieson and Mike McColl are both exhibiting in the Sorenson Gallery

 

 

It is April

April is here. There may or may not be April rain showers in our future, but I know there will be a veritable shower of enjoyable events at the Fosston Community Library Arts Center.

Violinist Jeff Menten and guitarist Paul Nye will be performing on Sunday, April 22, at 3 p.m. Menten, who offers lessons on stringed instruments here at the art center as well as at several other locations, and Nye, who has released six recordings of original music, offer a blend of modern and old-time classics and Celtic tunes with ragtime and blues.  It should be an enjoyable afternoon, and did I mention there will be desserts?

There will also be desserts at the 16^th Festival of Tables, as well as chicken salad, fresh fruit and croissants. The special fund-raiser for the FCLAA will be held Saturday, April 21^st beginning at 11:30 a.m. at St. Mary’s Parish Hall in Fosston. There will be 15 creatively decorated tables, lots of door prizes and two raffle items. Tickets are available at Mireault’s Home Furnishings or from Kim Wilson and Joan Dufault. Get those tickets early as this event usually sells out.

An exhibit of ceramic and porcelain objects by artist Lisa Mathieson of St. Paul will be going up in the gallery April 9.  There will be a meet-the-artist reception for her on Monday, April 9, from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. If you are interested in trying your hand at making some art objects of your own, Lisa will be offering a class on Friday, April 6. Registration is available on-line at fclaa.org, a website that is a good place to go for more information on any of these events.

Eric Bergeson will be at the arts center on Friday, April 13, at 7 p.m. for a presentation on his book, A
Treasury of Old Souls. If you have heard him speak, you’ll want to come, and if you haven’t, trust me, you should.

National Library Week is April 8-14, and to celebrate, the Fosston Library will be having an open house on Tuesday, April 10, from 3 to 6 p.m. Coffee and treats will be available, and local author Erin Green will be on hand to sign her books Faelore and Shadow of Dreams. At 7 p.m. that same evening, the book club will meet to discuss The Twelve Tribes of Hattie by Ayana Mathis.

Other events in April include:

-          An Art Walk artist reception on Thursday, April 19, from 7:00-8:30 p.m. There will be a student exhibit in the upper gallery.

-          Music and storytelling with Siama and Dallas on Tuesday, April 24, at 6:30 p.m. Held in conjunction with 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten, this program features Congolese musician Siama Matuzungidi and singer Dallas Johnson performing a variety of African-inspired music.

-          Writers’ group will meet that same evening at 7:30 p.m.

-          Organic gardening by Jan Moan at 7 p.m., Tuesday, April 3

 

In the Sorenson Gallery

Abstract paintings by Jason Steinbrenner are currently on display in the gallery. There will be a reception for Jason on Monday, March 19. Meet the artist and view the paintings.

March is here!

March – we think of March winds, March blizzards, and hopefully, the beginning of spring. Whatever the weather, there are good things going on at the Fosston Community Library Arts Center.

In the Sorenson Gallery, Jason Steinbrenner’s colorful abstract acrylic paintings are now on display. While Jason doesn’t have much formal training in art, unless one counts junior high art classes, he’s been “playing with the paint” on and off for about 20 years, and the results are enjoyable to view.  He also has some paintings on display at the 13 Towns office.

Jason is a Fosston native and has lived here nearly his whole life, except for a couple of years in Mahnomen and his college years at the University of Minnesota – Morris, where he majored in statistics. He decided that while numbers were okay, he really preferred working with people. His day jobs were at REM for several years and currently at Essentia Health in registration. Watch for information about a meet-the- artist reception, or if you can’t make that, be sure you stop by and view his paintings.

If you missed the quilters and crafters group held Monday, March 5, you’ll have a chance to attend next month. On the first Monday of each month, bring your projects, snacks and beverages. Tables and extension cords are provided.

Book Club meets Tuesday, March 13, at 7 p.m. This month’s book is A Piece of the World by Christina Baker Kline. Next month we will be reading The Twelve Tribes of Hattie by Ayana Mathis. Join us for some interesting discussion, coffee and goodies.   

1,000 Books before Kindergarten special storytime will be held Tuesday, March 20, at 6:30.  For more information about the program, go to larl.org/1000books.

Writers’ group will meet Tuesday, March 20, at 7:30 p.m. Anyone is welcome to join us. Come see what it’s all about.

If writing isn’t your thing, how about coloring? Adult coloring club will be meeting the fourth Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. (March 27 this time). The library will provide coloring sheets and colored pencils.

 Did you know there are some books in the library you don’t need to check out to take home and read? Look for the paperback read and return section. You can ask the librarian where it is. Just grab a book from those shelves and bring it back at your leisure – no worries about due dates.

Coming up in April:

Concert by Paul Nye and Jeff Menton (guitar and violin) – Sunday, April 22 – 3 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

February - good news, bad news

It’s February, and any rodent shadows or lack thereof notwithstanding, that must mean we are on the downward slide of winter. However, it’s not over yet, and at the Fosston Library, the Book Blizzard continues through this month. If you haven’t signed up for this adult reading program, there is still time. Read four books or complete two other challenges, and you may win a prize.

Let’s get the unwelcome news out of the way first. Because of a budget shortfall, library hours are going to be cut slightly.  The library will no longer be open until 8 on Thursday evenings, but will close at 6. Also, Saturday hours will be 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., so if you show up at 10, the doors will be locked. Staff hours have also been cut somewhat, specifically by eliminating a 12-hour assistant position, so there will not always be two people available to help you when you come into the library. Nobody has lost their job, as this position was currently unfilled. However, those hours have been covered by subs so you will see a reduction in staffing.

On a more positive note, Jane Bellify’s rosemaling exhibit will be at the Sorenson Gallery through February 14. Jason Steinbrenner’s abstract acrylic paintings will be going up Feb. 17 to be on display through March.

At its annual meeting in January, the Fosston Community Library Arts Association welcome Jason Steinbrenner to its board of directors and accepted the resignation of Michelle Johnson. Hopefully, I can tell you a little bit more about Jason next month. Also, the board is looking for volunteers to serve on the various committees. Check out opportunities at www.fclaa.org

Books club will meet Tuesday, Feb. 13, at 7 p.m with coffee and most likely some treats. This month’s book is The Book Thief by  Markus Zusak. It’s an interesting read, and it should generate some lively discussion.

Because of the cut in library hours, writers’ group will be moving to Tuesday evenings at 7:30 p.m. February’s meeting will be on the 20^th.

Watch for new activities coming up in March. The first Monday of each month, starting March 5, will be quilting/crafting day in the gallery. Come any time between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. and bring your own project. Maybe knitting or crocheting would be good. Here’s a chance to socialize while you work.

Also coming up in March there will be a special storytime in connection with the 1000 Books before Kindergarten program as well as an adult coloring activity. Watch for more information next month.

One final note – the library will be closed on Monday, Feb. 19, for Presidents Day.

Currently in the Sorenson Gallery

Rosemaling by Jane Bellefy

 

January is coming

Cold temperatures, snow, ice – it’s winter, and it’s almost January. If you are looking for something to take your mind off the weather, look no further than the Fosston Community Library Arts Center, where you will find some enjoyable activities as well as a wide variety of reading materials, CDs and DVDs.

Book Club will meet on Tuesday, January 9, at 7 p.m. This month’s selection is The Paris Wife, a novel based on the story of Ernest Hemmingway and his wife Hadley. There most likely be coffee and some sort of goodies as well as an interesting discussion.

Writers’ group will meet Thursday, January 25, at 7:30 p.m. If your New Year’s resolutions include finally getting those memoirs written, coming to this group might just give you the motivation you need.

The FCLAA annual meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 10, at 7 p.m. All members are welcome, and if you’re not a member, you are welcome to come and find out what it’s all about.

I’m certain you will want to be reading some books on these frigid winter nights, so you might as well sign up for the Book Blizzard, the adult winter reading program, to have a chance to win some cool prizes as well. Stop by the library and sign up. There will be drawings held every week through the month of February.

While you are in the library to pick up your books, be sure to look at the new display in the gallery, rosemaling by Jane Bellefy, from Shevlin. It should be up by January 9th.

For the younger set, preschool storytime is held every Friday morning at 10:30 a.m., and family fun time Wednesdays at 3:30 p.m.

Just a reminder – the library will be closed on Monday, January 15, in observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.