You Are Here. A Short Ode to Minnesota
Items Needed for Children's Art Activities
Family Fun Tuesdays Photographer Needed

You Are Here. A Short Ode to Minnesota

A note from the Program & Volunteer Coordinator,
Heather P. Westerlund:

I am a proud Minnesota native. But I wasn’t always. In high school I couldn’t wait to get as far away as possible; I had lofty dreams of flitting around the globe. Somehow loved ones managed to ground me and I’ve come to greatly appreciate all this state has to offer—beautiful natural spaces, cultural events in every flavor, four distinct seasons, quaint neighborhoods, and of course, family. I have a real sense of place here now.

I still go globetrotting as often as I can, but it’s more meaningful because I have a familiar, welcoming place to return to. I celebrate and honor this sense of place by experiencing the things that define it:  I get excited about the prospect of summer camping, an innovative dance company at the Northrup, the next beer festival (they’re all the same), and the Art Park on a picturesque day.

This month you can honor your own sense of place by celebrating this great state and its people. Family Fun Tuesdays is celebrating some of Minnesota’s heritage in July with music, dance and storytelling, including French-Canadian, Native American, Swedish, Irish, Scottish and German.

Fourth of July festivities continue this Sunday, July 11 with a “Patriotic Festival” presented by the Dakota Valley Summer Pops Orchestra in the Theater in the Woods. Concert begins at 6:30pm. Children can create a patriotic wand from 5:30-6:30pm, and ice cream from local shop Ring Mountain Creamery will be for sale in the theater.

Photo: Corey Pressgrove

The concert will include favorites This Land is Your Land (Guthrie) and Battle Hymn of the Republic (Berlin/Ramsey), as well as a guest violinist. The 80-member orchestra directed by Stephen J. Ramsey is a season favorite with their impressive size and artistic quality.

Concert is free; a $4 per person donation is suggested to help make this program possible. In the event of rain, concert will be rescheduled for Sunday, July 18. This program is supported in part by United Arts and the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council.

Items Needed for Children's Art Projects

The Art Park is occasionally in need of specific items for art activities that we offer to organized groups. The activities enhance children's experience at the park after a guided tour in the Sculpture Garden. Currently, we are in need of brown book board for a book-making project. If you have a small or big stack, please let us know at 651.454.9412 or bring it to the next program you attend. Thank you!

Volunteer Opportunities

Family Fun Tuesdays Photographer
A photographer in needed at 3 upcoming Family Fun Tuesdays events to capture and document this delightful children's program in the beautiful Sculpture Garden. Interested volunteers should email a few examples of their photography.
Dates: July 20 & August 31, 2010
Time: 9:45 - 11:00am
Skills: Must have an SLR digital camera with a quality lens and zoom. Should be able to take photos respectfully among the audience.

To submit interest in a volunteer opportunity,
visit our Volunteer page.