Northfield Downtown Development Corporation

The announcement by The Key that it’s literary and visual arts magazine, The Scream, is now accepting submissions caused me to realize how much art is happening on the west side of the river. In my opinion, The Key is a major, and not properly appreciated, contributor to our Art Town.

Most people are at least aware of their concert series. Many regional favorites have performed at The Key over the years. Fewer people are probably aware of their visual arts programs, including button-making, pumpkin-carving, “Super Cool Melty Plastic Sculptures”, snow sculptures, t-shirt designing, ornament-crafting and, of course, their ever-changing murals. Finally, it is an even rarer person who follows their book club, which boasts as recent titles such heavyweights as Confederacy of Dunces, 1984, Breakfast of Champions, On the Road, and The Sun Also Rises.

I must admit, even I was not aware of their vigorous pursuit of the culinary arts. As many of you know, this medium in particular is close to my heart…or stomach. I’ll try to time my next visit with a performance piece in this area.

There is an effort underway to reinvigorate the Art Crawl. I’m hoping that The Key will join in. They have much to offer and we have much to gain from such collaboration.

…for Shopping Downtown!

This early morning scene of City of Northfield workers putting up the Chamber of Commerce Holiday Banners reminded me that the Holiday Season is just around the corner…
…and that excellent shopping opportunities are literally just around the corner on Division Street.

So, save gas and time and enjoy creativity and community…
…by shopping in Downtown Northfield.

This Saturday night is the opening of a show of local artwork…

…in Downtown Northfield.

Northfield’s own Fine Craft Collective,

featuring the work of Connie Conway, Cathy Collison, DeAnn Engvall, Gabriele Franklin, Sue Hammes-Knopf, Teresa Harsma, Jeanne Henke, Suzanne Klumb, Marisa Martinez de Silva, Colleen Riley, Arlene Rolf, Judy Saye-Willis, Elizabeth Schott, Amanda Stremcha, Leanne Stremcha, Tom Willis, and Jennifer Wolcott, will show off their latest work (just in time for the holidays)

at the new Grezzo Gallery, 16 Bridge Square.

For more information: grezzogallery@yahoo.com.

In our discussion about ArtsPlan06 on Monday’s Podcast, Tracy Davis revealed that her biggest concern was that she might have to look at, what she might consider to be, mediocre art.

Tracy, it sounds like you’re suggesting that we keep your daughter off the stage and reserve all the roles for the professionals from the Guthrie. Maybe we should close down the local rug merchant and replace her with RugMart. Certainly we should keep that Northfield cellist out of the CVRO and reserve the chair for Yo Yo Ma. In fact, let’s keep the NHS football team away from Memorial Field and save that turf for the Vikings…well, the Raiders probably could kick the Vikings’ butts …let’s say the Colts.

My point is that actresses, entrepreneurs, musicians and athletes all need an opportunity to develop their skills. I’m sure that throughout history, these talented folks were often challenged enough when experimenting with something new; they might never have emerged if they had been prevented from participating until the aging maestro finally kicked the bucket and opened up a space for an emerging talent.

If we don’t foster an environment which gives emerging talent an opportunity to experiment, develop, and, hopefully, shine, we’re greatly reducing the possibility of producing another Brett Favre, Pablo Casals, Steve Wozniak or (my daughter is reading over my shoulder) Johnny Depp.

If we do foster an environment that gives emerging talent an opportunity to perform, exhibit and compete, we’ll attract a good portion of this talented class and when they get their spot on the late-night talk show, hopefully they’ll say, “I couldn’t have done it without Northfield, Minnesota; it’s a great place to develop as an artist, start-up a business and raise a family”.

In today’s (11/8/06) Star Tribune South section, there is an article about Burnsville’s on-going effort to create a community gathering place, commonly known as a downtown. They call it “The Heart of the City” and they’ve been determinedly working on it for at least a decade.

Their latest effort at jump-starting vitality is trying to lure the Chanhassen Theater. Burnsville’s leaders see the performing arts as a strong stimulus to economic development.

In Northfield, we’re fortunate to have a tradition of vibrant performing arts. Of course, there is the Northfield Arts Guild, with their Theater in the Park pictured here, but there are also the numerous companies that are hosted at both Carleton College and St. Olaf College as well as those offered by the emerging artists at Northfield Public Schools.

Northfield is not yet so geographically spread out that it’s long trip to reach the various locations and enjoy performances of any of these organizations. All of them contribute to the community building that makes Northfield vibrant.

So, let’s put that election behind us and enjoy some of Northfield’s performing arts. This week it’s the Art Guild’s “Beauty and the Beast“, sponsored by Millstream Commons, at the Little Theater over on West Third Street. Both sides of that aisle will agree, Northfield’s lucky to have such a lively local arts scene.