Northfield Downtown Development Corporation

Ray “Jake” Jacobson (pictured at right) added some ingredients to ArtSwirl this morning at the NDDC’s Monthly Forum. He gave us a brief history of sculpture, updated us on his latest piece, and cited examples of public art stimulating economic development.

There’s so much more coming. Today (Tuesday), there’s Organ Music at Carleton College, Chamber Music at Trinity Lutheran Church, and Poetry at the Contented Cow Pub. Tomorrow (Wednesday), there’s Organ Music at United Methodist Church, Books & Stars at Odd Fellows Park, and Writers Night at Central Park. Thursday (August 9th), there’s Organ Music at St. Olaf College, Theater in Central Park, Chamber Music at St. Olaf College, and Short Films at the Northfield Arts Guild.

Then it’s a big weekend for the Arts in Northfield, with Studio Tours, a Local Artists Market and much more. See the Northfield Arts Guild’s Schedule for more details.

So, check it out, have some fun, and Celebrate the Arts in Northfield.

Ray Jacobson, prominent local artist, Carleton College professor emeritus, and World War II carrier-based dive bomber, will be the guest speaker at the August Downtown Forum sponsored by the Northfield Downtown Development Corporation (NDDC).

The Downtown Forum will be held Tuesday, August 7^th, 8 am, in the Riverview Conference Room of the Archer House, 212 Division Street. This month’s forum is an official event in the 4^th Annual ArtSwirl festival co-sponsored by the NDDC and the Northfield Arts Guild.

Ray, or “Jake” as he is affectionately known, will discuss art in Northfield, the impact of public sculpture, and his latest piece, “Harvest”, scheduled for completion and installation in 2008. This piece, celebrating Northfield’s milling history, will be placed on the bank of the Cannon River across from Ames Mill in downtown Northfield, as an artistic connection to our economic past, present, and future. The project is supported in part by Malt-O-Meal, the Sesquicentennial Committee, and the City of Northfield.

The NDDC is a non-profit community organization dedicated to the vitality of downtown Northfield. The Downtown Forum presents topics of interest to downtown stakeholders, but the public is invited and encouraged to attend as well. Coffee and cookies will be served.

For more information, contact Executive Director Ross Currier at 663-0319 or rcurrier@nddc.org.

The Kick-Off (Beach) Party for ArtSwirl was a real kick. Having dozens of kids playing in four tons of sand dumped in Bridge Square Street was even cooler than I had imagined. There was lots of great music, fun food, and good people too.

The ArtSwirl action continues today. From 2 to 5 pm, come on down(town) and check out the Art Car Parade. From 2 to 4 pm, area residents are invited to help decorate Northfield’s own parade entry and then at 4:30 pm, the resulting masterpiece will join the parade for the final spin around Bridge Square.

Art, Downtown, and Fun are Cool!

That’s right, you heard me, four tons of sand will be poured into Bridge Square Street, TONIGHT, Friday, August 3rd.

Glenn Switzer, of Switzer’s Nursery and Landscaping, will be lending it to us from 6 to 9 pm so that we can build sandcastles in Downtown Northfield.

The sand, along with marshmallows, the Zillionaires, and Meredith Fierke, is all part of the official kick-off of ArtSwirl.

You can see that I’m ready, with my pail and shovel, provided courtesy of Mary Rossing at Present Perfect.

See you Downtown!

The artists, art lovers, and lovers of artists were beginning to gather in downtown Northfield. Here’s a photo of the early moments of the gallery reception for Jill Ewald’s “A Look at Now: Painting, Drawing, Sculpture”.

Oh, but it’s just beginning.

Friday night is the big ArtSwirl kick-off. Come on down(town) to Bridge Square from 6 to 9 pm for sand castles in Bridge Square Street, marshmallow roasting in Bridge Square, hot dogs from Tiny’s on the sidewalks, dancing in the street with The Zillionaires, and vocals in the air by the “soon-to-be-famous” Meredith Fierke (in fact, I’m listening to her, rehearsing with a band, at the Cow as I write).

Celebrating the arts has never been so much fun.