Silversmithing photo by Tara Burns

WBCA In the News

Classes, camps and exhibits at the White Bear Center for the Arts

Wednesday, May 11, 2005

By Kristine Goodrich

From "Pastels the Degas Way" to "The Practice of Poetry," the White Bear Center for the Arts provides a variety of visual and performing arts opportunities.

Located in the old armory building in downtown White Bear Lake, the center offers dozens of classes and hosts annual exhibits and other art-related events.

The center started in 1957 as The White Bear Arts Council -- "just a group of people interested in promoting arts in the community," said Polly Shank, one of the founding members.

They began the Northern Lights Art Exhibition, now one of the premier art exhibits in the Midwest. The group also started a writing contest for area youth and the sandcastle contest which has become a community tradition as part of White Bear Lake's Manitou Days festival.

In 1996 the city donated space in the armory to the council, allowing it to start offering arts classes.

For the adults there's drawing, painting, writing, pottery, dancing, bead making, writing and much more.

For the kids there's after-school drawing, themed birthday parties, painting and dance classes. In the summer there are weeklong and Friday morning art camps. Each camp has a different theme such as nature journaling, creating objects out of duct tape and building sculptures out of recyclable materials.

For the whole family there's more classes in drawing, painting and pottery, as well as in origami, papermaking, quilting and even creating stepping stones.

For the nature lovers, the center has recently starting offering classes at the Tamarack Nature Center.

As art programs are being cut from the schools, the center is playing an increasingly more important role in the community, said Suzi Hudson, the center's executive director.

"It fills a need not being addressed in our schools anymore," she said. "Art is just as important as history, math or any other subject."

Art encourages creative problem solving, Hudson said.

"In art there are no right or wrong answers," she said. "Even Einstein said 'imagination is more important than information.' "

On May 21 the center will host Open Canvas, the first ever such art event in the Twin Cities. Guests are invited to observe 40 local artists as they create original works of art. At the end of the evening, guests will be able to purchase the finished artwork through a silent auction.

"It's the most exciting thing we've ever done," Shank said. "How often do you get to see 40 artists together?"

There will be something for everyone, Hudson said, the fundraiser features artists of a variety of ages and artistic approaches. Local artist Frank Zeller is the event's honorary chairman.

"Seeing how it evolves will make them appreciate the artwork so much more," Hudson said. "(The event) is such a great opportunity for the community to get exposed to all of the artistic talent we have right in this area."

The event starts at 6 p.m. and tickets are $35 in advance and $40 at the door. Proceeds will benefit the center and a scholarship fund at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design.

Kristine Goodrich can be reached at 651-407-1233 or vadnaisheightspress@shertel.net.

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