March “First Friday” – MODERN GEOMETRY: Playing with Form – Opening/Reception, Friday, March 5 – 5 pm – 9 pm.
Featuring the work of over 40 artists represented by SEASONS. This annual themed show is always a treat for us!  We invite the artists to submit up to two pieces based on the designated theme. Over the years, the results have been amazing … original, creative, out-of-the-box and fun. For this show we have encouraged the artists to think of the word “geometry” as the shape and relative arrangements of the parts of something; i.e. the geometry of a spider’s web.  Our hope is that the artists will meditate on the basic element of form in visual expression and create meaningful pieces with a playful, modern twist.

Come and connect with artists, friends and innovative art.  Also, enjoy good food, refreshments and music. The show will remain up until March, 30, 2010.

April “First Friday” – Opening/Reception Apr. 2, 2010, 5pm-9pm
Featuring Kelly Jean Ohl and Dan Wiemer. Both of these regional artists encourage us to experience their art through our senses. Kelly Jean Ohl (ceramic artist/Lanesboro, MN) invites us to see, touch, listen and explore her highly textured abstract objects. Kelly Jean likens her work to good food – multi-sensory. Dan Wiemer (painter/Red Wing, MN) also wants us to look beyond the imagery of his work. He wants us to place ourselves in his paintings where we might feel the breeze, smell the air, hear the water or enjoy the peacefulness or serenity of a place. He draws the viewer in through colors, shapes and textures. Come, meet the artists, enjoy the conversation, refreshments, food and music. As always, it has the potential to be a very artful evening. This show will remain up until April 29, 2010.

The ARTOpener – May 1 and May 2 – 10:00 am – 5:00 pm each day.
In its seventh year, the St. Croix River Valley Fine Art Tour, affectionately called The ARTOpener, features 9 locations along the scenic St. Croix waterway from Stillwater, through Hudson to River Falls. The 2010 tour features 20 outstanding artists – painters, potters, and mixed media artists. New to the tour this year: Lynnea Schwieters, a guest potter at Thrownstone Pottery, Jay Jensen and Delores Fortuna, both potters and guests at the Christensen/Reiling Clay Studio and Lauri Wilson, guest artist at Casanova Glass. You will also be able to visit returning artists: Carl Erickson, Elaine Frederickson, Dick Morse and guest Kirk Freeman, Marjorie Wade and guest Rhonda Willers, Melissa Belanger and guest Sarah Dudgeon, Jude Ryan Reiling, Joe Christensen, Thomas and Rebecca Maras, Patrick Casanova, Douglas and Renee Sigwarth with guests Nancy Waterfield and Wendy Young, Richard Reynolds Ward and guest Nolan Prohaska. The tour is an excellent opportunity to visit artist studios, to see work in progress and to enjoy the best that the valley has to offer. For more information, go to www.artopener.com.