Local Art Show at Lyric Center for the Arts, Laurentian Arts and Culture Alliance, Inc

I used to live above a small framing shop and the owner Gayle a.k.a. "G" and I used to talk quite a bit while I was there, then I had to move and we lost touch. But one night I received an email from my grandpa, a snowbird who drives south for the winters, just a regular forward, but a really touching one. I decided to pass it on, and in my contacts was Gayle. I sent the forward and didn't think much of it. Then I got an email back from Gayle. I had no idea that receiving this email would be a day I'd remember forever. She asked me to come down to her studio, Fine Edge Custom Framing, here in Eveleth, Minnesota. (http://fineedge.wordpress.com/ ) This wasn't to out of the ordinary, she wanted to look at my photographs, and catch up on life.

I caught a ride with a buddy up to Main Street and walked into her beautiful little framing shop, with all of the gorgeous art on the walls, the smell of tea in the air and faint music playing in the background. Her shop is such a peaceful place, like stepping into serenity for me. We said our hellos as I stripped off my winter coat and set my laptop and purse on the floor. Then she told me something that blew my mind, she said that she would like to sponsor me in an Art Show. (http://lyriccenterforthearts.blogspot.com/2009/03/call-for-artists.html ) I cannot even express in words what this means to me. I've always been taking pictures, but I never thought I would be acknowledged for it. Since I was a kid I've been snapping pictures with those disposable cardboard cameras, then two Christmas's ago my Dad bought me a digital camera. After that it was game on, I was taking over a hundred pictures a day. See living in Northern Minnesota, or "The Iron Range" gives great opportunities that most don't see or understand. We have thousands of miles of lakes, rivers, and woods. This allows us who live here great possibilities for our lives and our careers. Many people I know have gone to Ely, Minnesota to become DNR (Department of Natural Resources) officers, some down to Duluth for Ecology degrees and various other degrees. The Range is a great place to be raised in, especially since I was raised out in the backwoods. You learn many skills if you want to, and can take in knowledge from our elders if we have an open mind. And of course the desire to know about your culture and history of your home is a must.

But the breathtaking abundance of these great Northwoods gives me an enormous amount of creative muse, especially when I got my camera. I do a lot of fishing, hunting, picking night crawlers, trapping minnows (for fishing), picking sheds, pretty much anything outside and I'm happy. So I am able to get these great shots while I'm out on a frozen lake in the middle of winter, or out walking the woods picking up the racks that our whitetail deer shed in the spring.

I never thought much of the pictures I took until I moved into that apartment and met Gayle. I was exposed to a world of art. It just motivated me to write more and take better shots, looking for the beauty and that perfect setting in everything. So that afternoon that she offered me a life changing opportunity I took her generous offer, with much gratitude. To be in a real art show, I still can barely wrap my mind around it.

We must have looked through four hundred pictures by that time four or so hours had passed. Talking and laughing showing our pictures to each other. Eventually we narrowed it down to twelve choices that fit the shows theme, Open Water, which is in celebration of our summer fishing opener. The reception will be held at The Lyric Center for Arts which is located in the downtown of Virginia, MN on April 23^rd starting a six pm and ending at eight pm. All of the detailed information can be found at their website www.lyriccenteronline.org.

This is a magnificent center that's trying to give opportunity to local artists while showing the historical significance of the area. "The Lyric Center for the Arts is a 1912 Opera House downtown Virginia, Minnesota which is owned by the Laurentian Arts and Culture Alliance, a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation. The First Stage gallery and performance space is located in a small portion of the facility. We are currently raising funds to complete the concept design work for a total renovation of the facility. From the mid-1930's through the 1960's this wonderful old building was known as The State Theater. For more information go to www.lyriccenteronline.org Mary Erickson Volunteer Gallery Host"

As I called my grandpa today to tell him the good news, and where it was to be held, he told me that he remembers when it was the state movie theater. He recalls going up in the balcony and watching movies in black and white. It makes me so proud that now he can come to the same building to see his first granddaughter present at my first art show! I'd just like to thank G again because she is such and inspiration, and I hope maybe a few of you Minnesotans out there will turn out for the show!