Member Spotlight: Kristine Beck and Kinstone
Kinstone is a modern megalithic garden in rural Fountain City, WI. It was created by Kristine Beck on a portion of land that has been in her family for generations. She began developing Kinstone in 2011 and it has become her lifework. It started as a personal project to build a stone circle. It has become something much larger and she now shares it with the public on a limited basis: it is open from May 1 through October 31 from 10am to 6pm daily and at all other times by appointment.
In addition to three stone circles (including one that may be the largest privately owned modern stone circle in the world), there is a labyrinth, dolmen, thatched cordwood chapel, yurt, pond, native prairie planting, food forest, and more. There are mowed paths that lead visitors around the 30-acre property with information placards at various points of interest. A peaceful energy permeates the place. People come to see the huge standing stones, prairie, and natural buildings. They also come to sit in the chapel, walk the labyrinth, and/or to reconnect to nature. Every aspect of this environment has been thoughtfully constructed and arranged with intention and layers of meaning. The place naturally lends itself to meditation, contemplation, mindfulness, imagination, artistic expression and reflection. Like any work of art, there is always more to see and experience each time you visit.
The majority of visitors enter and experience this sacred place in a self-guided manner. There is a small admission fee. Private tours and group tours can be arranged with Kristine. The Education Center that has a large classroom, kitchen, library, and small retail store area and is available for rent for meetings, workshops, gatherings, etc. Kinstone is also available for rent as a one-of-a-kind wedding venue. Kinstone hosts various programs and events including retreat experiences, art and creativity workshops, meditation and yoga offerings, sacred sound concerts, star-gazing, observances of the equinoxes and solstices, and more. There is an event calendar on the website and events are also posted on Facebook. You can find the website at www.kinstonecircle.com. The Facebook pages are www.facebook.com/kinstonecircle/ and also www.facebook.com/kinstoneapplied/
Kristine and Kinstone invite you to the 8th Annual Kinstone Open House October 4, Noon to 5pm! Everyone is invited to come to this spacious outdoor sanctuary to see the autumn colors, check out some Kinstone-inspired artwork, enjoy live music by the Bus Boys from Noon to 3 and by Peter Phippen & Victoria Shoemaker from 3pm to 4pm, join Kristine for live Q&A in the Great Stone Circle, and don’t forget to get a slice of Kristine’s homemade raspberry, apple or pecan PIE or homemade CHEESECAKE! Find details here: www.kinstonecircle.com/event/8th-annual-kinstone-autumn-open-house/
CALL FOR ARTISTS: It’s not too late to sign up for the third plein air event at Kinstone. RAA is assisting and supporting this event. Artists of every painting medium and every skill level are invited to create plein air works at the Autumn Plein Air Paint Day & Art Sale on Saturday, October 3, 2020, from 9am-4:00pm at Kinstone. Artists may exhibit and sell any works produced during this event (or those created at prior paint days at Kinstone) between 4pm and 6pm on Saturday and between 12pm and 5pm on Sunday at Kinstone during our Open House! Find details about the Plein Air event here: www.kinstonecircle.com/event/art/.
Kristine and Kinstone applaud the River Arts Alliance for their wonderful support of Kinstone and all the arts throughout this region. THANK YOU!!