River Arts Alliance

Exhibition Opens - Joan Porter-Einsman in Artistry Exhibition
2023-10-13 18:00 (America/Chicago) | Bloomington Center for the Arts, 1800 W Old Shakopee Rd., Bloomington, MN, 55431, United States
October 13 – November 19, 2023
Bloomington Center for the Arts | 1800 W Old Shakopee Rd. | Bloomington, MN
artistrymn.org
River Arts Alliance member and painter Joan Porter-Einsman has work included in Artistry’s 47th Annual Members’ Juried Art Show in Bloomington, Minnesota. The exhibition can be seen from Friday, October 13 through Sunday, November 19, 2023 in the Inez Greenberg Gallery at the Bloomington Center for the Arts, 1800 W Old Shakopee Rd., Bloomington, MN 55431. Learn more.

Claude Bourbon at Winona House Concerts
2023-10-12 19:00 | MN
Historic Frederick Bell House | Winona
winonahouseconcerts.com
The next concert at Winona House Concerts will feature Claude Bourbon, progressive blues, on Thursday, October 12 at 7 pm. Tickets are $25.00 and all ticket proceeds go to the artist. Ready for a unique and talented take on a wide range of musical traditions? Claude Bourbon is known throughout Europe and America for amazing guitar performances that take blues, Spanish, and classical stylings into uncharted territories. Learn more.

Community Storytelling Competition: Pre-Competition Screening
2023-10-10 18:00 - 21:00 | Figliulo Recital Hall, 700 Terrace Heights, Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Figliulo Recital Hall | Saint Mary’s University | 700 Terrace Heights
sandbarstorytellingfestival.org
The Sandbar Storytelling Festival (SSF) is adding a new and improved event to their festival this year, a Community Storytelling Competition. To compete at the festival, nine community tellers will be chosen during a Pre-Competition Screening on Tuesday, Oct. 10. Tellers will have five minutes to tell a story of their choice. The best nine will be chosen from the screening to perform for the final competition on Saturday, Oct. 14, at 4 pm in the Page Theater at Saint Mary’s University. Registration for the Pre-Competition Screening is required. See guidelines and learn more here.

Sweet Sounds Third Anniversary Supports Lutheran Campus Center
2023-10-08 14:00 - 16:00 | Faith Lutheran Church, 1717 W Service Dr., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Faith Lutheran Church | 1717 W Service Dr.
H3OJazz.com
Calling all lovers of homemade treats and jazz music! On Sunday, October 8, H3O Jazz Trio will present the third annual “Sweet Sounds” – a concert benefitting the Lutheran Campus Center in Winona. The event runs from 2 to 4 pm and will feature the jazz trio along with some special guests. The concert will be held outside, weather permitting, at Faith Lutheran Church, 1717 W Service Drive, Winona, and move inside if the weather is unfavorable. There is no fee to enjoy this fun afternoon and the event is open to all with donations gratefully accepted. Learn more.

Theatre du Mississippi Presents Return Engagement by Kathleen Kenney-Peterson
2023-10-08 14:00, 2023-10-07 19:00, 2023-10-06 19:00, 2023-10-01 14:00, 2023-09-30 19:00, 2023-09-29 19:00 | Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts, 1164 W 10th St., Winona, MN, United States
Valencia Arts Center | 1164 W Howard St.
theatredumiss.org
Theatre du Mississippi is pleased to kick-off its 25th anniversary season with Return Engagement, a work by local playwright Kathleen Kenney-Peterson. Michael Fitzpatrick, a favorite actor of Winona’s Great River Shakespeare Festival, will play the lead role. The play tells the story of Richard, a gay New York stage actor who has developed multiple sclerosis and is forced to move back to his small Minnesota hometown. Tickets are $15 online at Eventbrite, $15 cash or check at Chapter 2 Books (125 E 3rd St., Winona), and No Name Bar (252 E 3rd St., Winona), or $20 at the door. Following the October 8 performance will be a panel discussion about caregiving, with representatives from Winona Health and Eldercare. Learn more.

Voices From the Past Cemetery Walk
2023-10-08 12:00 - 16:00, 2023-10-07 12:00 - 16:00 | Woodlawn Cemetery, 506 W Lake Blvd., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Woodlawn Cemetery | 506 W Lake Blvd.
winonahistory.org
The Winona County Historical Society’s fall fundraiser event, Voices From the Past Cemetery Walk will highlight what has been and still is Made in Winona! this year. Take a walk into the past with stories of Winona County brought to life with community actors in beautiful Woodlawn Cemetery. Allow about 1.5 to 2 hours to take the self-guided tour on October 7 or 8. Cannot make The Walk? Then head to the indoor accessible performance of all the sites at the History Center on October 5 at 6 p.m. Voices From the Past is sponsored by Merchants Bank. Admission: $10 Adults, $5 Students, $3 Youth 12 to 4 years old. Learn more.

River City Dancers – Harvest Moon Dance
2023-10-07 19:00 - 22:30 | St. Stan’s School Gym, 602 E 5th St., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
St. Stan’s School Gym | 602 E 5th St.
rivercitydancers.org
Come celebrate the beginning of the 2023 dance season! Celebrate autumn’s beauty with a night of enchanting ballroom dance under the harvest moon. Admission (general: $15; students: $10) includes the optional dance lesson from 7:00 to 8:00 pm. Learn more.

Philip Daniel Concert at WAC
2023-10-07 19:00 | Winona Arts Center, 228 E 5th St., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Winona Arts Center | 228 E 5th St.
winonaarts.org
The Winona Arts Center is pleased to feature Philip Daniel in concert on October 7. Daniel is a distinguished pianist and composer, acclaimed for his ability to evoke powerful emotions through his music. He has cultivated a unique musical voice that gracefully merges classical elements, minimalist soundscapes, and cinematic qualities. In addition to his solo projects, he has established a successful full-time career in film composing. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door. Tickets can be purchased at Hardt’s Music until 4 pm on October 6, or online through Eventbrite. Coffeehouse and gallery open at 6 pm and music starts at 7 pm. Learn more.

tracings: dance film screening and community sharing
2023-10-07 14:00 - 16:00 | Winona Arts Center, 228 E 5th St., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Winona Arts Center | 228 E 5th St.
mansurdance.com/tracings.html
Join Winona based dance/interdisciplinary artist Sharon Mansur and guests for “tracings: dance film screening and community sharing” in partnership with the Frozen River Film Festival at the Winona Arts Center on Saturday, October 7. This informal event will feature the premiere of tracings, a dance film created by Sharon Mansur in collaboration with Sydney Swanson, director of photography. Also enjoy a sneak peak into the tracings creative walking project’s process via Mansur, Swanson, community partner Alexa Shapiro with the Winona Outdoor Collaborative, and other participants. Marty Walsh with the Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trail will also be there to discuss an exciting initiative to create a 100-mile footpath across southeastern Minnesota. Free admission, open to all ages, no reservations needed. Learn more.

The Cup Film at WAC
2023-10-06 19:30 | Winona Arts Center, 228 E 5th St., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Winona Arts Center | 228 E 5th St.
winonaarts.org
The Winona Film Society is pleased to present the film, The Cup, on October 6, 2023 at 7:30 pm at the Winona Arts Center. Admission is $5.
Prayer. Meditation. Rituals. Soccer??
World Cup soccer fever sweeps into a remote Himalayan monastery and centuries-old traditions are threatened—the young monks will do just about anything to watch the final match, posing a unique challenge to the venerable lamas in charge. Tibetan language with English subtitles. Learn more.

Art Schmooze with RAA, SSF, & WAC
2023-10-06 17:00 - 19:00 | Winona Arts Center, 228 E 5th St., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Winona Arts Center | 228 E 5th St.
For our next Art Schmooze, River Arts Alliance is teaming up with two fellow Winona-based arts organizations, the Sandbar Storytelling Festival and the Winona Arts Center! Join us on Friday evening, October 6, from 5 to 7 pm at the Arts Center, located at 228 E 5th Street, Winona. The event is free and open to the public. The Schmooze is intended as a fun, informal opportunity to learn more about each of the three organizations and to make connections with fellow arts supporters and artists of all disciplines. Learn more.

Voices From the Past Cemetery Walk - Indoor Accessible Performance
2023-10-05 18:00 | Winona County History Center, 160 Johnson St, Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Winona County History Center | 160 Johnson St.
winonahistory.org
The Winona County Historical Society’s fall fundraiser event, Voices From the Past Cemetery Walk will highlight what has been and still is Made in Winona! this year. Take a walk into the past with stories of Winona County brought to life with community actors in beautiful Woodlawn Cemetery. Allow about 1.5 to 2 hours to take the self-guided tour on October 7 or 8. Cannot make The Walk? Then head to the indoor accessible performance of all the sites at the History Center on October 5 at 6 p.m. Voices From the Past is sponsored by Merchants Bank. Admission: $10 Adults, $5 Students, $3 Youth 12 to 4 years old. Learn more.

Laureate Writers Series Presents Mary Moore Easter, Poet and Dancer
2023-10-03 19:00 | Blue Heron Coffeehouse, 162 W 2nd St, Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Blue Heron Coffeehouse | 162 W 2nd St.
On October 3rd, poet Mary Moore Easter will read from her work at the Blue Heron Coffeehouse. This First Tuesday Laureate Writers Series event is co-sponsored by the Maria W. Faust Sonnet Contest and the Blue Heron Coffeehouse. The reading will be followed by a book signing and then an open mic. Bring some of your work to share. This event is free and open to the public.
Mary Moore Easter has published four books of poetry: Walking From Origins (chapbook, 1993), The Body of the World (Minnesota Book Award Finalist, 2019), Flutes of Our Bones (2020), and Free Papers—Poems Inspired by the Testimony of Eliza Winston, a Mississippi Slave Escaped to Freedom in Minnesota in 1860 (2021). She has also published a memoir, The Way She Wants to Get There—Telling on Myself (2022) that chronicles her life as a dancer and choreographer as well as a poet. Her poetry speaks “the language of dance.” Learn more.

Plein Air Group Invitational Exhibition
2023-10-01 10:00 - 17:00, 2023-09-30 10:00 - 17:00, 2023-09-29 10:00 - 17:00 | Minnesota Marine Art Museum, 800 Riverview Dr., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Group Invitational Exhibition by Featured Plein Air Artists | Thursday, Sept. 28 through Sunday, Oct. 1 | 10 am to 5 pm each day | Atrium at MMAM
Twelve of the finest plein air painters in Minnesota and Wisconsin have been invited to exhibit a selection of their works in the atrium at the Minnesota Marine Art Museum (MMAM) during Flora & Fauna – The Plein Air Experience, 2023. Many of the works featured will be for sale. This atrium exhibition can be visited for free, but admission charges apply to the rest of the MMAM galleries (museum admission is free for students on Thursdays).
See the list of featured artists here.
See the schedule of events and more information about Flora & Fauna – The Plein Air Experience, 2023 here.
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

Off-The-Easel Share-In & Closing Social
2023-10-01 09:00 - 10:00 | Minnesota Marine Art Museum, 800 Riverview Dr., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Oberton Education Room at Minnesota Marine Art Museum
Before visiting Flora & Fauna – The Plein Air Experience, 2023 participants head home from Winona, featured artists, workshop instructors and students, art patrons and the general public are all invited to gather once more at MMAM for a closing social. Set up your easels to show off some of what you’ve learned and created during the weekend! Some works painted in Winona by participating artists during The Plein Air Experience may be available for sale by arrangement with the individual artists. Coffee, tea, and baked goods will be provided.
See the schedule of events and more information about Flora & Fauna – The Plein Air Experience, 2023 here.
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

Johnsmith & Dan Sebranek Concert at WAC
2023-09-30 19:00 | Winona Arts Center, 228 E 5th St., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Winona Arts Center | 228 E 5th St.
winonaarts.org
The Winona Arts Center is pleased to present Johnsmith and Dan Sebranek in concert on September 30, 2023. Coffeehouse opens at 6 pm and the music starts at 7 pm. For the past forty-plus years, Johnsmith has been sharing his music all across America and abroad and has become a favorite at festivals, clubs, and house concerts alike. Dan Sebranek is a renowned singer, songwriter and musician who started his musical career at the age of 14 with musical roots in bluegrass and rock and roll. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door. Tickets can be purchased at Hardt’s Music until 4 pm on September 29, 2023 or online through Eventbrite. Learn more.

Plein Air Painting Demonstrations
2023-09-30 10:00 - 16:30 | MN
Plein Air Painting Demonstrations by Featured Artists | Friday, Sept. 29 & Saturday, Sept. 30 | Various times & locations in Winona
Eight of the featured artists participating in the invitational exhibition will also give free, public painting demonstrations at various locations around Winona on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 29 and 30.
The demonstration schedule for Saturday, September 30 is as follows:

Kar-Keat Chong | Latsch Island Recreational Area | Saturday | 10 am
Matt Kania | Windom Park | Saturday | 2 pm
Scott Lloyd Anderson | Prairie Island Campground, riverfront near Kiwanis Shelter | Saturday | 2:30 pm

See the schedule of events and more information about Flora & Fauna – The Plein Air Experience, 2023 here.
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

Plein Air Workshop - From Borders to Betweens and Beyond
2023-09-30 09:00 - 16:00 | Minnesota Marine Art Museum, 800 Riverview Dr., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Host Studio: Minnesota Marine Art Museum, Oberton Education Room
Tuition: $500.00 [maximum 16 participants]
**As of July 21, this workshop has only one remaining space available. When full, a waitlist will be offered.
This workshop is offered as part of Flora & Fauna – The Plein Air Experience, 2023.
In this deeply exploratory, yet hands-on plein air workshop, you’ll be mentored by two of Minnesota’s master painters, Fred Somers and Kami Mendlik, as they impart and share their philosophies and approach to studying directly from nature. Using the Minnesota Marine Art Museum’s dramatic outdoor landscape directly on the Upper Mississippi River, day one will be a deep dive into studying color out of doors as Kami shares her approach using oil paints (applicable to all mediums). Kami will lead you through a series of exercises to emphasize the importance of gathering the vital relationships of color in the landscape to capture the illusion of light and atmosphere in a painting. Fred will lead day two, taking the inspiration from out of doors, into the studio, translating the abstract and mysterious onto canvas, and share his unique approach using pastels (applicable to all mediums) to push the edge of creativity to express the mystery of nature.
Learn more here. Register here.
See more information about Flora & Fauna – The Plein Air Experience, 2023 here.
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

Plein Air Workshop - Watercolor Journey
2023-09-30 09:00 - 16:00 | Mississippi Mornings Art Studio, 40341 Lamoille Dr., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Host Studio: Mississippi Mornings Art Studio
Tuition: $400.00 [maximum 16 participants]
This workshop is offered as part of Flora & Fauna – The Plein Air Experience, 2023.
Join David R. Smith on a Watercolor Journey outdoors, learning the most valuable watercolor concepts and techniques. This workshop will save you countless hours of trial & error by demonstrating an effective approach to painting outdoors that will open new doors of discovery and creativity. David will discuss outdoor equipment options, considerations when choosing a composition, value study options to help prepare for the painting process, and provide numerous demonstrations. Regardless of your level of experience, you’ll leave with the concepts and confidence to take your paintings to a higher level. David will demonstrate a wide variety of techniques, including how to link shapes in a composition based on values, while also learning about edge quality of shapes, the importance of different consistencies of paint, and the different moisture qualities of paper – concepts and approaches that will keep you inspired and eager to explore your new watercolor capabilities long into the future.
Learn more here. Register here.
See more information about Flora & Fauna – The Plein Air Experience, 2023 here.
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

The Harvest – La Cosecha Film at WAC
2023-09-29 19:00 | Winona Arts Center, 228 E 5th St., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Winona Arts Center | 228 E 5th St.
winonaarts.org
The Winona Film Society is pleased to present the film, The Harvest – La Cosecha, on September 29 at the Winona Arts Center. Admission is $5 per person.
Every year there are more than 400,000 American children who are torn away from their friends, schools and homes to pick the food we all eat. Zulema, Perla and Victor labor as migrant farm workers, sacrificing their own childhoods to help their families survive. This film profiles these three as they journey from the scorching heat of Texas onion fields to the winter snows of Michigan apple orchards and then back to Florida tomato fields. Local migrant harvest workers have been invited to attend this film screening and share their experiences. Learn more.

Group Plein Air "Paint-Out" on the Levee
2023-09-29 16:00 | Levee Park, 58 Center St., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Group “Paint-Out” on the Levee | Friday, Sept. 29 | 4 pm-evening | Levee Park in downtown Winona

UPDATE 5:30 PM 9/29: It’s been a great day of plein air activities so far! It looks like most of our painters are taking a break right now. Feel free to spend some time painting on your own at Levee Park. Otherwise, we’ll see you there a little later this evening at about 6:30 for the start of our next official demos, nocturne painting with Hannah C. Heyer and Joshua Cunningham. Watch for “painting event” signs and/or social media updates to find the specific area in the park where they’ll be setting up.

This event is part of Flora & Fauna – The Plein Air Experience, 2023. Bring your easels, paint and brushes (or the art supplies for your medium of choice) to join an informal, public, group paint-out at Levee Park on Friday afternoon and evening, on the banks of the Mississippi River under a full moon! Sunset is at 6:51 pm and moonrise is at 7:10 pm. Feel free to start painting earlier in the afternoon; 4 pm is the end time of earlier events for the day. Nocturne painting demonstrations by featured artists Joshua Cunningham and Hannah C. Heyer will take place Friday evening at Levee Park (approximate start time 6:30 pm; watch for updates).

Flora & Fauna – The Plein Air Experience, 2023 is presented by River Arts Alliance in partnership with the Minnesota Marine Art Museum. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

See the schedule of events for the weekend here.

Plein Air Painting Demonstrations
2023-09-29 09:00 - 20:30 | MN
Plein Air Painting Demonstrations by Featured Artists | Friday, Sept. 29 & Saturday, Sept. 30 | Various times & locations in Winona
Eight of the featured artists participating in the invitational exhibition will also give free, public painting demonstrations at various locations around Winona on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 29 and 30.
The demonstration schedule for Friday, September 29 is as follows:

Lisa K. Stauffer | MMAM Grounds | Friday | 9 am
Michele Combs | Windom Park | Friday | 10 am
Kelly Schamberger | Lake Park, Rose Garden Gazebo | Friday | 2 pm
Nocturne Painting | Joshua Cunningham & Hannah C. Heyer | Levee Park | Friday evening (precise start time & location in park TBA)

See the schedule of events and more information about Flora & Fauna – The Plein Air Experience, 2023 here.
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.
