River Arts Alliance

Laureate Writers Series Presents Mary Moore Easter, Poet and Dancer
2023-10-03 19:00 (America/Chicago) | 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.

Theatre du Mississippi Presents Return Engagement by Kathleen Kenney-Peterson
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.

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, 2023-09-28 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
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, 2023-09-29 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, 2023-09-29 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
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.

Opening Reception: Flora & Fauna - The Plein Air Experience, 2023
2023-09-28 18:30 - 20:30 | Minnesota Marine Art Museum, 800 Riverview Dr., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
7-8:30 pm, doors open at 6:30 pm.
Meet the artists participating in the plein air invitational exhibition at a public opening reception at the Minnesota Marine Art Museum (MMAM) on Thursday evening, September 28. The program will include a conversation with master artists and workshop instructors Kami Mendlik, Fred Somers, and David R. Smith, facilitated by MMAM Executive Director Scott Pollock. A cash bar will be available. The event is free and open to the public; no registration required.
See the list of featured artists for the exhibition 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.

Joan Porter-Einsman in NEMAA 10×10 Event
2023-09-28 17:30 - 21:00 | Theatre in the Round, 245 Cedar Ave., Minneapolis, MN, 55454, United States
VIP Experience 5:30-7 pm | General Admission 7-9 pm
Theatre in the Round | 245 Cedar Ave. | Minneapolis, MN
nemaa.org
River Arts Alliance member Joan Porter-Einsman is a participating artist in the Northeast Minneapolis Arts Association (NEMAA) 10×10 and 10×10+ annual fundraiser, which includes an in-person event on Thursday, September 28 and an online artwork sale. Learn more.

Auditions: Theatre du Mississippi’s Sometimes There’s Wine
2023-09-26 17:00 - 19:00, 2023-09-24 15:00 - 17:00 | Curiosi-Tea House, 901 W 5th St., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Curiosi-Tea House | 901 W 5th St.
theatredumiss.org
Theatre du Mississippi is holding auditions for Sometimes There’s Wine by Shanan Custer and Carolyn Pool. The show is a compilation of short scenes with multiple characters. Auditions are open to women and non-binary individuals of any race and ethnicity. Auditions are Sunday, September 24th and Tuesday, September 26th at Curiosi-Tea House. Video auditions are welcome and can be sent to theatredumiss@gmail.com before Tuesday, September 26th at 5 pm. Performances are November 3rd-5th and November 10th-12th at the Valencia Arts Center. Learn more.

Auditions: Amahl & the Night Visitors
2023-09-24 16:00 - 18:00, 2023-09-23 10:00 - 12:00, 2023-09-22 17:00 - 19:00 | Faith Lutheran Church, 1717 W Service Dr., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Faith Lutheran Church | 1717 W Service Dr.
fclwinona.org
Auditions are being held at Faith Lutheran Church for a production of Amahl & the Night Visitors, Gian Carlo Menotti’s beautiful, warm, beloved hour-long opera. There are six leading roles: Amahl (a soprano about 10 years old), his mother (a soprano, 30s), the three kings (all adult men, a tenor, baritone, and baritone/bass) and the kings’ page (18 or older, a baritone). A choir of 20 – 30 shepherds (SATB, ages 10 through adults), also plays an important part in the show. We’re looking for people who love to sing and build community. The music is simple, rich and melodic. Leading roles require strong singers. Rehearsals will be held at Faith Lutheran Church during October and November. To be considered for a part, you MUST be available for the production dates, Dec. 8th, 9th and 10th and the dress rehearsal, December 7th. Learn more.

Bach Society of Minnesota at Central Lutheran
2023-09-23 19:00 | Central Lutheran Church, 259 W Wabasha St., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Central Lutheran Church | 259 W Wabasha St.
On Saturday, September 23, Central Lutheran will welcome the Bach Society of Minnesota back to Winona. “Voices from Heaven” features the music of Bach, Telemann, Handel, and Lully. The famous 4th Brandenburg Concerto sets the tone for the concert with breathtaking arias and concertos by some of the most beloved composers of the Baroque era. Performers include special guest artist Matthew Shorten, tenor; Matthias Maute, recorder; Clea Galhano, recorder; Margaret Humphrey, violin; and members of the Orchestra of the Bach Society of Minnesota. Tickets are $20 for adults and $5 for students. Patrons are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance through Eventbrite here. Learn more.

Pinch Pot and Coiling Pottery Class at WAC
2023-09-23 12:00 - 15:00 | 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 offer a pinch pot and coiling pottery workshop led by potter Richard Spiller on September 23. This class is open for children age 12 and up and adults. Participants will make small vessels using balls of clay to form pinch pots and using a hand building method of forming pottery by building up walls with rope-like coils of clay. Cost is $25 for children ages 12 to 16, $30 for WAC members, and $35 for non-members. Learn more.

Opposable Thumbs at Winona House Concerts!
2023-09-22 19:00
Historic Frederick Bell House | Winona
winonahouseconcerts.com
Join us for the first concert of our season! Opposable Thumbs is a four-piece string band that performs originals and progressive string band music. This band first performed in the 90’s. After about 20 years, they started meeting weekly, reviving past repertoire, and adding some new material. With original members Wayne Beezley, mandolin and octave mandolin; Rick Sampson, banjo, guitar and mandolin; Betsy Neil, fiddle; they added a new bass player, Larry Dalton, and continued honing their skills. Learn more and get tickets at winonahouseconcerts.com.

Salsa Street Dance
2023-09-22 18:00 - 22:00
Third & Center Streets | Downtown Winona
rivercitydancers.org
Third Street in Downtown Winona will be spinning and grooving to live salsa music and dancing at the much-anticipated fall dance “Salsa In The Street!” On Friday, September 22 from 6-10 pm, the community is invited to a FREE dance party thrown by River City Ballroom Dancers/Breitlow Ballroom. Angel Chavez will teach a beginning Salsa lesson from 6-7 pm and Salsa del Soul will provide LIVE Latin music from 7-9 pm. Then, DJ T1 with GGG Entertainment will play Latin Dance music from 9-10 pm. The event is part of the Winona Main Street and Chamber of Commerce’s Winona in the Street series. Learn more.

Book Launch – “Empire” by James Armstrong
2023-09-22 17:00 - 19:00 | Minnesota Marine Art Museum, 800 Riverview Dr., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Minnesota Marine Art Museum | 800 Riverview Dr.
MMAM Event Page
James Armstrong, who served as Winona’s first Poet Laureate, will read from his latest book of poems, “Empire,” on September 22nd from 5 to 7 pm at the Minnesota Marine Art Museum. Armstrong retired last spring from Winona State University’s English Department, where he taught poetry and creative writing for 24 years. The launch event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be available from 5-5:30, followed by readings from “Empire,” and a question and answer period. Learn more.
