River Arts Alliance

Sugarloaf Community Theatre Announces Auditions for Winnie the Pooh
2026-01-05 18:00 - 20:30 (America/Chicago) | Bluffview Montessori School, 1321 Gilmore Ave, Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Monday, January 05 2026 | 6 – 8:30 pm
Bluffview Montessori School
1321 Gilmore Ave, Winona, MN
The holidays will soon be behind us and January and February often feel so lifeless. Sugarloaf Community Theatre offers just the bright-and-merry, warm and full-of-heart creative solution to pour yourself into: auditions and performances of Winnie the Pooh and the Birthday Surprise, written by Ash Wicka.
Director Jamie Schwaba tagged Wicka’s play as “a beloved story, new adventure.” As you might imagine, when your favorite characters like Winnie the Pooh, Piglet, Owl, Tigger, Rabbit, and Eeyore try to put together a surprise party for Christopher Robin, things go a little sideways, but in the end, their big hearts win the day.
Even if you have zero theater experience, we welcome you to come audition in a friendly at-ease environment. Sugarloaf Community Theatre folks enjoy bringing new talent into the fold. Winnie the Pooh and the Birthday Surprise Playwright Wicka, 16 years old, says even if you’re scared of speaking in front of people, theater is like exposure therapy. And if you’re comfortable on stage, you’re already a natural!
The following is all it takes for auditions, which isn’t as daunting as it might seem. All adults and children 12+ are welcome to audition on Jan. 5 (sign up for a 10-minute slot between 6-8:30 pm) and if cast, participate free of charge. Those auditioning should prepare a monologue (short speech from a play or film delivered by a single character, including animated films and cartoons) that is approximately 1 minute long and will show off your ability to portray a character and memorize lines. During your 10-minute audition time slot, you will also be asked to read a few lines out of the script. That’s it! Sign up on the AUDITION INFORMATION tab at www.linktr.ee/sugarloaf
All auditions, rehearsals, and performances will be held at easy-access Bluffview Montessori School (1321 Gilmore Ave, Winona, MN 55987)
For those who are cast, a full cast (and parents of those under 18) meeting will be held on Jan. 7th at 6:30pm. Rehearsals will be held 3-4 days a week, Monday- Friday from 6:30-8:30 pm, Jan. 8- Feb. 20, however not every actor will be called to every rehearsal, we try to be very respectful of your time! Tech Week (the week of the performance) rehearsals will be held Feb. 23, 24, 25, and 26 from 6:00-10:00 pm. No absences are allowed during Tech Week or Performance, except in cases of illness or family emergency. We will do our best to honor any conflicts listed on the audition form or mentioned at auditions, but once the rehearsal schedule is finalized, additional absences may not be accommodated. Performances will be held on Friday, Feb. 27 at 9:00 am, Saturday, Feb. 28th at 10 am & 2 pm, and Sunday, March 1 at 2 pm.
The show has fun roles—SO many beloved Winnie the Pooh characters–for all experience levels, so come audition and join the positive theatre environment that Sugarloaf Community offers. If you have questions, please reach out to Sugarloafcommunitytheatre@gmail.com.
Sugarloaf Community Theatre is an organizational member of the River Arts Alliance. To learn more about the benefits of membership, please visit: riverartsalliance.org/membership/.

Call to Artists: Between the Bluffs Plein Air
2026-01-05 18:00 - 21:00, 2026-01-06 18:00 - 21:00, 2026-01-07 18:00 - 21:00, 2026-01-08 18:00 - 21:00, 2026-01-09 18:00 - 21:00, 2026-01-10 18:00 - 21:00, 2026-01-11 18:00 - 21:00, 2026-01-12 18:00 - 21:00 and 3 more dates
Demonstrations: Sat. Oct 11 9 – Noon
Show: Oct 17, 18, 19
Betweenthebluffs.com
Colleen Shore is a member of the River Arts Alliance. To learn more about the benefits of membership, please visit: riverartsalliance.org/membership/.

Frozen River Film Festival Celebrates 20 Years with New Film Series
2026-01-06 - 2026-01-13, 2026-01-07 - 2026-01-14, 2026-01-08 - 2026-01-15, 2026-01-09 - 2026-01-16, 2026-01-10 - 2026-01-17, 2026-01-11 - 2026-01-18, 2026-01-12 - 2026-01-19, 2026-01-13 - 2026-01-20 and 2 more dates
frff.eventive.org
This year the Frozen River Film Festival (FRFF) will be celebrating 20 years of bringing documentary films and filmmakers to Winona. The festival begins Sunday, February 9, (You can still get home in time to watch the Super Bowl!) and runs through Sunday, February 16. This year’s event will feature the World Premiere of FRFF’s self-produced documentary, Beneath the Ice: The Frozen River Film Festival Story. Learn more.

Oil Painting Class at Winona Arts Center
2026-01-06 10:00 - 13:00 | Winona Arts Center, 228 E 5th St., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Get your New Year off to a colorful start and join Casey Wicka at the Winona Arts Center for Oil Painting! Classes are held every Tuesday from January 6 through March 24 from 10am to 1pm. If you are looking to grow your creative skills in a fun and friendly atmosphere, then this is the place for you. The topic in these winter classes will be color. Invest in your creativity and email Jen to sign up jsbenson50@gmail.com.
Members: $35 per class, Non-members: $40 per class
All materials included.

Audition for The Original One Acts 2026
2026-01-06 17:00 - 19:00, 2026-01-07 17:00 - 19:00 | The ARC, 255 Main St., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Blending humor, satire, and emotional realism, this showcase of six short plays explores identity, vulnerability, and connection across generations. The works presented highlight diverse voices and complex characters navigating moments of personal and societal change. They invite empathy, reflection, and discovery. Together, these stories offer performers rich opportunities to engage with meaningful and challenging material.

Scottie Miller & Cierra Alise Hill at Winona Arts Center
2026-01-09 19:00 - 21:00 | Winona Arts Center, 228 E 5th St., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Friday | January 9 | 7:00 pm
Winona Arts Center | 228 E 5th Street
The Winona Arts Center is very excited to bring Scottie Miller & Cierra Alise Hill for a concert on Friday, January 9 at 7:00. The gallery and coffeehouse open at 6:00 for coffee, tea, and treats. There will be a cash bar for wine & beer. Tickets are $20 in advance at Music Mart (115 E 3rd St) with no fees or at Eventbrite. Tickets are $25/door. Read more.

Vision Boards with Mary Lee Eischen
2026-01-10 13:00 - 15:00 | Winona Arts Center, 228 E 5th St., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Start your year off by creating a Vision Board for 2026 at the Winona Arts Center with Mary Lee Eischen on Saturday January 10 from 1pm to 3pm. A vision board is a group of images, photographs, pictures that are laid out on a board that please the eye of the creator and then attached with a glue stick. It allows the creator to imagine what is next; what is coming or what is possible in a person’s life! It’s a fun way to think about the new year and open up possibilities. By the end of class, participants will go home with a 15 x 20 Crescent Collage Board filled with images, words, colors and feelings that uplift their spirits to bring positive energy for themselves and those around them in 2026.
Cost: $48/members & $53/non-members
Material Fees: $15 (collage board & additional materials)

Seven Sundays at Winona Arts Center
2026-01-11 13:00 - 16:00 | Winona Arts Center, 228 E 5th St., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
The Winona Arts Center is excited to debut our new series, Seven Sundays: WAC Art & Music Series 2026 on January 11 from 1:00-4:00. This is the final date of the Foundations exhibit which features 10 emerging artists and will feature a musical performance by guitarist Brian Ebbinger. Seven Sundays is an arts and music series during 2026 where a musical performance will be paired with each newly hung visual art exhibit. All seven events are free. This series is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the SEMAC thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

Watercolor Classes at Winona Arts Center
2026-01-13 17:30 - 19:30 | Winona Arts Center, 228 E 5th St., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
The Winona Arts Center is pleased to welcome Miranda Lomeli-O’Reilly who will teach beginner Watercolor Classes. Each class has a different lesson. The January 13 class “Foundations” is required for new students. The January 20 class will cover Color mixing & Reinforcement. Jan 27 is Application & Evergreens Workshop. The cost of the 3-session class is $45 for members & $50/non members. There is a one-time $20 materials fee. If you have questions or want to register contact Jen at jsbenson50@gmail.com

Printmaking Workshop with Preston Lawing at Winona Arts Center
2026-01-14 17:30 - 19:30 | Winona Arts Center, 228 E 5th St., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
The Winona Art Center continues our Printmaking Series with Preston Lawing. This three-week workshop will introduce participants to the technique of drypoint etching, covering both the practical aspects of creating prints and the historical context of the medium. Participants will learn how to prepare their acrylic plates, execute etchings and work safely in a printmaking studio. Participants do not need to have strong drawing skills, but a willingness to explore different marking choices that should provide lifelong joy of this simple, but elegant process. Due to the technical information and processes covered, this course is suited for those who are 18 and up. All materials are provided. Cost is $150 for the 3-day workshop. Register today with Jen at jsbenson50@gmail.com
