State Fair Winners: Sculpture

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Richards Poey won the sculpture award both this year and last year–here are his thoughts. What’s the reason you show at the State Fair?The State Fair is one of the few opportunities artists have to show their work to thousands and thousands of people who appreciate fine art. This, in turn, gives you an opportunity for sales. But more than that, the State Fair is a prestigious exhibition—only about 20% of all entries are accepted, so you’re in good company. Ribbons, of course, are the frosting on the cake. Continue Reading

State Fair Winners: Oil and Acrylic Painting

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Maria T. Arrazola won First Prize in Painting. Read on for her story. Maria Arrazola says in her artist statement, “I’m from Bogotá, Colombia. I retired from my profession as a dentist and moved to the United States fifteen years ago. I have spent many years involved in writing, especially poetry. Continue Reading

Judgment Day at the State Fair

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Been wondering why the Fair judges at the State Fair made those choices? Last year, Thomas O’Sullivan investigated the mysterious process; we’re reprising his piece from 2006 on the judging of that year’s show.The Minnesota State Fair’s 95th Annual Fine Arts Exhibition was judged twice. The official judging took place on July 31, when eight jurors selected 349 artworks for the show. The second judging began in earnest at the exhibit preview three weeks later, as visitors to the exhibit weighed in with their own opinions about the show and those who chose it. The comment book in the Fine Arts Center records the critical voice of the people:
“A vast improvement over previous years.”“Who is the judge? Continue Reading

New York Minnesota: Do You Have to Leave to Succeed?

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A survey of a few photographers from the extremely vivid photo scene in Minnesota who have ‘made it.’ Now that they’re a success, inquiring minds want to know: Are they going to move to New York? For those of us who grew up in flat, open places, there’s a mythos to the Big Apple: The buildings are bigger. The people are smarter. The ideas are better – New York is a real place. The very streets are famous. Continue Reading

Black 8th-graders part of multicultural 2007 Winter Carnival court

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Their reign is halfway over, but the lesson they have learned about royalty will last far beyond the fall of next winter’s snowflakes. Last January, Tyler Hamblin and Javon Jackson — both eighth graders from St. Paul’s Ramsey Middle School — were crowned into the royal family of the St. Paul Winter Carnival. The carnival, known as the “coolest celebration on Earth,” is also the oldest winter celebration in the United States, full of traditions that date back to the late 1800s. Continue Reading

Road to Ruin

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Driving west, I have seen the conservative policy future of Minnesota. It’s not an encouraging sight. Last week, we loaded the family truckster and headed to Denver. It’s every American’s dream to travel our nation with children. In Midwestern terms, that means the Rocky Mountains and points between, like the South Dakota tourist attractions Wall Drug and the Mitchell Corn Palace. Continue Reading

Scary at Any Speed

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The Lafayette Bridge was considered worse than the I-35W bridge–until the 35W bridge fell. Among the many Minnesota bridges deemed structurally shakier than the Interstate Hwy. 35W span that collapsed, killing at least nine people, there’s one that Ramsey County Commissioner Tony Bennett makes a point of staying off of – the Lafayette Bridge carrying U.S. Hwy. 52 over the Mississippi River in St. Paul. Continue Reading

Activists pledge not to shop Wal-Mart for school supplies

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Rallying outside the Midway Wal-Mart in St. Paul, labor and community activists joined students and teachers in calling on American families to do their back-to-school shopping elsewhere this year. The event last Thursday kicked off the “Send Wal-Mart Back to School” campaign, spearheaded locally by United Food and Commercial Workers Local 789. The St. Paul action coordinated with similar events in 50 other cities nationwide. Continue Reading

Enjoy a Free Parade of Community Gardens

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Celebrate the wealth and diversity of community gardens in the Twin Cities during the 2nd annual Parade of Community Gardens on Saturday, August 18th from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. This event is coordinated by GardenWorks, a program of The Green Institute. More information, maps and garden descriptions available at “this link”:http://www.gardenworksmn.org/ or by calling 612-278-7123. Continue Reading

Boarded and Vacant Houses Are on the Agenda

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Concerned about vacant houses on your block? At their meeting on Monday, August 20 (6:00 pm at CNO), the Housing / Land Use & Transportation Committees will continue a detailed discussion of boarded and vacant houses in the neighborhood, with a focus on possible remedies. Everyone is invited to attend. Continue Reading