They May Look Familiar

　

Alan Krueger’s art is sometimes startling because it is so realistic. You may have seen his work on covers of wildlife and sportsman’s magazines over the years. His paintings are detailed, colorful and heart warming. For anyone who enjoys the outdoors and nature subjects in art, Alan Krueger paintings are very special. Painting wildlife has been his full-time profession since 1977…a considerable accomplishment. Starting August 2 and continuing through September 1, an impressive collection of his paintings will be on display at The Edge Center Gallery in Bigfork, MN. The gallery is open on Thursdays through Saturdays 10AM to 4PM. There will be an opening reception Friday August 3 from 1 to 3 PM. Admission is free.

Alan Krueger was born in 1948. Raised in Minnesota, nature subjects have been the focus of his art from an early age. Although largely self-taught, he studied art at Mound Westonka High School, taxidermy at age 15 and later, biology at the University of Minnesota. While serving in Viet Nam, he did many portraits for the G.I.’s. Krueger started painting wildlife full-time in 1977, after placing in the top 10% of the first Minnesota Duck Stamp Contest.

Alan’s art has been in exhibition at Kohl Galleries, Upland California, Prestige Gallery, Ltd., Toronto, Canada, and many other galleries throughout the world. He has had one-man shows at the Hennepin County Minnesota Nature Center, Victoria, Minnesota and Hart Gallery, Billings, Montana. Alan has also explored sculpture and clay models, which are often used when he is painting. He completed many Chainsaw sculptures from 1990 to 2000. In 1987, his painting, "Spring Breakup - Loons" was chosen from an international competition to be reproduced in limited edition by the Laurel Street Art Club.

Setting up a gallery exhibit every month takes time and patience. It also takes a lot of TLC by the volunteer staff at The Edge Center to make sure the art is handled carefully and displayed beautifully. Much appreciation and many thanks go out to those people who work hard behind the scene to complete these tasks.

Dr. Seuss Musical in Bigfork This Upcoming Weekend

The Stages Theatre Company, STC of Hopkins, Minnesota is bringing one of their productions to The Edge Theater stage in Bigfork this weekend. It is the musical Seussical – Theatre for Young Audiences Version (TYA). Blending of some of Dr. Seuss's most famous books with music, it is a heartwarming and colorful event for the entire family. Seussical TYA will be on stage at The Edge Center in Bigfork July 13 through 15. Friday and Saturday performances are at 7PM and Sunday 2PM. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children.

The photographs in this article are from the Stages Theatre Company (STC) of their Hopkins performance of this play and are courtesy of Jennifer Kirkeby

The quotes are from http://minneapolis.broadwayworld.com/regional/SEUSSICAL-THEATRE-YOUNG-AUDIENCES-10466#

“Now one of the most performed shows in America, "Seussical" is a fantastical, magical, musical extravaganza! Tony winners Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty ("Ragtime," "Once On This Island") have lovingly brought to life all of our favorite Dr. Seuss characters, including Horton the Elephant, Gertrude McFuzz, lazy Mayzie and a little boy with a big imagination--Jojo.”

"Oh, the Thinks You Will Think" as the spirit of imagination transports the colorful characters from the Jungle of Nool to the Circus McGurkus to the invisible world of the Whos.”

“For this version, certain plot elements have been simplified, it is in one act, and runs approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes…”

“The story centers around Horton the Elephant, who finds himself faced with a double challenge--not only must he protect his tiny friend Jojo (and all the invisible Whos) from a world of naysayers and dangers, but he must guard an abandoned egg, left to his care by the irresponsible Mayzie Lanbsp; Bird.”

“Although Horton faces ridicule, danger, kidnapping and a trial, the intrepid Gertrude McFuzz never loses faith in him, the only one who recognizes "his kind and his powerful heart."

"Ultimately, the powers of friendship, loyalty, family and community are challenged and emerge triumphant, in a story that makes you laugh and cry….”

And the Winners Are…

Last night the eighth annual juried art show at The Edge Center Gallery in Bigfork had its opening reception. As in the past, this shows presented high quality works including a wide variety of styles and media. The opening was well attended and well fed. Every entry was a winner by just being selected for the show and five of them were given awards by this year’s juror Juror Laura Goliaszewski, who is the Museum Curator at Bemidji State University. The exhibit will be open through July 28th. Admission is no charge. The Gallery is open from 10:00AM to 4:00PM on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.

Pictured is Laura presenting an award.

And the treats were special too.

There were five winners with two each from two-dimensional and three-dimensional work plus a people choice award.

Katherine Sandnas - Secod Place three-dimensional

Karlyn Atkinson Berg - Second Place two-dimensional

Jon Offutt - First Place three-dimensional

Bob Biaggio - People's choice

Terra Rathai  - First Place two-dimensional

Here is one painting that might make a trip to see the show worthwhile all by itself. It is a painting titled THE MEETING by Gene Matsen.  He has been at his art for decades and the quality certainly reflects it. In this year’s entry, Gene shows a area just beyond his hunting grounds that is normally too hard to reach. In the painting there are five animals all with a definite mission. The problem is you need to really search hard to find them. Nice challenge and fun to try.

The Edge Center encourages and welcomes visitors for this special exhibition open all month. Again a special thanks to the Edge Canter volunteers who setup and take down these exhibits and to the generosity of financial supporters. This year, Northern Pines Orthopaedic Clinic and Northland Dental Clinic are the underwriters of the exhibit. Northland Dental Clinic, Edge of the Wilderness Art League. Arvig Communications, First State Bank of Bigfork, and Kocian’s Family Grocery are the sponsors for the awards for 1st and 2nd place in two and three-dimensional art. Bigfork Valley Hospital is sponsoring the People’s Choice Award. Please come and visit us.

Bigfork Art for the Juror to Decide

This will be the eighth annual juried art show at The Edge Center Gallery in Bigfork. The shows present works including a wide variety of styles and media. The quality has always been outstanding and this year is no exception. The juror this year is the Director of the Talley Gallery at Bemidji State University. Visitors to the show opening reception will also be able to vote for a People’s Choice winner. Admission is no charge. The exhibit is in the Gallery from July 5 through July 28. The Opening reception is on Friday, July 6 from 5:00 to 7:00 with the Awards Ceremony at 6:15. The Gallery is open from 1:00 to 4:00 on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.

Juror Laura Goliaszewski selected 39 artworks from 78 entries by 30 artists for Art on the Edge: Eighth Annual Juried Art Exhibit at the Edge Center Gallery. Laura herself is an artist who exhibits her painting regionally. For this exhibit she selected 39 artworks from the 30 artists who entered work. The art represented is from seven painters, two who worked with mixed media, one with a relief sculpture, two with drawings, photography from nine artists and seven who worked with three dimensional art. That represents a wide selection of fun and interesting exhibits to see.

Thanks you very much to the Edge Canter volunteers who setup and take down these exhibits and to the generosity of financial supporters. This year, Northern Pines Orthopaedic Clinic and Northland Dental Clinic are the underwriters of the exhibit. Northland Dental Clinic, Edge of the Wilderness Art League. Arvig Communications, First State Bank of Bigfork, and Kocian’s Family Grocery are the sponsors for the awards for 1st and 2nd place in two and three-dimensional art. Bigfork Valley Hospital is sponsoring the People’s Choice Award.

The Edge Center encourages and welcomes visitors for this special exhibition and would like to see all who would like to come at the opening reception on the 6th for good viewing, good company, and good treats. It is not often that audiences are asked what they like best. This is one of the exceptions with the People’s Choice award. It is fun for the guests and extra fun for the participants. For an artist, it is always nice to find that a judge likes one's work, but for many it is more important what the people think. Here is a chance to add your opinion and to see if it is different. You may vote on July 5, and July 6 up until 6:00 pm at the Opening Reception.