"WIT" Coming to the Edge

Award winning play, Wit, at the Edge Center in Bigfork

The Boston Globe reviewer described Pulitzer Prize winning play Wit, "Every once in a while a play comes along that bonds people together in extraordinary ways. The play isn't a tearful lecture on how to die; it's a dry-eyed lesson on how to live--with simplicity and kindness." This is an extraordinary play for a community theater to tackle, but with the direction of professional Linda Kelsey, the starring performance of Patricia Feld, professional actor Dan Hopman and the supporting roles by the EdgeWild Players, the Edge Center Theater is again taking on challenging and thoughtful work. Performances at the Edge Center Theater in Bigfork are on Friday, January 28, Saturday, January 29 at 7 pm and on Sunday, January 30 at 2 pm.

Linda Kelsey performed at the Edge as The Belle of Amherst in 2003 and may be best known her Emmy nominated role as for as Billie Newman in the television’s Lou Grant Show. Since returning to St. Paul 14 years ago, Kelsey has been gracing the stages of Twin City theaters including the Guthrie and Park Square. According to director Kelsey, "Wit is the story of a brilliant professor, Vivian Bearing who journeys to a state of grace through a serious illness. The playwright (Margaret Edson) has created an evening of theater that is not only uplifting, but even makes us laugh at the ups and downs of Vivian’s journey as she learns that she is much more than her intellect or her education – that she is a woman with a heart and a soul. Patty has wanted to do this Pulitzer prize-winning play for years, and now I understand why, as I start to delve into all of its depths and surprises."

Patricia Feld is well known to Edge Center Theater goers as the Artistic Director of the Edge and director of most for the EdgeWild productions, but many remember her marvelous role in the EdgeWild production of Three Tall Women.

Wit about coming to terms with life while facing a life threatening illness. Vivian, the main character in Wit, is a college professor and John Donne expert who is dying from cancer. However, as a Boston critic stated, "To say that Wit is about cancer is misleading; it is really about finding a balance between head and heart."

"This is a rich and resonant piece of writing," asserts an Atlanta reviewer, "a play about language and ideas, philosophy and religion. It is at once funny, sad, tragic and life-affirming, complex and simple--yes, a metaphysical paradox" and well worth seeing and talking about. Because Wit offers so much depth and complexity, there will be several opportunities to learn more about the play. Audience members are invited to join the discussions after each performance. Patricia, Linda, and guests will participate, and each performance’s discussion will have a different theme. Friday’s discussion will focus on medical issues, on Saturday on student questions and observations and the Sunday discussion will have a religious emphasis.
The Edge of the Wilderness Book Club, Bigfork Valley Hospital, Bigfork High School and Itasca Community College students, as well as church groups are studying the themes of the play before the performances.
Director Linda Kelsey says about her experience working in Bigfork, “the chance to work with Patty, who is not only a wonderful friend but a great actress, is very exciting. Everyone I’ve been working with on the EdgeWild ‘team’ has brought professionalism and heart to this project. This is a community theater in the best sense of that word, and I want more people to know about it.”

Tickets for the performances on January 28 and 29 at 7:00 and January 30 at 2:00 are available online at www.the-edge-center.org , at Cenex Two Rivers Convenience Store in Bigfork, or at the door. Adult tickets are $10, children 12 and under are $5, and student rush tickets are $3 ten minutes before curtain.

The performances of Wit are funded by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund as appropriated by the Minnesota State Legislature with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008, and an appropriation from the Minnesota State Legislature. Wit is being underwritten by the Bigfork Valley Hospital.

Edge Center Gallery News by Lynn Nachbar

Art on the Edge: Sixth Annual Juried Exhibit

Twenty-seven artists were selected for Art on the Edge: Sixth Annual Juried Art Exhibit at the Edge Center Gallery in Bigfork. The 39 artworks are in the Gallery from July 1 through July 31. Juror, Keith Williams chose the Award winners. The First Place Award for 2-D work went to Elizabeth Blair for her photograph, All That Glitters. The Second Place Award for 2 D was given to Terry Honstead for her painting Harmony. In the 3D category, First Place was awarded to Peter Pestalozzi’s Surf’s Up Rocker and Second Place went to Barry Nelson for Small Cabinet. The People’s Choice Award was presented to Peggy Selander for her painting Sisters Watching.

Intentional Realism: Handmade Prints by Cecilia Leider

Beginning August 5, Cecilia Leider’s woodcut prints will be on exhibit in the Edge Center Gallery. These woodcut prints vary in size from small to unusually large with a variety of subjects all derived from nature. Woodcuts involve carving away all the surface of a wood block that is not needed for the part of the picture that will be printed. As Leider explains, “Each of the colors in these prints required a separate printing plate, which is keyed to the other plates and printed individually. For example, if a print contains eight colors and the edition size is 50 prints, there are no fewer than 400 separate printings involved in the production of the full edition.” In a further description of the process, Leider says, “I draw, make the color separations, carve the blocks …and hand print all of my work myself. I still print the woodcuts with a wooden spoon or baren which allows me greater flexibility and textural variety. I enjoy pushing the limits of size and color in woodcuts.”

The title of the exhibit, Intentional Realism, is clarified by Leider’s explanation of how she relates to the to what she sees. “Through keenly focused observation of the natural world around me, realistic accuracy has become a search for truth. In the extended process of bringing an image into existence as a print, the meaning of the subject matter - both abstractly and in my own growth - reveals itself to me. In this way, the work that results is both a record of my discoveries, and a dynamic process of growth in itself. Consciously using the physicality of objects as a door to growth and transcendence in this manner, I call Intentional Realism.” 


Cecilia Leider is an exceptionally skilled and perceptive artist whose artwork is amazing both for it’s technical proficiency and it’s thoughtful meaning. Meet and talk to Leider at the Edge Center Gallery Opening Reception on August 6 from 1:00 to 3:00 pm in conjunction with the Hospital Auxiliary’s Arts and Craft Fair in the Bigfork School.

The Gallery is open from 1:00 to 4:00 on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. The Edge Center Gallery is next to the Bigfork School.

Gallery Calendar

August 5 to September 4: Intentional Realism:
handmade prints by Cecilia Leider
Opening Reception: August 6, 1-3 pm

August 20, 2010:
Wine in the Wilderness Wine Tasting Fundraiser
at Richies Bar, Marcell, Minnesota

September 9- October 2: From the Prairie:
Glass Vessels and Landscapes by Jon Offutt
Opening Reception: September 10, 5-7 pm
Demonstrations: September 10 & 11

October 7 to October 30: This Is Displacement:
Native American Artists Consider the Relationship
Between Land and Identity
Opening Reception: October 8, 5-7 pm.

Arts on the Edge by Patricia Feld

WILLY WONKA PERFORMS 4 TIMES
Children off all ages have loved the shows that Stages Theatre from Hopkins, has brought to us, Honk! in 2007 and You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown in 2008. (Last summer they toured England). These professional and student actors are excellently trained performers who we all learn from. Their sets, costumes, and props inspire us too. This year's performance was Willy Wonka, (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory). The stage was alive with a great set and over 20 actors and actresses of all ages; truly an amazing production

NEW DREAM & MYSTERY DONATION
In our continuing efforts to become more mature as an organization, several of us have been selected to participate in a three-year capacity building grant and its workshops. It’s called ArtsLab, and we one of sixteen, small-sized “visionary arts organizations” that make up the participants. We are the ONLY one that is still run only by volunteers.
We have become very aware that that must change so that we can continue to provide the kind, quality, and quantity of arts experiences that will make us a Forever Organization.
The dream is to get one, part-time person to work in our newly remodeled office in the Gallery. And we are about halfway toward paying that person! An anonymous donor has given us $5,000 a year for three years and when we can match that, we will just about be there!
As was said in Fiddler, maybe we have a rich uncle!

JUST IN CASE…
Remember that we have a GiveMn link on our website, www.the-edge-center.org. That makes giving very easy, and we get every penny that is contributed using that site!

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF
Wasn’t that fun?!? And moving? And beautiful to look at?! Local builders constructing professional sets, new friendships, kids learning Old School Theatre Discipline, personal growth, new volunteers “getting the community theatre bug,” all in 5,000 volunteer hours! One thousand one hundred twenty-five people saw it! It was the kind of event we dreamed about bringing to the communities back when a fine arts center was only a dream.

COMING EDGE EVENTS

• 28 August – John Perkins returns to sing of the Northwoods, 7pm.
• 12 September - “The Pretenders,” our rockin’ buddies play, 2pm.
• 26 September - Celtic music with Laura McKenzie, 2pm.
• 16 October – The Twin Cities acclaimed modern dance company, TU Dance comes, 7pm.
• 12 December – The LaPlante Family Bluegrass Christmas Concert, 2pm.
• …and keep watching for more as they become finalized!

Stages Theater Company Presents

WILLY WONKA

Theater for Young Audiences version

July 16- 7 p.m.

July 17 – 4 p.m. & 7 p.m.

July 18^th – 2 p.m.

Tickets available:

Bigfork Two Rivers Cenex

Online at www.the-edge-center.org

At the Door

Adults $10 Kids $5

This presentation is enjoyable for audiences of all ages,

Adults and children alike!

Nicole Fredrickson’s Winterscapes Featured at the Edge Center Gallery

Many people come to this area for the crisp cold, open spaces and vast possibilities of a Northern Minnesota winter. All of these things are celebrated in Snow Blind, the exhibit in the Edge Center Gallery in Bigfork from May 27 to June 26. The oil paintings of Nicole Fredrickson are based on her experiences visiting Bigfork in the winter to see her grandmother, Teresa Fredrickson, and other family. She says, ”The sense of isolation offered by a frozen Minnesotan landscape instilled within me the deepest feelings of serenity” and the paintings reflect these feelings. Vast areas of quiet, snow covered fields or woods are shown, but many of the Winterscapes include people off to the side as observers or as small intruders.

Nicole Fredrickson was born and raised in New Jersey, graduating from Drew University in 2008. She is presently a graphic designer with Hooper Holmes in New Jersey. It is from a visitor’s prospective that she loves and paints Northern Minnesota, appreciating the beauty and isolation in contrast to hectic everyday life. Viewers of the paintings may experience the quiet as well.

Meet the artist at the Opening Reception is on Friday, May 28 from 5:00 to 7:00. The exhibit runs through June 26. You can also find out more from her website: www.ntfredrickson.com.

Arts on the Edge By Patricia Feld

After eight big events at the Edge in April, May brings eight more! Four are Bigfork School non-arts events. The school is using the lovely setting of the Edge Center for the Prom’s Grand March, Academic Awards, Senior Reception, and the Athletic Awards.

The two school arts events are the High School Band and Choir Concert on Wednesday the 19th of May at 7pm and the Drama Class Productions on the 27th of May in the early afternoon and at 7pm. (Check with the school, 743-3444, for the exact time of the afternoon performance).

The Drama Class will present Trifles, a one-act mystery, and Mmmbeth, a MacBeth parody. Twenty of the twenty-five students will be acting! Please plan on attending to support our young community members’ artistic endeavors.

BEMIDJI TRIO PLAYS CLASSICAL CONCERT

Once again Dr. Stephen Carlson will play the fine Edge Center grand piano. This time he brings with him two colleagues from the music department of Bemidji State University, violinist, Michelle Laliberte, and cellist, Patrick Riley. Dr. Carlson loves the Edge, its piano, and the warm reception of our volunteers and audiences, so he wants to treat us to the sound of an elegant trio. Their program will include major works by three composers, Mozart, Beethoven, and a crowd-pleaser by Russian composer, Anton Arensky. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children, and $3 student rush. They are available at the door.

BIGFORK’S 13 VIOLIN STUDENTS PERFORM

Yes, thirteen young people from our area are taking violin lessons from the Itasca Orchestral Society’s Debbie Losik both during and after school. Monday May 24th at both 12:30 and 7pm they will perform recitals with some students from Grand Rapids. Their accompanist will be Elizabeth Ophoven playing the Edge grand grand piano.

The students are Greta Anderson, Kristen Anderson, Lexi Becker, Zoe Butler, Andie Chase, Ryan Johnson, Hannah Johnson, Jaden Meyer, Jenna Meyer, MacKenzie Pearson, Liam Prato, Jada Tendrup, Anders Westman, and Erik Westman. Admission is free and refreshments will be served in the Gallery after the evening recital.

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF with 3 “Revolves”

We will have our first professionally designed set for an EdgeWild Production, and it will feature three lazy susan-like devices, called revolves or revolving stages!! Tom Barrett, the Technical Director at Macalester College and designer for many Twin Cities’ theatres, is sketching the plans for the set of Fiddler right now. After we approve those, he’ll send us the first 3-D model of a set we’ve ever had, then the designs for our talented crews to build from.

The excellent cast has begun rehearsals, most of the orchestra is selected (local and Itasca Orchestra members too), costumes are being found and/or sewn, and
tickets will be $15 for Preferred Seating, $10 for adults, $5 for children, and $3 student rush seats. Tickets will be available at Two Rivers Cenex Convenience Store, online at www.the-edge-center.org, and at the door (if we’re not sold out)!
Performances will be the 24th -27th of June, (Thursday through Saturday at 7pm and Sunday at 2pm), and we look forward to seeing you there!


DEAR SEASONAL RESIDENTS,

Where do you want us to reach you? Each year Dr. Korstad sends out her inspiring membership letter to all the people who we know want to support the Edge Center’s mission. We are bringing visual arts and live performing arts to the lives of young and old alike in the woods. Help us to reach you WHERE you would prefer to be contacted. We love to see you whenever you come. You are important to us. Drop us a note at info@the-edge-center.org or call 218-743-6670 and leave a message.

COMING EDGE EVENTS
• 16 May – Violin, cello, piano concert, Bemidji Trio plays, 2pm.
• 24 May – Recital of violin students from Bigfork,12:30 & 7pm.
• 27 May – Bigfork’s Drama Class performs two one-acts, early afternoon & 7pm.
• 24-27 June – The EdgeWild Players present Fiddler on the Roof, 7pm & 2pm Sunday.
• 16-18 July - Willy Wonka will be brought north by Stages Theatre Company.
• 14 August - The Piano “Bar” with Northern Lights Trio return for dancing on the stage.
• 28 August – John Perkins returns to sing of the Northwoods, 7pm.
• 12 September - “The Pretenders,” our rockin’ buddies play, 2pm.
• 26 September - Celtic music with Laura McKenzie, 2pm.
• October – The Twin Cities acclaimed modern dance company, TU Dance comes.
• 12 December – The LaPlante Family Bluegrass Christmas Concert, 2pm.
• …and keep watching for more as they become finalized!

The Edge Center Gallery resumes regular hours for it’s sixth season starting May 6 with the work of Bigfork students in 7th through 12th grades. The Gallery is open from 1 to 4 pm on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

Don’t forget that the Juried Show entries are due on Friday, May 7. Original entry forms stated that the entries were due on Monday, but that was an error; May 7 is correct. For details, check the Edge Center website at www.the-edge-center.org.

On May 19, there is an Artists’ Reception in the Gallery from 5:00 to 7:00 and the Bigfork High School Spring Concert at 7:00. Student artwork is some of the most interesting, imaginative and emotional work you will see in the Gallery. Art teacher, Roberta Steinhart, works with students on three components of art. Students learn artistic skills whether it is in contour drawing, using a camera effectively or mixing colors of paint. At the same time they are practicing effective composition -the arrangement of shapes and lines, color and texture, and darks and lights. The most important and subtle aspect of art that the young artists are learning is to create art that conveys meaning. Steinhart teaches the students about “finding their voice in art.” For Steinhart “art is a vehicle of communication” and it is important to have something to say. The student work often reflects aspects of their lives as emerging adults.

Creative problem solving is one of the ways that studying art can influence everyday life. Even if art students never pursue artistic activities in the future, what they learn about creativity can help them throughout life. For example, one of the projects that the 8th graders do in Art Class is “Circle, Dot, Line”.

Each student makes a picture using all the elements on the page, not moving them around, working from any direction and presenting something that hasn’t been done before. A number of solutions the 8th graders produced will be included in the Student Art Show.

Art work from classes in general art, two dimensional art, senior art, book arts and photography are part of the exhibit. On two fine spring days two contrasting projects were completed outside. In one the students did detailed pen and ink drawings of trees. In the other project, they worked together on huge pieces of paper with house painting brushes and rollers in black and white. The completely different approaches opened their eyes, and ours, to the many possibilities for artists in representing what they see.

The Bigfork Student Art Exhibit begins on May 6 and continues through May 22. The Artists’ Reception is from 5 to 7 pm on May 19 before the Bigfork High School Spring Concert with the Band and Choir, directed by Alycia Hoff. Enjoy a wonderful evening of students’ artistic expression in music and visual art. Refreshments will be served at the reception.

Edge Center Gallery 2010 Calendar

May 6-22 – Bigfork Student Art Show
Reception: Wednesday, May 19, 5-7 pm

May 27-June 26 – Snow Blind: Winter Paintings by Nicole Fredrickson
Reception: Friday, May 28, 5-7 pm

July 1-31 – Art on the Edge: Sixth Annual Juried Art Exhibition
Reception and Awards Ceremony: Friday, July 2, 5-7 pm