The Board of Directors of the Albert Lea Art Center wish to express our appreciation to the Albert Lea City Council for its recent support and for honoring the mission of the Art Center: “To Create, Educate, Promote and Showcase the Arts.”

The arts, just like other nonprofit organizations, are a vital part of our lives, and while 95 percent of the income from the Albert Lea Art Center comes from its fundraising efforts and memberships, it is significant that the city shows its belief in our mission through the annual grant.

Bricks and mortar alone do not provide the necessary components that make up the energy and heart of a community. It takes people with their various interests and needs to make a city alive, interesting and welcoming to its residents and visitors.

We invite you all to visit the Art Center to view the beautiful display of Christmas trees and wreaths decorated by individuals, area organizations and local artists now through December, and also to enjoy the lighted trees in the Freeborn County Bank building, a new addition to the downtown decorations co-sponsored by the city of Albert Lea and the Art Center. In January we will be hosting the annual area artists show and celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Art Center as a nonprofit.

We truly appreciate your support and are looking forward to continuing the educational and arts promotional efforts that help to give our city its beauty and quality of life.

Lu Callstrom

for the Board of Directors of the Albert Lea Art Center

Albert Lea