Two special ventures commemorate Art Center’s 50th year
Published 8:11 am Tuesday, September 22, 2009
As you are driving, or walking, around Albert Lea, do you take the time to notice the beautiful architecture that our city is blest with, both in the downtown and in other areas? If your mind is on other aspects of your life, and you are watching the traffic, you are not alone. Most of us take our beautiful city for granted.
That is why the Albert Lea Art Center is sponsoring an Art, Architecture & History Tour of area churches on Saturday. Five area churches are included with a 45-minute visit at each one and a guided tour and/or program. Tickets are available at the Albert Lea Art Center, Addie’s Floral, Ben’s Floral, and the Northbridge Hallmark Store.
When we visit churches other than our own, we are usually there for a wedding, baptism, or funeral, and our attention is focused on our family and friends. This tour will give you the opportunity to take an in depth look at the architecture and art in these churches and to learn about their history.
While our committee started visiting with members of the various churches on the tour, we were thrilled with their enthusiasm, and we couldn’t help but notice the pride and connection that everyone felt as they said, “Did you know…?” or “Have you ever noticed…?” Two of the churches even offered to provide coffee – one in the morning and the other in the afternoon.
The church visits will begin with coffee at 8:30 a.m. and a 9 a.m. tour at the United Methodist Church on Highway 69 South, then we will move on to First Lutheran and the Christ Episcopal churches in the downtown area, take a short lunch break (on your own), and in the afternoon visit Grace Lutheran and the Crossroads Evangelical Free Church on the north side of Albert Lea. Each church is planning its own program, so the presentations will vary from site to site, some including walking tours and others sitting in the sanctuary.
It promises to be a full day of varied architectural styles, unique art, interesting histories, and a real eye opener for those of us who have spent many years in the community, but never ventured far beyond the doors of our own church buildings. We even hope to hear music from some of the beautiful organs.
Speaking of music, recently I received a letter from Trinity Lutheran (unfortunately not on this year’s tour) that quoted Martin Luther, a man of very strong convictions. He said, “A person who gives this some thought and yet does not regard it [music] as a marvelous creation of God, must be a clodhopper indeed and does not deserve to be called a human being; he should be permitted to hear nothing but the braying of asses and the grunting of hogs.”
It would be interesting to hear his opinion of today’s church music, in all of its varied forms, and for that matter, today’s churches, in all of their varied forms. I wonder if he would still be so firm in his convictions.
Be that as it may, we are looking forward to an unusual, educational, and very interesting day. We hope you will join us.
Speaking of joining, the current exhibit at the Art Center is called ‘The Art of Quilting.” We had no idea, when the community was approached with the idea of a quilt show, what an overwhelming response we would have and how many people would join in the fun.
There are more than a hundred quilted pieces on display in the three Art Center galleries — family heirlooms, modem pieces of art, wearables, and wall hangings. They range from faded and worn bed coverings more than 100 years old to intricately designed works of art made in 2009, from feed sack fabrics from the 1930s to modem hand-dyed original colors.
The stories accompanying some of the quilts are heart rending — “hand stitched while sitting at Grandma’s bedside while she was dying,” “when I saw the beautiful sunset, I just had to duplicate the colors,” and “made from pieces of our dresses and shirts — what memories I have of these fabrics.”
“A work of heart” is a phrase used by a friend to describe the wonderful pieces she creates. It also applies here. These quilts are more than fabrics stitched together. Each one is truly a work of heart.
Art Center members and community members have had an exciting year, celebrating the Albert Lea Art Center’s 50th anniversary year. Please join us in September in these two special ventures.
Bev Jackson Cotter is a member of the Albert Lea Art Center where “The Art of Quilting” is being featured through September. The “Art, Architecture & History Tour” of area churches will be held on Saturday.