“T’was the night before Christmas,

And all through the house,

Not a creature was stirring,

Not even a mouse.”

Actually, it was the night before Christmas, at the Albert Lea Art Center. And, you betcha, not a creature was stirring, ‘cause everyone had gone home. They were tired.

All of the members and volunteers were with their families, and everyone was nestled all snug in their beds while visions of Christmas trees and poinsettias and wreaths danced in their heads.

And when up on the roof there arose all that clatter, no one even bothered to check it out. The Art Center members were just too bloomin’ tired.

They’d been so busy all year planning, promoting, and carrying out a steady agenda of activities — exhibits of the work of local and area artists, classes for both adults and children, demonstrations of painting techniques, the first ever calendar containing paintings by renowned area artists with a fan kick-off event, the All Member Show that included members from many years back, the fun and inspiring exhibits of elementary and secondary student art work, a delightful Silver Tea that brought ladies dressed in finery including hats and gloves, talented entertainment, a Unique Junque Sale that was a part of the Eddie Cochran Weekend, the Art & Garden Tour showing gardens in a 20-mile radius of Albert Lea, an award-winning float in the July 3 parade, an inspiring Art & Architecture Tour of area churches, an incredible quilt show and demonstration day, the annual pumpkin painting project which donates pumpkins to area nursing homes, schools, and businesses thanks to Security Bank Minnesota, the ongoing operations of Art on Broadway which sells original art and jewelry and art supplies, the introduction of a new Art Center logo and its incorporation into stationery, refrigerator magnets, and buttons, and of course, we cannot forget the beautiful displays of Christmas trees and wreaths that close the busy and wonderful year.

At the same time that all of these activities were happening, visitors to the community, people interested in the arts, and those curious to see what a town the size of Albert Lea has to offer were stopping in to share their own ideas.

All of the planning and organizing that goes into a year of arts activities can be frustrating as well as rewarding, and the Art Center is not without its share of ups and downs. But as I review this past year, the 50th year since its incorporation as a non-profit organization, I am amazed at how much was accomplished.

How does one explain the celebration of 50 years of sharing the arts and enhancing the culture of a community? Wonderful, exciting, busy, frustrating, educational, inspiring, fun, and funny. Being involved with the Albert Lea Art Center is a fulfilling and rewarding experience, and we hope that the Art Center founders are proud of our accomplishments.

The volunteers and staff at the Albert Lea Art Center have spent the past year planning, promoting, and carrying out a variety of programs that have brought a broad array of participants through our doors – the regulars, past members who are coming back to see what’s happening, and new people who are curious about our activities. It’s been a wonderful year, and everyone deserves to snuggle in their beds while visions of sugarplums dance in their heads.

I hope that when the tiny sleigh with its eight tiny reindeer, and maybe Rudolph too, clatters on the roof of the homes of all of the Art Center members and friends this Christmas Eve, that they will awaken from their well-deserved slumbers long enough to hear Santa exclaim, “Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!” And I hope in the stockings they hung by the chimney with care, that he will leave the heartfelt thanks of all who shared in this past year’s Art Center activities, and whose lives were enriched by its involvement in our community.

Bev Jackson Cotter is a member of the Albert Lea Art Center where the annual Festival of Trees is on display until Dec. 31.