Column: Art Is…, by Bev Jackson Cotter

I was on my knees, doing a pencil rubbing of a telephone company grate, when a policeman stopped. When I told him that I loved the design of the metal grate and planned to use it in an art class, he just shook his head and responded, “The middle of the street is a dangerous place for you to be doing an art project.” I thanked him for his concern, assured him that I was watching for traffic, and then finished the rubbing.

Art is where you find it. It may be the ornate trim on a Victorian house, the austere window panes in a modem commercial building, the detailed design of a landscaped garden area, or even a sewer grating. Art is everywhere.

I have always thought that Albert Lea is one of the most beautiful cities I have ever seen. The lakes and parks, the turn of the century homes in the Park Avenue area, Lakeview Drive, old Shorelands Heights, the south side of town, and the wonderful buildings in the downtown National Register Historic District — all give our city a unique, warm, Minnesota friendly atmosphere.

Recently, when I was in Minneapolis, I met a lady from Kansas who had stopped in Albert Lea for lunch. Her family was traveling north on Interstate 35 and decided to try to find a local cafe. They really enjoyed the Lakeside Cafe and a delicious lunch on the patio. She raved about the beauty of Fountain Lake, the fountains and the park and the opportunity to enjoy a meal in that setting. What a coincidence that we were to meet and to have that conversation. I, of course, thoroughly enjoyed the compliments for our community.

Just a few days ago, I was taking pictures near Katherine Island and a van stopped. The lady asked me if I lived in the area and if I could direct them to a public picnic area near a beach. Within a few minutes, they were headed towards the city beach, and when I drove by later, they were having a picnic. How neat to know we can bring joy to our visitors, just by introducing them to the things we take for granted.

Back to the subject of this column — our city is filled with art. Two years ago the Albert Lea Art Center celebrated our local art and architecture with a tour of area churches. We learned so much about the various houses of worship, the building styles, the art windows and how the design reached out to all who entered.

This September we will be celebrating our art and architecture in a different way. We are planning a special architectural art exhibit, classes for students to participate in, and an Art & Architecture Challenge called “Look Up, Look Down, Look Around.” The challenge will give you the opportunity to hunt for some of the art in our community that is right in front of you, and you may not even know it is there. We are hoping to include the entire family in these various activities. We will conclude the architecture challenge with a special program at the Art Center on Saturday, Sept. 24.

Do you know the parameters of our downtown historic district? Do you know what private homes in Albert Lea are on the national register of historic places? Do you know what buildings outside the city are also listed on the register? Do you know what Freeborn County farm house was listed and then removed from the register after it burned to the ground? Do you know any of the criteria for listing? What makes our city so unique? Can you find art and design anywhere in Albert Lea?

By Sept. 24, you will have the answers to all of the above questions, and hopefully, you will have found a greater appreciation for the beauty of the art and architecture in our community, in the buildings, and even in the streets.

Please keep tuned for more information.

Bev Jackson Cotter is a member of the Albert Lea Art Center where the exhibit “Broadway Previews,” showing the Art Center’s permanent collection, will be displayed through Sept. 17. Art Center hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.