Art everywhere

Published 12:30 pm Thursday, February 7, 2013

Lu Callstrom has two paintings featured in the Albert Lea Art Center’s annual All Member Show, which kicks off with an open house this Sunday. --Kelli Lageson/Albert Lea Tribune

That time of year has come again when more than 18 local artists get together to share their work with the public.

The Albert Lea Art Center is hosting its annual All Member Show, which kicks off with an open house this Sunday. The month-long exhibit features pieces from local artists, and the annual tradition has been going on for more than 20 years.

One Albert Lea artist, Lu Callstrom, has two paintings in the show. She said she enjoys the chance to learn from and support other artists.

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“It’s so important to come together with other artists,” Callstrom said.

One of Callstrom’s pieces in the show is called “Autumn Days.” She made it last year, and even took it with her on her travels to keep working on it.

“It’s a combination of watercolor and pastel,” Callstrom said. “It really developed on its own.”

The pastel added a vibrancy to the painting that she couldn’t achieve using watercolor alone. Her second piece in the show is called “Hydrangeas.” She started with a blank piece of paper and didn’t draw out what she had in mind.

“I wanted it to be free,” Callstrom said.

Callstrom said she loves flowers and is an avid gardener. She recently sold a painting of roses at the Austin Art Center, which was featuring all Albert Lea artists.

The open house for the All Member Show will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday at the Albert Lea Art Center at 224 S. Broadway. The event is free and open to the public, and refreshments will be served. Following the open house, the show will continue through Feb. 28. The art center is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. The next art show will be the elementary and secondary student show in March.

The annual All Member Show features to works of members of the Albert Lea Art Center. The show provides an opportunity for all artists, even those without a large collection, to showcase their work. Various mediums are used including: oils, watercolor, oil pencil, colored pencil, photography, woodwork, pottery and plaster.

If you go

What: The annual All Member Show open house

Where: Albert Lea Art Center, 224 S. Broadway

When: 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday (the show continues through Feb. 28)

How much: The event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.