Albert Lea Art Center showcases expanded Select Foods employee exhibition

Published 9:00 pm Friday, October 12, 2018

There’s one noted difference between the June art show hosted at Select Foods and the one on display at the Albert Lea Art Center starting Sunday: there’s more of it.

“What we have here is an extension of what they had last time,” Albert Lea Art Center gallery manager Tom Mullen said.

The display originated when Albert Lea Select Foods health, wellness and safety manager Sandy Clover initiated an art contest that 21 employees participated in. The company provided all the art supplies and originally hung the pieces in the building’s break room.

Email newsletter signup

The first show had about 22 pieces. The amount of work showcased at the Art Center is more than double that number.

The Karen flag is displayed behind two buffalo horn instruments, which represent the unity of the Karen people. – Sarah Kocher/Albert Lea Tribune

“When the Art Center asked us to be (in) their grand opening art show, I was thrilled!” Clover said in an email. “It is great to be able to show the talents of our very diverse workforce, which would otherwise go unnoticed.”

Pieces are displayed with artist tags that note where the artist is from.

Albert Lea Art Center member Bev Jackson Cotter said the Board of Directors was looking to incorporate newer exhibits, including pieces touching on the immigrant experience, to expand its offerings to the community.

“We all have so many similarities, and that comes through in the art,” Cotter said.

Mullen hopes presenting the pieces in the Art Center will allow more people to see them. While the majority are paintings or drawings, some of the pieces are 3D. Clover said the show is heavily multicultural.

“I hope that it will bring more knowledge to some of the different heritages and cultures that we have in our community,” Clover said.

About Sarah Kocher

Sarah covers education and arts and culture for the Tribune.

email author More by Sarah