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Prairie Art Camp Registration is Open!

About Prairie Art Camp

Prairie Art Camp is a four day camp for elementary aged students who have completed grades K-7; it encourages students to create, innovate, investigate, and imagine through a variety of visual and performing arts sessions led by local artists. Camp is held at the Morris Area Public School on Monday, July 26, through Thursday, July 29, 2021. Camp runs from 9:15 am – 3:15 pm each day.

Outdoor sessions will be utilized as much as possible for a fun and safe in-person art camp experience. Class sizes are limited and social distancing, including masks, will be required.

The cost is $150, with early-bird registration before July 1 of $125. Thanks to a partnership with Bread and Bowls, UMN Morris Office of Community Engagement, and local organization and business sponsors, limited scholarships are available through the Prairie Renaissance Cultural Alliance (PRCA).

To get more information on camp or scholarships, or to register, contact the PRCA:
Phone – (320) 585-5037
Email – prca@prairierenaissance.org

Or register online HERE

*If you select this option, please only pay a $75 deposit for camp - PRCA will notify you if you qualify for a scholarship, or if additional payment is required.

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Winter/Spring Virtual Art Class Series

Enjoy art classes in March, April, and May 2021 through the PRCA!

Painting, drawing, calligraphy, collage, and more for kids and adults.

Sign up for a class in two easy steps at the bottom of this page:
1) Fill out the registration form to choose your class(es).
2) Pay for your class(es).
3) Pick up supplies at the Prairie Renaissance Cultural Alliance, 630 Atlantic Avenue in Morris, MN during open hours (or by appointment).

Upcoming Classes

VIRTUAL CLASS $10
Title: Easy Printmaking
Teacher: Sarah Eckel
Format: Combo
Description: This class will make simple prints using acrylic paint and styrofoam. Using styrofoam sheets, learn to etch a design and print it to make art for your wall, as gifts and cards!
Who: Kids 8+
When: May 1st, 2pm

IN-PERSON CLASS $25
Title: Thinking About Color
Teacher: Jenny Nellis
Description: This class is intended for quilters, knitters, embroiderers, painters, sewers, and anyone who works with color. We will experiment with color mixing using acrylic paint to try out various color combinations based on the color wheel. Participants should bring a picture with colors they like for a color mixing exercise.
Who: 14+
When: May 8th, 3pm
Duration: 1hr 30min
Location: PRCA, 630 Atlantic Ave, Morris, MN
COVID Protocols: This class will require masks and physical distancing to follow guidelines recommended by the CDC.



Past Classes for Adults

Title: Painting Flowers With Della
Teacher: Della Conroy
Format: Live
Description: We will paint spring flowers like pansies, tulips, & hyacinths in a one hour watercolor class. Join in the fun!
Who: 10+
When: March 23rd, 7pm

Title: Introduction to Zentangle
Teacher: Diane Trew CZT (Certified Zentangle Teacher)
Format: Live
Description: Zentangle is an easy to learn, relaxing, and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns. Almost anyone can use it to create beautiful images. It increases focus and creativity, provides artistic satisfaction along with a personal sense of well being. The class will provide a beginner with a background in the history of Zentangle, introduce them to the basic steps and methods and expose them to the associated vocabulary and tools. Students will create actual Zentangle tiles and will understand that “anything is possible one stroke at a time.”
Who: 15+
When: March 16th, 7pm
Duration: 1.5 hours

Title: Italic Calligraphy for Beginners
Teacher: Nancy Altain
Format: Live
Description: Learn to draw a basic Italic alphabet with pencils and a felt tip chisel point pen in a one hour session.
Who: 12+
When: April 17th, 2pm



Past Classes for Kids

Title: BubblePalooza Paintings
Teacher: Jane Rennick
Format: Live
Description: Take your finger painting skills to the next level with this fun technique! Using soap and paint, we will create fabulous and vibrant bubble paintings together that will be sure to brighten up our gloomy winter.
Who:Kids Ages 5-10
When: March 8th, 4:30pm

Title: Zentangle Apprentice: An Introduction to Zentangle
Teacher: Diane Trew CZT (Certified Zentangle Teacher)
Format:
Description: Zentangle is an easy to learn, relaxing, and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns. The method provides a path for creating art from patterns by breaking them down into elemental strokes. It requires no artistic ability, but can open a door to art and creativity for all ages and abilities.
Who: Ages 4-12
When: March 22nd, 4:30pm
Duration: 45-60 min

Title: Collage for Kids
Teacher: Lori Kurpiers
Format: Live
Description: This class will have you exploring layers and textures, colors and shapes, drawing and painting. Using collected images and text from magazines, old books, your doodles, and more, we will create a multi-layered collage piece with few rules but lots of fun.
Who: Ages 8+
When: April 10th, 2pm

Title: Easy Printmaking
Teacher: Sarah Eckel
Format: Combo
Description: This class will make simple prints using acrylic paint and styrofoam. Using styrofoam sheets, learn to etch a design and print it to make art for your wall, as gifts and cards!
Who: Kids
When: April 21st, 1:30pm

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This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

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The Big Stone Series: Abstract Landscape Paintings by Richard Krogstad

RICHARD KROGSTAD
Title: The Big Stone Series: Abstract Landscape Paintings
Exhibit: February 25 – April 10, 2021
Virtual Artist Talk: Saturday, February 27, 2021 at 2pm

This past exhibit featured abstract landscapes. His work was on display in the PRCA Gallery from February 25 through April 10.

Topic: Richard Krogstad Artist Talk
Time: Feb 27, 2021 02:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/95974586308?pwd=VjR0dUdkOWlHeHJrbmV0N1UzaGttQT09

Meeting ID: 959 7458 6308
Passcode: 347390

Lake Study 8 – 12” x 16”, oil on board
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Artist Talk with Laura Young Bird

November 12, 2020
6:30 PM on Zoom

Join Zoom Meeting https://umn.zoom.us/j/95426757980?pwd=L1FLVW1zSmtibXVBT0VFbHcwd3NLdz09
Meeting ID: 954 2675 7980
Passcode: PRCA2020

Tune in for Laura Young Bird presenting a talk about her artwork inside the PRCA gallery during the Zoom video conference, with questions to follow.

Artist Bio
Laura Young Bird completed her BFA, MA, & BS for Art Education from Minnesota State University Moorhead. She is the first and former Director of Native American Art Programs at Plains Art Museum. She also taught art at the Circle of Nations School in Wahpeton, ND as an Artist-in-Resident for the North Dakota Council on the Arts and Fargo Public Schools. Laura has received several awards including a 2018 First People’s Fund–Artist in Business Fellowship, Artist Initiative Grants in 2009 & 2013 from the Minnesota State Arts Board, and a Jerome Fellowship in 2003 to work and study with master potter, Richard Bresnahan at St. John’s University, MN.

She recently received an Artist in Residence Fellowship from the Institute of American Indian Art, Santa Fe, NM. Laura has a Masters in printmaking and is a practicing artists working in mixed media-drawing, painting, sculpture, and ceramics. Her work has been shown in numerous regional and national galleries and exhibitions.

For more information, visit the Current Exhibit page.

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COVID-19 Safety Plan

The Prairie Renaissance Cultural Alliance and Prairie Art & Gifts is working to help keep our volunteers and shoppers safe. The new safety procedures include:

  • Taking in new artwork by appointment only. This will allow time for staff and volunteers to safely process new additions. Cloth/canvas will be stored for 72 hours prior to being placed on the sales floor. Hard-surface donations will be sanitized (if possible) before going on display on the sales floor. New artwork will not be accepted without an appointment.
  • Increasing cleaning and sanitization, with extra attention to high-touch surfaces such as register area, door handles, display counters, tables, etc.
  • Providing a plexiglass barrier at the check-out area to enhance safety of staff/volunteers and customers.
  • Providing hand sanitizer at each entrance and exit as well as on the checkout table for staff, volunteers, donors, and customer use.
  • Providing soap in bathroom for staff and volunteers and requiring them to wash their hands for 20 seconds at the beginning and end of each shift.
  • Requiring that face coverings be worn by our staff and volunteers when they are interacting directly with customers.
  • Ensuring social distancing of six feet or more and limiting the number of people in store to no more than 10 shoppers at any time.
  • Altering hours of operation to allow for additional cleaning and artwork processing time.
  • No in-person events. Events such as classes and exhibitions may be provided online instead.
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Summer 2020 Events

Virtual Prairie Arts Camp
Grades K-6

We are taking our annual art camp online – Zoom instructed art classes all summer long!

Enroll your child in 5 different guided sessions of art classes (30 min.) in your own home, all throughout the summer!
All supplies will be provided by us, with contact-less pickup options for you.

$50 for 5 classes ($100 value!)
Classes include woodworking basics, polymer clay skills, origami, and more!

If you are interested in an individual session, please email prca@prairierenaissance.org as we anticipate making this an option.

Previously scheduled in-person events and exhibits are suspended until further notice. More info to be announced.

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PRCA Announces New Gallery Coordinator

 While there is a lot happening around our community surrounding the pandemic, we are happy to announce some exciting news: This past week, the Board of Directors hired Lori Kurpiers to fulfill the Gallery Coordinator position at Prairie Art & Gifts, previously held by Dawn Poore who is stepping down. The board is eternally grateful for the hard work and dedication that Dawn has devoted to the PRCA for several years as an artist, board member, and Gallery Coordinator. If you’ve ever visited our store or attended one of our many events, you know that Dawn has been an incredible volunteer and friendly face. Sincerest thanks to Dawn – we wish you all the best!

Lori Kurpiers is a UMM alum and Morris artist who currently works at the Stevens County Historical Society as the Office and Program Coordinator. As the new Gallery Coordinator, some of Lori’s responsibilities include overseeing general office operation, and recruiting, training, and scheduling artists and volunteers. She is also responsible for participating in the planning, execution, and promotion of PRCA events. Welcome, Lori, we look forward to working with you!