Big things are happening in celebration of the fifth summer of Surprise Sculpture, Lanesboro Arts’ education program that offers an opportunity for kids and adults to participate in weekly collaborative arts creation. Surprise Sculpture will be held weekly on Tuesdays from 12-2 p.m. at the St. Mane Theatre, from June 13 to July 25, 2017 (excluding July 4).
Lanesboro Arts staff and area artists lead participants in constructing large-scale, site-specific sculptures for public spaces in the community using a mixture of upcycled/recycled materials and fine art materials. “This program is an opportunity for people of all ages to experience the arts Lanesboro is known for at no cost” stated Kara Maloney, Lanesboro Arts’ education lead. The hands-on production of these large sculptures takes place in Lanesboro Arts’ St. Mane Theatre, which includes a bright classroom/studio space for education programs. No registration is necessary; people can drop in and attend one or more sessions whenever their schedule permits. “The Surprise Sculpture program has received positive feedback from participants as well as community members who often comment they are disappointed when the sculptures get taken down,” Maloney shared. The program grew last year with over 14 business partners in Lanesboro who either donated materials or fiscally sponsored the program.
While the program originally targeted late elementary and middle school students, there has been consistent participation by kindergarteners, high schoolers, and even adults. Several parents and grandparents participate, working on the project alongside their children and grandchildren. It is a truly unique education experience, inspiring intergenerational collaboration, creativity, and community pride. The program directly serves rural youth and adults each year from Lanesboro, Harmony, Preston, Rushford, and beyond; in addition, the projects are then enjoyed by the entire general public, including residents, business owners, and visitors to the area.
Students, volunteers, and community members will also be coming together during a Surprise Sculpture class in July to create a wall sized mural on the back of the St. Mane Theatre in a project supported by a grant from the National Association of Realtors. Artists at GoodSpace Murals in the Twin Cities developed the design based on ideas generated by area students, historians, artists, and downtown business owners at a brainstorming meeting in March.
Lanesboro Arts’ mission is to serve as a regional catalyst for artistic excellence and educational development in providing diverse art experiences for people of all ages. The St. Mane Theatre is located at 206 Parkway Avenue North in Lanesboro. For more information about Surprise Sculpture contact Kara at (507) 467-2446 or visit www.lanesboroarts.org.