Chili Blues Poll

The VAAC board of directors has been throwing around the idea of changing the date of the annual, popular Chili Blues event, held on October 8 last year. Because the event coincides with the culmination of USD's Dakota Days homecoming and football game, we're wondering if members and the general public would prefer a different date, either the weekend prior to D-Days or the weekend after. The board isn't pushing for a change, but we'd like to get the public's feedback on when to hold this popular community event. Please take a moment to answer the poll on the upper left-hand column of our blog! Thank you!

Swedish Music and Potluck June 15

Hear two of Sweden’s finest folk musicians, Anders and Maria Larsson, at Washington Street Arts Center on Friday, June 15^th at Washington Street Arts Center in Vermillion.  The public is cordially invited to attend a workshop on traditional Swedish music and dancing at 5:30, a Swedish potluck dinner at 6:30, and a concert at 7:30. 

         The melodies of Maria’s fiddle and traditional wooden flutes join her husband Anders’ traditional lilting, vocals and guitar in a musical marriage.  The result of their playful improvisation is an organic, living style of Swedish music.

         The event is sponsored by Vermillion Area Arts Council. A $5 donation to the VAAC is requested. For further information, contact Norma Wilson at605-624-9279 or Jerry Prentice,gobearfoot@gmail.com.

Nurturing Arts Education in Vermillion

Norma C. Wilson, President, Vermillion Area Arts Council

            Arts Education is vital to the health and well-being of our community and an essential part of Vermillion Area Arts Council’s purpose.  Registration for our Fifth Annual Messy Hands Summer Art Camp begins on Wednesday, May 2^ndfrom 3:30-6:30 at the National Guard Armory, 603 Princeton.  The camp, open to children ages 3-14, is scheduled from June 18-29; and children can register for either a half-day or a full-day of classes.  Need-based scholarships are available from the VAAC.  For further details, see the 2012 Vermillion Summer Parks and Recreation Guide, or e-mail the Camp Director:  vaacboard atyahoo.com.

            The The Vermillion All-Schools Art Show, now in its 13^th year, opens on Thursday, May 3rd, at Washington Street Arts Center, 202 Washington Street in Vermillion.  The annual exhibit features works by students from Austin and Jolley Elementary Schools, St. Agnes Parish School, Vermillion Middle School, and Vermillion High School. The elementary art comes from the Jolley School Art Block and from students whose teachers have included art in their curriculum. The middle school art is from Jennifer Stofferahn 's program, and the high school art is from Janet Beeman’s classes. The photo of Mackenzie Stone with her chalk pastel drawing included with this article is one sample of the students’ outstanding work.   Everyone is invited to a reception Thursday, May 3, from 4-6 p.m. Refreshments will be served. The public also invited to view the show on Saturday, May 5 and Sunday, May 6 from 2-5 p.m.  The free exhibit is sponsored by Vermillion Area Arts Council.  Don’t miss seeing the amazing creativity in this show! 

Planting Seeds for the Arts

Norma Wilson, President, Vermillion Area Arts Council

            April offers numerous opportunities to participate in a variety of art activities at Washington Street Arts Center, located at the corner of Washington and Cedar in Vermillion.  Dance your way into spring in classes offered Sundays, except for Easter, from 6:30-8 p.m.  Learn the Basics of Square Dancing, the Virginia Reel and Circle Dancing from Elaine and Paul Peacock, an experienced dance couple from Elk Point.  The fee for the entire course is only $12/dancer, $20/couple for VAAC members or $15/dancer, $25/couple for non-members. Call Elaine at 605-356-2069 for further information.

            Michele Mechling and Hana Russell ‘s “Let’s Paint” and “Just Paint” classes will end on Tuesday, April 3^rd.  Drawing from Life, a new series of classes for both children and adults will be taught by Hana Russell on Mondays, April 9, 16, 23 and 30. The four-week series is designed to be fun for artists at all skill levels. The first class will introduce blind and semi-blind contours, gesture drawings, and breaking images into shapes.  The second class, will create pencil egg still life drawings, utilizing crosshatching, graded shading, measuring sticks and windows for compositions.  The third class will utilize ink pen and brush, “dry” and “wet” paper techniques, cross hatching and graded wash.  Adults will make their own bamboo pen (pre-made for kids). In the fourth class students will utilize colored pencils or conte crayons on toned paper to practice drawing from light to dark and will hone the skills learned from previous lessons. The class for children (grades 2-5) will meet from 3:45-5 p.m. The fee is $28 VAAC members / $32.00 non-members. The class for children grade 6-adults will meet from 5:15-6:45. The fee is $32 VAAC members / $40.00 non-members. Light snacks provided.  You can become a VAAC member and apply for scholarships when registering for the class.  Contact hana.e.russell@gmail.com for more information about this class.

            Brandie Holland’s Baton Twirling Lessons will be offered Sunday afternoons, April 1 and 15, from 1:30-4 p.m.  Contact Brandie.Holland@usd.edu.

            USD Student Art Exhibits are scheduled for April 20 and 27 at the Arts Center, from 7-9 p.m.  Taylor Barstow’s work will be featured on the 20^th; and “All of Us” will exhibit on the 27^th.

            It’s Spring!  Help us plant seeds for the arts!

Arts Center Benefit for Sarah Hanson March 31

On Saturday March 31, 7-9 p.m. there will be a benefit for Vermillion resident Sarah Hanson at the Vermillion Area Arts Council.  All proceeds will go towards paying Sarah's medical bills, which have accumulated over the past year due to several chronic illnesses.  Sarah Hanson’s illness started one week before major kidney surgery in November of 2010. Since that time she has been seen by 16 medical doctors in the pursuit of a diagnosis. After visiting three general practice physicians, one physician’s assistant, two gastroenterologists, one endocrinologist, one rheumatologist, one internal medicine doctor, two emergency room doctors, one surgeon, one neurologist, and one chiropractor, it was her urologist and a certified nurse practitioner who discovered that she was exhibiting the signs of mold exposure and battling a systemic fungal infection. It took fourteen months, sixteen doctors, and an indoor quality air sampling by GeoTek to secure the diagnosis.

Sarah began the treatment for fungal overgrowth seven weeks ago and will continue to work towards recovery which may take up to two years. The family is moving in June and will need to wash, destroy and/or replace all of their items due to mold spore contamination.

Sarah hopes that this benefit will also raise awareness about fungal overgrowth and mold exposure. 

The benefit will have original works of art and special music performances up for silent auction or raffle. Some of the artists and musicians who are donating include Mike Hill, John Banasiak, Michael Hook, Arian Sheets, Elaine Peacock, as well as several USD students.  Other items that will be in the auction include packages from local businesses.  The benefit is free to enter and will feature live music from Eli Show.  There will be a cash bar.    

If you are interested in making direct financial donations to Sarah, contributions may be sent to or deposited at Bank of the West, 15 East Main Street, Vermillion, SD, in care of Sarah Hanson.

For more information about the benefit, please email Alison Erazmus atalisonerazmus3@gmail.com." 

The Greening of the Arts

Norma C. Wilson, President, Vermillion Area Arts Council

            Put on your green and join us on Saturday, March 17 for our Annual St. Patrick’s Day Celebration.  From 6-9 p.m. the Washington Street Arts Center, at the corner of Cedar and Washington, will Rock with Music by “The Good People” (Bruce Gray, Cindy Gehm ,Rebecca Gehm) and Irish balladeer, Chris Hoover. Grace Freeman and her Irish Dancers will inspire you. So bring your dancing shoes.  The evening will also feature “Ole Ni’s Taku he?” (What Do You See?), a multi-media exhibit by Mary Black Bonnet Artichoker.

            We’re preparing an Irish feast of Potato Soup, Beef Stew, soda bread, desserts, and a variety of beverages, including Irish brews, wine, and soda. Our culinary artists include Judy Zwolak, Pam Kadous, Kevin Kelley, Sandy and Clarence Pederson, Jerry and Carrie Prentice, Lora and Brian Hensel, John Jordre Martha Mullenberg and Virginia Johnson. You won’t find so much good food and entertainment anywhere for this great price:  Tickets at the door--Adult VAAC members $8, non-members $12; $5 for children ages 11-18, free for children 10 & under. There will also be door prize drawings for new and current members. We thank our members as well as Carey’s Bar, Jones Foods, Hy Vee and Wal-Mart for sponsoring this event!

            Calling all visual artists, classes will soon resume at the Arts Center. Michele Mechling and Hana Russell will teach painting classes for children and adults on Tuesdays, March 13, 20 and 27 and April 30 at Washington Street Arts Center.  “Let’s Paint,” the after-school (3:45-5 p.m.) class for kids (grades 2-5) explores basic painting techniques in watercolor and tempera.  Individual expression will be encouraged.  Art supplies and snacks will be provided. The fee is is $28 VAAC members / $32.00 non-members.  “Just Paint,” the evening (5:30-7 p.m.) class for youth 12 and older and adults, is for painting enthusiasts who just need some basic instruction on how to get started on a painting.  Participants are encouraged to bring sketchbooks and ideas. The instructors will demonstrate watercolor and acrylic techniques and how to prepare a variety of painting surfaces to create a work of art.  The fee is $32 VAAC members / $40.00 non-members.  Call 670-2945 for further information. You can become a VAAC member and apply for scholarships when registering for the class.                                                                                           

            Dance lessons at the Arts Center will begin on Sunday, March 18. Elaine and Paul Peacock, an experienced dance couple from Elk Point, will teach the basics of square dancing, the Virginia Reel, circle dancing, etc.  The six-week course is scheduled for Sunday evenings (except for Easter) through April 29, from 6:30-8 p.m.  The fee for the entire course is$12/dancer or $20/couple for VAAC members; $15/dancer or $25/couple for non-members. Children can join in and learn with their parents free.Call Elaine with any questions at 605-356-2069.

             USD Student Art Exhibits are scheduled for March 23 and March 30 at the Arts Center, from 7-9 p.m.  The first features the work of Zechariah Blasy.  The second is entitled “Amalgam.”

            Don’t miss out on these great opportunities. Take part in the arts!

Opportunities to Enjoy and Create the Arts

Norma C. Wilson, President, Vermillion Area Arts Council

            The only event scheduled at Washington Street Arts Center during the month of February is the meeting of Vermillion Area Arts Council’s Board of directors, scheduled for Monday, February 13, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.  You are welcome to join us.  Our meetings are essential to fulfill our purpose of providing support for artists of all ages and creating opportunities for members of the Vermillion community to enjoy and appreciate a wide variety of arts. During February, Brandie Holland will be teaching Baton Twirling Lessons in our building Sundays, beginning at 2 p.m.  She and her students will also be there Sunday March 4 at 2 p.m. and Saturday, March 10 at 5 p.m.

            Throughout the month of February, there will be a variety of arts exhibits and performances you won’t want to miss at the University of South Dakota. Grete Bodogaard’s tapestries are on exhibit at I.D. Weeks library.  The yearly Stilwell Student Exhibition on February 10 will be at USD’s Warren M. Lee Center for Fine Arts from 5-7:30 p.m. That evening you can also view “Salon de Refuse” in Drawing Room 172, featuring work denied entrance to the Stilwell Student Exhibition.  Vermillion Literary Project’s Poetry Festival is scheduled throughout the day on February 23^rd, and the National Music Museum’s Brown Bag Lunch concert, “A Touch of Brass,” will be from 12:05-12:55 on February 24^th.  Check USD’s Calendar for other events.

            The deadline for submissions of poetry, prose, or visual art to be considered for the upcoming book on “What Makes a South Dakotan?” has been extended to February 29.  The book will be released in September to celebrate the 40^th anniversary of the South Dakota Humanities Council.  There’s still time for Vermillion writers to be part of this project, and it’s easy.  Just go to the South Dakota Humanities Council’s homepage; click on “What Makes a South Dakotan?; and you will find instructions on how to submit your work.  Please contact me if you need further information about this project: Norma.Wilson@usd.edu, (605-624-9279).

           

            During February, VAAC volunteers will be working to clear some of the clutter from our building to create more space for storage and other uses. We’re looking forward to the spring art classes for children that will begin in March at Washington Street Arts Center and our annual St. Patrick’s Day Event, scheduled for Saturday, March 17. Grace Freeman’s Irish Dancers will perform for that event. Please check our online calendar and our Equalizer column the first week of March to find out about upcoming VAAC events.