Iron Pour Six

Here's proof that West End Arts is a volunteer group. Dominium, a private housing developer has picked up the ball this year for the annual iron pour. WEA is now a brand with nothing to brand. Only YOU can bring it back to life. In honor of Nance Derby Davidson the acting chair of WEA who does more than anyone I know to support the arts in West 7th and is busy doing her part by creating and improving the Acme Academy of Arts at 937 W. 7th, and the fact that I am still doing the poster for the iron pour thereby contributing in a much lesser way than Nance because I actually got paid for it, I submit the latest poster.

Iron Pour Five

Here's proof that West End Arts is a volunteer group. Dominium, a private housing developer has picked up the ball this year for the annual iron pour. It was the only way WEA made it's presence known. This year, that isn't even going to happen. WEA is now a brand with nothing to brand. Only YOU can bring it back to life. In honor of Nance Derby Davidson the acting chair of WEA who does more than anyone I know to support the arts in West 7th and is busy doing her part by creating and improving the Acme Academy of Arts at 937 W. 7th, and the fact that I am still doing the poster for the iron pour thereby contributing in a much lesser way than Nance because I actually got paid for it, I submit the latest poster.

Call for Artists

Call for Artists

Claddagh Coffee Cafe is making its beautiful brick walls available

to local visual artists interested in showing their work to the community.

Contact Jeffrey for details;

jeffrey@rivergardenyoga.com

Call for Art!

My name is Dennis Taylor, and I'm one of the owners of The Petite Salon located at 600 W. 7th. I'd love to connect with artists in the neighborhood who would be willing to display their art in our salon on a quarterly basis. We would be more than happy to sell your art on your behalf without charging you a commission. What we would ask of you in return is that you invite 50 people to the opening. We have a holiday open house scheduled for this coming Sunday, Dec. 11th, and it would be great to have some art on the walls in time for people to see your work. Please contact me if you are interested, my phone number and email are listed below. If you have an online portfolio, that would be great as well but not required. Thanks in advance!!

Dennis Taylor
email: hairwacks@msn.com
phone: (651) 295 4802

4th Annual Iron Pour at the Old Schmidt Brewery

Here we go again folks! Come see the hottest show in town on Saturday, October 7th at 7pm. If you want to reserve at tile, come to the mold making gatherings at the same location Friday night before the pour or on Saturday during the day. More specifics to follow soon!

Hi All,

On Wednesday, June 8th, 2011 at 6:30 there will be an informal West End Arts meeting at the Fort Road Federation.

Check in, reconnect with other West End artists, share announcements and discuss what is ahead for WEA.

Hope to see you.

A piano recital in concert

Slavonic Selections

A piano recital in concert

A unique cultural offering at the CSPS Sokol Hall, oldest theater in the in the State of Minnesota.

Czech and Slovak Sokol Minnesota is proud to partner with Wells Pianos, 1330 Grand Avenue, in presenting this benefit concert for the hall.

Saturday, October 30 7:00 p.m. C.S.P.S. Sokol Hall, 383 Michigan at West 7th Streets

Suggested donation: $10 adult; $5 student

A concert grand piano will make its appearance in our theater, along with two stellar pianists:

William Yang, Eden Prairie, appears to be a slight, sheepish soft-spoken nine-year-old until he attacks a broad range of composers including Frédéric Chopin for us.

Anton Melnichenko, a graduate student at Hamline University, is studying under Alexander Braginsky. Anton will showcase Czech composers Antonín Dvořák and Bedřich Smetana, as well as Frédéric Chopin.

At the intermission, a selection of Slovak potica and Czech kolache will be available for purchase. The performances will be recorded through support by Hailun USA.

www.sokolmn.org | 651 297 9000

ANOTHER BLAZING SUCCESS FOR THE WEST END!

West End Artists and Community Turn Out for the 3rd Annual Iron Pour...

The third annual West End Arts and Fort Road Federation sponsored Iron Pour took place last Saturday, September 11. The day capped many hours of preparation by sponsors, coordinators and the neighborhood artists who collaborated on this popular neighborhood annual event. We use the term “artists” with pride and encouragement as most of the contributors were our West End neighbors—families with young children as well as us “mature” creative types who enjoy dabbling in new art mediums.

We were fortunate to have a balmy September evening for the gathering, perfect for lingering with friends around a hot crucible of molten iron.




Expansive “ahhs” and curious “ohhs” were heard in between sets of Dave Thune's rock & roll group, "The Back Seat Boogey Band." The event drew a crowd from the neighborhood, as well as visitors passing by who came to check out the whoopla at the old Schmidt Brewery on West Seventh Street.

Many of our creative friends and neighbors took advantage of the 3rd annual iron pour to create a piece of art that will outlast them by hundreds of years. Sand molds were laid out on 6-foot benches etched with images of birds, sunflowers, Celtic designs, names, and even home addresses. The iron poured several times during the evening completing the cracks and crevices of the tile molds.

These annual iron pours are becoming a Fall tradition in the West Seventh neighborhood. Check back on with the West End Arts blog for information on other West End Arts events throughout the year.

Submitted by Kelly Jones Hicks

Foam Blocks for Iron Pour... Sept 6 Update

Iron Pour - Foam Blanks available

10" x 4" x 4" foam blanks are available for 3D sculpture. If you're interested in doing a 3D iron sculpture at the pour contact Marty Hicks at 651-492-0899.

THIRD ANNUAL IRON POUR: September 10 & 11, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:


Contact: westendarts@fortroadfederation.org
West End Arts
http://westendarts.blogspot.com/

THIRD Annual West End Iron Pour Lights Up Schmidt Brewery

[Saint Paul - August 10, 2010] West End Arts (WEA) and the Fort Road Federation are sponsoring the third annual West End Arts Iron Pour September 10, 11, and 12 at the Schmidt Brewery on West Seventh.

Community members can choose to sit back and enjoy the pyrotechnics or participate in the pour by creating a design in a scratch tile sand mold. There will also be a limited number of 3D molds poured.

Scratch tile sand molds will be available at the mold-making workshop Saturday, September 4 from noon to 4:00 p.m. at the brewery. Costs for a scratch tile is $15 for West Seventh neighbors and $45 for people outside the neighborhood. 3D molds need to be coordinated ahead of time and will be on a first-come, first-served basis. The cost of 3D castings will be determined on site but will probably range from $45 to $100.

Mold making continues Friday September 10 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. and on Saturday, September 11 from noon to 5:00 p.m. If you wish to participate, reserve your scratch tile by emailing betty@fortroadfederation.org or leaving a voice message for her at 651-298-5599. The actual pour is from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. Saturday.


On Sunday, September 12 we'll break the castings out of the molds and clean up from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Visit http://westendarts.blogspot.com for more information on this event.

West End Arts Group: Artists, neighbors, and friends organized to promote and foster arts in the West End, by encouraging and connecting artists, and extending arts into the community through exhibitions, live performances, and educational outreach.

Press Release submitted by Marty Hix: marty@hixwerx.com
and by WEST END ARTS westendarts@fortroadfederation.org



View Larger Map

MINUTES AUG 2 IRON POUR SPECIAL SESSION

West End Arts http//:westendarts.blogspot.com
Special Session: Iron Pour
August 2, 2010, Padgett’s
NEXT MEETING: MONDAY, SEPT. 6, 7 PM, STUART LOUGHRIDGE, 265 West 7th St., 3rd floor (no elevator), black door.


Attendees: Nance Derby-Davidson, John Davidson, Paulette Meyers-Rich, David Meyers-Rich, Stuart Loughridge, Mary Esch, Kim Berry, Mary Ellen Murphy, Rachel Gorski, Jason Gorski, Marty Hicks

Called to order by Nance at 7:15 PM

Preliminary general discussion:

Prior to 7:15, Deborah handed out copies of the new and current issue of the colorful and informative COMMUNITY REPORTER for the dual purpose of tooting her own horn “DEAR DEB” column and the full color pages containing the ARTIST PROFILES. Cover to cover this is a community newspaper to be proud of.


Paulette shared a number of announcements of artists’ opportunities including Jerome
Foundation Book Arts Mentorships for emerging artists; http://www.mnbookarts.org MCBA is currently taking applications for its Artist co-operative; current and upcoming PRINT exhibit at MCBA (further information will be forthcoming on WEA website with appropriate links).

Nance provided an update on ART IN THE PARK, indicating the deadline has been extended and that she updated the WEA website to reflect that. There was some discussion of the complexity of the grant application process. Marty Hicks had some information based on his work with John Yust who has created blueprints & designs related to this opportunity.

David Rich raised the existing opportunity for involvement in a repeat of the LIBERAL ARTS exhibit hosted by Dave Thune’s gallery 4 years ago. He wasn’t clear on the specifics of this year’s benefit (scheduled late Sept? ) but seemed to think Bob Spaulding would have further information.

Nance announced our new WEA meeting schedule: Every other month (with this Aug. meeting being an additional necessity because the Iron Pour is coming up so soon… September, this year instead of October). Both Nance and Deborah are seeking to hand over their responsibilities to other parties willing to serve as Coordinator/co-Coordinator. Deborah will soon announce her “drop-dead” date and will enthusiastically continue to participate as a participant (yeah, it’s redundant… Everybody’s a critic…) rather than a Coco or MOI.

Upcoming Meeting Schedule:
Monday, September, 6, 2010, 7 PM Stuart Loughridge,
November 2010 David and Paulette Meyers-Rich
January 2011 Jason Gorski
March, Thurs., 3/3/ 2011, 7 PM Padgetts
May 2011 Marty Hicks
July 2011 Someone suggested Matt Brown (we’ll have to confirm his interest)

IRON POUR, dates: September 10 & 11, 2010

Task list: (first 4 items of many….)

1. Write (update) grant application D Padgett (done)
2. Need 30 tiles – 12-15 3D things
3. Dave Thune will need prodding Jason Gorski
4. A garden hose is needed

Nance has an extensive task list that she handed over to Marty Hicks (point person) to manage with any volunteers. Jason Gorski will work with Marty and will update the fabulous poster he created for the last two Iron Pour(s).

Deborah Padgett offered to retrieve last year’s press release, get it to Marty for updates and then send it on to various publications.

Notes were not taken on further discussions between those who will carry out involvement in the Iron Pour from now to completion.

Oh, and this is a cool thing, Mary Ellen Murphy brought her home brewed Pickallily Pickle Relish with Red Pepper and passed out numbers. Then she picked a winning number from a hat and the winner of the prize relish was Nance!

Some individuals had to skedaddle and others stayed to visit, discuss art and other life issues.

Since our meeting the Iron Pour proposal has been updated, submitted to Betty, signed and sent on to the City. We should be hearing soon…

Marty talked with the Iron Heads and they are available to do the pre-Iron Pour Workshop on Saturday, September 4, from noon to 4 PM.

Marty had a conversation with Betty Moran at the Federation – “Since the Federation is the Fiscal Agent for WEA, Betty will be collecting $$ from participants at the Iron Pour. As we collect names, they need to be forwarded to Betty -- she'll be making the "master list". I suggest we up the price for scratch tiles to $15 for West End people and $45 for out of area folks. Cost of 3D molds will be determined on site but will probably range from $45 to $100.” Let’s start spreading the word to make this another successful Iron Pour. More later…


Respectfully submitted,

Deborah Padgett

The Front/Victoria Public Art Project

District 6 Residents,

The Front/Victoria Public Art project is being redirected due to extended timelines and increased interest from the community. While planters were decided upon at the Land Use Task Force meeting in June, the community will now be able to view additional projects from artists in the area and will have more time to determine which areas will most benefit from public art.

District 6 Planning Council is sending out a Request for Proposals (RFP) to the District Councils, art organizations, and Public Art Saint Paul for distribution to their rosters,posting this information on our website and included a blurb in our newsletter. We feel this is an excellent way to ensure inclusiveness and make sure that our public processes are followed. We will have plenty of time to do the project and only the location needs to go to Public Works by November 1st!

A Steering Committee will be created with residents from the area. The committee will be charged with choosing the artist and design, assisting us with outreach and running the meetings. If you are interested in being on the Steering Committee please think about it and make sure you will have time to attend meetings, etc. The schedule is currently being set.

If you know of an Arts organization or an artiste who may be interested, please pass this along.

Kerry Antrim
Executive Director
213 Front Avenue
Saint Paul, MN 55117
651-488-4485 cell: 651-403-9338

August Special Session, Iron Pour

July 9, 2010

Dearest West End Artists

We understand summer is busy which might explain low attendance at our monthly meetings. Participation is needed to keep opportunities and enthusiasm alive.

At the May meeting at The Lifted Up art Show we voted to have meetings every other month.

Attendance was so low at our July 5th meeting that the Iron Pour is in peril; therefore we would like to schedule a meeting in August to make specific plans for Iron Pour involvement.

We need a point person to coordinate the Iron Pour event, which is scheduled for Sept. 10th and or 11th. The funds are available and we have a checklist of tasks.

We would love to continue this as a West End Arts event.

Lets not miss this opportunity.

We really need a point person. No experience or skill with Iron Pours is necessary to coordinate this event.

The August Special Session meeting will be Monday, 8/2/10 at 7 P.M. at Deb and Michael Padgetts’ Studio, 274 Goodrich Ave., Saint Paul, MN 55102.

This is a very important meeting so please RSVP to deborahpadgett@mac.com

Please contact Nance or Deb ASAP if you will be our Iron Pour point person. We don’t have to wait till the August meeting to get started.

Request for Proposal: Public Art Installation for Community Fitness Path

West 7^th/Smith Avenue Neighborhood Task Force

This is a request for bids to design, create and install functional public art that will jumpstart our long-term vision for a community fitness path that enlivens and connects our West 7^th/Smith Avenue neighborhood. Proposal deadline is July 30, 2010.

West 7^th/Smith Avenue Neighborhood Vision

A safe, clean, pedestrian-friendly urban residential neighborhood, with eccentric character, and inviting green/recreational spaces that encourage positive uses and bring people together.

West 7^th/ Smith Avenue Neighborhood Task Force Guiding Principles:

o Attract owner-occupants

o Design new construction in keeping with the spirit, size, scale and materials of current housing stock.

o Preserve historic architectural character where possible.

o Maintain eccentric residential character.

o Encourage innovative design and green structures.

o Increase green and recreational spaces that bring neighbors together.

Community Fitness Path

We see an opportunity to remake the 35E Trailway/bike path from Grand to St. Clair into the kind of green and recreational space that brings neighbors together. We want to make it a safe, attractive, inviting community fitness path, used by all generations, connecting our neighborhood, increasing interaction and building the health of the community. Our concept plan for the path includes the following:

General improvements

o Address the maintenance issues to the sound wall, fencing, and pathway surface.

o Provide care to the existing vegetation, removing overgrowth and stumps.

o Improve access/visibility at each end of the path.

o Add additional access point at Oneida and Superior creating a stairway exercise station at this location and thin vegetation for better visibility to the path.

o Provide low maintenance gardens or landscape areas along the path such as wildflowers or prairie grass.

o Provide community gardens such as flower plots and vegetable gardens. Consider creating a community nursery where neighbors can bring extra plants from their own overgrown gardens to be tended and shared with other neighbors.

o Consider how to include public art, sculpture, mural, etc.

o Create places for casual interaction among neighbors. Create places where neighbors feel pride and ownership with the community.

Fitness Course

o Design exercise stations along the path for different ages and conditions. Lifecycle use, from children to elderly. The station could provide a number of different types of exercise.

o Stations should be accessible for all levels of use – from casual use to serious fitness course enthusiasts.

o Stations should be visible within the neighborhood for better interaction and safety. They should tend to focus at the pathway access points.

o Explore options for providing stations created by different designers and artists (with preference to artists within the West 7^th community). Establish material and durability standards. Another option would be to have a group of artists/designers collaborate on the whole project.

We have begun reclaiming the path through a community-organized spring clean up. The adjacent Open School playground and yard are scheduled for reconstruction this summer 2010.

Phase One - RSVP Public Art Concept

We have an opportunity through the RSVP project (Residential Street Vitality Project) being implemented this year to install public art. We intend for this to serve as the first phase of the community fitness path creation.

We hope to install fitness station clusters at two separate spots at either end of the Garfield/Western/Harrison triangle. Each will include as many as 3 "fitness stations". One (based on budget and style) of the stations in each cluster will include more elaborate artistic design, while the others will be more functional stations, built with interesting metalwork/joints, local stone and other sort of whimsical ideas.

In addition to the exercise stations the following could also be considered as a part of the public art funding:

1. A means of explaining use the individual exercise stations… this could be some type of signage or possibly lettering embossed in the concrete path.

2. Information kiosks, or panels along the sound wall for postings of activities, etc.

3. Garden design, pathway designs (small paths, walkways, surfaces at the exercise stations and through landscaped areas).

4. Benches or other places to sit near the exercise stations.

Proposal & Project Timeline

– Request for bids issued

– Bid deadline

–Task force review bids/proposal

- Final plan to Public Works

September 30, 2010 –Preferred completion date

July 1, 2011 – Public Works project completion deadline

Budget

Project budget: $22,500 total

This includes design*, creation, and installation, as well as installation of any landscape material on the ground by the stations.

*Design cost must be less than 10% of total budget to be eligible.

Decision Criteria

The Task Force will use the following criteria in making the final selection for this project:

40% Will the design use the existing budget and resources effectively in order for this project to serve as a significant foundation for our larger goal for the 35E Trailway/Bike path?

30% Does the design reflect our neighborhood Vision?

30% Does the project include the work of local artists? Projects from artists

living in the West 7th community, or projects that include an artist from West

7th community are strongly encouraged

Bid submission

Deadline: July 30, 2010

Proposals to include:

c Drawings of the proposed project as completed

c Narrative description of project location, objectives, concept and materials (1 pg max)

c Budget, including at minimum line items for design, creation, installation and landscaping.

c Complete contact information

c A brief description of the experience of each member of the art team.

c Any supporting documentation you deem important for Task Force consideration

Submit proposals to:

W. 7th/Smith Task Force/Public Art

c/o Fort Road Federation

974 7th Street West

St Paul, MN 55102-3557

Complete proposals must be received 5 pm on Friday, July 30, 2010.

Questions should be submitted in writing to one or both of the e-mail

addresses following. Questions and answers will be made available to all interested parties:

Marit Brock, maritbrock@gmail.com

Sarah Gleason, sarahgleason@mac.com

JULY MEETING OF WESTEND ARTS, Monday, July 5, 7 PM

Nance Derby's studio

Acme Scenic Arts, 941 West Seventh Street.
Agenda Items so far:
Iron pour
Iron pour show

contact Nance with any additions. westendarts@fortroadfederation.org

the new/old west seventh

Subject: We're a Feature Article in THE LINE!

THE LINE, a new online magazine: West End Arts is the subject of a feature article in this "launch" issue. Looks like a quality publication and we're thrilled to be part of it. Take a look and see what you think.

The Line http://www.thelinemedia.com/

The Line tells the story of the new economy in The Twin Cities -- a narrative of creative people and businesses, new development, cool places to live, and the best places to work and play.

Each Wednesday, the online magazine presents original stories, video and photography to tell that story. Get The Line free in your e-mailbox each week. Sign up here.

We want to hear your thoughts and ideas for The Line. Please share them here.

Managing Editor Jon Spayde was an editor for Northwest Airlines Portfolio, Departures, and Travel and Leisure in New York. After moving to the Twin Cities, he worked at Utne Reader for thirteen years. He was arts and culture editor of the first Utne web site (1995) and co-author of Visionaries: People and Ideas to Change Your Life and Salons: The Art of Conversation. In 2008 he published How to Believe, a collection of profiles of religious believers, with Random House. His articles have appeared in publications ranging from ID and Art in America to City Pages and Experience Life. He lives in Saint Paul with his wife, business coach Laurie Phillips, and cat, Kerfuffle.

Managing Photographer Bill Kelley is a freelancer based in Minneapolis, specializing in images of people, lifestyles, and travel. He has made images around the Midwest, shooting everything from rodeos to CEOs. His clients include Minneapolis—St. Paul magazine, St. Olaf College, St. Catherine University, MinnPost, ADC Communications, and Novartis. He strives to become more fluid, more expressive, and more creative in his craft.

http://www.thelinemedia.com/

LIFTED UP...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

LIFTED UP: An exhibit of art work by West End Arts, http://westendarts.blogspot.com Hosted by Gloria Dei Lutheran Church http://www.gloriadeistpaul.org/ and Curated by West End Artists Michael and Deborah Padgett, http://www.padgettstudios.com

Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 700 South Snelling Avenue, Saint Paul, Minnesota 55116, will host an exhibit of inspiring and uplifting works of art by seventeen Saint Paul artists during the months of April and May, 2010. The exhibit theme: "LIFTED UP" reflects a sense of being spiritually/emotionally lifted, inspired, worshipful and/or awestruck. Images of nature, community, animal life, growth and inspiration are included in the body of work on exhibit from April 13, 2010 through the end of May. Much of the work will be available for sale through direct contact with individual artist. For more information please contact Deborah or Michael Padgett at padgetts@padgettstudios.com For church open hours please refer to the website at http://www.gloriadeistpaul.org/

EXHIBIT DATES: APRIL 13 – May 31, 2010
Opening Reception: Sunday, April 25, 9:30 - 10:15 A.M.

Artist/Community Reception: May 6, 6-8 P.M.

Artists:

Marty Hicks, Halle O'Falvey, Danielle James, Spencer Silver, Barbara Brayman McMullen, David Rich, Matt Brown, Maryellen Murphy, Gina Ruppert, Dawn Kelly, Steve Murray, Janine Olson, Deborah & Michael Padgett, Nance Derby-Davidson, Lori Harris, Dan Kaniess.

The April West End Arts meeting will be held at Degidio's Restaurant, 425 West Seventh Street, Thursday April 15th.
Hope to see you all there. Call Nance if you have any items to get on the agenda. 612-709-2777.