Summer art celebration returns to Tower View

Artists and musicians with a wide range of styles and specialties will fill the grounds of the Anderson Center with eclectic sights and sounds during the 10th annual Summer Celebration of the Arts on July 11.

The event runs from noon to 7 p.m. at Tower View, located at Highways 61 and 19 in west Red Wing.

The work of more than 80 artists, writers and musicians will provide an afternoon of family style entertainment, officials said.

Among featured artists will be Bill Stein, creator of the legendary Hamm's Beer Bear that was featured in commercials and advertisements. He'll be on the lower lawn.

Other artists at the celebration will include Michael Augustan and his Navajo sand paintings; traditional Norwegian wood carver Phillip Deraas from the Wanamingo area; and jewelers Marti Johnson and Heinz Brummel.

Also, ArtAndes will host internationally recognized Master Weaver Wilbur Quispe from Ayacucho, Peru. His fabrics and others will be for sale.

Gail Dahlberg and Steve Anderson, two of Southeastern Minnesota's finest glass artists, will give glassblowing demonstrations throughout the afternoon. Meanwhile, at the center's Blacksmith Shop next to the Granary building, metalsmith artist Dave Mariette will give a metalsmithing demonstration.

While touring the studios, visitors also will be able to watch artists at work making pottery, dyeing silk, painting in watercolor and doing wood-block printmaking;

The celebration will showcase a wide variety of music, from the popular to the eclectic, including:

• The Jack Brass Band, a regional favorite playing New Orleans style brass, will highlight the afternoon on the lower lawn stage. he band has been stirring up the music scene with performances at such diverse events as the Minneapolis Aquatennial, Jazz Winnipeg, the Minnesota State Fair, and the NCAA Final Four.

• Local favorite Mu Daiko, an 11-member Japanese percussion ensemble, also is scheduled. The group has been honored as one of only four Daiko groups in North America selected to perform at the annual North American Daiko Conference in Los Angeles.

• Long Time Gone, popular Minnesota bluegrass ensemble.

• Jug, a new local group with familiar faces, playing old-time American rock 'n' roll.

• Local composer and pianist Neal Topliff performing throughout the afternoon on the upper lawn. • Red Wing High School musicians Sam Brady, Luke Kays and Anne Richardson performing in the main and permanent galleries indoors.

Writers also will featured. Scott King, owner and operator of Red Dragonfly Press at Tower View, will host readings by three acclaimed writers — California poet Gabriel Spera, plus Minnesota writers and past Anderson Center residents John Minczeski and Lightsey Darst.

Throughout the afternoon, a golf cart and a vintage World War II Jeep will be available to take people on driving tours of the center's 8-acre Sculpture Garden. One of the largest open-air sculpture parks in Minnesota, it boasts works by Minnesota's finest sculptors, including internationally acclaimed artists Charles Biederman, Siah Armajani and Zoran Mojislov.

Treats will be available, including a wine tasting with award-winning Falconer Vineyards of Red Wing.

Guests will be able to tour the main residence, built in 1917, which is listed on the National Historic Register, and climb the landmark water tower to see the expansive vistas. For more information call (651) 388-2009.

Tags: arts and entertainment, anderson center, lifestyle