Historic railroad depot is home to local arts group

The Red Wing Arts Association has a long and colorful history of supporting and promoting visual arts in the community.

In keeping with that history, the association has made its home since 2003 in a vintage 1905 Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad Depot at 418 Levee St.

The Depot, which is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, is in neoclassical style influenced by the 1893 Chicago Columbian Exposition. It was restored in 1990 by the Red Wing Area Fund of the St. Paul Foundation, and underwent major remodeling in 2007 to enhance its use as a gallery.

The Red Wing Visitors and Convention Bureau occupies the western half of the depot.

The Red Wing Arts Association's space includes the Vogel Gallery and the Veeder Gallery, both named for local artists who had a lasting influence on the organization - Marge Vogel and Larry Veeder. The building also has a gift shop where people can find paintings, prints and photographs, pottery and hand-blown glass, jewelry and fabric art and other artist-made originals.

For more information, go online to www.redwingartsassociation.org or call (651) 388-7569.

Exhibits are scheduled throughout the year.

Through Nov. 22 - Exhibit of works by Red Wing watercolor artist Dan Wiemer; and "Children's Book Illustrators" exhibit featuring the imaginative artwork found in children's books.

Nov. 27-Dec. 31 - "The Rich Textures of Fiber Art," a gallery show including the many forms of fiber art.

January/February - "Picture a River Queen" and "Winter Wonders," both group shows.

March - Student art show featuring works from area schools; including "creating art" activities in the gallery.

March/April - "Art of the Earth," featuring Minnesota ceramic artists.

April - "A New York Experience," presenting work by Minnesota State University Moorhead students.

May to November - Sculpture Garden at the Depot.

May/June - "A Portrait Series" by artist Kate Goodman Eiynck; and "The Sculpture and Pottery of Michael Bigger."

July/August - "Plein Air Art Festival 2010" gallery show.

September/October - "New Works" by artist Mike Schad; and "The Paintings and Etchings of Diane Hanson."

November/December - "Holiday Show" and "The Colors of Fall," a group show.

Special events

Nov. 27 - Holiday Stroll; Holiday Gift Gallery opens.

June 21-26 - The annual Plein Air Arts Festival featuring artists creating pictures inspired by an outdoor setting. Artists will be located throughout the community, and there will be public events.

June 23 to Aug. 11 - Concerts in the Park at 7 p.m. Wednesdays in the new Central Park Band Shell. A variety of musical groups is featured each year. People bring blankets or lawn chairs.

July 11 - Garden Tour, an annual self-guided tour of local gardens featuring live music and artists in the gardens creating one-of-a-kind originals.

Oct. 9-10 - Fall Festival of the Arts brings thousands of visitors to downtown Red Wing. The juried weekend art fair takes place on downtown streets. Almost 100 artists participate, plus there is always music, food and plenty for children to do. For information including applications, call (651) 388-7569 or go to the association's Web site.

Nov. 26-Dec. 31 - The Holiday Gift Gallery opens the day after Thanksgiving, during Red Wing's Holiday Stroll, and remains open daily through Christmas. The gallery showcases holiday gift ideas including local art.

The public is always welcome to visit the gallery, which is open seven days a week, without charge. For more information, call (651) 388-7569 or check out the Web site, www.redwingartsassociation.org.

Red Wing has two other public galleries:

The Anderson Center

163 Tower View Drive

Outdoor sculpture garden

Permanent art collection indoors

(612) 388-2009

T.B. Sheldon Theatre

443 W. Third St.

Mezzanine gallery

(651) 388-8700 or (800) 899-5759

Tags: community guide, places to go