Remembering the majestic boats

Images of riverboat royalty will be spotlighted in one of two exhibitions that launch the new year at the Red Wing Arts Association Depot Gallery.

“Picture a River Queen” will be in the Larry Veeder Gallery, while “Winter Wonders” will be displayed in the Marge Vogel Gallery, Director Dan Guida said.

A public reception for both shows will be 4 to 6 p.m. Jan. 8. Artists will be introduced at 5:30 p.m.

“None of the magnificent riverboat Queens, the American Queen, Mississippi Queen and Delta Queen, are currently in use on the river,” Guida said. “This show will provide us with a chance to see and remember the majestic boats as they stopped in Red Wing and traveled up and down the river.”

The three paddlewheelers are sidelined and did not pass by or stop in Red Wing in 2009 for the first time in many years.

“We thought we should take the opportunity to take a look at them —remember them, and celebrate them,” Guida said.

Artwork included in the show will be photography by Tom Yoemans, Chap Achen and Andy Stockwell, a pen-and-ink drawing by Bevv Lundquist, and paintings by Ivan Zassavitski, Art Kenyon, Dan Wiemer, Werner Pipkorn and others.

More than a dozen works are expected by the time the show opens, Guida said.

The “Winter Wonders” show was selected by the Gallery Committee, Guida said, in recognition of the fact that a great deal of art work shown in the gallery features three of Minnesota’s colorful seasons.

“Each season has its own beauty — the soft fresh greens of spring, the warm glow of summer, and the brilliant red and golds of fall,” he said.

“There is a beauty in winter. There are artists who like to explore that,” he said.

“In our winter season we have graceful eagles soaring over dark, icy river water, white frosting snow banks, frosted windows, and sun dogs guarding the sun on sub-zero days. Artists will bring their interpretations of our winter season to the gallery for this show.”

The shows can be seen free of charge during winter hours at the gallery, 418 Levee St.: Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. For information, call (651) 388-7569.

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