Arts and Heritage Center seeks artwork for veteran’s display

The Arts and Heritage Center is looking for artists to honor veterans with special art pieces that will be displayed in area businesses.
 
The program is called “Windows for Veterans” and aims to honor veterans while at the same time decorating Montgomery’s First Street. Maureen Gunderson of the A & H Center, said the idea came from Mayor John Grimm as a way to help beautify First Street and bring people to Montgomery’s business district. 
 
Grimm thought of it after seeing so many people read the veteran tributes that are displayed outside of the business’s windows.
 
“I thought if we can get so many people stopping at local businesses to read those tributes, then maybe we could get more if people came to see the artwork,” he said.
 
Gunderson added the artwork will hopefully attract people, dress up the store fronts and serve our veterans.
“I think it’s a good way to show the arts in our community,” Gunderson said. “Not only will it bring artwork to our community, but it will bring other people here to see the artwork. And I think honoring our veterans for our first one will expand what we’re already doing for our veterans in our community. It’s also a way to make things look better.”
 
The artwork is open to anyone and can be made up of any medium as long as it can be hung.
 
“It can be stained glass, fabric, wood,” Gunderson said. 
 
She added that it can be any size, but they are looking for large pieces to fill a window. The size parameters are 16x44 inches to 56 x 40 inches. 
 
Artists must register their piece by March 31, 2018, and it must be completed by Memorial Day. The pieces will be displayed for a year until Memorial Day 2019. Artists are able to include contact and price information if they want to sell the piece after the display period.
 
Gunderson said the display will be a judged event that will take place between Memorial Day and Kolacky Days. The first prize is $1,000. Second prize is $500, and third prize is $250. There will also be a People’s Choice Award for $700. If you vote, your name will be entered into a drawing for two $25 prizes. 
 
To help pay for the prizes, Gunderson said the A & H Center has applied for a grant from the Prairies Lakes Regional Arts Council. Fundraising will also support the project. 
 
Looking for businesses
Gunderson added that the A & H Center is also looking for businesses (occupied or vacant) to display the artwork. Businesses will work with the artists to display the pieces, and $20 will be available to offset display materials.
Grimm hopes the program is successful and will continue with a different theme each year. 
 
“This year our theme is honoring veterans. Next year it could be something like agriculture,” Grimm said.
 
The program is supported by the City of Montgomery and the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce.
 
For more information, email artsandheritagecenter@gmail.com, or write Arts and Heritage Center, PO box 94, 206 First Street N - Suite 2, Montgomery, MN 56069, or by calling Kathy Peterson at 612-756-0645.
 

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