Arts briefs: Art, theater part of 2015 Big Read activities

As part of The Big Read in the St. Croix Valley, ArtReach St. Croix is seeking artists to be part of the exhibition "Spirit, Heart, Home." Artists are encouraged to submit works that relate to the themes of love, heritage, nature and going home as illustrated in Louise Erdrich's "Love Medicine," the 2015 featured book.

All forms of art will be considered, including but not limited to sculpture, painting, printmaking, textiles, ceramics and photography. Artists from the St. Croix Valley are especially encouraged to submit work. The deadline for submission is Jan. 15, and for artwork drop-off, March 29.

The exhibition will be on view April 2 through May 9. Submission forms and additional information can be found at www.artreachstcroix.org/opportunities.

Also, as part of the Big Read activities, St. Croix Festival Theatre will be creating an original piece of theater with the working theme "From the Back Door to the Kitchen Table." This idea is built upon the concept of A.R. Gurney's "The Dining Room" in conjunction with themes from Erdrich's book, and will tell a story inspired by residents of our local communities.

The exact format and content of the piece will be suggested by submissions from writers across the region and informed by the working concept of a series of scenes set in a single room and beginning with a family member or friend bursting through the back door, having just experienced a place-specific encounter with nature.

Story submissions are due to ArtReach St. Croix by Dec. 5. Additional information can be found at www.artreacstcroix.org/opportunities.

ArtReach St. Croix announced in May that it was one of 77 organizations nationwide to receive a grant to host The Big Read in the St. Croix Valley. As a regional arts agency serving the lower St. Croix Valley, ArtReach is working with arts organizations and libraries throughout the six-county region to provide a range of activities associated with the featured book. Activities will take place next April.

The St. Croix Ballet will present its 24th annual "Stillwater Nutcracker" later this month.

Catherine Wessel and Ava Wichser will dance the Sugar Plum Fairy and Nesiyan Tobak is Drosselmeyer.

Performances will be held at 2 and 7 p.m. Nov. 28 and Nov. 29, and 1 and 6 p.m. Nov. 30 at the Stillwater Area High School, 5701 Blvd., Oak Park Heights.

Tickets are $15, and can be ordered at www.stcroixballet.com/tickets.aspx or by calling 651-439-2820 (press 1 and leave a message). For more information, call Susan Peterson at 612-803-0202.

The Woodbury Chorus and Orchestra will present "On Eagle's Wings: Psalms for the Soul" at 4 p.m. on Nov. 23 at Guardian Angels Catholic Church, 8260 4th St. N., Oakdale. The free concert of orchestral and choral music will feature psalms in a variety of settings.

During the program, a freewill offering will be taken to benefit the Christian Cupboard Emergency Food Shelf.

The Woodbury Chorus and Orchestra was organized in 1985. Since that time, the chorus and orchestra have helped raise enough money for metro-area food shelves to buy more than 2 million meals. Inquiries should be directed to Tom Foster at 763-784-7793.

Located in Woodbury, the Christian Cupboard Emergency Food Shelf (CCEFS) has been serving east metro families in need for more than 30 years. Providing food and other critical services for households in crisis, CCEFS distributes over 40,000 pounds of food to more than 500 households each month. Inquiries should be directed to Greig Metzger at 612-845-4607.

Brothers Alex and Pasha Amble Gravdahl, along with their mother, Becky Amble, and seven other artists, will hold their sixth annual art show and sale to raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

The sale takes place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15, and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 16, at their home at 6318 Crackleberry Trail in Woodbury. Beverages and snacks will be provided.

Alex began selling his artwork at 9 years of age and Pasha began selling his art at age 4. They have both received numerous awards from the Washington County and Minnesota State fairs, including Grand Champion awards and several Blue Ribbons, and both have had exhibits at Woodbury Central Park each year since 2009. Their artwork includes greeting cards, fused glass art, photography, oil, pastel, watercolor and acrylic paintings.

Other participating artists at the show and sale will be Stephanie Daily, Samah Fahmy, Christina Fowler, Margarete Luch, Joanie Miller, Marcie Richie and Sue Swanson.

Part of the proceeds from sales will be donated to the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), an organization close to the heart of the Amble family. In the spring of 2009, Alex was diagnosed with a nerve disease covered by the MDA; a year later, he began his mission to raise $1 million for the MDA to find a cure for muscular dystrophy diseases.

Donations can be made directly to the MDA on a special donation page for Alex at https://secure.mdausa.org/donate/alexamble.

The Lakeshore Players Theatre is holding auditions for Larry Shue's comedy "The Foreigner" from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Nov. 18 and 19 at the White Bear Lake District Center Auditorium, 4855 Bloom Av., White Bear Lake. Those wanting to audition should be prepared to read from the script. No appointments are needed, but bring a completed audition form, plus a headshot and résumé if available.

For more information, go to www.lakeshoreplayers.com.

Newport's Library and Community Center, 405 Seventh Av., will be hosting P.A.W.S. to Read at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 13. This program will teach individuals how to be safe around dogs, how to tell the difference between a stray dog and a pet, and how dogs communicate their needs and feelings.

At the end of the program, children will be invited to read to Jazmin and Maggie, the registered therapy dog for the program.

Also, at 6 p.m. Nov. 25, the library will be hosting a Thanksgiving craft program, where children can make a delicious turkey out of suckers. Supplies will be provided.

Jim Anderson