Eagan Art House: A refuge for artists

After Bette Undis of Eagan retired, she set her sights on two things: to dedicate herself to environmental causes and to start painting.

So 15 years ago, she signed up for classes at the Eagan Art House. And she hasn't stopped since.

"I've taken almost every class they have had," she said. "It's my feeling that as you get older you need to do creative tasks to keep your brain young."

Starting Sunday, Undis will show her work at Eagan Art House's 7th annual "Harvest of Art" community art exhibit, along with more than 30 other south-of-the-river artists. This year's show includes photography and digital prints, acrylics, watercolors, oils, 3-D work, clay and pottery, and mixed media.

The event is a community affair as much as it is an art show, featuring a variety of artist demonstrations, music from a guitar duo and ice cream from Ring Mountain Creamery.

Visitors can purchase a pot and glaze and fire it on site, using raku firing methods. This year's community art project is also an interactive drawing where visitors can add their own doodles "of what to find in Eagan," said Julie Andersen, recreation supervisor at Eagan Art House.

"It's a 'Where's Waldo' kind of project," she said. "It's just a great family activity for people to come out and enjoy the last bit of weather and enjoy the art in our community. It's amazing that we have so much art in our backyard."

After the show, the art moves to various Eagan sites -- Dunn Bros. Coffee, Ring Mountain Creamery, Easter Lutheran Church and the Eagan Community Center -- until Nov. 2.

"It's fun to have your neighbor go over and say they've seen your painting," Undis said.

"It's a great support for local artists who are just starting or who want to get their names out there," said Mary Lewis, an Eagan watercolorist who will show her pieces, "On Eagan Pond" and "Garden Feathers."

The event also gives visitors a chance to register for fall or winter Art House classes at a discount. Andersen said this year they are including some fun guest artist workshops, such as one with Minnesota watercolorist Richard Graves.

New teen classes this year include titles like "Explosive Painting," where kids do Jackson Pollock-like paintings outdoors, and a class on making scarves out of T-shirts. Also this year, the art center will start hosting Thursday open studio time for ages 11 and up, with bus transportation from Eagan High School.

"Teens can come and just hang out with other teens who love art, hang out and listen to music," said Andersen.

Lewis said she appreciates the opportunities for young people at the art center, and that youth can exhibit and sell work at events like the upcoming show.

"That's what makes a community," she said, "when they start with the young and encourage art through all age groups."

"It's a very neighborhood-based art center," Undis said. "I like the fact that it's community-based. It has good teachers, and it's reasonably priced so that you can participate."

She said that the art center provided a refuge during a recent illness. "I took a class even when I was struggling," she said. "It helped. It really helped."

Liz Rolfsmeier is a Twin Cities freelance writer.