Description
The Owatonna Arts Center hosts exhibitions of professional regional artists including McKnight Artists. It promotes music ranging from chamber, folk, and youth contemporary. The Arts Center supports a wide range of art experiences such as an art collection, classes, workshops, and community projects, for children, adults, and families alike. Suppressing all accomplished with a small staff of two full time and two part time personal. Even with the small staff numbers fact has it since 1974 it is estimated that the Arts Center has enriched the lives of more than 750,000 members, visitors, and guest.
The Owatonna Arts Center is the host to professional regional artist; visual art exhibitions, musical performances, and multidisciplinary educative experiences including workshops, classes, and dialogues for children and adults alike. There are several important OAC annual exhibitions, the Owatonna Public School Student Exhibition (each March) and the 59th Annual Steele County Art Exhibition (each April). Each of these exhibits allows everyone to participate in an exhibit and enjoy the arts. To keep connected with the general community; OAC has also sponsored Festival of the Arts for 19 years, providing the work of 60 juried artisans from all types of mediums for display and purchase. Free artist run workshops are provided by the Art Center to help encourage new artist to get involved during this event. Pastimes Treasury of Seasonal Arts and Crafts is a show that attracts artist, craft persons, and audience from all over central and southern Minnesota, to a three day showing of fine art. This event is open to all artists that use quality, tradition, and originality for criteria.
The OwatonnaArts Center has been recognized as a leader for innovative ideas matching artist with new creative opportunities. The Healing Arts Program (HAP) is collaboration between the new Allina Hospital/Maya Clinic Healing Complex and the Owatonna Arts Center is a sound example. Works by regional and local artists that speak to the essence and spirit of healing are displayed in waiting areas, conference rooms, and patient and staff corridors. Exhibits are rotated every four months and chosen by OAC and Hospital staff, offering variety and interest for patients, families, visitors and staff, as well as opportunities for many regional artists to participate. The OAC reaches out to artist form all over Minnesota to participate with the program and offer unique opportunities for artist of all mediums to reach in and create art that will support patient mental and emotional recovery, communicate health information, and foster positive working conditions.
Developing an atmosphere that fosters artistic experiences takes years to build and just as long to maintain. The OAC has been privileged over its 35 years to have had several renowned artists pass though its studios; whether as young inspiring students or seasoned teachers bestowing their talents.
