February is “Black History Month”
May is National “Mental Health Month”
July is National “Ice Cream Month”
And in 2016, October was proclaimed “National Arts and Humanities Month” by Presidential decree.
Cities around the country – from Richmond, VA, Nashville, TN, to Galveston, TX – come together to celebrate and promote the arts and humanities during October. It is an opportunity to showcase the beauty and the economic importance of a thriving art scene.
This year, the Hastings Prescott Area Arts Council (HPAAC) is launching its own ARTober celebration! HPAAC will highlight events and experiences throughout the month by local artists and venues. Experience events such as art exhibits, live music events, talks with authors, and even an illusionist!
To kick off ARTober, local artist and gallery owner, Andy Evansen is hosting his Second Annual En Plein Air Invitational on Saturday, September 30th with around 20 award winning artists participating this year. The artists will scout out various locations to spend the day capturing the essence and character of Hastings and Prescott. The day concludes with a 6:30 p.m. reception at the newly built Artspace Hastings River Loft, where the artists will present their work for the public to purchase.
HPAAC is excited to share another local gem’s work highlighting the diversity of the area. Mike Hazard’s Seeds of Change: A Portrait Of The Hmong American Farmers Association exhibit, on loan from the Minnesota Museum of American Art, will be on display at the Hastings Arts Center from October 6 – November 12th. This multimedia exhibit celebrates the stories of the Hmong community. Join us Friday, October 6th from 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. for the opening night reception! Check out the ARTober or Hastings Art Center website to find the hours open to the public.
Throughout ARTober, local artists and businesses will share their talents, offer food specials, and giveaways. We encourage you to get out and see the importance of art to the community. Events are free, family friendly and open to the public! Stay up to date with the ARTober events here! For more information, please contact us at hastingsprescottarts@gmail.com or info@cardinaleventsplanning.com.
Summer has begun and the gallery is open. “If you have already stopped by to see us, thank you. If you have not been by to see us, what are you waiting for? Our next exhibit Water is Life will begin on Wednesday, July 13th.”
