RED WING – This July, 36 artists across 12 different sites are inviting the public into their studios and workshops to see first-hand the vibrancy and range of creative work in the Red Wing area. This scenic river town has earned a reputation as a growing artistic community, featuring public art, performances, and galleries more commonly found in cities many times its size. Explore the arts and the area during the free, weekend-long Red Wing Area Studio Tour on July 30 and 31, presented by the Anderson Center and Red Wing Arts. Both organizations are committed to fostering connections between artists while presenting the public with an opportunity to explore the gateway to the Driftless Region through the eyes of the many talented creatives that help shape the region’s unique culture.

On this self-guided studio tour, visitors can see glassblowing and wheel-thrown pottery demonstrations, visit private studios overlooking the Mississippi River Valley, and experience a wide range of artistic styles and media that include painting, cast sculpture, ceramics, photography, jewelry, and textiles. Nature and wildlife photographer Deb Lee Carson will be opening her farm – an experience in itself – to visitors.

“I am very excited to be a part of a talented collection of artists willing to share our intimate, creative space with our neighbors, along with the local and surrounding communities,” she said.

Dan Wiemer, a well-known painter and instructor is excited to invite the community into his studio to experience his creative pro- cess firsthand. “We live in a very creative area, where each artist sets up their space differently. I’m fascinated to see how other artists set up their studio; seeing their space and the tools they use helps me better understand and connect to their artwork,” Wiemer said.

“As a curator, it’s such a privilege to be able to do studio visits with artists. Talking to an artist in their studio is the best way to understand the creative process and the craft that goes into a work of art. It is one of my favorite things to do, and I’m thrilled to share these experiences with visitors and community members,” said Anderson Center Executive and Artistic Director Stephanie Rogers.

Emily Guida Foos, Executive Director of Red Wing Arts shares, “An important component of this tour is connection: visitors connecting with artists through process and creation and connecting with this region that these artists have made synonymous with art. With this partnership, our organizations can support these artists by providing this event to grow our area’s creative economy.”

Attendees are also invited to celebrate the event and the artists with a Rooftop Reception at the Anderson Center 6-8:30 p.m. Saturday, July 30, featuring live music by Miss Myra & the Moonshiners and the Debbie Briggs Vintage Jazz Combo. General admission tickets to the reception are $10; admission is free for members of the Anderson Center, members of Red Wing Arts and youth under 18.

Participating artists are Chap Achen, Heidi Bacon, Deb Berg-Carmine, Deb Lee Carson, Lynn Brown, Sam Brown, Lindsey Cherek, Max Cora, Gail Dahlberg, Christy Dickinson, Featherstone Pottery (Tom Larkin), Angela Foley, Full Circle Glassworks (Johnathan Oien), Gita Ghei, Ashley Hise, David Husom, Kevin Ihrke, Art Kenyon, Heather Lawrenz, Sally Manzano, Jeu Mc Dowell, David Meixner, B-J Norman, Matt Palmer, Sue Pariseau, Gina Rippentrop, W.P. Rodman, Ann-Marie Rose, Trudi Schaefer, Clare Schuster, Peggy Simonson, Mary Stroeing, Dan Wiemer, Susan Weigenant, Cynthia Weitzel, and John Wells.

The Red WingArea Studio Tour is supported by the Red Wing Port Authority, WINGS Foundation, Moondance Inn, Sievers Creative, Helmer Printing, Red Wing Chevrolet Buick, and Liberty’s Restaurant & Lounge. The Tour is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts & cultural heritage fund.

About the Anderson Center at Tower View The Anderson Center – in its historic set- ting of Tower View – offers residencies in the arts and humanities; provides a dynamic environment for the exchange of ideas; encourages the pursuit of creative endeavors; and serves as a source of significant contributions to society. One of the North’s top artistic destinations, the Anderson Center has served the national arts and humanities community and the citizens of Minnesota since 1995. From the grounds of Tower View, a national registered historic landmark, the Anderson Center supports and showcases creativity at the intersection of art and ideas.

About Red Wing Arts

Red Wing Arts has been a cornerstone of the arts in the Red Wing community and throughout the region since its inception in 1952. Begun as an interactive arts education program, it has transformed over its history into an anchor of an arts ecosystem. It is the goal of Red Wing Arts to incorporate art into the dialogues, influences and economic impacts of the community. We enrich lives by connecting, celebrating, inspiring, and leading through shared art experiences. Each year Red Wing Arts supports over 350 artists in our gallery and festivals and over 30,000 visitors at free events and exhibits.

Featherstone Pottery artists Tom Larkin is taking part in the inaugural Red Wing Area Studio Tour July 30-31. Photo courtesy of Red Wing Arts

This child gets an up close look at one of artist Cynthia Weitzel’s pieces at her studio. Photo courtesy of Red Wing Arts