Wabasha Main Street has awarded 7 local artists to receive project funding up to $7,500. Additional funds will be spent on local projects and promotions from July thru November in our Main Street District. The goal of this second year is to create “safe art” and to incorporate our theme Sounds and Movements of the Mississippi River.

Sounds and Movements of the Mississippi River was designed to gather momentum from year one Perspective Initiative of telling your story to inviting artists to get in touch with the influences of nature while creating arts activates and installations using sounds and movements that inspire them. These 7 artists have attended the mandatory virtual creative place making workshop and /or study hall and meet the guidelines of eligibility of living or working within the 20 mile radius of Wabasha. These awarded artists will produce creative works of art that will incorporate sound ( music, words, expressions) and movements )performances ( live or virtually )or live streamed in the next few months. Wabasha’s Artists on Main Initiative felt that art can be created uniquely and safely during COVID 19 and wanted to continue rather than cancel our program. Art is healing; we will capture this moment in time and help us get our messages out or reminders of the beauty of the Mississippi River valley.

Wabasha’s Artist on Main is happy to introduce our 7 Artists and their Projects: Wendy Cockrell will be kicking off the program with Colors of the Mississippi water kits in partnership with the Wabasha Public Library July 5-10th. Cris Medina will be doing Dramatic Expressions on the Riverfront: Drama, Poetry, Storytelling in a series of writing workshops, create performance videos and presentation later this fall. Leta Bez -Wogen and Dave Wogen will create a Cycledelic! bike fence with moving bike wheels. Janet Runions will be creating a River of Life Quilt. Julie Anderson and the Wabasha Woodwinds Quintet will be performing 3 live concerts entitled Music on the Mississippi. Bev hall and Wabasha Public Library will be offering Uke’n Play virtual music lessons on the Ukulele taught by Ashley Carlson, St. Felix Music teacher. Marsha Hall and daughter Laura will be providing a class and Ironworks signage with their project Who’s on Pembroke.

Each of these artists will be highlighted in a publication coming out in July with dates and timelines. All events are free and opened to the public. Please follow us on social media or our Wabasha Main Street website – www.wabashamainstreet.org. or email Mary Flicek at wabashamainstreet@gmail.com.

“This activity is part of the Artists on Main Street, a partnership between Wabasha Main Street, RETHOS, and Springboard for the Arts with support from the Bush Foundation. “