6. EDSR 05-14-2012 - Laserfiche WebLink

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ArtSoup 2012 summary of events This is the first year that ArtSoup, traditionally a biennial event, will be an annual one. This change was requested by a number of local businesses, the Chamber, some city officials, our artists, and members of the community. We expect about 2800 attendees. Artists' booths We expect 40 to 45 artists will display and sell their artwork in 10' x 10' tents along Main Street and Jackson Avenue. In addition, there will be blacksmith, potters wheel and painting demonstrations interspersed with the booths. Great River Energy Stage Performances Despite a light drizzle all day, the nine performances on the main performance stage were well attended in 2011. This year's performance groups will include: Z Puppets Rosenschnoz, Land of Lakes Choirs, Elk River German Band, Rhonda Laurie and Paul Christian's band. Community Tent Activities The 35'x90' Community tent is partitioned into three areas to accommodate the three activities listed below, The Performance area had a small stage. 1. Children's activities The Alliance and Community Education teachers offer art projects for the children. The children's art activities have consistently been a big hit with families. 2. Art and other cultural organizations' display tables The collective marketing of local programs is an eye opener for the public and well received. 3. Performance and Demonstration Stage area A number of the arcs organizations put on demonstrations and story telling sessions. Those that attended and completed the survey felt it was a good addition and should be kept in the festival. AlI were surprised at the number of art programs there are in our region. Strolling Entertainment Paul Imholte will again provide music on the streets; we expect to have chalk artists showing their skills, and a face painting booth. Other performers will be strolling through the event all day. Button Business Promotion The button sale is a way of advertising the event and increase business sales with discounts in their stores for those participants who buy and wear their buttons. This is a win-win situation for all concerned. Food Service Using local restaurants rather than outside food vendors has been very successful for the downtown restaurants. The six participating restaurants made sure they provided different festival food; hamburger, hot dog, finger food, wild rice soup, sandwiches, corn dogs, wings, etc. All surveys from festival goers and the business community rated this change highly successful. Interspersing them between the artists' booth was welcomed by the artists. Three Art Exhibits A Juried Art Exhibit in an adjacent store front, the Schroeder Studio student show in a tent, and the Gallery's June exhibition will highlight regional artists.