Nancy Leasman The 46th Annual Rotary Art Show will open Friday, April 30, and run through Sunday afternoon, May 2, at the Centennial Auditorium lobby in Staples.

The schools of the Freshwater Education District are sending the art of their local winners, assuring that the show has the best in local and regional art by both students and adults.

The show, which is free and open to the public, will run from noon-5 p.m. Friday, April 30, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, May 1, and from noon-4 p.m. Sunday, May 2.

Jurist for the adult and student art divisions will be Nancy Leasman of Long Prairie.

Leasman says she painted her first bowl of fruit about fifty years ago and has been fascinated by the painting process ever since.

“I paint every day. It’s my personal challenge for 2010 to paint a finished painting every day. That means I will have done well over a hundred paintings as of the end of April,” she says.

Her work can be seen on her daily blog at www. qdpainting.blogspot.com. She uses acrylic for my daily painting challenge but also works in watercolor, oil, pencil, pen and ink and pastels.

She has studied under Charles Kapsner, Bela Petheo, Don Folsom, Myron Sahlberg and others.

“I’ve taught painting and drawing, owned a gallery, painted many murals (both private and public), illustrated nearly a dozen books and painted over 300 whimsical scenes for Whimsy Home Designs note cards.” Leasman says. “I write for regional and national publications, am editor of Central Minnesota Women Magazine, serve as the Grants Coordinator and web master for the Five Wings Arts Council and will manage a blog for Minnesota Public Radio starting in May.”

Leaseman and her husband “have the finest little vinegary in Minnesota where we make wine vinegar. I’m the herbalist and orchard master as well as number one weeder and lawn mower.”

Her book, Leatherwood Vinegary, A Winery Gone Sour will be released this spring.

Leasman adds that she has judged many school art and adult painting and photography exhibits at both the Todd and Morrison County fairs.

Area art instructors will be setting up the student art portion Thursday afternoon. The exhibit will be open for school viewing from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday.

Adult artists may enter their work in the Rotary Art show to be juried or for exhibit. Exhibited art may also be for sale.

There is no limit to the number of items artists may exhibit in the non-juried portion of the art show and there is no fee for nonjuried items.

Juried items are limited to ten items in each class. An entry fee will be charged. Cash prizes and recognition ribbons will be awarded. Juried items must be displayed and ready for judging by 8 p.m. Thursday.

The classes are: art, including all types of original paintings; general crafts, featuring pottery, ceramics, decuopaging, sculptures, jewelry, collages and fibrous crafts; photography; and wood crafts. All items must be original, although photography may be computer enhanced if by the original photographer.

On site registration will be from 3-8 p.m. Thursday, April 29. Artists may pick up their exhibits from 4-5 p.m. Sunday.

For registration information please contact Jim Hofer at 218-894-1152 or jmhofer@charter.net.

Two more shows

The Northern Pacific Railroad Depot is celebrating 100 years with an “Art Show at the Depot” Saturday, May 1, from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

A variety of photo and painting displays of the railroad and depot will be shown, as well as other railroad related art work.

Refreshments will be served.

Free will donations will be accepted; and all proceeds will go toward expenses to renovate the depot.

This event is sponsored by the Staples Historical Society

The Five Wings Arts Council has relocated to a new office space at 121 4th St. NE in Staples. Everyone is invited to visit the new location at a Grand Opening celebration on May 1 from 1-3 p.m.

An art show and artists’ reception will be held in conjunction with this event. See the art show, meet the artists, enjoy refreshments and register for door prizes.

The new FWAC office is just across the street north of the Historic Staples Depot. Check the new FWAC website for more information and specific directions to the office. www.fwac.org.