Supporter: Stone Mill Suites

Business Name: Stone Mill Suites Historic Inn Hotel

Website: www.stonemillsuites.com

Email: stonemillsuites@hotmail.com

Address and Directions:

100 E Beacon St
Lanesboro, MN 55949
Please see additional information below.

Phone:
Local: 507/467-8663
Toll Free: 866/897-8669

What services does your business provide?

Located at the Lanesboro FEED MILL, Stone Mill Suites Historic Inn Hotel is a unique lodging experience in 1885 limestone building. Within this historic building are 9 suites with themes that depict the history of the building and Lanesboro's irresistible charm. Many of the suites feature double whirlpool baths, lofts, and iron-claw fireplaces.

History of your company?

Stone Mill Suites Historic Inn Hotel opened Friday, July 13^th, 2001. The Lamon - Mortimer family purchased the Building from the Hager Family in 1999, our hope being to restore and preserve much of the building’s history and structure while providing a comfortable, elegant and most importantly a fun lodging experience for our guest. The building was originally built in the 1880’s and was used as a cold storage facility. Freight trains would load directly behind the building and many items from the Lanesboro area were shipped east for commercial purposes. For thirty years the Fosse Chicken and Poultry Processing Plant operated out of this building.

Map and Directions:

Directions to Stone Mill Suites Historic Inn Hotel

NORTH
From Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minn.
MN-52 South to Rochester and follow Rochester Directions.

From Rochester, Minn.
MN-52 South to Fountain, County 8 East (left) to Lanesboro. At the stop sign, turn left, go North two blocks and Stone Mill Suites is the limestone building on the right.

SOUTH
From Decorah, Iowa
MN-52 North through Harmony, MN-16 East (right) to Lanesboro. At the intersection of St HWY 16 and St HWY 250 turn left and go North through downtown. Arrive at Stone Mill Suites 100 E Beacon.

EAST
From LaCrosse, Wis.
Interstate 90 West, Take MN-14/61 South at Exit 275 to LaCrescent. MN-14/61 changes into MN-16, MN-16 west to Hokah through Houston, Rushford, and into Lanesboro. At the intersection of St HWY 16 and St HWY 250 turn right and go North through downtown. Arrive at Stone Mill Suites 100 E Beacon.

WEST
From Austin, Minn.
Interstate 90 East, Take MN-16 East at exit 193 toward Preston. Minn. 52/16 East (right) through Preston. MN-16 East (left) at John Deere dealership to Lanesboro. At the intersection of St HWY 16 and St HWY 250 turn left and go North through downtown. Arrive at Stone Mill Suites 100 E Beacon.

Supporter: Commonweal Theatre Company

Business Name: Commonweal Theatre Company

Website: http://www.commonwealtheatre.org

Email: info@commonwealtheatre.org

Address: 208 Parkway Ave North | Lanesboro, MN 55949

Phone: Box Office - 800.657.7025

What services does your business provide?

We provide professional theatre to southeast Minnesota and surrounding regions. The Commonweal's mission is to enrich the common good through actor-based storytelling, which is both transcendent and relevant.

History of your company?

Since 1989, the professional artists of the Commonweal have brought to life soulful stories told with honesty and creativity. Located in the heart of southeast Minnesota’s bluff country, Lanesboro (pop. 788) is home to the company’s new theatre in its historic downtown.

The heart of the Commonweal’s programming is the main stage season. This balanced, yet challenging repertory is comprised of up to six plays with more than 200 performances, chosen from among the world’s finest classic, contemporary, and emerging playwrights. Because Lanesboro is located amidst a high concentration of Norwegian-American families, the Commonweal produces the works of Henrik Ibsen annually, and remains the only theatre company in North America with such a commitment. The company hosts a new play series which has yielded thirteen world premieres since its inception.

The Commonweal boasts a rare organizational model, with resident company members (who have come from all over the country to make their home in the Lanesboro area) fulfilling the day-to-day artistic and operational needs of the company as artist/administrators.

Any other info that might be of interest to visitors of the art tour? Although our main mission is to provide live, professional theatre for our community, we are also home to a unique and permanent art installation with our new building: Commonweal Stash. Artist Karl Unnasch has enhanced our lobby as a tribute to the the region and our theatre's history. Additionally, we occasionally feature artists on our walls to complement the onstage stories and provide depth to those themes.

Barbara Benson Keith

Name: Barbara Benson Keith

Website: www.barbarakeithdesigns.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/barbarakeithdesigns

Blog: barbarakeithdesigns.blogspot.com

Email: bkeithdesigns@yahoo.com

What kind of mosaics do you make? Stained glass mosaics

When did you start making mosaics? 2004

How did you get into mosaics? I took a community education class about stained glass windows. I had a pile of scrap glass, so a few years later, I decided one day to make a mosaic. I didn’t know how, and didn’t even consult a book, I just did what felt right.

What inspires you? Nature, people, animals, the work of other artists

How did you develop your style? I’m self taught, and I resist taking classes so what I do is really mine.

How did you learn to make mosaics? Guessed.

How do you work best? During the day, listening to an audio book.

How do you approach a mosaic? For me the hardest part is deciding what to do. Once I have that figured out, I get to it. I am very focused while I work and I don’t really take breaks or get distracted unless it’s lunch time!

What do you do with your mosaics once you finish? Sell them, hopefully!

What have you learned? I’ve learned things about myself, like I’m a jumper. Even if I don’t know how to do something, I’ll say yes and jump in and figure out how to do it after that.

How do you fit mosaics into your personal/family life? I’ve got a wonderfully supportive hubby! This is my job and I feel very lucky.

Where do you work? I have a studio in the basement with a nice big southern exposure window. In the summer it’s cool down there and in the winter it’s warm.

What is your favorite thing about working as an artist? The freedom! I used to teach elementary school, which was very rewarding but demanding and stressful. I was always sick with colds and strep and had to drive to work in the cold and dark and snow… You know how it is! Now I can sleep in or take a day off. I set my schedule and get the work done when I want to do it. My commute is about 10 seconds. I love that!

Have you ever done public art, community art, worked with children, etc…? Doing public art is my passion! Over the years, I’ve been doing more and more public art and I love it! I love the challenges, and I love knowing that lots of people will see my work. This year I’ve done a lot of work for clinics and hospitals. I recently finished a big project up in Bemidji. I designed the 15,000 sf terrazzo floor for the new convention center/hockey arena.

Supporter: RiverStar

Business Name: RiverStar, Inc.

Website: www.riverstarinc.com

Email: cbraun@riverstarinc.com

Address and Directions: 1705 Wilkie Dr. Winona, MN

Hours: 7:30 am – 5pm

Phone: (507) 452-5109

What services does your business provide? Contract Order Fulfillment, Distribution, Vendor Managed Inventory, Repair & Reconditioning, Logistics Expertise, Warehousing

History of your company? Established in 1995

Sue Pariseau

What kind of art do you make? I’m a studio potter making functional stoneware.

When did you start creating art? I’ve made some type of art since I can remember, but about ten years ago I started working with clay and have been addicted ever since.

How did you get started? It all started with a Community Education class. My sister and I had always wanted to try working with clay and the time was right in our lives to do it. We took a local Community Education class and both knew we wanted to continue. From there we began taking classes at the Edina Art Center. My sister’s life has taken her in a different direction, but I’ve been fortunate enough to continue on my path at my home studio.

What inspires you? I love nature and textures. Better yet are the textures in nature. I try to bring some of those textures to my pottery pieces. Sometimes adding a little texture to the outside of a bowl or mug can create a natural earthy piece that is pleasing visually and tactilely.

How did you develop your style? At this point I don’t really consider my style developed and I’m also not so sure it ever will be. I try making lots of different shapes and sizes of things until I find one that feels good to me both as the maker and user. Lots of times pots look nice but you don’t really know how it works until you’ve used it and held it in your hands.

How did you learn? Through lots of trial and error! Testing, testing and re-testing. And I love to attend workshops as I believe participation gets you thinking about using techniques and skills you may not have considered without the peer interaction.

How do you work best? I work best alone and under pressure. I’m always running the kiln just a few days before a show or event to have what feels like a suitable amount of inventory for the show. I’m not sure if I’m a procrastinator or just have unrealistic expectations of my workload.

How do you approach a new piece? I like to let the idea roll around in my head for a while. Think about it, think some more and then let it percolate. At some point I’ll try a new piece, discovered the flaws of my original plan and begin to formulate a new plan. I keep that cycle going until I come up with a design that works both aesthetically and functionally.

What have you learned? I’ve learned that science still isn’t one of my strong subjects. The “how” and “why” things work the way they do in pottery isn’t as interesting to me. There is lots of science that goes into creating certain reactions between glaze and clays to make a piece wonderful or just so-so. I prefer to think of the things that work out as happy coincidence and then try to recreate the components. What can I say, that’s just the way my brain works.

How do you fit art into your personal/family life? I work fulltime as a project manager for a utility so art mostly fits into my evenings and weekends. My kids are grown and busy with lives of their own so other demands on me are pretty minimal. Being a creative person though, does enhance my problem solving skills on the job so I guess I just practice a different kind of art there. Occasionally, I do find my mind toying with a new pottery project while looking over a set of roadway construction plans, but don’t tell my employer!!

Where do you work? I am fortunate enough to have two studio spaces to work in. One is at our house in Farmington and the other is at our farm near Lanesboro. Each space has benefits, but my favorite by far is the farm studio. The location is peaceful and the area is very beautiful. The plants and textures of the area give me lots of ideas for designs on pots.

What is your favorite thing about creating? I love to make large bowls. There is just something about the full robust shape of a large bowl that I can’t resist making them.

Do you offer classes? I don’t offer classes. I’ve considered it occasionally, but in the end neither of my studio spaces are that large and they’re hard to share. Maybe sometime in the future, but right now I kind of like the solitude of my studio time.

Why do you enjoy the art tour? The people. You get one on one time with just about everybody who stops. I like hearing their stories and finding out about them. By the time the tour is over, I’ve collected nearly as many business cards as I’ve given out. My second favorite part – during the tour, I have an arrangement with the Highland Store to make our breakfast and lunch as well as provide treats for those visiting. Their Blueberry Pancakes are to die for!! During the tour I get to have delicious meals and snacks and don’t have to make any of them. It’s a perfect arrangement.

Supporter: The Highland Store & Cafe

Business Name: The Highland Store and Cafe

Website: http://www.highlandstore.net/

Email: awaytoiowa@yahoo.com

Address: 22485 391st Avenue, Lanesboro, MN 55949 - see website for directions

Hours: Sunday 8am - 3pm, Mon - Fri 7am - 3pm, Closed Saturday




What services does your business provide?
The Highland Store is a charming gem off the beaten path. A beautiful drive on Fillmore County Road 10 will lead you to a 116 year old general store converted into a cozy cafe. Sit at colorful 1950s dinettes while you enjoy breakfast all day (featuring multi grain breads, pancakes and waffles, omelets, fresh fruit, etc.) or try some of the daily homemade specials like BBQ chicken or meatloaf with REAL mashed potatoes and gravy - nothing from a box! There are wonderful vegetarian dishes, fabulous salads with many organic ingredients, fruit smoothies and fresh baked pies and desserts.



History of your company:
The Highland Store was established in 1894. For many years it served as a local grocery, gas station, hardware store and veterinary supply store as well as providing postal service and an eight line phone switchboard for the community. Its role in the community has evolved - now it is a relaxing place to gather, visit and enjoy a delicious, healthful meal.

Any other info that might be of interest to visitors of the art tour?
Visitors can enjoy our "work in progress" garden area. A limestone dry stacked garden wall and pathway have been started in an ever evolving perennial garden. We also offer special event catering here at the store.

Nate and Hallie Evans - Wood Fired Pottery

What kind of art do you make? Wood fired pottery

When did you start creating art? Nate-in high school, Hallie-in college

How did you get started? Apprenticeship from 1997-99 with Mark Hewitt in Pittsboro, NC

What inspires you? Traditional pots from around the world, living in a beautiful spot

How did you develop your style? Our style has evolved over years of making pots, looking at and using other pots every day.

How did you learn? Classes in high school, Luther College and our apprenticeship

How do you work best? Doing different things each day; spending some time in the shop with the pots, some time outside doing the more physical work, like moving wood, cleaning kiln shelves, etc.

How do you approach a new piece? It's always fun to make a new shape. Often we start something new, but don't get what we are thinking of for a few cycles of making that particular shape

What have you learned? Even though it can be incredibly hard to make a living as an artist, there is nothing else we'd like to do

How do you fit art into your personal/family life? It is linked to family in every way-we both work together, our son plays around in the shop while we work.

Where do you work? Our workshop in NE Iowa

What is your favorite thing about creating? It's rewarding to see something functional coming from a simple material like clay.

Why do you enjoy the art tour? It brings people to our shop/kiln/home that wouldn't otherwise be able to find us, at the end of a dead end road. We love to be able to share how and where we work with people, and seeing our kiln really helps to get a connection to the pots--why they look the way they do, and where they come from. We fire our kiln over the tour weekend, so that's always an exciting thing for people to see.

Location- 2856 Blair Rd, New Albin, IA 52160

From Hwy 76, 2 miles south of Eitzen, MN, turn Left onto Church Rd. Go about 2 miles, Left on Golden Ridge. About 2 miles, Left on Sleepy Hollow. Go about 1 mile, Left on Blair Rd. 1/2 mile down Blair, left over cement culverts, then an immediate right onto private driveway. We are about 20 miles from Lansing, IA; Waukon, IA; Spring Grove, MN; Caledonia, MN.