ENTERTAINMENT Hubbard County is home to a robust arts scene

Numerous artists, writers, actors, dancers and vocalists call the Northwoods their home.

Art Leap

Art Leap is an open studio event. The driving tour, sponsored by Heartland Arts, invites visitors to meet artists, see their studios and find other culturally rich destinations. Highlights include live demonstrations, music and seeing fall colors at their peak.

Blank Canvas Gallery

Blank Canvas Gallery is an online source connecting art lovers with unique, original art created by talented artists. Artists work in a variety of mediums and styles. Email info@blankcanvasgallery.com or go online to www. blankcanvasgallery.com.

Heartland Arts Council

Heartland Arts remains an umbrella organization for 16 regional arts groups, promoting excellence in the arts through creation, education and performance. The council meets monthly to share calendars, inspire new arts projects and build community around the arts. Heartland Arts also sponsors events, including Noon Hour Concerts and Art Leap, and “Art Beat,” the newspaper insert published quarterly in the Enterprise. In 2023, the council plans to add another mural in downtown Park Rapids. For more information, visit www.heartlandarts.org.

Heartland Concert Association

Founded in 1981, the Heartland Concert Association’s goal is to bring quality entertainment to the area at a reasonable price. From September to May, its concert series offers five live performances – classical, Broadway, jazz, country and more. Admission to the Heartland Concert series is by season membership ticket or at the door. For more information, visit www.heartlandconcertassociation.org.

Hubbard County DAC Grants from the Region 2 Arts Council and Minnesota State Arts Board have allowed Hubbard County Developmental Achievement Center artists to work with local artists to learn new skills and create art. Some recent learning opportunities have included welding, printmaking and paper arts.

Jackpine Writers’

Bloc

This local writing group publishes a literary journal, “The Talking Stick.” Visit www.jackpinewriters.com.

Nemeth Art Center

The Nemeth Art Center (NAC) is open from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays, May through September. Admission is free. The gallery is located in the upper level of the historic county courthouse, located at 301 Court Ave. Founded in 1977 by Park Rapids community members, the NAC has provided quality arts and education experiences to north-central Minnesota. For more information about upcoming exhibits and membership privileges, visit www.nemethartcenter.org.

Park Rapids Area Community Band

Sixty to 70 musicians rehearse at the Park Rapids High School in preparation for the community band’s spring and late fall concerts and the pre-fireworks show on the Fourth of July. For information, visit www.pracb.com.

Park Rapids Classic Chorale

The Park Rapids Classic Chorale is a 45-member, community chorus. The chorale typically performs a Christmas and spring concert. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/PRClassicChorale.

Sculpture Trail highlights Minnesota talent

Sculptures created by Minnesota artists dot downtown Park Rapids and Red Bridge Park.

Initiated in 2018, the Park Rapids Sculpture Trail is a collaboration of the city of Park Rapids and the Park Rapids Arts and Culture Advisory Commission. It’s made possible by the sculptors who enter and bring their artworks to the city every spring and businesses and nonprofits who generously provide funding.

Each year, new sculptures are placed along the Red Bridge Park Sculpture Trail. The Red Bridge Park is the trailhead for the Heartland State Trail, which is used year ‘round for walking, running, biking, rollerblading, snowmobiling and other recreational activities.

In 2020, the Sculpture Trail expanded to downtown Park Rapids. In 2022-23, nine sculptures were located downtown and the first People’s Choice Award was given.

All artworks remain in place for a year and are available for sale.

For information on sponsoring or entering a sculpture, contact commission members LuAnn Hurd-Lof at luann47@ gmail.com or Laura Grisamore at lauraleephoto3@gmail.com.