A good idea finds fertile grounds in which to grow

Actor Sam Hathaway takes center stage in an outdoor play held for the start of the 2012 Meander Arts Crawl in Granite Falls. Tom Cherveny / West Central Tribune file photo

BY TOM CHERVENY | West Central Tribune

APPLETON — The concept of promoting an arts economy in a rural setting was unfamiliar to most people in the Upper Minnesota River Valley when Ortonville artist Don Sherman proposed doing just that in the early 2000s.

Fortunately, his proposal fell on the receptive ears of Patrick Moore, owner of Java River Cafe in downtown Montevideo at the time, and Dawn Hegland, executive director of the Upper Minnesota River Valley Regional Development Commission.

They brought the idea to a few of their artist friends and business owners in Ortonville and Montevideo, as well as the latter community’s economic development agency.

With a collection of artists on board, $500 from the Montevideo EDA and some supporting businesses, the trio offered the first ever arts crawl in the Upper Minnesota Valley counties of Big Stone, Chippewa, Lac qui Parle, Swift and Yellow Medicine counties in 2004.

That first Meander proved successful, said Moore. It generated $12,000 in sales for the participating artists, brought recognition and attention to the individual artists, and let the world know what the Meader’s organizers had long maintained — this rural region was fertile ground for the arts.

It also proved that the arts are something much greater than a cottage industry for the region.

The Meander has proven that point 18 years running now. While the 2022 Meander numbers have yet to be tallied, those from 2021 show just how big of impact it has on the region. The 2021 sales to artists totaled nearly $140,000.

“It’s a wonderful story of regional collaboration,” Moore said, noting further that that collaboration is a three-legged stool. The Meander is only possible because of the joint cooperation of artists, businesses and government.

The benefits are many.

It’s estimated that the event, held always the first weekend in October, attracts upwards of 2,500 people who visit the studios of the 40 or so participating artists each year, according to Kristi Fernholz. She is an artist and serves as facilitator for the annual event in her role as a planner with the Upper Minnesota River Valley RCD.

Artist Doug Pederson of Lac qui Parle County welcomes visitors to his rural studio with a colorful sign and a helpful arrow pointing to the entrance. Pederson is one of many artists who has taken part in the Meander more than once.

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Participants who visit the artists receive “passports,” which helps the RDC learn about the visitors themselves and what they think of the Meander. In 2021, the RDC learned that 39% of the Meander participants came from within the five-county area, meaning more than one half came from outside the region.

The passports data further showed that 27% came from Greater Minnesota outside of the five counties, while 17% came from the metropolitan area and another 17% came from outside of the state.

An actor leads fellow actors and audience members in a walking theater presentation marking the start of the 2012 Meander in Granite Falls.

Tom Cherveny / West Central Tribune file photo

Surveys of participants have made it clear — the quality of the art, the pleasure of meeting and chatting with artists, and the chance to enjoy the fall scenery of the rural counties are what they value the most, according to Fernholz.

A full 80% of those visiting Meander artists and studios rated their experience as “excellent,” she said.

Keeping it genuine has been critical. From the start, Moore and Ferhnolz said participating artists insisted that the Meander’s focus remain entirely on quality art.

The works of a number of Big Stone County artists are exhibited at the Red Barn located at 35131 760th Avenue, Ortonville.

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The lineup of Meander artists has changed as some artists retire, and new and emerging artists get their opportunity. The 2022 Meander featured six new artists.

While the artists and region do enjoy an economic benefit, Fernholz and Moore believe the bigger rewards are not necessarily economic. The event helps bolster pride in the region as local residents hear visitors to the area voice their love for what they find.

The Tokheim Studio, displaying the stoneware and works of Gene and Lucy Tokheim, in Lac qui Parle County is among the favorite Meander destinations.

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