Local Art

APRIL 2022 www.presspubs.com THE LOWDOWN 3

‘Through the Eyes of Others’: Historic Courthouse solicits art submissions

BY CORINNE STREMMEL STAFF WRITER

How can we see what others see? What is it like to walk around in someone else’s shoes? That’s what the latest art exhibit at the Stillwater Historic Courthouse aims to answer.

“Through the Eyes of Others” is calling for submissions from Washington County artists between now and May 1. Artists can enter for a small fee of $10. All proceeds go toward the Historic Courthouse restoration fund. The selection process will be between May 2 and May 15, and artists will know whether their pieces will be included by May 16. Monetary prizes for jurors, supporters, best in show and best under 18 will be awarded to selected artists. The exhibition will be juried and curated by Stillwater’s Dr. Megan Arney Johnson, whose personal philosophy is that of “slow looking,” a pedagogy that encourages us to look and then look again at art.

“We know that if we can get people to look a little longer than just 30 seconds on each work, then they have a much deeper and impactful experience,” said Arney Johnson.

Arney Johnson wants the courthouse’s exhibit to get folks to look and then look again at Washington County, explaining that the residents of the county see parts of their home that not every tourist might see.

“We’re not just about the quaint little downtown, but also about amazing parks and amazing buildings and history. Hopefully, we’re encouraging people to look at more than just a surface level,” said Arney Johnson.

Given the social upheaval and the effects of COVID-19, the exhibit’s theme has proven to be as timely as she had hoped.

“And I think that there is kind of an urgent need to consider this approach. So let’s look through the eyes of others. How can we empathize?” said Arney Johnson.

While the exhibition calls for categories like people, architecture, parks, nature and historic sites, Arney Johnson aims to choose pieces that best tell Washington County’s story.

Artists of any medium are welcome to submit. Arney Johnson has a particular interest in contemporary art, so mediums like video and contemporary craft are encouraged. The exhibition will also focus on its under-18 category, which was created to support young artists in the county and encourage them to submit their work.

Arney Johnson hopes to receive upwards of 50 to 100 submissions and is already dreaming up a salon-style floor-to-ceiling wall hanging.

The selected artwork will be on display from June 1 through Jan. 8, 2023. A sneak peek with artists, VIPs and major supporter Art Reach will be held June 2.

Until then, Arney Johnson encourages the artists of Washington County to begin submitting their works so they can be part of a unique show at the Historic Courthouse, where visitors can look and look again at the work of local artists.

WASHINGTON COUNTY COURTHOUSE | CONTRIBUTED

The Washington County Courthouse puts on its latest exhibit.

Staff Writer Corinne Stremmel can be reached by calling 651-407-1226 or emailing lowdownnews@presspubs.com.

WHITE BEAR LAKE | AVENUE OF THE ARTS

4971 Long Avenue, White Bear Lake whitebeararts.org | 651.407.0597 4941 Long Avenue, White Bear Lake lakeshoreplayers.org | 651.478.7427

4941 Long Avenue, White Bear Lake childrensperformingartsmn.org | 651.336.8613

5471 260th St., Wyoming Mon - Fri 8am - 6pm LENFERAUTO.COM | (651) 462-2650

Randy Notto | OWNER

BENEFITS

• QUALITY • WARRANTY • CONVENIENCE • WORK DONE RIGHT • SAME DAY SERVICE • NO SURPRISES • 100% CUSTOMER SATISFACTION

OIL CHANGE SPECIAL $10 OFF

STANDARD OIL CHANGE $20 OFF

PREMIUM SYNTHETIC OIL CHANGE

Includes seasonal check up. Up to 5qts motor oil. Most cars and light trucks. Valid only with coupon. Cannot be combined with other offers Expires: 4/30/22

SPRING SPECIAL $17 OFF REPAIRS

over $100 $47 OFF REPAIRS

over $500

Most cars and light trucks. Valid only with coupon. Cannot be combined with other offers

Expires: 4/30/22

NOW OPEN 40,000 square feet of new and used furniture in one location! We are excited about our beautiful new facility that is now open in Vadnais Heights, Minnesota.