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“If you build it they will come.”

This often quoted line from the movie Field of Dreams comes close to describing what’s happening with Wyoming Area Creative Arts Community. The group didn’t physically construct their arts center, but by acquiring the site on East Viking Boulevard, where activities and networking can take place and the public can go, WACAC is indeed building something and supporters are coming.

Since acquisition of the Hallberg Center for the Arts;  named to recognize the substantial gift from the Hallberg Family Foundation--  WACAC membership  quadrupled over the first full year.    Founding member Eric Peterson says there are now over 130 in WACAC.  

“It’s hard to believe a short time ago we were about a dozen of us artists meeting, talking.  We just filed our 501C-3 (non-profit) two years ago,” he mused.

Not all members are artists, but the collaborative actions of people happy to support the arts are what matters.  Word is spreading and Peterson said he recently spoke with a new member who lives in Minneapolis. That tells him, the notion of a place to belong, an open inviting arts center, is important and fundamental.  

Peterson expressed great pride in the local community, though,  as he showed this reporter around the Hallberg Center for the Arts. It was opening night last week for “Impressions in Nature’s Elements”  

Peterson said there were many items on the to-do list to improve this 1938 property.  Formerly a church, the Hallberg Center comes complete with an alcove bathed in a stained glass glow.  Peterson spoke of local businesses and tradespeople who have provided goods and services at very little urging and already accomplished tasks at the old church. He pointed out donations of furnishings, a stereo, and how Hazelden-Betty Ford was changing out kitchen equipment and donated useful appliances.  Peterson said a carpenter  re-sized and installed reclaimed doors at no-charge, and volunteers built display pedestals. They all found a common cause creating the center.

Peterson, currently serving as WACAC’s President,  said Hallberg Center for the Arts’ newest exhibit boasts the works of nine visual artists.  Works are of wood, fiber, stone, pottery and glass.  Some can be purchased,  and some are for display only.  (See photo)
The Center is open regularly on Fridays 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and from noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays, but periodic public events and creative workshops take place on other days of the week.  There was a songwriting workshop this week.  And, a social painting session is scheduled for (tonight) Thursday February 25 in the center.  There will be a sample painting that participants will paint their own interpertation of.  This session the subject is paper birch trees.  

The class is $25 If you use the center’s supplies an additional $5.  The painting canvas is 16 by 20 inches and the work will be done in acrylic. Whether you are a beginning painter or just want something creative to do, social painting sessions  could be worth checking out.

Sessions run two hours, from 6:30 to 8:30 and class size is limited to 16.  To learn more, go to the website for Wyoming Area Creative Arts Community or call 651-272-5122 and leave your contact info or to register.  Tree Coyle is instructor and also an artist in the Nature’s Elements exhibit.

Artists showing at Impressions in Nature’s Elements are:  Jonas Johnson, Mary Disney, Greg Johnson, Dave Freemore, Cathy Gilles, Laurie Greeninger, BT Johnson, Richard Vincent, Judy Franke, CarolAnn Rosenthal.
Thanks also to Ken Fusaro and Dave Freemore who made a dozen new pedestals to display the pieces.

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