Art in Community Upcoming Events: Enriching lives in unexpected ways Interview with WBCA Board Member Heidi Brophy Drawing Through Mia: Landscapes Saturday, Oct. 29, 10AM-1PM Spend a glorious morning at Mia in this part art history, part sketching class where we explore three landscapes in Mia's permanent collection. Register at WhiteBearArts.org/drawing WBCA Contributed Drawing Through Mia: Landscapes Italian for Travelers Oct. 24-Nov. 28; 6 Mondays, 1-3PM Learn basic communication skills that will allow you to interact with native Italian speakers and have a more enriching experience. Register at WhiteBearArts.org/language PAI Opening Reception Wednesday, Sept. 9, 10AM-12PM In collaboration with WBCA, PAI artists have been refining their skills for over four years: to learn a variety of art forms including watercolor, painting, abstract art, print and collage. CART WBCA Contributed PAI is a local organization serving people with developmental disabilities. White Bear Lake resident Heidi Brophy was first introduced to White Bear Center for the Arts as a guest at Heart 4 Art, the WBCA's annual fundraiser. "At that event the program highlighted the impact the art center made on the community, and it connected with me on a personal level," Brophy said. Not only that, but her two daughters were part of the Art in Elementary program with Mr. Kyle, which they loved. Since then, Brophy has become involved in the art center as a volunteer, board member, and donor. "I was just open to saying yes and trying things," she said. "As much as I do it to help the art center grow and be a strong organization, I have gotten so much out of the relationships I've formed and the energy 1 get from participating." Brophy recently attended the opening reception for How did you first hear about it, and why were you interested in being involved? The event was something I knew about, but didn't participate in because I was always busy with my own work. The organizers convinced me just before Covid hit and I quickly found that I really enjoyed plein air painting. It is a good contrast WBCA Contribut Heidi Brophy SPRAYFINGER at WBCA, where there were graffiti art demonstrations and an opportunity to create your own graffiti art. "It was a joy to see people of all ages enjoying the activities and When thinking about the importance of art, Heidi always goes back to this quote: "Before children speak, they sing. Before they write, they paint. As soon as they stand, they dance. Art is the basis of human expression." She has saved sharing the beautiful space," that quote because it reminds Brophy said. "It was the perfect illustration of why I support WBCA." "The art center makes it a better community for our family in the way it enriches so many people's lives in her why the art center is important. "It speaks to our humanness of being unique and different and how we can celebrate differences and not expect people to be homogeneous and conform." Studio Coffee tries Plein Air to what I do in the studio, and I really enjoy painting outside. Neil Johnston is a familiar face around White Bear Center for the Arts; every Friday he facilitates Studio Coffee, a class where artists come together to drink coffee and discuss all sorts of art- related topics. Neil recently attended the Port Wing Plein Air Painting Festival in Port Wing, Wisconsin, along with some members of Studio Coffee. sometimes very unexpected ways," Brophy said. "Being a part of the WBCA has taught. me that it is not just about creating art, but appreciating it in all its forms written, spoken, musical, through paint, clay, fiber, metal, etc. Most importantly are the people that you connect with there that make it a very open and welcome space that everyone can enjoy." Can you talk a bit about how members of Studio Coffee joined you at the plein air event? What was that like? This was interesting and a complete surprise! A month ahead of the festival, several members of studio coffee approached me about going what a great surprise! They shared that they had reserved rooms at a hotel in Herbster, WI, and some others decided to camp. It was so nice to see familiar faces up there and share that experience. We all met up in the evenings, and for lunch to share what we had created. It was a supportive atmosphere- lots of artists sharing their perspectives, techniques, and camaraderie. It is hard not to enjoy the outdoors and the views of Lake Superior, the place is very inspiring. What is it about plein air painting that you're drawn to? I think it is the sense of moving through an environment - looking closely at how the landscape folds in to the distance. I become so aware of depth and light. It is a great challenge for me to move from my studio where I paint mostly conceptually and abstract, to a natural environment. Each time I paint, I can see how these two modes of working are more similar than different. The inclusion of plein air experiences has been a real source of inspiration for me. Art in Community Upcoming Events : Enriching lives in unexpected ways Interview with WBCA Board Member Heidi Brophy Drawing Through Mia : Landscapes Saturday , Oct. 29 , 10 AM-1PM Spend a glorious morning at Mia in this part art history , part sketching class where we explore three landscapes in Mia's permanent collection . Register at WhiteBearArts.org/drawing WBCA Contributed Drawing Through Mia : Landscapes Italian for Travelers Oct. 24 - Nov . 28 ; 6 Mondays , 1-3PM Learn basic communication skills that will allow you to interact with native Italian speakers and have a more enriching experience . Register at WhiteBearArts.org/language PAI Opening Reception Wednesday , Sept. 9 , 10 AM-12PM In collaboration with WBCA , PAI artists have been refining their skills for over four years : to learn a variety of art forms including watercolor , painting , abstract art , print and collage . CART WBCA Contributed PAI is a local organization serving people with developmental disabilities . White Bear Lake resident Heidi Brophy was first introduced to White Bear Center for the Arts as a guest at Heart 4 Art , the WBCA's annual fundraiser . " At that event the program highlighted the impact the art center made on the community , and it connected with me on a personal level , " Brophy said . Not only that , but her two daughters were part of the Art in Elementary program with Mr. Kyle , which they loved . Since then , Brophy has become involved in the art center as a volunteer , board member , and donor . " I was just open to saying yes and trying things , " she said . " As much as I do it to help the art center grow and be a strong organization , I have gotten so much out of the relationships I've formed and the energy 1 get from participating . " Brophy recently attended the opening reception for How did you first hear about it , and why were you interested in being involved ? The event was something I knew about , but didn't participate in because I was always busy with my own work . The organizers convinced me just before Covid hit and I quickly found that I really enjoyed plein air painting . It is a good contrast WBCA Contribut Heidi Brophy SPRAYFINGER at WBCA , where there were graffiti art demonstrations and an opportunity to create your own graffiti art . " It was a joy to see people of all ages enjoying the activities and When thinking about the importance of art , Heidi always goes back to this quote : " Before children speak , they sing . Before they write , they paint . As soon as they stand , they dance . Art is the basis of human expression . " She has saved sharing the beautiful space , " that quote because it reminds Brophy said . " It was the perfect illustration of why I support WBCA . " " The art center makes it a better community for our family in the way it enriches so many people's lives in her why the art center is important . " It speaks to our humanness of being unique and different and how we can celebrate differences and not expect people to be homogeneous and conform . " Studio Coffee tries Plein Air to what I do in the studio , and I really enjoy painting outside . Neil Johnston is a familiar face around White Bear Center for the Arts ; every Friday he facilitates Studio Coffee , a class where artists come together to drink coffee and discuss all sorts of art related topics . Neil recently attended the Port Wing Plein Air Painting Festival in Port Wing , Wisconsin , along with some members of Studio Coffee . sometimes very unexpected ways , " Brophy said . " Being a part of the WBCA has taught . me that it is not just about creating art , but appreciating it in all its forms written , spoken , musical , through paint , clay , fiber , metal , etc. Most importantly are the people that you connect with there that make it a very open and welcome space that everyone can enjoy . " Can you talk a bit about how members of Studio Coffee joined you at the plein air event ? What was that like ? This was interesting and a complete surprise ! A month ahead of the festival , several members of studio coffee approached me about going what a great surprise ! They shared that they had reserved rooms at a hotel in Herbster , WI , and some others decided to camp . It was so nice to see familiar faces up there and share that experience . We all met up in the evenings , and for lunch to share what we had created . It was a supportive atmosphere lots of artists sharing their perspectives , techniques , and camaraderie . It is hard not to enjoy the outdoors and the views of Lake Superior , the place is very inspiring . What is it about plein air painting that you're drawn to ? I think it is the sense of moving through an environment - looking closely at how the landscape folds in to the distance . I become so aware of depth and light . It is a great challenge for me to move from my studio where I paint mostly conceptually and abstract , to a natural environment . Each time I paint , I can see how these two modes of working are more similar than different . The inclusion of plein air experiences has been a real source of inspiration for me .