Art in Community Curating a Historic Exhibit: Northern Lights Judges Share their Process we found common appreciation for most of the submissions." Amy Wilderson. Working within a variety of media, all three artists have taught classes at White Bear Center for the Arts in the past. Ceramicist Helen Otterson works in clay and glass, and describes her work as "a hybrid of human cells and plant forms that share the pursuit of survival and beauty of natural form. Neil Johnston works primarily as a painter. Combining resin layers, collaged paper, letterforms. landscape views, gps data, maps, and more, he experiments with themes of time, memory, space, and place. Amy Wilderson creates jewelry, using metalsmithing, wire-working, and knotting techniques to tap into memory, culture, and heritage by reviving forgotten treasures. Every year for the past 50 years, a panel of esteemed judges has selected which artwork hangs in the Northern Lights Juried Art Neil Johnston was surprised and honored to be asked to be one of this year's judges. In an interview with White Bear Center for the Arts, Neil described his enthusiasm Exhibition, Northern Amy Wilderson at getting to be a judge: "There is Lights is an annual exhibit at White Bear nothing quite like discussing an artwork and discovering something new, Neil said. "This continual learning philosophy is an extension and support of my studio practice: I couldn't wait to see what I could learn from Amy and Hellen and the jury process." Center for the Arts that showcases a broad range of work from professional artists in Minnesota and neighboring states. Selecting which artwork makes it into the show can be quite a daunting task. This year, 394 artists submitted over 700 pieces of art to be judged, in hopes of being included in this year's Northern Lights. Artists submitted ceramics. oil paintings, fiber, photography, and so much more. And it was up to a team of three judges to winnow down the field. This year's judges are Neil Johnston, Helen Otterson, and Northern Lights Community Reception CAR Upcoming events White Bear Center for the Arts Thursday, February 29, 6:30-8:30 pm. Celebrating 50 Years! Help WBCA honor the incredible legacy of Northern Lights during the community reception. There will be an award ceremony beginning at 7:00 pm. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time The Hanif Performing Arts Center March 8-17 The decision process was collaborative between the three judges, leading to lively and in- depth discussions. Judge Amy Wilderson found working with Helen and Neil to be an absolute pleasure. We are three artists with very different practices which was a wonderful way to bring varying observations to the table even as Based on Mark Haddon's bestselling 2003 novel. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is a harrowing The judges pored over hundreds upon hundreds of pieces. discussing each one. "We often discussed the formal qualities form, content, composition, and subject matter of any given piece for example," said Neil. "Personally, I wasn't looking for any one quality, rather I found myself trying to identify in each a rising quality that stood out, that aligned with intent or purpose, in addition to materials use or skill." As for Amy, she was particularly drawn to the use of unusual materials. "I appreciate when an artist is as creative with the materials that they use as they are with the subjects," she said. and poignant mystery-adventure story featuring an unforgettable young hero that you won't want to miss. Playing for eight performances only, so make your plans today! You can find a full list of classes in WBCA's quarterly printed catalog and online at WhiteBearArts.org/classes. Each year, the Northern Lights exhibit comes alive as a result of the talented artists who submitted Classical Chamber Music Spotlight The Hanif Performing Arts Center February 18 at 2pm. Hometown-favorite and award-winning pianist & composer Michael Djupstrom will be joined by Gabriel Campos Zamora, principal clarinet of the Minnesota Orchestra, and Julie Harguindes, principal bassoon of the Nashville Symphony and Santa Fe Opera, for an unforgettable chamber concert featuring the music of Bartók & Bruch. Neil Johnston White Bear Center for the Arts | Photos ontributed their work, as well as the discerning eyes of the judges. And every show is totally unique. "Each year, the Northern Lights Exhibition surprises, inspires, acknowledges, and celebrates art making in our community in as many ways as the artists are individuals, Neil said. "Soon, you all will have an opportunity to experience the show, to share your impressions, to formulate your own favorites just as we did in the jury process. In the end we are all happy with the selection results, and we can't wait for you to see them all." Helen Oteron Spotlight on Studio Repose ings and stories I created in my note. books all White Bear Center for the Arts high school internship program Studio Repose is up and running seven local high schoolers are busy installing exhibits, designing graphics, and learning about what it means to work in the arts. This month, we're highlighting Studio Repose Intern Izzy Yang, and her love of the arts. "Hi, I'm Izzy, and I'm a junior at Centennial High School. The first time I heard about WBCA was through my school coun selor, and so I took the oppor tunity and applied as an intern. Ever since I was a kid, I knew I wanted to do something in the arts. I have boxes full of draw the way back to elementa- ry school. l'enjoy writing fiction and occasionally draw 3-D characters. During my time at WBCA. I hope to bond with Iny long the community and express my fondness for writing." You can learn more about Studio Repose at White Bear Arts.org/youth. Art in Community Curating a Historic Exhibit : Northern Lights Judges Share their Process we found common appreciation for most of the submissions . " Amy Wilderson . Working within a variety of media , all three artists have taught classes at White Bear Center for the Arts in the past . Ceramicist Helen Otterson works in clay and glass , and describes her work as " a hybrid of human cells and plant forms that share the pursuit of survival and beauty of natural form . Neil Johnston works primarily as a painter . Combining resin layers , collaged paper , letterforms . landscape views , gps data , maps , and more , he experiments with themes of time , memory , space , and place . Amy Wilderson creates jewelry , using metalsmithing , wire - working , and knotting techniques to tap into memory , culture , and heritage by reviving forgotten treasures . Every year for the past 50 years , a panel of esteemed judges has selected which artwork hangs in the Northern Lights Juried Art Neil Johnston was surprised and honored to be asked to be one of this year's judges . In an interview with White Bear Center for the Arts , Neil described his enthusiasm Exhibition , Northern Amy Wilderson at getting to be a judge : " There is Lights is an annual exhibit at White Bear nothing quite like discussing an artwork and discovering something new , Neil said . " This continual learning philosophy is an extension and support of my studio practice : I couldn't wait to see what I could learn from Amy and Hellen and the jury process . " Center for the Arts that showcases a broad range of work from professional artists in Minnesota and neighboring states . Selecting which artwork makes it into the show can be quite a daunting task . This year , 394 artists submitted over 700 pieces of art to be judged , in hopes of being included in this year's Northern Lights . Artists submitted ceramics . oil paintings , fiber , photography , and so much more . And it was up to a team of three judges to winnow down the field . This year's judges are Neil Johnston , Helen Otterson , and Northern Lights Community Reception CAR Upcoming events White Bear Center for the Arts Thursday , February 29 , 6 : 30-8 : 30 pm . Celebrating 50 Years ! Help WBCA honor the incredible legacy of Northern Lights during the community reception . There will be an award ceremony beginning at 7:00 pm . The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night - Time The Hanif Performing Arts Center March 8-17 The decision process was collaborative between the three judges , leading to lively and in depth discussions . Judge Amy Wilderson found working with Helen and Neil to be an absolute pleasure . We are three artists with very different practices which was a wonderful way to bring varying observations to the table even as Based on Mark Haddon's bestselling 2003 novel . The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night - Time is a harrowing The judges pored over hundreds upon hundreds of pieces . discussing each one . " We often discussed the formal qualities form , content , composition , and subject matter of any given piece for example , " said Neil . " Personally , I wasn't looking for any one quality , rather I found myself trying to identify in each a rising quality that stood out , that aligned with intent or purpose , in addition to materials use or skill . " As for Amy , she was particularly drawn to the use of unusual materials . " I appreciate when an artist is as creative with the materials that they use as they are with the subjects , " she said . and poignant mystery - adventure story featuring an unforgettable young hero that you won't want to miss . Playing for eight performances only , so make your plans today ! You can find a full list of classes in WBCA's quarterly printed catalog and online at WhiteBearArts.org/classes . Each year , the Northern Lights exhibit comes alive as a result of the talented artists who submitted Classical Chamber Music Spotlight The Hanif Performing Arts Center February 18 at 2pm . Hometown - favorite and award - winning pianist & composer Michael Djupstrom will be joined by Gabriel Campos Zamora , principal clarinet of the Minnesota Orchestra , and Julie Harguindes , principal bassoon of the Nashville Symphony and Santa Fe Opera , for an unforgettable chamber concert featuring the music of Bartók & Bruch . Neil Johnston White Bear Center for the Arts | Photos ontributed their work , as well as the discerning eyes of the judges . And every show is totally unique . " Each year , the Northern Lights Exhibition surprises , inspires , acknowledges , and celebrates art making in our community in as many ways as the artists are individuals , Neil said . " Soon , you all will have an opportunity to experience the show , to share your impressions , to formulate your own favorites just as we did in the jury process . In the end we are all happy with the selection results , and we can't wait for you to see them all . " Helen Oteron Spotlight on Studio Repose ings and stories I created in my note . books all White Bear Center for the Arts high school internship program Studio Repose is up and running seven local high schoolers are busy installing exhibits , designing graphics , and learning about what it means to work in the arts . This month , we're highlighting Studio Repose Intern Izzy Yang , and her love of the arts . " Hi , I'm Izzy , and I'm a junior at Centennial High School . The first time I heard about WBCA was through my school coun selor , and so I took the oppor tunity and applied as an intern . Ever since I was a kid , I knew I wanted to do something in the arts . I have boxes full of draw the way back to elementa ry school . l'enjoy writing fiction and occasionally draw 3 - D characters . During my time at WBCA . I hope to bond with Iny long the community and express my fondness for writing . " You can learn more about Studio Repose at White Bear Arts.org/youth .