July 2, 2019, Brainerd, MN – The Crossing Arts Alliance invites the public to join us for the opening reception of ‘Fritz Loven Park Revisited’, an exhibition of artwork by Mary Hendricks, Judith Kuusisto, Mona Warren, Kathy Blake, and Cindy Furda, on Friday, July 12, from 5 – 7 pm. Free will offering at the door. Light refreshments will be served. Enjoy mingling with fellow artists and arts enthusiasts.

Beginning in 2011, the Fritz Loven Park project consisted of four painters, Mary Hendricks, Judith Kuusisto, Mona Warren, and the late Carol Hanson, who had all been working together for a number of years. After learning about an art group who had done a “deep study” of a natural setting, this group of artists decided to do a similar project in their own local environment and eventually chose Fritz Loven Park in Lake Shore as the ideal location. The park is named in honor of the man who once lived on what is known locally as “The Golden Eighty”, in a small cabin from 1945 – 1975. He was known for his love of nature and ability to share that love as a conservator of the land with visitors.

They visited the park over an eighteen month period about once a month, in order to make observations and take photographs. They experienced the changing colors and moods of the landscape and seasons. While hiking through the park they carried cameras to reference shots and wildflower books to identify their finds.

The result of this deep study was an exhibit titled ‘Four Artists, Four Seasons, Fritz Loven Park’, which was exhibited at The Crossing Arts Alliance a few years ago. In the summer of 2016, two large storms changed parts of the park’s environment. The group of artists felt it was time to revisit the park and make more artwork. Two artists, Kathy Blake and Cindy Furda, joined the group, and in the end, are all presenting a new body of work titled ‘Fritz Loven Park Revisited’.

As a complement to this exhibit, Judith Kuusisto will be offering a watercolor workshop on July 25, 1:00 to 3:00, at The Crossing Arts Alliance. Participants will make at least five small (3″ x 5″) paintings using various watercolor techniques. Cost is $65 for Crossing Arts members, $70 for general public.

For more information, contact The Crossing Arts Alliance at 218-833-0416, info@crossingarts.org, or visit crossingarts.org. The Crossing Arts Alliance is a 501c3 nonprofit located in the heart of downtown Brainerd at 711 Laurel Street.