Great Fall Get Together celebrates 50 year milestone

The Waseca Art Center’s Great Fall Get Together held at the Starfire Event Center the evening of Oct. 24 included an expression of gratitude to four volunteers who have made important contributions to the Art Center (WAC) and its programs. They saw over 200 partygoers through their doors. 

 

WAC President Mikhail Rostislavovich gave heartfelt speeches honoring Monica Priebe, Molly Hendrickson, Anne Johanson and Tara Bjerke.

 

As he called attention to Priebe’s contributions, he let everyone know, “The Great Fall Get Together was originally Monica’s idea.”

 

Of Hendrickson and Johanson, he highlighted “six years of planning meetings, gathering donations, coordinating details, solving problems, and ensuring that our guests enjoy an exceptional evening.” Regarding Bjerke he said, “For five years Tara has brought her enthusiasm, determination, and considerable talents to this event. 

 

“Ladies and gentlemen, collectively, these four women represent 28 years of dedication to the Great Fall Get Together, all in support of an organization whose mission is to enrich the lives of others.” To thank the four, with support from Exclusively Diamonds, Rostislavovich continued, “On behalf of the entire Board of Directors, it is my honor to present Monica, Molly, Anne, and Tara each with a beautiful pair of earrings as a small token of enormous gratitude. Ladies, your contributions are seen, your efforts are valued, and your dedication has made a lasting difference. You have created a tradition that brings people together, strengthens our organization and helps ensure that the arts will continue to flourish in Waseca for generations to come.” 

 

Rostislavovich also provided a short history lesson about the Art Center, which started in 1976 in a small space in the same building as the Waseca Library. The current address at 200 North State Street was purchased in 2011 by the Arts Council and provides an elegant and practical setting for art displays, classes, and events. Rostislavovich concluded, “Here’s to 50 years of creativity, community and culture, and to the next 50 years of making Waseca a more beautiful place to call home.”

 

In addition to the statements of thanks, the WAC’s Get Together featured a full lineup of music, drinks, food, prizes and auctions. 

 

Music provided by Hoehn Brothers Entertainment welcomed people as they arrived. As guests began flowing in they were encouraged to bid on the silent auction items. Or they could grab some food and an adult beverage or two. Games included Hustle Hole, (think mini golf) where players were competing for a Bluejay tailgating package. At the Disco Dice game, winners had a chance to take home one of two inflatable paddle boards. The Key to My Art had 35 keys guests could purchase for a chance to win an 18-karat white gold earring “jacket,” a piece used to enhance gemstone earrings.  At the Groovy Grab players chose a wine glass which paired them to a bottle of wine–a few of which were very pricey bottles.

The silent auction had a multitude of donated high-end items from places like Xpressions Salon, Zinnias Boutique, Barefoot Lane, Pleasant Grove Pizza Farm, Poppy Hill Goat Milk Soap, The Tattooed Baker, plants, wines, golfing themes and more.

 

The live auction featured $300 worth of Waseca Floral items redeemable for anytime of the year. The WAC offered pottery classes for those who are just dipping their toes into the clay experience. Another item was four tickets to a Stages Theatre production, four tickets to the Children’s Museum of Minnesota and four tickets to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. For basketball fans, two tickets to see the Minnesota Timberwolves when they take on the Orlando Magic on Friday, March 26, all that and a bottle of Blue Run limited edition bourbon. Last but certainly not least was a Nordic basket, two tickets for the North Waseca Church lutefisk dinner, Ole & Lena joke book, lingonberry jam and felted flowers.   

 

Anyone who would like to know more about the Waseca Art Center, including their class offerings, is invited to visit their website: www.wasecaartcenter.org or stop by the Center.