USING LOCAL TALENT & RESOURCES
TO CREATE INSPIRING ARTS
TO CREATE INSPIRING ARTS
EVENTS & PROJECTS
BUILD GREAT THINGS WITH US
MAAC ART EVENTS & PROJECTS
We have many exciting art education and art experience projects in the works. See how we are enriching our community with these arts projects, programs and events.
CURRENT PROJECTS
MAAC Art Auction Fundraiser
In order to continue promoting the Arts in Melrose and the surrounding communities, the Melrose Area Arts Council is kicking off an online auction on November 29. All items will be available for bidding through December 13. In person viewing will be made available during the Melrose Holiday Kickoff on November 29 at the Melrose City Center. The money raised will provide more opportunities for art programs and classes in Melrose and the surrounding communities.
If you are a local artist and would like to donate an item, please contact Dottie for more information.
BEAUTIFYING OUR COMMUNITY
MAAC is working to beautify our community! Flower containers were placed along Main Street and major street corners in mid-May and will remain throughout the summer months. This is a great addition to our downtown area!
ART PROGRAM FOR YOUTH
In partnership with Birch Hills Community Youth Center, we offer an art education program for youth that teaches them about different art forms, such as painting, drawing, and sculpture. We meet every Monday from 3-6:30 p.m. during the school year at 330 West Riverside Avenue in Melrose. The program is a fun and creative way for young people, grades 3-12, to express themselves! The youth have also formed their own Youth Arts Council to advise MAAC.
ART PROGRAM FOR SENIORS
We offer an art education program for seniors that teaches them about different art forms, such as painting, drawing, and sculpture. The program is a fun and creative way for seniors to stay active and engaged. This program is held in the Senior Center, which is on the lower level of the City Center. Watch for dates and times!
PAST PROJECTS
ART AT THE FARMERS MARKET
Every Wednesday in the summer at the Melrose Community Farmers Market, we offer youth art projects, including painting, drawing, crafts, and more. Find us this June through August, from 3-6 pm, at the Sauk River Park. Check out the Calendar for weekly craft projects that can be enjoyed by all!
SUMMER ARTS FUN
This summer, during the Melrose Farmers Market, every first and last Wednesday of the month from 3-6 pm, there will be learning opportunities for ages 12 to 100! Check out the flyer for the art projects Barb Dettler will be teaching. We ask that you register by calling 320-250-4933 or by using the contact form to send an email. Class starting times are at 3, 4, and 5 pm. There is a limit of 10 per class. The suggested donation for each session is $5.
NIGHT TO UNITE
Join the Melrose Area Arts Council on August 7 from 3-7 pm for the Night to Unite and Melrose Farmers Market at the Sauk River Park in Melrose. MAAC will be offering a brat meal with proceeds going to support their mission to bring beauty through the arts to the Melrose Community.
FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS
The Melrose Area Arts Council sponsored their first “Festival of the Arts” April 29 – May 3 to celebrate the arts in our school and community. The community was able to view exhibits on display at the Melrose City Center and Freeport State Bank. Art exhibits by the students were on display at the Elementary and High School Libraries all week. There were performances of music and speech for the students at the school during the day and after school for the public. Quilts were on display at the Senior Activity Center, located in the lower level of the Melrose City Center with lessons and demos about quilting.
We plan to make this an annual event as it was a huge success displaying creative talent and bringing our community together. We received much positive feedback!
MONUMENTAL WELCOME SIGN
We have built a Welcome Sign downtown, in partnership with the City of Melrose and the Melrose Lions Club. The Melrose Feed Mill donated the land and Sign Lava donated their expertise in its development. The sign is a work of art that reflects the community’s unique character and history. Three Melrose area artists (Barb Dettler, Joyce Westendorf, and Ahna Matt) were selected to create mural artwork that embodies their interpretation of the Melrose motto, “Strong Diverse Connected.” Their art appears on the back of the sign. Thank you to those who joined us on September 29, 2023, for its unveiling! Here are some photos from the event.
EDWIN CLARK BRIDGE
MAAC, along with the Melrose Historical Society, advocated to have this new bridge officially named the Edwin Clark Bridge. The bridge is a beautiful and lasting tribute to Clark’s contributions to the community.
FUTURE PROJECTS
SPREADING PUBLIC ART
We plan to work with surrounding communities like Freeport, Greenwald, Meire Grove, New Munich, Spring Hill, and St. Rosa to bring public art to their areas. We believe that public art can be a powerful tool for economic development, education, and community revitalization.
MELROSE AREA ARTIST SHOWCASES
Melrose area artists will be able to share their work with the community via showcases. The showcases will be a way to support local artists, increase public awareness of specific artists, and promote the arts in the community.
ART SHOWS AT SENIOR LIVING FACILITIES
A traveling art show could be displayed in Cura Care Center’s Park View Place and Pine Villa Nursing Home. The art show will be a way for seniors to enjoy the arts and reconnect with their community.
GRAFFITI WALL
We plan to create a designated graffiti wall – a place for people to express themselves creatively through the art of graffiti. The graffiti wall will be a fun way to channel youthful energy that benefits the community.
GREEN PERFORMANCE SPACE
A green space in the heart of Melrose would include a performance area for theater and music productions. The green space will be a gathering place for the community to come together and enjoy the arts.
BANDSHELL
A community bandshell can be used for summer concerts and other performances. The bandshell will provide a beautiful and acoustically pleasing setting for music lovers of all ages.
HISTORICAL & MURAL PAINTINGS
Historical and mural paintings on various buildings in town will be a beautiful and educational way to preserve the community’s history!
