From the absurdity of Dadaism in the early 1900's to the more recent stunts of Banksy, there is a long history of pranks in the art world. We will showcase some of the most outrageous and interesting jokes, pranks and scams in art history with a presentation followed by discussion and a hands-on art activity.

This event is free and open to the public. No registration required.

Red Wing Arts is pleased to host free artmaking opportunities for community members to learn, experiment with, and experience different techniques and media. Community Saturdays are free and open to all ages to drop in and stay as your schedule allows. All materials are provided.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: In this project, we’ll take inspiration from Georgia O’Keeffe’s style by painting large, close-up views of flowers. We’ll explore how to simplify shapes, enhance contrast, and create a sense of movement in our paintings. The goal is to celebrate the beauty of flowers in a way that feels personal — just like O’Keeffe did!

Georgia O’Keeffe (1887–1986) was a pioneering American artist known for her bold, close-up paintings of flowers, desert landscapes, and abstract forms. Often called the "Mother of American Modernism," she used vibrant colors and flowing shapes to capture the beauty and essence of nature. Her large-scale floral paintings invite viewers to see flowers in a new way—magnified, expressive, and full of life.

In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, our presentation and discussion will focus on the life and work of contemporary Japanese Artist Yayoi Kusama, known primarily for her sculpture and installation and extensive use of dot patterns. Participants will also have a chance to create art inspired by Kusama's work.

This event is free and open to the public. No registration required.

Red Wing Arts is pleased to host free artmaking opportunities for community members to learn, experiment with, and experience different techniques and media. Community Saturdays are free and open to all ages to drop in and stay as your schedule allows. All materials are provided.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Join us for a drop-in artmaking experience that beckons us to sit, pause, connect - in the tradition of mending circles. Slow stitch connects us with past practices of craft and fiber art and our current needs – the practice of slowing down and engaging in an opportunity to reflect and contemplate intentions and become present to ourselves. No previous stitching or making experience is needed to explore, create, reflect, and play. Slow stitching takes hand-stitching and is integrated with intuitive mark-making or mindful doodling – a thread and needle serve as a line, and the fabric is the paper.

In the craft tradition of fiber arts and stitching, these powerful applications invite us to engage in a technique associated with community, care, and mending. By using simple stitches, techniques and materials, layers, thoughts, and meaning develop over time in your own unique stitching practice and style. The stitches and layers accumulate and evolve as you spend time and connect to your process. The process, the presence of it all, rather than an end product.

Honoring ourselves, giving ourselves permission to create and contemplate with slow-stitching as well as any other expressive media promotes:

• Catharsis: The physical release of emotions or stress

• Reflection: Becoming attuned to thoughts and feelings

• Mindfulness: Becoming aware of all the senses and the present moment

Participants will be provided with printed information that describes the Slow-Stitch process, tips and hints, and basic stitches to take with them. 

TEACHING ARTIST BIO: Ann E. Lawton, MS, ATR-BC, is an artist, art therapist, and art educator living and working in River Falls, Wisconsin. She has taught at UW-River Falls since 2011 and currently facilitates in-home art therapy services with neuro-divergent children in the St. Croix Valley of Western Wisconsin. Lawton’s studio practice focuses on mixed media, having had previous collage-intensive artist residencies at BreckCreates in Breckenridge, CO, and at the MERZ Gallery in Sanquhar, Scotland. 

Red Wing Arts is pleased to host Culture Bearers from the Honoring Dakota Project to lead this Community Saturday artmaking. Free and open to all ages to drop in and stay as your schedule allows. All materials are provided.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Join us and bring a friend for a unique Community Crafting Circle that explores the power of collaboration and reflection through bilateral mirror drawing. In this engaging activity, participants will pair up to create mirrored drawings using paper and pastels, fostering a sense of presence, resilience, and reflection. 

Working in pairs, participants will experience the joy of creating art together, learning to synchronize their movements and intentions. This exercise encourages individuals to reflect on their collaboration and personal insights, strengthening their connection to both their partner and the broader community. 

Facilitators will be available to guide the drawing process, ensuring that everyone feels supported and inspired. Participants will receive information for self-direction, allowing them to explore their creativity at their own pace. 

Upon completion, each collaborative art piece will be photographed, accompanied by self-reflections from the creators. With permission, these reflections and artworks will be shared with the community, celebrating the collective journey of artistic expression and mutual support. This crafting circle is a beautiful opportunity to connect with others and contribute to the vibrant tapestry of community stories. 

These Community Crafting Circles explore the Honoring Dakota Welcome Home Model, which is an inclusive and holistic framework designed to guide all programming events towards realizing our mission and vision. 

Red Wing Arts is pleased to host Culture Bearers from the Honoring Dakota Project to lead this Community Saturday artmaking. Free and open to all ages to drop in and stay as your schedule allows. All materials are provided. Hikes start at 9 am and 11 am.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Join us on the He Mni Can Hike, Storytelling, and Art Experience, where the beauty of nature meets the rich cultural tapestry of the Dakota Oyate. Join us at the Entrance Plaza at the beginning of one of two sessions, 9 am or 11 am.  The Plaza is a testament to the collaborative efforts between the City of Red Wing and the Prairie Island Indian Community, designed to foster connection and community.

This experience begins with storytelling that immerses you in the vibrant history and enduring legacy of the Dakota people. As you hike the sacred paths of He Mni Can, you'll discover the land's profound cultural significance, learn about indigenous plant life, and deepen your appreciation for the interconnectedness of all living things.  Clay will be provided during the hike so you can make impression and provides each participant a keepsake of the experience, grounding them in land. 

While atop He Mni Can you will see and learn more about the Honoring Dakota Mural, which was gifted to the Prairie Island Indian Community on October 9th 2023, Indigenous Peoples' Day. 

This experience will leave you with a newfound appreciation for the interconnectedness of all living beings and inspire you to tread more lightly on the earth. 

These Community Crafting Circles explore the Honoring Dakota Welcome Home Model, which is an inclusive and holistic framework designed to guide all programming events towards realizing our mission and vision. 

Red Wing Arts is pleased to host Culture Bearers from the Honoring Dakota Project to lead this Community Saturday artmaking. Free and open to all ages to drop in and stay as your schedule allows. All materials are provided.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION
"Community Quilt: Tell Your Stories" brings the community together to express their unique stories, memories, and identities by piecing together individual quilt squares which were created by community members in May 2024. Together we will piece together each quilt square to form a collective story.

This community crafting project not only celebrates the tapestry of our collective experiences but also fosters a sense of belonging and connection. This crafting circle is a beautiful opportunity to weave your story into the larger narrative of our community. Together we can stitch together our vision for a community of care, utilizing diverse and integrated community resources. 

These Community Crafting Circles explore the Honoring Dakota Welcome Home Model, which is an inclusive and holistic framework designed to guide all programming events towards realizing our mission and vision.