American poet Joy Harjo’s collection of poetry is inspiring programs across the region through April.
For the 8th year in a row, St. Croix Valley has been chosen as a NEA Big Read Community. The NEA Big Read in the St. Croix Valley is a one-book, community-based program that brings residents from across the lower St. Croix Valley in Minnesota and Wisconsin together around a common book.
The artistic programming in 2022 will be centered on themes found in An American Sunrise: Poems by American poet Joy Harjo. Join your neighbors in the Sainte-Croix Valley to read An American sunrise. In April, we celebrate the arts with activities related to themes found in Joy’s poetry.
Copies for reading and publishing are available in the ArtReach gallery and in our small free library. Once you’re done reading, pass it on or send it back to ArtReach. More information
Main events:
- March 14 – May 5 – Art on Tour: Gwen Westerman in multiple locations
- March 31 – May 7 – Jim Denomie, Sweet Dreams exhibition at ArtReach
- March 31 – May 31 – Ne-Dah-Ness Rose Greene Photo Essay at Stillwater Public Library
- April 4 – Stories of Sky Father and Earth Mother at Belwin Conservancy
- April 6 – Birchbark Workshop at Somerset Public Library Maker Space
- April 13 – Everything you wanted to know about Indians but were afraid to ask, with Anton Treuer, online
- April 18 – An Evening with Joy Harjo at the Phipps Center for the Arts
- April 21 – Jingle Dress, a Pandemic-Inspired Healing Tradition with Dr. Brenda Child at Marine Village Hall
- April 27 – Chapbook Launch Party at the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway Visitor Center
- April 29 – An evening of documentaries produced or created by Indigenous women at the Zephyr Theater
Full list of events and details
Jim Denomie Exhibition
Join ArtReach St. Croix as we kick off a big NEA read in the St. Croix Valley 2022 with Jim Denomie’s opening, Sweet Dreams. This exhibition takes place in cooperation with the Jim Denomie Estate and the Bockley Gallery.
Known for his narrative paintings and multimedia work, Denomie’s pieces relate to raw art and often relate to Native American issues and identity. His work is in museum collections including the Minneapolis Institute of Art, the Walker, the Denver Art Museum, and the Eiteljorg Museum in Indianapolis. (Note: Denomie passed away on March 1.)
Opening: March 31 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Registration link below.
Location: ArtReach St. Croix, 224 4th St N, Stillwater, MN 55082
Registration required
Stitching and layering
Gwen Westerman, MN Poet Laureate and Quilting Artist
This year’s NEA Big Read programming in the St. Croix Valley will include a traveling exhibition of poetry and textile art by Minnesota Poet Laureate and quilting artist Gwen Westerman. The exhibit, which will remain at each location for a week, showcases the creative results of assembling and layering words and fabrics.
2022 Tour Schedule
- March 14-20: Stillwater Public Library
- March 21-26: Wilberg Memorial Library in Osceola
- March 28-April 2: St. Croix Falls Public Library
- April 4-9: Somerset Public Library
- April 11-16: Friday Memorial Library, New Richmond
- April 18-23: Bayport Public Library
- April 25-May 1: Pleasant Hill Library, Hastings
- May 2-9: Chalmer Davee Library, UW-River Falls