Prairie Renaissance Cultural Alliance

The Prairie Renaissance Cultural Alliance (PRCA) will host co-authors
Bridget Harris Volden from Helena, Montana, and Ruth Thielke, former
University of Minnesota Morris Registrar, from Morris for a book sale
and signing at 7:00 – 9:00 pm Wednesday, July 1, 2009. The PRCA is
located at 630 Atlantic Avenue in Morris, Minnesota.

At 7:30 pm, Bridget, wife of Bill Volden from Morris will speak about
their book, /If Only the Rod Had Been Round./ The book is Bridget’s true
story of growing up in the Northwest Territories of Canada. Bridget’s
mother was an artistic Dene’ Indian woman working her original designs
in silk work on the leather clothing she made for her large family.
Bridget’s father was a well-educated Irishman who spoke 17 languages
enabling him to converse freely with Indian people all along the 2,500
miles of the Mackenzie River where he was Indian Agent and Commissioner
of Treaty 11. After Bridget overcame alcoholism that resulted from the
abuse suffered at the residential school, Bridget and some friends
started The American Indian Bible Fellowship in downtown Minneapolis
that she led for ten years. Bridget’s life was restored from abuse in
an indigenous residential school, the only educational option along the
Mackenzie, through faith, hope, love, and a wonderful sense of humor.

Congratulations to Joseph Grussing, Jacky Brustuen, John Schultz, and
Judy Korn! Please stop by the PRCA during business hours to claim your
photos. Thank you for your support of the PRCA and of Specialist
Brandon Leuthardt.

Sponsored by the American Legion Post 29 of Morris, the Prairie Renaissance Cultural Alliance (PRCA) is proud to present “Images of Iraq,” a photography exhibit by Morris native Specialist Brandon Leuthardt.

Currently serving in Iraq, Leuthardt has captured in images the experience of living in Iraq and serving the Iraqi people. Says Lori Kurpiers, PRCA president, “Brandon’s images offer us a chance to find commonalities with the Iraqi people.”

Leuthardt will be home on leave this spring and present for an open house reception on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, from 6 until 8 p.m. at the PRCA Gallery. A short question an answer conversation will take place at 6:30 p.m. The free, public exhibit will be on display until Saturday, June 13 at 630 Atlantic Avenue, downtown Morris.

The Prairie Renaissance Cultural Alliance (PRCA) is holding its 7th Annual Photo Contest. The contest is open to amateur photographers of all ages and is completely free. This year, prizes will be given in each of five categories: Global Community, The Natural World, Future Generations, The Wetlands, and Red. Photographers may submit one photograph per category for the photo contest. There is no entrance fee. Photos should be unframed, unmatted, and between the sizes of 4” x 6” and 8” x 10”. All photos must be submitted to the PRCA Cultural Center no later than Wednesday, June 10 at 5:30 p.m. The photographs will be displayed in the Cultural Center gallery space between June 17 and July 31. Photographs may be picked up after July 31. Everyone is invited to come by the PRCA to view the photographs and vote on an overall favorite. Viewers are asked to vote only once. Voting will take place between June 17 and July 11. Winners will be announced after July 11 on the PRCA website (www.prairierenaissance.org) and in the Morris Sun Tribune and surrounding community newspapers.

The Prairie Renaissance Cultural Alliance Presents the 6thAnnual PRAIRIE CAMP for children ages 6 – 12. (A Day-Camp Based on the Arts!) This is one week of day-long, fun-filled, arts activities to be held at the Morris Area Elementary School from June 15-20, 2009. We feature teachers specializing in music, dance, drama, creative writing, and visual art. This year’s theme is
The Prairie Sky. To register, call PRCA at 320 585 5037 or stop in at 630 Atlantic, Morris, MN Fees: Ages 6 – 7 – $75.00 Ages 8 – 12 – $120.00

The Prairie Renaissance Cultural Alliance is pleased to present a community event. Author Will Weaver will speak at Common Cup Friday, May 15 , 2009 at 7:30 p.m. Common Cup is located at 501 Atlantic Ave. in Morris. Weaver will read passages from his work along with a question and answer session. This event is free and open to the public. All are welcome to attend.

The Prairie Renaissance Cultural Alliance Presents:
Della Conroy Spring Art Show & Sale-New work is:“All Florals” May 1, 2009 from 11:00 – 7:00 at the LaFave House located on 305 College Avenue (by entrance to Campus) Morris, MN Everyone welcome- refreshments

Diane Trew, Benson artist will be at Prairie Renaissance Cultural Alliance located at 630 Atlantic Ave. Morris on Saturday, March 7th from 11:00-2:00. Here she will give us a demonstration of traditional rag weaving on a small floor loom with recycled clothing and fabric. She will also give you a chance to try the loom on your own. This event is free and open to the public. All are welcome to stop down at PRCA and check out this unique loom and weaving artist.

Weaving is a traditional craft with a wonderful Minnesotan history. Everyone you talk to seems to know someone in their family who wove: a grandmother, an aunt, a mother, a neighbor. Rag rug weaving is a part of the fabric of pioneer and prairie life. In olden times rag weaving was a practical and frugal way to fill the floors with rugs and repurpose old clothing which was no longer wearable. Today this re-purposing and recycling has becoming part of the culture of our times. Not necessarily out of necessity but out of recognition that we have a responsibility to take care of the world in which we live.

Diane Trew resides in Benson Minnesota. She is the owner of Swift Weavers located in downtown Benson. She shares her shop with Bugs and Flowers. These are 2 fantastic shops in one location. Swift Weavers offers unique, handcrafted items. The shop also offers scrapbook and knitting supplies, project classes and sells table runners, rugs, wall hangings, children’s projects and memory neck tie rugs. Bugs and Flowers & Swift Weavers are open Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 10am – 5:30 pm. Thursday’s from 10am – 6 pm and Saturday’s from 10am – 2pm.