[Winona] Shakespeare, etc.

[Duane Peterson]

I think that the objection to the GRSF is the effort to build a new theatre
when we already have a theatre at St. Mary's College, Winona State
University, to say nothing of the old St. T's (now Cotter) theatre and the
Old High School Auditorium that is in dire need of funds to remodel it and
bring it up to date.  If Winona were like Lanesboro with only a high school
auditorium, one might think about a new theatre.  One cannot help but notice
how carefully Lanesboro has proceeded to the point where it now is.  For
some reason GRSF (only 3 yrs old) is rushing to build a new theatre.  That
is what I think that most of the objections are about.  I don't think that
anyone wants to shut down GRSF, but why not use the facilities that we
already have.  Improve and update them if we must, but don't start all over.

 

  _____  

From: winona-bounces at mnforum.org [mailto:winona-bounces at mnforum.org] On
Behalf Of MJ Greenwald
Sent: Friday, June 23, 2006 12:42 PM
To: Winona Online Democracy
Subject: [Winona] Shakespeare, etc.

 

It has been interesting to follow the discussions on the Great River
Shakespeare Festival and the need for public monies from a variety of
sources.  I have a unique perspective on this topic, as an artist and former
resident of Lanesboro, Minnesota, now a big arts town, for 15 years.  

 

Not everyone is a consumer of the arts.  When groups of people decide to
invest in an arts project, it is difficult to quantify the benefits to the
community in the short term.  In Lanesboro, we had a confluence of events
that eventually led to an economic BOOM.  The Lanesboro of 1987 and the
Lanesboro of today are opposites.

 

The BOOM started with the public investment of funds in the bicycle trail.
In 1985 a Minneapolis entrepreneur opened the first Bed and Breakfast in
town, Mrs. Bs.  Fortunately, it was a quality act that attracted lots of
favorable attention.  In 1987, Commonweal Theater formed and had its first
season during the summer months.  They received financial support from the
City of Lanesboro and FREE RENT from the Lanesboro Arts Council, a local
nonprofit group.  A year or so later, a number of artists formed the
Cornucopia Art Center, a visual art gallery.  All of us donated our time,
and we were fortunate to find an angel who provided a building at a low
rent.  Meanwhile, the State of Minnesota kept pouring more funds into
bicycle trail extensions.

 

Today, 19 years later, Commonweal is finally constructing its own modern
theater building.  The trail connects myriad communities in Fillmore County.
There are now 23 lodging establishments listed on the community website, and
numerous new campgrounds.  Artists, retirees, and others attracted to the
outdoors and arts offerings are buying or building new homes, or starting
other non-tourism businesses in the community.

 

Its okay that the Shakespeare Festival isnt everyones cup of tea.  I
suspect not everyone is a fan of Marine Art either.  What is important is
that these are class acts.  They do require angels including funding from
public and private sources, especially during start-up periods.  I think
that Winona needs to keep investing in a variety of activities, good
libraries, arts offerings, parks and bicycle trails to serve the needs of
local residents and to make the community attractive to newcomers who will
buy homes or start businesses here.

 

By the way, there arent a lot of wealthy people in the arts.  Actors get
hired for short periods, then have to audition and wait to get other jobs.
The competition is intense, and benefits like insurance and job security are
rare.  Those who succeed at earning a living have to work incredibly hard.

 

One final soapbox statement:  if you would like to support the local visual
arts scene, visit the Summer on the River Gallery at the Winona Arts Center.
Learn more about it, and other local arts events,  at the WAC website:
www.winonaarts.org <http://www.winonaarts.org/> .  

 

Martha Greenwald

My website:  www.marthagreenwald.com

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