September 25
Fall is officially here and it is time to spend a day enjoying the natural beauty of the St. Croix Valley before we head inside for the winter. An artful drive along the St. Croix Trail from Afton to Franconia and beyond would be a great way to “Go Big” and start fall right.
Small Town, Big Art Fair
Afton Art in the Park has been a staple of the fall art scene in the St. Croix Valley for more than three decades. Residents and the businesses along the St. Croix Trail welcome thousands of visitors each year that arrive by car, boat and bike. Town Square Park plays host to more than 90 artists and fine craftsmen as well as live music at the gazebo.
Art in the Park takes place Saturday, September 25 from 10am-5pm and Sunday, September 26 from 11am-4pm at Town Square Park.
Local Artists Showcased in Historic Mill Space
The Isaac Staples Mill on the north end of Main Street in Stillwater is an iconic building for this historic lumber town. Today, a variety of businesses call the building home including the Stillwater Art Guild Gallery. This locally-owned gallery features work by more than 70 regional artists whose media range from painting, printmaking and photography to glass, pottery and jewelry.
The Art Guild Gallery is open Thursday-Monday, noon-5pm and is located at 402 N. Main Street, Stillwater.
Art that’s bigger than you
Driving by Franconia Sculpture Park on either Hwy 95 or Hwy 8 is always a larger than life experience as you see large-scale outdoor sculptures rising from the prairie. On Saturday, September 25, Franconia will be celebrating its 25th Anniversary with the annual Art & Artists Celebration. The schedule of events for the day is expansive befitting this amazing local arts and cultural organization.
Highlights of the 25th Anniversary Celebration include a tour of the new 2021 sculptures by Franconia’s Executive Director & Chief Curator, a Meet and Greet with 2021 Artists-in-Residence, Opening Reception for FSP Artist Billboard Project with Yasmeenah, music by Nur-D at the Franconia Ampitheatre, a “Uselding Fridays” Fashion Show and much more.
Franconia’s 25th Anniversary Art & Artists Celebration is Saturday, September 25 at 11am-9pm. Parking is $5 per vehicle and all events are free and open to the public except the post-show meet and greet with Nur-D and guaranteed seating at the Uselding Fridays Fashion Show and post-show meet and greet with Joshua McGarvey. Tickets and information for these exclusive events can be found online at Franconia.org/25th-Anniversary. Franconia Sculpture Park is located at 29836 St. Croix Trail, Shafer, MN.
Handblown Glass and a Burger
Just a few miles from Franconia, the village of Center City is home to a popular saloon and the owner’s glass studio. Alan Honn, owner and operator of Al’s Center Saloon is known locally for his burgers, diner fare and whisky selection, but across the street you will also find the Alan Honn Glass Studio. Honn’s handblown glass bowls, vases and vessels are colorful and embody a free-flowing feel of still molten glass.
Alan Honn Glass Studio, 320 Summit Avenue, Center City, MN, is open Fridays and Saturdays, 12-6pm. Al’s Center Saloon, 325 Summit Avenue, Center City, MN, is open daily 11am-midnight, dine in and take out are both available.