October 2-3
The final hurrah of fall art fair season in the St. Croix Valley takes place in the historic town of Stillwater. From annual Rivertown Fall Art Festival to exhibitions at ArtReach St. Croix and the Stillwater Public Library, this town known for its history and natural beauty is full of artists and art supporting businesses.
Lowell Park along the St. Croix River in Downtown Stillwater is transformed the first weekend of October into a festive and lively art market. The Rivertown Fall Art Festival brings together more than 120 artists from around the Upper Midwest come together to sell jewelry, photography, paintings and much more. Live music, food trucks and kids activities round out the artful fun at this two day festival.
Rivertown Fall Art Festival takes place Saturday, October 2 from 10am-5pm and Sunday, October 3 from 10am-4pm at Lowell Park.
Art Exhibitions “Up the Hill”
Two spaces to see free art exhibitions year round in Stillwater can be found just up the hill from Main Street. ArtReach St. Croix, a regional arts nonprofit, features a rotating gallery exhibitions in its converted 1850s house. The current exhibition, “Finding Place,” features work by three emerging artists –Joshua Eller, Olivia Jenson and Ashley Kolka-Lee and is on view through October 2.
Across the street at the Stillwater Public Library, visitors have the opportunity to view a permanent exhibition of watercolors by Stillwater Art Colony founder Jo Lutz-Rollins as well as a rotating gallery exhibition space just off the patio overlooking Downtown Stillwater and the St. Croix River. (It is a great spot to see both the historic Lift Bridge and the new St. Croix Crossing bridge.) The current exhibit features photography by Sarah Lilja taken as part of the Pine Needles Artists Residency at the St. Croix Watershed Research Station (a program of the Science Museum of Minnesota.)
ArtReach St. Croix, 224 N. 4th Street, Stillwater, is open Wednesdays-Fridays, 10am-4pm and Saturdays, 12-4pm. The Stillwater Public Library, 224 N. 3rd Street, is open Mondays-Thursdays, 10am-8pm; Fridays-Saturdays, 10am-5pm; and Sundays, 1-5pm.
Art Supporting Businesses
Many of the businesses in Stillwater support local arts in various ways whether it is visual arts, theatre, music or literary arts. In Downtown Stillwater, you can view work by 60+ artists at the Art Guild Gallery in the Isaac Staples Mill building. From printmaking to blown glass, photography to woodworking, many of the artists are from Stillwater or other nearby communities.
In the mood for music, head to Charlie’s Irish Pub at the Water Street Inn. The cozy space with a front row view of the river features live music every Friday and Saturday evening. Up on the roof, Papa’s Rooftop offers pizza and adult beverages with an unparalleled view and an occasional theatre production from local Stillwater Zephyr Theatre.
Want to learn a bit more about the history of Stillwater, hop on board one of the Stillwater Trolley many tours that share the top local sites without the need to climb the hills. Saturday mornings, the Trolley features Storytime Trolley where kiddos hear a story, often read by a local author, and get a ride on the fun red conveyance. Or catch one of the Haunted History Tours offered in October that feature actors from the Zephyr reenacting some of Stillwater’s more colorful residents from history.
Looking for a book by a local author or just a fan of independent book stores, be sure to stop by Valley Booksellers in Downtown Stillwater. The knowledgeable staff will help you find the next perfect read or new favorite author. In town during the week? Check to see if Totally Criminal Cocktail Hour or Literature Lovers Night Out is on the calendar.
Stillwater Art Guild Gallery, 402 Main Street N., Stillwater, is open Thursdays-Mondays, noon-5pm. Charlie’s Irish Pub at the Water Street Inn, 101 Water Street South, Stillwater, offers live music Fridays and Saturdays, 7:30-11:30pm. Papa’s Rooptop at the Water Street Inn is open Monday-Thursday, 4-10pm and Saturday-Sunday, noon-midnight. Stillwater Trolley, 400 East Nelson Street, Stillwater, offers a variety of tours and times that vary by season. Find out more at stillwatertrolley.com. Valley Bookseller, 217 Main Street North, is open daily 10am-6pm.