Arts briefs: A look at the darker side of mid-1800s St. Croix Valley

"Ghosts, Angels, and Otherworldly Creatures," a presentation by radio host Dave Schrader followed by a lamplight tour of Angel Hill and the Folsom House in Taylors Falls, begins at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 27, at St. Croix Festival Theatre, 210 N. Washington St., St. Croix Falls, Wis.

Since 2006, Schrader has been the executive producer and host of the "Darkness on the Edge of Town" show on paranormal topics from 9 p.m.-midnight on KTLK-AM. He travels the world investigating claims of the paranormal, from the historic and haunted battlefields of Gettysburg to Romania following in the footsteps of the real Dracula to Scotland in search of the Loch Ness Monster and beyond.

He will share stories of suicide, addiction and other aspects of the darker side of life in the mid-1800s in the St. Croix Valley. The home of lumber baron W.H.C. Folsom features St. Croix River views and original furnishings. Folsom moved his family to Taylors Falls in 1850.

Tickets are $15 for the presentation, and $10 for the tour. For information, call 715-483-3387

Advice on managing personal information will be offered at "Drowning in Paperwork — Get Control!" a presentation at 10:30 a.m. Nov. 3 at Lake Elmo Library, 3537 Lake Elmo Av., Lake Elmo.

Jan Lehman will offer ideas for limiting the information that you keep; storing it in smarter ways so you can find things faster and minimize the piles. You can organize your paperwork so you can actually find what you need when you need it and cut the clutter by understanding what is OK to throw out. An optional Dutch-treat lunch will follow the program at the Lake Elmo Inn. Registration for the program and lunch can be made in person at the library or by calling the library at 651-773-4926.

Lehman is a productivity consultant who owns her own business, Can the Clutter. She has been seen on the A&E network show, "Hoarders," and is a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers.

The free event is a chance to explore the art galleries and studios of Stillwater's historic downtown Main Street. Maps are available at each participating gallery: Tamarack Gallery (112 Main St. S.), Gallery 310 (310 Main St. S.), Stillwater Art Guild & Gallery (402 N. Main St. N.).

Call 651-439-9393 for more information.

Fiction, secrets, legacy and investigation are some of the themes for the world premiere of "Art: 21" seventh season screenings starting at 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30, at the Franconia Sculture Park, 29836 St. Croix Trail, Shafer. "Art: 21 — Art in the 21st Century" is an award-winning PBS series, educational resource, archive and history of contemporary art.

Participants are welcome to join artists for a meal before the screenings at 6:30 p.m. The event is free, a $10 donation is for the meal. Please RSVP for dinner by calling 651-257-6668 or e-mailing info@franconia.org.

This event is part of Art: 21 Access '14, a worldwide initiative providing unprecedented access to contemporary artists through preview screenings of art. Art: 21 is a nonprofit organization dedicated to making the world a more creative place through the work and words of living artists.

The twice-a-year event involves more than 200 artists and draws about 25,000 people. "We had a lot of people come and see our art," said artist John Acosta. "It was fun to do a show with other artists rather than being solo in my studio."

The group is actively inviting other artists and art supporters to join. It seeks to provide opportunities for artists to network, exhibit, and sell art as well as learn from one another and share their art in the community. Those interested in becoming members should visit the group's website at www.ArtistsofWoodburyMN.org. The group's next meeting is at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 6 at Woodbury Lutheran Church, 7380 Afton Rd., Woodbury. People also are invited to join the group's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/groups/583192605085724/

Painting, crafts, jewelry and demonstrations will fill Woodbury's indoor Central Park with art made by local artists. The free Central Park Art Fair takes place from 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 1 at the park, 8595 Central Park Place.

Vendors will display products and show how to create your own pieces of work. Interested vendors should contact Central Park 651-714-3586 for more information.

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