South arts & leisure briefs: Autistic artist's work in new Northfield exhibit

Autistic artist's work in new exhibitThe Eclectic Goat of Northfield will showcase selected works by autistic artist Jimmy Reagan through mid-April, and he will be on hand as a guest artist from 5-8 p.m. Thursday at the gallery at 418 Division St.

Reagan lost his language skills around the age of 2, and his art has become a means for him to communicate. Now 18, the Mendota Heights artist is prolific in his production of paintings.

"It's opened doors," said his mother, Peg Schneeman Reagan, in a news release about the exhibit.

"The viewer is transported into Jimmy's world, genuinely experiencing the world as he understands it. It is full of bold color, imagination and beauty ... a celebration of life."

Reagan also has been selected as the featured artist for the 2012 University of Minnesota Amplatz Children's Hospital WineFest No. 17, benefiting children's health research. His painting, "Cafe at Night," provided the inspiration for the two-day event.

Six of Jimmy's works are also appearing on magnums of wine produced by the William Gordon Winery in California. And his art is featured in private collections around the area.

For a preview of some of his work, go to www.through jimmyseyes.com, www.eclecticgoatnorthfield.com or, on Facebook, search for "EclecticGoat Northfield."

The new library building is at Market Village, 110 J Roberts Way on County Road 2.

It is scheduled to open April 11, with an official grand opening yet to be scheduled.

Container gardening workshop MondayThe Scott-Carver County master gardeners will present a workshop on container gardening from 6:30-8 p.m. Monday at the Prior Lake Library, 16210 Eagle Creek Av. SE.

The session will cover how to select the right plants and how to help keep costs down.

No registration is required. For more information, call 952-447-3375.