Washington County arts briefs: Spring art show to open in Afton

The annual Squire House Gardens Spring Art Show opens Saturday, March 8, and runs through March 23. Squire House Gardens is located on the ground floor of an historic 1875 home, 3390 St. Croix Trail S. in Afton.

An artists' reception from 5-9 p.m. will open the show. After that, show hours will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays.

Titled "Point of View," the show will feature seven local artists. Artwork includes oil, acrylic, watercolor and sketches, and features various styles from impressionism to realism.

Participating artists are: James Wilcox Dimmer, Osceola, Wis.; Deb Kirkeeide, Minneapolis; Michele Combs, Minneapolis; Mary Anne O'Malley, Deephaven; Richard Meacock, Afton; Kami Mendlik, St. Croix River Valley; and Stuart Loughridge, St. Paul.

For more information, call 651-436-8080 or go to squirehousegardens.com.

A program on birds and crafts, offering a break from cabin fever for kids, will be presented from 1-3 p.m. on Saturday, March 8, at the Visitor Center of William O'Brien State Park, 16821 O'Brien Trail N., Marine on St. Croix.

Participants will learn about some of the birds found at winter bird feeders and then make some crafts for the birds.

The East Metro Symphony Orchestra (EMSO) will be presenting the second installment in its "Home Cookin' " series, featuring members as soloists and composers and in small chamber ensembles. This informal, family-friendly performance will take place at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 9, on the Loft Stage at East Ridge High School in Woodbury, 4200 Pioneer Dr., Woodbury.

Tickets, available at the door, are $10 for adults and $6 for students and seniors. Children 13 and younger are free.

The Home Cookin' concerts were created to provide members of the orchestra a rare opportunity to step to the front of the orchestra, a unique concept, especially for a community orchestra. It allows EMSO to highlight the avocational musicians who make up the orchestra.

This season's Home Cookin' concert will feature three original pieces written by orchestra members, with soloists playing music ranging from the romantic Saint-Saëns to the sounds of the American backwoods and chamber ensembles representing string and woodwind sections.

EMSO is a community orchestra based in Woodbury, led by music director and conductor Dr. Elizabeth Prielozny Barnes and concertmaster Michal Sobieski. For more information go to www.emsorch.org or visit www.facebook.com/emsorch.

Resident Bill Pohlmann won two awards, one of which was in the "People" category, with a photo of a brightly dressed toddler stepping on a cat's tail. Pohlmann also won the top honors in the "Celebrations and Events" category with a fireworks photo.

A photo of a vintage camera pointed toward a pond at sunrise or sunset, taken by Nathan Klock, won in the Historical category. Steve Cuddihy won the Streetscapes category with his winter scene picture. The Black and White category was won by Jared Bird, with a shot of a railroad track. Sue Hofacker won the Parks and Trails category with another winter scene shot.

The winners received $50 for each photograph and will have their work featured in the monthly newsletter, on the city's website and on its Facebook page.

The contest drew more than 40 entries. The winning photos can be viewed at www.cottage-grove.org or on the city's Facebook page.

Friday, March 7, is the deadline for entries in the 40th Annual Northern Lights Exhibition of the White Bear Center for the Arts. It is expected feature some of Minnesota and Wisconsin's finest artists.

For more information, contact WBCA at 651-407-0597 or wbca@whitebeararts.org.