6 minute read
cross my heart
from The Sun 02.05.2020
by The Sun
I fi nd equipment that is being disposed of by institutions and I refurbish it and donate it back to those who need it. I hate to see kilns or bricks in a landfi ll so I salvage them and give them to those who need and can use them. I left two raku kilns at Renville County West High School upon completing a residency so the teachers could continue to fi re and teach their students about this special fi ring technique. I have also built and left kilns for schools so the teachers could continue to have a ceramics program. By helping others I am helping myself be more in tune with my community and the gratitude of knowing I can make a difference is what keeps me going,” Mark said.
In 2013, Mark was given the opportunity to purchase a kiln owned by world famous Minnesota potter Carl Erickson. It was an offer from Erickson’s wife, Rebecca after her husband had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Shortly after, Mark received a call from Warren MacKenzie, a potter in Stillwater for over 60 years, who donated his salt kiln to the project.
Advertisement
PWK feels the space will allow for larger educational groups and individuals to fi re their work and learn more on how to fi nish their work. “It took 25 years to see this dream become a reality, it will be a lifetime for today’s recent graduates and emerging artists to be able to afford large reduction kilns or the land on which to fi re them. By helping artists of this generation we, help the next generation by providing talented artists and educators the tools they need to keep the ceramic arts alive.”
Next, the Lusardis will be working with the electrician and getting interior walls framed, wired and insulated. Mark said, “To date all the funding for the program/project has come out of pocket and not from other resources. When the studio is fi nished and the kilns come online we hope to have three 50cu ft gas kilns (two soda fi red and a reduction) on hand. We will also have one smaller kiln for smaller loads and experimental fi rings. We will be having a couple of fundraisers in the near future to offset some of the electrical and interior sheeting of the studio.”
He explained the whole purpose of the project is to rent out kiln space while reserving 1/3 of the kiln fi rings for recent graduates and struggling artists. In exchange for helping to load and unload the kilns two artists will be able to share 1/3 of the kiln space for their work. This pay it forward approach will help make it viable to retain artists and talent within the fi eld while easing the fi nancial burden. “We hope to have various schedules to rent out the kiln in thirds and once a month we plan to offer kiln space by the shelf based on height,” said Mark.
As stated in the proposal for the conditional use permit, they plan to offer a couple of classes on weeknights and workshops on weekends and during the week in the summer months. Mark said, “In the past we have brought in artist/authors Steven Branfman , Paul Wandless, Mata Ortiz artists Diego Valles, Manuel Rodriguez, Kina Paquime, and Duluth raku artists Richard Gruchalla and Karen Rosetti. We plan to bring in other published and skilled artists in for fi ring and ceramic workshops. The classes and workshops will be open to all skill levels and when we bring artists in we like to fi nd a local venue to host an artist talk on the eve of a workshop.” Previously located in New Richmond, the new location for PWK is 260 150th St, Amery. The facility will include a variety of kilns and studio space to work in during the fi ring. This location for workshops and educational outreach offers close access to the St. Paul/Minneapolis area and Western Wisconsin.
Africa was founded in 2008 as a non-profi t 501(c)3 Christian organization. The colorful little dresses serve as “ambassadors” to help them feel good about themselves and let them know they are worthy. For more information about the February event call 715-483-9791. To learn more about Little Dresses for Africa, go to their website at littledressesforafrica.org.
ELECTION: Polk County
FROM PAGE 1
Larsen will not seek re-election to another term.
Johansen joined the County Board 12 years ago and has chaired the board for the last four years. Jepsen started his role with the County Board 16 years ago. Mick Larsen has served on the Polk County Board on and off for 20 years.
Polk County Clerk Sharon Jorgenson said the following have announced their candidacies for Polk County Board of Supervisors: District 1: Brad Olson of Frederic (Incumbent) and Michael Noreen of Frederic. District 2: Doug Route of Frederic (Incumbent). District 3: Lisa Doerr of Cushing, Steven Warndahl of St. Croix Falls and Ted Zindars of Luck. District 4: Chris Nelson of Balsam Lake (Incumbent). District 5: Tracy LaBlanc of Clayton (Incumbent). District 6: Brian Masters of Balsam Lake (Incumbent) and Mike Miles of Luck. District 7: Michael Prichard of St. Croix Falls (Incumbent). District 8: James S. Edgell of Centuria (Incumbent). District 9: Kim A. O’Connell of Osceola (Incumbent). District 10: Amy Middleton of Dresser and Tom Magnafi ci of Dresser. District 11: Jay Luke of Amery (Incumbent). District 12: Francis Duncanson of Amery. District 13: Russell E. Arcand of Clear Lake (Incumbent). District 14: John Bonneprise of Star Prairie (Incumbent) and District 15: Joe Demulling of Star Prairie (Incumbent).
POLK COUNTY OWNED REAL ESTATE FOR SALE SALE OF IN REM (TAX DEED) PROPERTIES (Wis. Stat. Section 75.69(3) PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that Polk County will sell the following Real Properties by Public Auction to be held online at www.wisconsinsurplus.com, Auction #20089. The Public Auction will begin on Tuesday, February 18, 2020 at 10:01am CDT and ends on Tuesday, March 10, 2020, starting at 10:00 am CDT. All bids must be submitted through the auction site. No other bids will be accepted.
APPLE RIVER TWNSHP - VACANT LOTS FOR SALE: XXX 101ST STREET & CTY RD H (Bidders are not responsible for paying unpaid taxes) Preview property listing with appraised values at: www.co.polk.wi.us/Real Estate For Sale (under quick links)
www.wisconsinsurplus.com is a public on-line bidding auction. The properties will be sold “As Is” to the highest bidder. Polk County makes no representation or guarantee with respect to the use or condition of the properties. The public sale will be conducted by those terms of sale articulated on the online auction service. In the event the highest bidder fails to close the transaction within the days specified in the terms of sale, the County, pursuant to Section 75.69(1), may accept as the final bid the bid that is most advantageous to the County. Dated January 29, 2020. Polk County Buildings For Questions email tina.riley@co.polk.wi.us or call 715-485-9294
Royal Credit Union’s Board of Directors, Management Team, and Staff would like to recognize Robert D. Todd for reaching a milestone in 2019! Todd has provided 15 years of dedicated service to Royal Credit Union and the communities we serve.
