BEMIDJI — Arts and music bring Northern Minnesota together, and community support is essential to keeping them alive.
Bemidji residents have a chance to show support for further arts education of students thanks to the latest event from Headwaters Music and Arts.
"Because I care about art, and I want to make it. If I make something that shows that, I think that's a little bit contagious and I want the students to also experience that."Nicholas Jackson
The Heart-to-Art Instructor Showcase Annual Fundraiser will be 5–8 p.m. Saturday, March 8, at the Fourth Street Lodge in downtown Bemidji. Headwaters Music and Arts Board Member Leah Corcoran told Area Voices on the KAXE Morning Show that board members thought moving the fundraiser to the Fourth Street Lodge would give a chance to elevate the annual event.
The showcase celebrates the work and talents of the teachers at Headwaters Music and Arts. Executive Director Tricia Andrews said this year has an emphasis on glitz and glamour, encouraging attendees to wear their best cocktail attire.
Festivities begin with a social hour at 5 p.m. A string trio will play music while guests check out the glamorous photo booth as well as the raffle and silent auction. The auction includes donated items like guided bass fishing tours, tattoos and numerous self-care items. There will also be art from Headwaters instructors on display.
One of those instructors, Nicholas Jackson teaches the Creativity Club classes on Thursday nights. He said he thinks of it as an opportunity to preview his classes’ experience.
“When you show what's passionate to you, that's what wears off on other people," Jackson said. "Because I care about art, and I want to make it. If I make something that shows that, I think that's a little bit contagious and I want the students to also experience that.”
Performances by music instructors will begin at 6 p.m. The music will range from classical to '80s rock to piano solos. Some teachers will perform together as well.
Andrews said, “I think that's part of the joy of this is the collaboration that happens amongst those music teachers.”
One focus is to spotlight the talent of the instructors at Headwaters, but it is also to raise funds for their music and art scholarship programs. As a nonprofit arts organization, Headwaters Music and Arts works to be as accessible as possible, with financial assistance available for eligible students.
“Those are all allocated towards that scholarship program so that more kids can take those art classes with Nicholas [Jackson] or attend the music lessons, or even the rock band program,” Andrews said.
Tickets for the Heart-to-Art Instructor Showcase Annual Fundraiser are available online with a sliding scale ticket price, to eliminate financial barriers for people to attend.
Those not in attendance can still support the event through the online silent auction.
Tell us about upcoming arts events where you live in Northern Minnesota by emailing psa@kaxe.org.
Area Voices is made possible by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund and the citizens of Minnesota.
