BEMIDJI — With the summer weather comes more artistic activities.
Diamond is hoping to capture the creative spirit of the season with the Summer Muse Festival, which kicks off on the summer solstice.
There are four Summer Muse Festivals scheduled 4-8 p.m. on June 21, July 26, Aug. 30 and Sept. 20. All four will be in the River Room at the Rail River Folk School.
This isn’t the first time Diamond has put on an event like this. Years ago, she created an event called First Friday as a way to show her and others' art, because she said she was too nervous to pitch to bigger art fairs.
Even though her work is now featured at those larger art fairs and museums, she decided to bring back a similar event.
The Summer Muse Festival received a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. Diamond told Area Voices on the KAXE Morning Show that the goal is to let artists just starting out, including musicians, to mix in with other experienced artists.
“The goal was still to give a stage and an opportunity for people who maybe haven't had a chance to have a stage yet, something to add to their resume,” Diamond said. “We're all peers because we all started out somewhere, but sometimes it doesn't feel like it. It feels intimidating.
" ... It gives kind of that opportunity for people to really just experience the creative community from the inside, which, I think, is just a beautiful thing.”
Not only will artists showcase their work at the events, but they will also have pieces for sale. Diamond said one of the other goals of the event is to stimulate the creative economy.
Diamond said the vibe at Rail River Folk School is exactly what she wants it to be.
“I think that that vibe of it being a place where all people feel welcome and where all people of all levels feel welcome, was one of the reasons that we were like, yeah, we have to do it again and it has to be at the Folk School.”
The hope is also to inspire visitors at the event. If people feel like dancing, they can dance. If people feel like creating, there will be doodle paper available. If people want to hang out and read a book, they’re welcome to do that as well.
If artists, musicians and food vendors are interested in participating in upcoming Summer Muse Festival events, they can visit the website.
For artists on the fence or not sure if they’re ready to showcase their work yet, Diamond offered that we sometimes let the critics inside our heads be louder than our own creative voice.
“I think that when you know that you're ready to share, then you know you're ready to share.”
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.
