— A citizens group working to develop a community art center with the works of Willmar’s own Fred Cogelow as its centerpiece found lots of interest for the effort.
They counted 354 people in attendance at the Kandiyohi County Historical Society for the “Coming Home” artists’ reception and public launch Tuesday evening of the proposed Cogelow Art Center in Willmar.
“I think we have a winning combination,” said David Moody. He leads the 15-member board of directors looking to develop the arts center.
The board members have been working “double time” since February to create a community art center for Willmar. Its centerpiece will be the works of Cogelow, Moody said, while emphasizing that it will also support the work of other area artists.
Organizers counted 354 people at the Kandiyohi County Historical Society where an artists’ reception was held Tuesday in Willmar as part of the launch of the proposed Cogelow Art Center. An exhibit of 41 of Cogelow’s works are on display for the public at the Historical Society through Oct. 30.
Tom Cherveny / West Central Tribune
The works of local artists Shalise Sands, Jess Garcia, Mary Lapatka and Ana Serrano are now featured along with 41 works by Cogelow as part of an exhibit being hosted by the Cogelow Art Center at the Kandiyohi County Historical Society. The free exhibit is open to the public through Oct. 30 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays.
The event featured the unveiling of three new works by Cogelow: “An Un-Finnish Stool,” “Cow-Poked” and “The Rotten Smith Kid.” The “Rotten Smith Kid” is his first collaborative piece, according to Cogelow. He called on the talents of New London’s Jais Gossman to add color and cover blemished portions of the wood from which he crafted the work.
Along with unveiling his works, Cogelow joined in a shout-out for the works of other local artists. He expressed his desire for the new center to help new and emerging artists. He said his principal hope is that the center could help develop a successor “who can succeed and surpass me” in the woodworking arts.
The “Coming Home” event was also an opportunity to recognize Kay Thompson for offering the long-term loan of two well-known, early works by Cogelow to the center. “Dog Dies Running” and “The Swing is Gone” were works purchased by Thompson’s late husband, Joe.
Some 354 people attended the “Coming Home” artists’ reception and launch for the proposed Cogelow Art Center held at the Kandiyohi County Historical Society on Tuesday. The exhibit includes 41 works by Cogelow, such as those shown above. The free exhibit will continue at the Historical Society through Oct. 30.
Tom Cherveny / West Central Tribune
The event was an important endorsement for an arts center, according to Fernando Alvarado, a board member. “Very excited about it,” he said.
The Cogelow Art Center aims to sign up 1,000 founding members by the end of this year, according to Alvarado. The names of those joining now will be recognized on a wall when the center finds a home.
Moody said board members have been in discussions with Ridgewater College and the Barn Theatre about the possibilities of serving as host sites. No commitments have been made. He said the group is open to other locations as well.
“We’re exercising care in determining where the best home for us will be,” Moody told the audience.
Information about the
and memberships are available at its website and Facebook page. Founding memberships are $10 for individual, $25 for family and $100 for business.
Fred Cogelow unveiled three new works Tuesday and expressed his support for the proposed Cogelow Art Center while offering humorous comments and stories during the “Coming Home” event held at the Kandiyohi County Historical Society in Willmar.
Tom Cherveny / West Central Tribune
Tom Cherveny is a regional and outdoors reporter for the West Central Tribune.
He has been a reporter with the West Central Tribune since 1993.
Cherveny can be reached via email at tcherveny@wctrib.com or by phone at 320-214-4335.