Two things are happening in Mankato this coming weekend that you don't want to miss.

First is the massive Twin Rivers Center for the Arts fundraiser/awareness party at the Masons hall in downtown Mankato.  The Poor Farm Studios hosted this party exactly a year ago and I’m still in recovery.  It was simply magnificent!  The objective for this event is to create what I like to think of as a “creative head space”.  A space where a non-artist person gets inside the head of an artist.  It’s scary, exhilarating and slightly confusing.  

Last year at the “Starving Artist at the Poor Farm” there were many randomly occurring events that the party goers interacted with.  If you want to get a sense of what happened please check out the great video created about that event.

When?  Friday September 22nd starting at 8pm.

Here's a link for more accurate and well written info including how to get tickets...

http://www.twinriversarts.org/starving-artist/

Here's the really cool video of last years event.  It will give you a taste of what this is about.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQPzlpnaYGM

The Starving Artist at the Temple has the same objective as the party here at the Poor Farm but it’s in a different location.  It’s at the mysterious Mason temple in downtown Mankato.  I’ve never been in there and I can’t wait to check it out.  You should to!  Expect many delightful randomly occurring happenings as you “get into the head space” of an artist! 

THE SECOND THING!!!

The second thing happening is a book launch reading by the Poet Richard Robbins.  Rick and I have been friends for a long time, Wilbur and I are thrilled to have him launching out here at the Poor Farm Studios. 

His new book titled, Body Turns to Rain New and Selected Poems, also features a cover by yours truly.   It’s a wonderful FAT collection that includes new work as well as returns of some older works.  Rick is an incredibly prolific poet who writes of the American West, roads, Hollywood, fishing, nature, ephemera.... all with a finely tuned sensibility. (Ok, I stole finely tuned sensibility from the back of his book) But it’s true!  His work is fine, his readings are always inspiring.  For me there is nothing better than having an accomplished poet read their work in my studio.  The words float around bumping dust motes, sticking to the paint on my walls.  It’s delightful, come on out!  Maybe we will have some beer.  You can float around and stick to the paint on my walls!  

When?  Sunday September 24th from 2-3.  What?  Only an hour??  We will hang around and chat.  Come on over we would love to see you.