Art-A-Whirl 2012

Posted on May 9, 2012 by Karl Reichert

It’s hard to believe that Art-A-Whirl 2012 is right around the corner. Reynaldo Diaz and I invite you to join us for an opening night party in our studio … 6 to 10 p.m., Friday, May 18. You can find us at Studio 211 in the California Building (2205 California Street, Minneapolis, MN 55418). Or … stop by anytime during the Art-A-Whirl weekend.

2012 Dates and Hours:
Friday, May 18th -  5 to 10 p.m.
Saturday,  May 19th -  12 Noon to 8 p.m.
Sunday, May 20th -   12 Noon to 5 p.m.

This past year Reynaldo has been prolific … creating many amazing paintings (acrylic on canvas). This past Saturday I begged Rey to do a video interview with me, and he agreed. Like many artists, he is hesitant to promote himself and his work. Well … I’m a marketer by profession … and I insisted we had to give all of you a bit more information about what he has been doing this past year in the studio.

Most of my time is spent working as director of the Capri Theater in North Minneapolis, but I have managed to squeeze in some time to create a few fun pieces out of clay. (If you are a cat lover like Rey and me … I think you will enjoy my new creations!)

And … we’re so pleased that my mom, Ruth Reichert, will be returning to Art-A-Whirl this year. As many of you know, my Mom has been at every Art-A-Whirl since we opened our studio in 2008 … except for last year, when she was being treated for cancer. We are so pleased that she is recovering well after six months of chemotherapy last year, and she is going to show her own creative work for the first time. During her recovery this past year, she discovered a passion for creating jewelry out of beads, and this year she will be selling her creations in our studio. I really believe that art heals … and my Mom is a wonderful case in point!

Every year my little brother Eli (Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Twin Cities) presents a few of his creative works in Art-A-Whirl. I am anxious to see what he is going to show this year. Last year his sock monsters were a huge hit!

We hope to see you at Art-A-Whirl 2012. There is so much to see … and you will find that the California Building has a friendly and diverse community of artists!

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Conference will focus on green practices for theaters

Posted on April 29, 2012 by Karl Reichert

How green can our arts venues be? I am looking forward to attending the Sustainability in Theaters Conference that opens tomorrow (Monday, April 30) at the Brave New Workshop in downtown Minneapolis — presented by Minnesota Theater Alliance and the Twin Cities Sustainable Theatres Group, in partnership with the Center for Sustainable Practices in the Arts and Theatre Communications Group.

In my work as director of the Capri Theater, we strived to implement all the green technology we could afford in our 2009 renovation of our venue … including the installation of LED theatrical lighting in our auditorium and replacement of all the incandescent bulbs in our marquee (as you can from my 2008 photo) with much more efficient (and expensive) LED bulbs.

As we begin planning for our second phase of development, which will include the addition of much needed dressing rooms, rehearsal space and classrooms for our youth arts programming at PCYC, we want to commit to more green practices … especially as the cost for green technology becomes more affordable.

You can read more about the upcoming conference in Finance & Commerce:

Posted: 7:45 am Wed, April 18, 2012
By Drew Kerr

The marquee at Brave New Workshop on Hennepin Avenue in downtown Minneapolis uses light-emitting diodes, which can use up to 75 percent less energy than traditional lights. (Staff photo: Bill Klotz)

When Brave New Workshop leaders decided to move from their longtime Uptown home to downtown Minneapolis last year, they saw an opportunity not just to buy a bigger space but also to create a greener one.

They replaced more than 90 percent of the lights in the former Hennepin Stages building with light-emitting diodes, which can use up to 75 percent less energy than traditional incandescent lights. The same high-efficiency lighting went into the theater’s marquee, said Elena Imaretska, vice president of product development, partnerships and sustainability for the comedy troupe. (Read More)

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The “thinker”

Posted on April 10, 2012 by Karl Reichert

While working on my income taxes this past weekend, Marsilio offered his assistance over and over and over. He particularly liked to go through all my receipts! (He loves little pieces of paper.) When the taxes were done and filed, he then offered his help in putting together the cardboard box to archive my 2011 financial files!

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Cocoa Beach Sunrise

Posted on March 7, 2012 by Karl Reichert

Sunrise at Cocoa Beach, Florida. March 3, 2012.

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Marsilio in the Morning

Posted on January 27, 2012 by Karl Reichert

Ah morning! Our little (or not so little anymore) Marsilio loves to spend his morning soaking in the winter sun and thinking “big thoughts!”

The really great news for me is that he loves to be photographed! (Unlike his big brother Pete.) I took these photos on Thursday … just two days after his 11-month birthday.

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