The Historic Holmes Theatre in Detroit Lakes will be hosting its 17th annual art show this coming weekend, Nov. 19-21.
Unlike previous years, however, the event will not be held in the spacious Holmes Ballroom — nor will there be any live shows in the main theater. Instead, in order to accommodate COVID-19 pandemic safety precautions, the event is being moved to the more intimate confines of the Holmes Art Cellar, located on the theater's basement level.
"We also will not be having any artists on site this year," says the theater's arts outreach director, Beth Gilbert.
But that doesn't mean there won't still be plenty of art on display. "I've signed up 22 artists," Gilbert said, "and that's not even counting the art that's already available in the (HAC) gift shop."
This year's lineup includes a mix of new and returning artists: Newcomers will include painters Carmen Bruhn and Anna Lassonde; jewelry artist Nancy Gordon; and drawings from artists Hannah Spry and Jennie Ward. Familiar names on the exhibit list include couples Deb and Kurt Anderson, JoAnn and Larry Wold, and Cathie and Wade Lemkuhl, as well as Fern Belling, John Boots, Michael Burgraff, Chloe Dekraai, Robert Hoover, Jim Johnson, Abigail Kramer, Carmen McCullough, JoAnn McFarlin, Tina Taylor and Krista Ulrich.
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Though the coronavirus pandemic has made 2020 a tough year for everyone, the shutdown of most regional art festivals and shows has left local artisans scrambling to find ways to display and market their work, says Historic Holmes Theatre Executive Director Amy Stoller Stearns.
"All of the participating artists live and work in the region," she said, "so this is a great opportunity for people to buy regionally-made, unique holiday gifts for friends and family, while supporting the work of our local artisans."
All pandemic safety guidelines regarding crowd size, social distancing and mask wearing will be enforced.
"You must wear your mask," Gilbert said.
If you go
What: 17th Annual Holmes Art Show
When: Thursday, Nov. 19, 4-7 p.m.; Friday, Nov. 20, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; and Saturday, Nov. 21, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Where: Historic Holmes Theatre Art Cellar, 806 Summit Ave., Detroit Lakes
Admission: Free and open to the public. For more information call 218-844-7469 or visit dlccc.org/holmestheatre.html .
