No cost opportunities at the Blank Canvas Gallery and Education Center

August is a busy month at the Blank Canvas Gallery and Education Center in Park Rapids. First of all, the whole month of August at the gallery is a celebration of the artwork of Peter Young, August featured artist at BCG.

Peter is from the Y Steakhouse Youngs so locals know who he is but they may not know that he is an accomplished potter. His newest creations are on view at BCG during the whole month of August.

The second thing of note is the free presentation on August 19th titled "Art and the Spirit World." This is part of the annual August free lecture series at Blank Canvas Gallery. The program will be presented at Jack Pine Cafe, 311 Main Ave. S. in Park Rapids.

Bob Mansfield, tenured professor from San Diego State University, will present a program that will reveal how the ancient indigenous peoples of the North American continent used art as a vehicle to connect to the spirit world. He will show the importance of the Shaman as the spiritual leader and artist. He will examine the cultures of the Inuit, Maya, Native American tribes, and places like the Yucatan, Chaco Canyon, Serpent Mound, Poverty Point, Bear Butte and Sierra San Francisco. He will also examine the nomadic designs of the Native Americans such as Tepees, papooses and canoes and show how remarkably sophisticated they were. The 45 minute presentation will be illustrated with digital images he has collected and taken over the last 40 years at most of the sites mentioned here. Bob was here last year and shared his experiences as a sculptor working internationally with projects in China and in the United States. He was very well received at last years lecture series and this years program offers a repeat performance that you won't want to miss.

Social time will start at 5:30 on Friday, August 19th; the lecture is from 6:15 PM to 7:00 PM.

Blank Canvas Gallery and Education Center

311 Main Ave. S.

Park Rapids, MN 56470 PH: 218-237-5112