executive director

From the first grader who, with unbridled enthusiasm, drags his family and friends in to see his drawing featured on the gallery walls to the long-time practicing artist who rediscovers in her work the sense of presence and wonder that led her to create in the first place, to the nascent writer who, reading his work aloud in public for the first time, realizes a long time dream of sharing his poems and stories with others—words and thoughts that have held so much meaning for him—these are the kind of experiences that BLCA has provided for the community for over 30 years. We are a community art center that takes the concept of community and art together very seriously. There is no other institution in the area of southern Anoka and portions of adjacent Ramsey and Hennepin counties that serves the public with easily accessed, excellent, inclusive opportunities for participation in art. The significant historical aspect of the building—one of the best preserved Greek Revival style houses in the state—the park setting at the confluence of Rice Creek and the Mississippi River and BLCA's enduring partnership with Anoka County through its Parks and Recreation Department make ours an outstanding place to gather, learn, enjoy and experience the arts. We invite all who are interested to sample from a diverse artistic spread: creative writing, paper-making, oil painting, textile arts, book arts and much more. Exhibitions feature the work of local mental health groups, to installation artists to abstract painters to contemporary glass-blowers. There have been new immigrant African artists, Asian American artists, landscape specialists and grade schoolers. Musical performers include classical guitar, Africa soukous, avant-garde jazz, Brazilian bosso nova and solo banjo. Moreover, BLCA is able to operate, in large part, by a core of dedicated volunteers, individuals who are passionate devotees of local arts and artists who are familiar with the needs of the community served. We believe, one would be hard-pressed to find a place this size that is as effective in delivering arts without compromising quality and breadth of experience. We hope that everyone will have a chance to visit and participate in the arts with us.