Promoting the Arts!

Welcome to the
Willmar Area Arts Council

In 1997, a group of citizens responded to an incentive from a COM-PAS and Blandin Foundation partnership to build stronger support and appreciation for creative arts in the Willmar area. Along with financial support from the Minnesota Rural Arts Initiative (RAI), the City of Willmar, Willmar Public Schools, a development grant from the Southwest Minnesota Arts Council (SMAC), and membership fees, the Willmar Area Arts Council officially came into existence in the fall of 1997 and became a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt entity in 1998.

Since its inception, the Willmar Area Arts Council has been a visible advocate for the arts in West Central Minnesota. Besides providing the rotating exhibits in the Willmar Education and Arts Center, administering the Arts in the Schools project for the Willmar Public Schools and hosting themed, invitational exhibits in the Barn Theatre’s mezzanine gallery that run in conjunction with the current production, it is the force behind the popular Studio Hop.

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Upcoming Events

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Upcoming Events

December 2023

Toyland

December 7 @ 7:00 pm
|Recurring Event (See all)

An event every day that begins at 7:00pm, repeating until December 9, 2023

The Barn Theatre, 321 4th St SW
Willmar, MN 56201 United States + Google Map

The Christmas play at the Barn Theatre is "Toyland."  Tickets are $25 adults, $15 18 and under.

Find out more »

Toyland

December 8 @ 7:00 pm
|Recurring Event (See all)

An event every day that begins at 7:00pm, repeating until December 9, 2023

The Barn Theatre, 321 4th St SW
Willmar, MN 56201 United States + Google Map

The Christmas play at the Barn Theatre is "Toyland."  Tickets are $25 adults, $15 18 and under.

Find out more »
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Council Happenings

Tiles

 

They’re done!!  Jessalyn Canavan finished putting the remaining tiles on the concrete slab in front of the hospital and they look GREAT!   Thank you again to Blue Cross/Blue Shield for sponsoring this project.

Be sure to stop by and see them!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fitness Court

With help from a grant from Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Minnesota, Willmar has constructed the first Fitness Court in the state this summer!   The Fitness Court is in Sperryville Park on Hwy 71 across from Robbins Island.  Sonja Madsen from Willmar was selected to create the art for the Court.  The Court is ready for use!  Be sure to check it out!

Dave Chase and Sonja Madsen at WEAC

The exhibit at WEAC is art by Dave Chase, retired NLS art teacher, and Sonja Madsen, recent graduate of Northern Michigan University.  Dave has his wonderful paintings and drawings and Sonja has her sculptures.

The exhibit will be up until the end of November.

Future Exhibits at the Barn Theatre

We will be hosting an invitational exhibit at the Barn Theatre for their upcoming plays.  The plays, themes, and due dates for the next two plays are:
“Toyland” – “Toys” – due date Dec. 4, 2023
“A Bad Year for Tomatoes” – “Vegetables” – Feb. 5, 2024
Hope you see your work!!

 

John Kellen's Photographs

John Kellen’s beautiful photographs are on display in Kensington Bank.  Be sure to stop by and see them!

Small Works Silent Auction

Small Works Silent Auction will be at the Barn Theatre again this year!  We will set it up Dec. 6 and it will remain up until after the last performance of “Toyland” Sunday, Dec. 17.  All works of art are smaller than 12 X 12 X 12″.

Be sure to come see what’s available for your Christmas giving!!