ABOVE: Red Rock Center for the Arts acting director Blake Potthoff views submissions, “Missouri River” by Nancy Katzer, “Lukewarm Swans” by Kelsey Lindh, “Cardinal in Winter” by Dr. Beth and “Delicate Flowers” by Erickson, ahead of the Community Art and Photography Show, to be displayed with many other works from Tuesday, July 14 to Aug. 11 at the Red Rock Center in Fairmont.

FAIRMONT — The Red Rock Center for the Arts in Fairmont calls all creative community members to submit their works to the upcoming, long-standing annual Community Art and Photography Show.

“It’s fantastic,” remarked Red Rock Center acting director Blake Potthoff. “The Red Rock exists to support the community. It’s for the community, by the community, in the community. It’s critically important that we have local individuals submitting their works, showcasing their talents and that we continue to nurture and foster that, because it’s important to our community.”

All forms of art and photography are accepted from exhibitors within a 30-mile radius of Fairmont. After the window for submissions closes on Tuesday, July 7, the Red Rock Center will prepare the works to be displayed from Tuesday, July 14, to Tuesday, Aug. 11.

A community open house will take place from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 1. In addition, a Lunch with the Arts performance will be held on Tuesday, July 14, bringing in many people to view the works.

Through community input, prizes will be awarded to select artists and photographers.

“It’s very special. We want to keep it as open as possible to whatever medium possible. We have photography, oil pastel paints, clay, ceramics, quilting, macrame… It’s all art. People come to the Red Rock to appreciate art, and this is such a supportive community event,” Potthoff said.

He shared that a notable number of works have already been submitted. For Potthoff and the Red Rock Center team, seeing people submit and display their craft has been a very rewarding experience. 
”For me, to be in this role, it continually humbles me. Because I get a fantastic opportunity to meet the people behind the art. As I continue to meet them, have interactions with them and get to know them better, I can see their personalities shining through in their art. Getting to know the people who are doing it and the personalities that come through the art is really amazing, which is why I want as many people to come here as possible, because you get to see the people who are all neighbors, friends, family, co-workers, and you get to talk with them and hear them describe what their pictures are, what it means to them, how they felt were creating the art, what they feel when they look at it, why they were inspired,” said Potthoff.

He concurred that an event to showcase individuals and their creations from across the region is very important for the community.

“The fact that there are things going on in our community is critically important for our community to continue to not just survive but thrive, and grow and help nourish the next generation of artists or volunteers or community leaders, or whatever it would be. The more that we can do to support that and grow that, the better off our community will be in the long run. For us, [the Community Art and Photography Show] is a part that we can play, specifically with the arts, because that’s what we do,” Potthoff explained.

Looking ahead, Potthoff hopes to see many more submissions pour in and a generous attendance at the community open house on Aug. 1.

“I would love to showcase everyone’s art who wants to showcase their art, and I would love all of the community members to come and just shower the artists with appreciation, and to learn something about the artists, learn something about themselves by looking at an artwork that makes you feel a certain way. That’s the goal. It is with everything. With every art show we do, with every visual art gallery, with every performance. The doors for all of it are always open, and you’re always welcome. The more we continue to show that, and live that, give people opportunities to experience that, the more I hope they want to be involved in and with the organization as well,” Potthoff said. “And the more engagement that we continue to see from people in the community, the more we’ll try to continue to offer. It’s as much mine as it is yours. It’s a community facility.”

The Red Rock Center is located at 222 East Blue Earth Avenue in Fairmont. Submissions can be brought to the Red Rock Center by appointment or from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the deadline, Tuesday, June 7. Exhibitors may submit a maximum of three original, family-friendly works that have not previously been displayed at the Red Rock Center. Photography must be printed and displayed in 5×7 format. The entry fee is $5 per piece. Exhibitors may sell their works at the show, and a 20 percent commission and sales tax will go to the Red Rock Center.

For additional information about the event, contact the Red Rock Center at (507) 235-9262 or visit redrockcenter.org.