MONROE — The Monroe Arts Center announced three events that will take place starting April 8-10.
All COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted at the Monroe Arts Center and masks are optional. For additional information contact the Monroe Arts Center at 608-325-5700 or at monroeartscenter.com.
From April 8 to June 3, “Interpretations: The Power of Three” will be in the Wellington/Muranyi Gallery.
The gallery showcases the artistic evolution of the 3 plein air painters and their continuing friendships spanning more than a decade. Jan Norsetter, Diane Washa, and Jonathan Wilde began their journey on a cold, blustery, snowy day in February, 2008 at a plein air workshop in Mazomanie, instructed by Jonathan Wilde. The workshop was Jan Norsetter’s and Diane Washa’s foray into painting winter landscapes outdoors, an experience which left an indelible impact on both painters.
The exhibit at MAC represents the unique friendship, as well as the varying styles of the painters, from representational to poetic. The artists paint in oils, often capturing the ‘painter’s light’ at the end of the day. All three have an affinity for subjects that include the timelessness of rural Southern Wisconsin landscapes with a particular interest in water and watersheds.
An opening reception will be held from 5-7 p.m. April 8 with artist talks by all three artists at 5:30 p.m.
This exhibit has been supported by MAC Corporate Underwriter Colony Brands, Inc. and Season Media Underwriter Big Radio, with additional support from Mike and Shelley Muranyi, Lee and Chris Knuteson, Paul and Sue Barrett, David and Julie Buchanan, Kevin and Chris Callahan, and Don Amphlett and Jan Johnson.
Alice in Wonderland
“Alice in Wonderland” will be performed on April 9 at 11 a.m. by the Bright Star Touring Theatre, a national professional touring theatre company based in Asheville, N.C.
The literary classic is brought to life in a 45-minute adventure. Published in 1865, the story follows Alice as she journeys into the rabbit hole packed with some eccentric and fantastical characters, including the Queen of Hearts, the Cheshire Cat and the Mad Hatter.
This is a free event at MAC with no ticket required.
Patrick Beckman Show
Patrick Beckman will perform at 2 p.m. on April 10 in the Gunderson Stiles Concert Hall at MAC. His performance will feature all original music stemming from a wide variety of influences such as Jazz, Blues, Rock, Gospel, and Classical.
His works for piano consist of a synthesis of our American musical vocabularies combined with a fusion of older European structural models.
He has also recorded for Contemporary Music Society of Philadelphia (first piano sonata). Con Brio Recordings (American Scenes Vol. I; American Scenes Vol. II) and smaller labels in the Midwest. His chorale works include the “Mass in memory of Thomas Merton” — first performed at the Salzburg Cathedral and the “Easter Mass” — first performed at the Vatican.
Beckman received his M.M. and B.M. degrees in Piano Performance from the University of Illinois at Urbana. While there he studied with Soulima Stravinsky, Kenneth Drake, Ron Elliston, Claire Richards and Dean Sanders. He was also Music Director of the Station Theater in Urbana, an off-campus organization for which he composed music for avant-garde theatre, dance and musical groups. In addition to his academic and off-campus activities, he also performed with various R&B groups from Chicago and worked as a studio musician in various studios. After graduating, he became Artist-in-Residence for Highland College where he later became Chairman of the Music Department. He has also taught at the University of Illinois and Rockford College and Aquin High School.
