SMAC 2023 Annual Celebration 

Celebrate Art & Artists at the 2023 Annual Celebration!

You are invited to join us in celebration of the arts
and artists of our 18 county region:

Saturday, October 14, 2023

From 2-4 pm, check out these area artist studios and arts spaces:

• Pam Blake Glass Art, 324 E. Hughes Street, Tyler
• Nancy Huehl Watercolor Studio, 130 N Tyler Street, Tyler
• Lake Benton Opera House,  118 E Benton Street, Lake Benton
• Danebod Folk School Stonehouse Museum, 140 Danebod Court, Tyler

** MORE SITES and STUDIOS may be added… check our Annual Celebration webpage for updates!  (click here to go to webpage)

At 4 pm, enjoy a Happy Hour cash bar in the Danebod gymnasium, followed by SMAC’s Annual Meeting & Awards Ceremony for our Prairie Disciple, Lee Kanten, then a meal catered by award-winning BBQ chef Scotty Biggs at 5:30 pm.  Enjoy music by Lee & Friends, followed by announcement of the Spirit of the Region Raffle Basket winners at 7 pm!

Join the Celebration!

Register Now

Tickets:
$25/person. Advance ticket purchase required by October 9.

Payment options:

1) CHECK: Complete the online registration form by clicking below and send a check for tickets to the SMAC office: PO Box 55, Marshall, MN  56258 

2) CREDIT CARD: Complete the online registration form by clicking below and then click the credit card button to pay online.

 ~ No physical ticket will be sent or given, instead your name and information will be kept on our reservation list – ready to welcome you at the event. ~

Join the Celebration!

Register Now

Event Details:

“Spirit of the Region” Raffle: A $10 raffle ticket will get you the chance to win a basket of art & goods made in the SMAC Region (from wine to honey, beer to fudge). Raffle tickets available in advance at the SMAC office or through a SMAC Board Member. Raffle tickets also available onsite at the event. 

Awards

2023 Prairie Disciple Award ($1,000): Lee Kanten, Ortonville

This award is to recognize a person who has been instrumental in promoting the arts in the 18-county area of southwestern Minnesota. Lee is an international and award-winning director and producer who made his career in the Twin Cities creating motivational and communications films for Fortune 500 companies, but it is in Ortonville and the surrounding region where musician and filmmaker Lee Kanten has made the most impact. Donating film production to organizations and artists began in 2015 when he produced “I Love Ortonville” for the hospital and chamber to showcase the features of their rural town. The hospital could not accept the work as pro bono, so Lee’s company donated their profits back to their foundation. Since then, Lee has given his production services willingly to create videos for area arts councils and other nonprofits, like the local food co-op. He uses his voice on KDIO radio co-hosting a weekly morning show where he grasps every opportunity to promote arts in our region. He frequently submits stories to the local newspaper for the Big Stone Art Council’s column, “Opening Doors.” Read more about Lee Kanten here