The RAAC Reporter “Building and Strengthening Our Community Through the Arts” Vol. 1 Issue 4 September 2020 See It At The Smithsonian, or See It In Rosemount In the northwest Mexican state of Chihuahua, there is an archeological ruin from ancient culture which had peaked in the 1400s, Casas Grandes. In the1960s, a very poor farmer, Juan Quezada Celado, noticed shards of pottery on the ground as he collected firewood in the area. Drawn to the pottery, Juan Quezada began experimenting with methods that would produce the same kind of pottery. Completely self-taught, he perfected the methodology and began making and selling pottery locally. The pottery became known as Mata Ortiz Pottery, named after a poor local town. As the pottery was discovered by outsiders, Juan Quesada Meet the Board began marketing in small towns and tourist trading posts in Arizona and New (Each month we’ll introduce someone on Mexico. Along with the popular revival of traditional Southwest pottery, Mata our Board) Ortiz Pottery became very well known, and today the finest pieces can sell for over $2,500. Juan Quesada taught a number of local artists in his methodology, giving rise to an economic engine for the poor town of Mata Ortiz, and lifting its people out of poverty. RAAC is grateful to LaDonna Boyd of Rosemount for donating a collection of this pottery. Pieces of Mata Ortiz Pottery have become part of the permanent collection of The Smithsonian Institute as well as other well-known museums. RAAC will be hosting an exhibit of our new collection in 2021 (exact date unknown due to the pandemic.) RAAC Matches Your Donation to Rosemount Family Jean Crewson – Programming Chair Jean has been a member of RAAC since Resource Center (360 Communities) 2015. She joined RAAC after a successful $1000 in Matching Donations 27-year career in the Federal The RAAC Board has designated $1000 to match donations to the Rosemount Government. She has lived in Apple Family Resource Center. Double the impact of your giving through RAAC’s new Valley since 1988. Here is what she has to matching program. Donations are being accepted until mid-September. To be say about RAAC: matched, your donation must be sent to RAAC. Go to our website: www.RosemountArts.com to donate, or send your check made payable to: After spending the last 5 years of my RAAC, P. O. Box 409, Rosemount MN 55068. career in Washington D.C., coming home meant I had to figure out how to spend my SAP’s New Video Is On-Line at Dakota County Libraries time and to meet new friends. The new Second Act Players video, “Reaching Out Variety Show”, is on-line at the Rosemount Library website from September 13-19 and can be viewed on your RAAC provided the answers for me. I read home screen/phone/tablet through the Dakota County Library system. It can be in the local paper about a group called viewed here: https://www.facebook.com/DakotaLibrary/. Once you get there, go Second Act Players that was part of to Videos/Second Act Players presents. Once the library system is finished RAAC. The group was looking for seniors making this video available, it will be available for viewing on RAAC’s website. who were interested in theater. Since I This program includes the origin of SAP, ways SAP helps seniors enrich their had taught theater in a previous career, I lives by participating in theater, comments from participants, a short play, and decided to check it out. excerpts from our Outreach Program. The program will include all original material written and performed by SAP members. Continued Page 2 (Board) Continued on page 2 (Video) (Board Continued) (Video Continued) RAAC has given me the opportunity to These programs have been made possible by partnering with the Metropolitan enjoy theater experience again, but also a Library Service Agency (MELSA) and its “smARTpass Reimagined” program. huge variety of arts experiences in our smARTpass makes free and discounted tickets available to library cardholders for community through RAAC. live shows and visits at partnering arts organizations venues. smARTpass has partnered with 23 arts organizations in the metro area, including RAAC and SAP. RAAC has something for everyone, from Visit their site to receive details and updates: www.smARTpass.MELSA.org. enjoying a wide variety of the arts, to art making, to planning arts events and to Support the Arts in Rosemount making new friends! Become a member. Set Up Your Smile.Amazon.com account and Amazon will donate monies to Volunteer Opportunities RAAC without it costing you anything at all. As year-end approaches, we are looking for new Board members and Officers. Vice Chair Board Secretary Programming Chair Marketing Chair Donate to RAAC & Receive a Gift We have many other opportunities as well. If you are interested in exploring any of these or other volunteer opportunities, please contact us. August Stats: $25 Donation $25 Donation $20 Donation $10 Donation Volunteer Hours: As with most arts organizations, RAAC has seen its income cut to almost August: 245 hours; zero during this challenging time. Our operating expenses, however, have YTD: 3067 hours continued on pace. We are committed to bringing the Rosemount Area a bigger and better lineup of a wide variety of the arts as soon as everyone Number of Members: 144 feels safe to attend our events. Our 2021 calendar is already set, and the venues reserved. We look forward to seeing everyone again in person at Contact Us concerts, plays, comedy club nights, classes and exhibits. If you are in a position to help, your donation will be much appreciated. Thank you! Rosemount Area Arts Council P. O. Box 409 Rosemount MN 55068 PHD & UFO Group Meets Thursday Afternoons – FREE! www.RosemountArts.com This group comes together in a social setting to work on their individual Email: [email protected] UnFinished Objects & Projects Half Done in knitting, quilting, embroidery, felting, and more. The group meets Thursday afternoons at the Steeple Center Explore what we are about by going to: from 1:00 to 3:00. Due to COVID rules, we ask you to reserve your spot by the www.RosemountArts.com or preceding Sunday by 5:00 PM. The group is limited to 10 people at this time. [email protected]. Or, let us Masks are required. To reserve your spot, call /text or email Jean Crewson at 952- buy you a cup of coffee at Morning Glory 994-1480 or [email protected]. You do not have to be a member of RAAC. Bakery any Thursday at 7:30 – 8:30AM. Attendance is free! Newcomers are always welcome! We are currently meeting on the patio and social distancing. Support the Arts in Rosemount! .