Art Crawl on 84

This past weekend was the 8th Annual The Arts of 84 Art Crawl. It is a 31-mile art touring event held in various locations along State Highway 84, between Pine River and Longville. MN. 

Art’s Off 84 mission is to promote works of local artists and provide an art presence to the Pine River, Longville and surrounding areas. This juried event features high end art forms as well as quality handcrafted items. 

Many of the locations were what I would call rural so you never know what you'll see. Take for instance these chickens running around at one location. In the back of photo there was a huge chicken coop.

or these clever signs (like the old Burma Shave signs) which were meant to rhyme with each artist's venue at the location. Signs were placed along over a mile long walk to reach one location. Parking was at a premium.


This sign alerted the walkers a bathroom was nearby. Personally I thought the signs were meant to be a distraction to be read so walkers wouldn't mind the distance to reach the location. 

Of course the oppressive heat did not help. With that being said this lemonade stand was a welcome stop. 

A new attraction this year were this young couple on stilts mingling among the crowd.

I am always impressed with the creativity and ingenuity the artists displayed taking used items and finding a new purpose for them. Take for instance this lamp

lawn art from plates 

scarves made from ties

But the biggest surprise was at the end. This stop was not part of the Art Crawl but down the street from the place we had just toured. We did not know until we had arrived at this property we had saved the best to last. The house, property and quilt displays just took your breath away. Each year the owners schedule an open house the same time as the Art Crawl.   

The lake home was situated on 80 acres which in this area equates to a very big piece of property. The home owner is an avid quilt maker and master gardener. If I were to guess I'd say maybe 40-50 huge quilts were displayed about the property for the day's event. The quilts were not for sale but other artists had their art and crafts items for purchase in adjacent buildings on the property. But it was the quilts that captured your immediate attention. Each quilt varied in pattern, design and color. The craftsmanship was very high quality. The first 5 quilts pictures below were just the ones leading up to the main house. 

Photos can been enlarged for a closer view by clicking on each picture.  

  

Koi Pond and waterfall

The owners called it the house of glass. It was recently completed by the artist's husband. In the future it is intended to be a greenhouse. But once inside as I looked at beautiful  floors and stunning wooded views I hope they'll reconsider. Looks like a wonderful reading writing/retreat to me. 

The last photo is my personal favorite. The ambiance of a woodland setting near a fire pit really caught my attention. A firecracker design-blaze of light!