Since 1952, the Minnetonka Center for the Arts has been showing people of all ages how to make art a part of everyday life, and the next few months are packed with events to keep the community busy.

Bruce Camp, communications director for the Minnetonka Center for the Arts, said studio classes and workshops are scheduled year-round for adults, teens and children of all experience and skill levels.

“There’s lots of activity here,” Camp said.  “From our classes to exhibits and events—people like coming here.”

Today from 6–8 p.m., the Center’s Faculty Show is having a reception at the Minnetonka Center for the Arts.

“People can meet the faculty artists involved with the Minnetonka Center for the Arts and celebrate the beginning of another year of art,” said Camp.

Over the last couple months, visitors to the Minnetonka Center for the Arts have been able to check out the work of artist Suzanne Carnes. Carnes ignited her career as an artist in the studios of the MCA.

“Just as her talent was gaining recognition, (Suzanne) died of cancer on Dec. 17, 2010,” Camp said.

A retrospective exhibition of Carnes work, tracing her artistic evolution over 20 years, was on display at the MCA through June.

Over the next few months, MCA visitors can check out exhibits featuring local artists, including the “Landscape Show” and the “Arts of the Holidays Show and Sale”.

“We’ll also have more than a dozen exhibits of our artists on display at Ridgedale Center,” said Camp. “The art is located throughout public spaces in Ridgedale, bringing the excitement of art right into the heart of daily life.  We’re excited to have an opportunity to showcase the work of our member artists and build awareness of the work we do in the community.”

Through the month of September, local residents can participate in a public art lecture with artist and Twin Cities native, Mark Balma.  Balma resides in Assisi, Italy, where he has completed several pieces of art in churches such as the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli and the Basilica di Santa Chiara.

“Mark is in Minnesota for a few weeks this summer, and we are delighted he is interested in sharing his skills and experience, by presenting his new lecture at the Art Center,” said MCA adult program director Holly Nelson. “Mark had a brief tenure as an instructor here at the Art Center from 1978-1979. Now, he has come full circle returning to his home town with a wealth of accumulated experience in the rare traditional art form of fresco painting.”

The MCA is located on North Shore Drive in Wayzata and is funded through membership fees, donations, grants, art sales, as well as class fees.

“The Arts Center is open all year round to the public, and no membership fee is required,” said Camp.  

The Minnetonka Center for the arts will have a public open house from 1-4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 1. Visitors will have a chance to go tour the art center, take in demonstrations, check out a gallery show and more.

For more information about the Minnetonka Center for the Arts, call (952) 473-7361 (ext. 17), or go to www.minnetonkaarts.org.