Art Park Events: Music, Donuts, Little Free Library

Thanks to Cherokee Service for their support.

Last year a new sculpture came to West St. Paul’s Art Park at the corner of Oakdale and Butler, and this year the art continues with several planned events over the next month. The events include a mini concert, a free donut breakfast, and the installation of a locally made Little Free Library.

Hues and Views

Local musicians Susan Miranda and Brian Handeland are putting on a mini concert at the art park on Friday, September 10 at 6:30 p.m. They are an oboe and saxophone duet, known as the BS Project, will premiere new music by Japanese composer Yu Tsuruku and American composer Sy Brandon, as well as new orchestrations of existing works by Twin Cities based composers Katherine Bergman and Daniel Nass.

This will be the first of serveral mini concerts for the BS Project.

Bring a chair or blanket and settle in for a free concert (though donations are greatly appreciated).

August 27 Update: Canceled for rain. Stay tuned for a rescheduled date.

September 2 Update: Rescheduled for Friday, September 10.

Donuts at the Park Food Drive

West St. Paul’s beloved Granny Donuts may have closed in 2020, but we can still pay homage to the most celebrated (and sometimes reviled) shop in town with the upcoming Donuts at the Park Food Drive. When Granny Donuts shut down, local artist Carolyn Swiszcz picked up the tables and chairs at auction. The memorable seating will make an outdoor appearance on Saturday, September 11 from 9 to noon along with free donuts (alas, they won’t be Granny Donuts).

Stop by to meet neighbors, play games, take photos, and—of course—enjoy a free donut. Bring a nonperishable food item to donate to Neighbors Inc.

Little Free Library

Finally, there’s an effort to bring a Little Free Library to the Art Park. Local artist Travis Olson has been commissioned to create a custom library. The unique library will feature the usual books as well as art supplies such as sidewalk chalk.

There is a GoFundMe campaign to help cover expenses.

An installation event hasn’t been planned yet, but look for it later this fall.

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