Every June, the Delano Sculpture and Blues Fest draws community members to engage in art, music and fellowship along the Crow River in Delano, Minnesota. Delano Area Council for Arts and Culture board member Sarah Hellmich shares how the event got started.
Transcript
Opening: This is Minnesota’s Legacy: A look at the organizations and people who have benefitted from Minnesota’s unique Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment
Amira Warren-Yearby: A giant dream catcher, a towering 7-foot tall dragonfly made out of welded steel and a few blues bands.
Sounds of windchime, insect wings and a blues band
Helmick: There's families and young kids, and they're learning about the value of public art a very important part of a healthy community.
Warren-Yearby: That’s Sarah Hellmich, treasurer of the Delano Area Council for Arts and Culture describing the 4th annual Sculpture and Blues Festival held in historic downtown Delano.
Helmick: “And we had a fabulous turnout and it didn't help that the weather was absolutely perfect too”
Warren-Yearby: It all started as a sculpture walk…
Helmick: “after the first year of just the sculpture walk, we decided we needed to make it a festival.
Warren-Yearby: Sarah says they added music, a makers market, food trucks!
Helmick: and vola, you have a festival!
Festival sound
Warren-Yearby: Thanks to support from the Minnesota Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund, the review committee can select 12 sculptures:7 for the sculpture park and 5 for various downtown locations.
Helmick: It's a great way to bring people to Delano from the Twin Cities and around the area to support our local artists and our local businesses.
Warren-Yearby: Find more information at delano mn arts dot org.
Closing: Minnesota’s Legacy is a production of AMPERS, with support from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, more at ampers dot org.

