Event to be held at NYM Sculpture Park/Barn

The New York Mills Regional Cultural Center is pleased to present Celebrating Cultures, a family-friendly community art and cultural exchange event at the New York Mills Sculpture Park/Barn just off Highway 10 in NY Mills from 4-7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 22. 

Celebrating Cultures is co-presented by the Cultural Center and Niijii Radio. This year is the fourth annual cultural exchange event and we are thrilled to be working together again this year. This event is free to attend, will include both free activities and products available for purchase, and is open to all.

The Cultural Center is seeking additional cultural partners to make this a true cross-cultural exchange event; all cultures are welcome. Do you have stories, traditions, artistic practices, or cultural food to share? All those interested in positive, family-friendly, cross-cultural sharing are welcome. The Cultural Center also encourages artists, makers, and culture bearers to sell their handmade products. Call 385-3339 or email info@kulcher.org to sign up. There is no cost.

At this year’s event, organizers will continue their focus on family-friendly community art activities, demonstrations, and performances. Currently planned performances include Buffalo River Dance Troupe (Ojibwe dancing, drumming, and storytelling), Scottish Bagpipes by Ian Durkin, Taste of Colombia (traditional Colombian dance), Finnish music by Kip Peltoniemi, and Chinese dance by CHORD: Chinese Heritage Of Recreation and Dance.

Currently planned Indigenous Artists and Makers include birch bark crafts with Audrey Dahl; beading demonstration with Tracey Mason; and a lacross demonstration.

Activities/demonstrations include Brazilian culture with Lorena Roses; Finland in a Suitcase with Adam and Amy Tervola Hultberg; First Nations Collaborators’ culture, traditions and art with Bon Mott of Melbourne, Australia; Katy Olson and Lindsey Scherloum with participatory art project “Invitation to Wholeness: Lakes Country, Planet Earth;” Scribbletastic Fun-O-Matic Command Post with Artist Brad Wegscheid; the History Museum of East Otter Tail County with information about how to research your family tree; Kasha and Bonnie with Polish culture and treats; and art activities for all ages by the Cultural Center.

Food and drinks will be available for sale by Native Harvest and Taste of Colombia; other food trucks have been invited and are welcome to join this community event!

Visit www.kulcher.org/celebrating-cultures-2024/ to learn more and for the most updated list of partners and activities.

Please note, in the event of inclement weather, we plan to move this event to Wednesday, May 29. Updates will be shared on www.kulcher.org and our social media pages.

This activity is made possible in part by the voters of Minnesota through grants from Lakes Region Arts Council and the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage fund.