2002-06-05 P & R Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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.' Art Department at the University of Minnesota, MiMeapolis alms to reach beyond the surface formal aspects of the visual in her work. Says the artist of, her work, "By working in oppositlon to the traditional conceptions of pattern as merely beautiful omamentation, I hope that it will become aesier to see how pattern not only enhances our dally lives, but also marks and defines our class and gender: In the paintings of Alexis Kuhr, the world is a c:oncoc:tion of fractured images - dots, lines, morsels of color, light, and dark. Artist Jeannine Spooner Kitzhaber brings the viewer a fresh look at objects usually tied to domesticity. Aprons, pickles, and bowls of fMJit, evoke a significance beyond the mundane. Juxtapositions of dress forms with references to "high" art are playful meditatoins on the tl'Cll'\Sient, speculative, nature of art and the weight and heft of womanly practicality as represented by the female form. Kitzhaber's two and three-dimensional objects are finely crafted, multi- layered works which make use of a variety of unexpected materials. "Stilt Life With Fruit" is a plaster cast and mixed media. "When you look at CII'I image that's based on a familiar painting or sculpture taken out of context and placed in another familiar but ", surprising milieu, something shifts. rm interested in how perceptions of both worlds change and how one affects ~he other; how the inherent meaning in objects and what they traditionally represent can be altered; says the artist, Kitzhaber, who resides in Coon Rapids, works out of the Rossmoor building in St.Paul. She teaches and works as part-time art programs coordinator at BLCA and as Q research technician for the University of Minnesota. An opening reception was held for the artists . on Friday, April 26 from 7 to 9 pm. The event and exhibition are fee and open to the public. Please call the Center at 763-574-1850 for more information. Center hours are Tuesday through Saturday 10 am to 4 pm. Oak Wilt Control Generates Firewood Oak wilt (CeratocystJs fagaearum) Is an unfortunate tree disease that causes frequent and widespread mortaUty among various species of oak trees throughout the United States In a region primarily delimited by Minnesota, Texas, South CaroUna, and Pennsylvania. Approximately 20 species of oak and also OtInese chestnut are considered to be susceptible to oak wilt Species In the red oak group are more susceptible to the disease relative to those species In the white oak group which have proven to be more resistant Anoka County Is especially wlnerable to oak wilt disease because of the abundant oak forests In the landscape which are dominated by species of the red oak group such as northern pin oak and northern red oak. The oak wilt fungus enters the host tree through a bark penetrating wound between April and June and once the fungus enters the tree It can rapidly spread through the roots and Infect surrounding oak trees that share a common root system. Within the Anoka County Parks System, several (100 - 300) oak trees are lost each year due to oak wilt The Infected trees var.y In size from 2 Inches up to approximately 30 Inches In diameter. In 2001, an exceptionally high level of Infection was recorded with a total of 2n oaks that were Identified as dying from oak wilt disease. The Parks and Reaeation Department practices the best known management prescription to control oak wUt which Involves severing the root systems between Infected trees and the healthy trees to prevent further underground spread of the disease. To prevent the overland spread, pruning and or construction that may cause wounds Is avoided between April and July due to the w1nerable Inoculation window. In addition, the proper sanitation If oak wood that has potential to produce spores Is a~ a aitical element to reduce the threat of overland spread during the spring months. In 2001, an,exceptional high level ofin1ection was recorded. ' Page s