News Release: 10/8/2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

• Photo attached: Lanterns

Shake Rag Alley Will Host Lantern Lighting to Celebrate 20 Years! 

MINERAL POINT, Wis.—Shake Rag Alley invites the community to a Lantern Lighting on Monday, October 14 at 7:30 p.m. to celebrate 20 years of creativity and mark the successful completion of their Campus Revitalization Project. This project entailed major improvements to campus, including upgrading electrical and WiFi, and restoring fences and iconic lanterns. All these efforts make the 2.5 acre campus more accessible and welcoming for visitors, students, and instructors.

On October 14, 2004 local artists and community members founded the arts & craft nonprofit as a 501(c)(3) to enrich people’s lives through the arts. Shake Rag Alley’s mission includes providing educational experiences in visual, performing, and literary arts; a diverse catalog of workshop offerings spans options from fiber arts to blacksmithing, painting and drawing to heritage craft and mixed media, and new glassblowing in 2024. One of Shake Rag Alley’s first programs was an after-school youth program, and that focus continues with a summer Youth Program featuring classes June through mid-August, including a community-supported Free Arts Camp. Essential to Shake Rag Alley’s mission is cultivating the creativity that thrives in the rural community. In addition to drawing on the creative community of Mineral Point and Iowa County for artist-teachers, programming like the Alley Stage Reading Series, Makers & Shakers Art Party, artist residencies, and free events like the recent Fiber Faire during Cornish Fest fulfill that aspect of the mission. 

Rehabilitating and preserving the historic buildings and rustic campus is also key to the nonprofit’s mission. Improvements to the 1840’s Coach House this year (supported by a Core Grant from the Dubuque Racing Association), as well as the Campus Revitalization Project evidence continuing commitment to mission. Grants from the Iowa County Outdoor Recreation for Tourism and the Mineral Point Community Foundation provided support for the comprehensive project campus project, and additional community support came from the Lions Club, Mineral Point Kiwanis, and Wisconsin Electric. Individual donors, lantern sponsors, and a donor match were instrumental to the success of the 20th Campaign. 

Shake Rag Alley Center for the Arts is gratified and grateful for the community that supports it. The Lantern Lighting will be sweet and full of cheer as the organization celebrates the past twenty years, and illuminates the future. 

More information available at https://shakeragalley.org/. To be a part of the 20th year celebration, see https://shakeragalley.org/support/.

Upcoming Events at Shake Rag Alley 

NEA Big Read Reading | October 10 | Mineral Point Public Library

Join us at the Mineral Point Public Library to discuss Kao Kalia Yang's The Latehomecomer, as part of the NEA Big Read. Focusing on the theme of Where We Live, discussions will engage with Yang's memoir about her family's story—and the story of the Hmong people—their immigration to Minnesota when Yang was six years old, and their transition to life in America. We'll talk about complex notions of identity, family, migration, immigration, and home, and consider what stories we may have to tell as well.

Alley Stage Reading Series: "ITCH" by DC Cathro | October 12 

Our fourth annual Alley Stage Reading Series concludes with Chicago, IL playwright DC Cathro's, ITCH. About ITCH: Richard comes home to his mother, his twin, and their new boarder after years of being institutionalized for his never-ending itch. This reading will be followed by a talkback session and reception. For more information about DC and the Alley Stage Reading Series, see https://shakeragalley.org/alley-stage.

Makers & Shakers Art Party: Pumpkin Carving | October 16

Calling all volunteers! We need your help getting ready for A Ghostly Gathering—join us for a pumpkin carving party to light up our campus with flickering fun and ghoulish smiles. We’ll bring the pumpkins and tools, and you bring the creativity. Free.

A Ghostly Gathering | October 26

Celebrate Halloween at Shake Rag Alley’s fourth annual A Ghostly Gathering on Oct. 26. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. for a freakishly fun fall evening (with a lean toward spectacle and the sideshow) featuring live music with Feast of Mutton, a Fire Show with fire breathing & angle grinding with Miss Mega and fire dancing with Natalie Heck, Night Market, food trucks, magic, carnival games & more. Advance tickets $25. Vendor spots available. 

Trick ‘R Treat | October 31 

If you are a kid or want to act like a kid – put on your wildest costume and come to Shake Rag Alley! Children of all ages will meet friendly (not scary) costumed characters who will be passing out Halloween treats at each of the Shake Rag historic buildings. This Mineral Point tradition is enjoyable for the whole family and a way to meet so many other free spirits and check out their wacky get-ups. 5-7PM

For more information and updates throughout the year, see www.ShakeRagAlley.org, call (608) 987-3292, subscribe to twice-monthly e-newsletters and follow Shake Rag Alley on Facebook and Instagram.

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About Shake Rag Alley Center for the Arts

A nonprofit school of arts and crafts founded in 2004 by local artists and community members, Shake Rag Alley’s 2.5-acre campus at 18 Shake Rag St. in Mineral Point (population 2,500) is a national destination for participants of adult workshops, a robust summer youth program and a host of annual special events. In addition, Shake Rag offers on-site lodging and custom facility rentals for meetings, events and celebrations. For additional information about Shake Rag Alley’s workshops and events, or to request a catalog and information about facility rentals and volunteer opportunities, see www.ShakeRagAlley.org or call (608) 987-3292.