Setup

Here are some photos from today's setup at Harriet Island. Hope to see you all tomorrow!

Volunteer Training

The weather was GORGEOUS for today's volunteer training on Harriet Island! Thanks to everyone who came! We're still in need of volunteers on both Saturday and Sunday next weekend, so if you're looking for a fun way to honor Earth Day, support local art, and meet some amazing people, you can click here to sign up!

Wishes for the Sky Fundraiser

Today was our annual Wishes for the Sky fundraiser.  Once again the Griffins graciously hosted our fundraiser at their beautiful home across the river from Harriet Island.  Below are some photos from this event. 

Please consider making a donation if you value Wishes for the Sky as an annual tradition for the Twin Cities.  Even a small donation of $5 will go a long way!  You can donate by clicking here.

Two new poetry scrolls by Shen Pei

Marcus translates one of the new poetry scrolls.

Marcus unveils Peter's new design for the House to Touch the Wind.

Marcus rings the gong that will be a part of the Flying of the First Wishes this year.

Wishes Ensemble 3-22-10

Lynn graciously opened her house last night for our Ensemble meeting. Unfortunately several members couldn't join us, so we kept the meeting brief.

Marcus introduced ideas he has been discussing with percussionist Marc Anderson for this year's more extensive and more participatory closing ceremony. More details on this to come.

We also briefly discussed volunteer recruitment and training, but we are saving the bulk of this conversation for our next meeting. If you are interested in volunteering please contact Kathleen at wishes@graceminnesota.org or simply click here to sign up.

A Wish From Our Eldest Minnesotan

We are pleased to announce that our oldest living Minnesotan, Ruth Anderson, 110, of Marshall, Minnesota, will be offering us a wish at our Earth Day event this year. She is also the oldest living twin in the world. We are so grateful for her participation.

Our ritual is to invite the first two wishes that fly during Wishes for the Sky's opening ceremony from the family of the firstborn in Saint Paul that morning and the eldest living person in Minnesota. Here is a short news segment about Mrs. Anderson:

The Flood Plan

We're being told that there is a chance that Harriet Island will be flooded on April 25th.  But never fear--we have an alternate location lined up should that happen!  Keep an eye on our website, blog, Facebook, or Twitter for updates.  You may also wish to join our mailing list.

Production Meeting, 3-11-10

For Thursday evening's production meeting we met with Parks staff at Harriet Island to discuss all things bamboo-related.

We chose a new location for the House to Touch the Wind (the bamboo wind-chime sculpture.)  It will now be closer to the other activities, vendors, and the Wishmaking Pavilion.  We're hoping that this will not only bring more people into the sculpture, but that money and energy will be saved by not having to use a generator to mic the wind chimes.

Amy from Public Art Saint Paul is using some of the left-over bamboo to design a new entrance for the Wishmaking Pavilion.  She discussed some of her preliminary ideas at the meeting.  Aki and Marcus also discussed how to use a few pieces of thin bamboo to create a new display for past years' wish-kites.

The tree to the left will be the new home for the House to Touch the Wind.