White Bear Center for the Arts' mission is to:
ENRICH LIVES by Celebrating Art
NOURISH IMAGINATION by Inspiring Creativity
BUILD UNDERSTANDING by Connecting People
Sue Swanson
Sue is a teacher and retreat leader who helps people find Sabbath time in their busy lives by teaching them how to practice spiritual patterns together.
She calls her work Prayercraft, which combines craftwork with different patterns of prayer. She is interested in how we can learn to use artistic creativity both individually and in a group to express our faith.
Kim Scanlan
Kim has been working with fiber arts for over 25 years, most recently in the area of punch needle rug hooking. She learned the craft from Amy Oxford, inventor of The Oxford Punch Needle and author of four books about rug hooking.
Kim is both an Oxford Certified Instructor and an Advanced Oxford Certified Instructor. She is a member of the Oxford Punch Needle Instructors Guild, Association of Traditional Rug Artists (ATHA) and the Rochester Area Rug Hookers. Kim teaches punch needle rug hooking at various venues around the state.
Jeni O'Brien
Jeni O’Brien is a ceramic artist living in Scandia, Minnesota. She studied graphic design and spent her career as a freelance designer. Her mother inscribed in her baby book: "At 6 years old, Jeni loves to do projects & is always making messes with paper scraps, yarn, tape, glue, etc."
Art & creativity have been her constant companions. She loves to explore the intersections of clay, graphic design, and problem solving through hand-building complex objects with the added challenge of pierced patterns.
What Visitors Are Saying:
“Signing up for classes at WBCA is the best thing I've done for myself in decades. Thank you for providing such a wide range of class formats and a beautiful facility to utilize.” —Mary Claire R.
“WBCA brings together a wonderful community of talented artists, many who share their knowledge, and many more who continue to build their skills. It’s an excellent place to interact with fellow artists in classes and during other events.” —Wendy S.
“WBCA is a warm, welcoming art community. The center offers a wide variety of events and classes for all artistic levels, from newcomers to experienced artists. Come, experiment and find your favorite new medium!” —Lisa S.
“We love our art center. Even if we are not creating works, we are being exposed to many types of art we have never seen and or heard of before. I always enjoy new art and the artists. The programs that are offered encompass many areas of creativity and appreciation for the arts.” —John W.