August 20, 2024 (Mankato, MN)—The GSR Fine Art Festival—a Greater Mankato Thanksgiving weekend tradition—has been brought into the portfolio of programming of Twin River Council for the Arts. For the past 21 years, GSR has been the only juried art festival in the region and has grown to featuring 90+ artists, authors and musicians and become an annual destination event for art lovers throughout the area.

GSR was founded by local metal and jewelry artists, including Sacha Bliese, who had been co-directing with her father, Tom Bliese. Tom passed away unexpectedly in December—just two weeks after the 2023 show—leaving Sacha to consider the next move for the festival. Ultimately, she looked to Twin Rivers—which had co-created ShopArtMidwest.com with GSR and has supported the festival as its fiscal sponsor—to become the permanent home for GSR.

“The show is being transferred from my overloaded arms to the out-stretched arms of the board, staff, volunteers and supporters at Twin Rivers. They are committed to continuing GSR and all the special elements that makes GSR an artist friendly, quality experience.” says Sacha Bliese.

Plans are well underway for this year’s festival scheduled for November 30 and December 1, 2024. Bliese will serve as director of the 2024 festival. The intent is to retain the GSR artists and volunteers who have been with the festival while building on Tom’s legacy and the hard work of all who have been involved. Artist and author applications are now being accepted at gsrfineartfestival.com through 9.1.24.

Twin Rivers has recruited new backing for GSR with The Marian Anderson Fund of the Mankato Area Foundation coming on as this year’s presenting sponsor. Anderson’s work will be showcased at the festival plus her prints and books will be available for purchase through the Blue Earth County Historical Society.

“We are thrilled to be utilizing the Marian Anderson Fund to support the GSR Fine Arts Festival. Marian’s legacy is not only her art but her desire to give back to this area, into perpetuity. By establishing her fund with the Mankato Area Foundation, she made a commitment to inspire and promote the arts. I think she would love that the GSR Fine Art Festival not only features professional artists, but also showcases new and emerging artists,” says Nancy Zallek, President and CEO of Mankato Area Foundation.

###

About Twin Rivers Council for the Arts
Twin Rivers Council for the Arts is a collaborative alliance of local arts and cultural organizations, individual artists and community members who share a vision for the arts in Greater Mankato. Twin Rivers serves as a unifying voice, advocating for and connecting arts groups to the community by providing services and shared resources to creatives throughout southern Minnesota

Media Contact:
Amy Klugherz
Twin Rivers Council for the Arts
[email protected]
507-508-7165