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    The art and talent of Longville artist Tom Kutschied will be featured at a reception at the Jaques Art Center in Aitkin on Saturday, March 2nd from noon to 3 p.m. A second reception will be held April 6th from 3 to 5 p.m. The theme “From Sea to Shining Sea” will feature nearly 70 original works of art by Kutschied for sale and viewing. Meet and greet with Tom, shop and enjoy refreshments and an artist talk. The Jaques is open from Tuesday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free. Tom’s works will be on display from March 1 through April 20th.

   “This exhibit is meant to honor our nation through my artwork by featuring paintings showing wonders of our great country in landscapes and wildlife, with a bit of patriotism thrown in,” Kutschied said in a news release. “I hope to have displayed, in some way, how I feel about the beauty of our country from sea to shining sea.”

   Anyone familiar with downtown Longville has seen Tom’s donations to his community through window murals throughout town. Tom is involved with the VFW, the Longville Turtle Races, the Chamber of Commerce, Longville Area Community Foundation, and others he can squeeze into his busy schedule. Some paintings he donates to auction off, the community garden barn, the Longville turtle race boat and more. “It doesn’t feel like volunteering to me. You would do this kind of stuff for your family.”

   Tom’s favorite medium is oil and his favorite subjects are anything in nature. Birds, lakes, sunsets and his entries to the DNR stamp contests. His artwork has placed top 10 on several occasions. Two years ago, one of his paintings won the open class competition in Grand Marais. He also won an open class 90 minute quick paint at the same event.

   The Jaques Art Center is located at 121 2nd St. NW in Aitkin, in the shadow of the water tower.

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