By Unsie Zuege

They’re hoping for clear skies and mild weather. Monica Hartman
of Victoria and her business
partner Cathy Jo Menssen of Waconia are hosting the Victoria Bayfront Art Fair
this Saturday. The art fair will take place along the land and amphitheatre
that front Stieger Lake
in downtown Victoria.

The art fair will feature artists from the area—potters,
photographers, jewelers, and carvers are among those who will display and sell
their work.

Hartman and Menssen seem like long-time friends. They share a
love for creating and appreciating art, making beautiful objects and expressing
themselves through knitting, pottery, jewelry and tile making. As they sit and
have coffee at the Mocha Monkey coffee shop in downtown Waconia, it’s apparent
they are on the same creative wavelength. So it’s surprising to learn that
they’ve only been acquainted since the start of the summer.

Hartman met Menssen’s this summer during Menssen’s Summer Art Celebration.
Hartman  introduced herself and suggested
that Menssen consider opening a similar shop in Victoria.
Hartman explained that her husband Terry is a developer. He is currently
working on a proposal that would be located on the waterfront of Stieger
Lake in downtown Victoria.
The development would include retail space, possibly a restaurant and office
space. Hartman could easily see how an art gallery like Expressive Arts could
enhance the mix of retail in the future development.

Menssen is a potter and tile maker. She frames many of her
colorful tiles in reclaimed lumber. Menssen opened Expressive Arts two years
ago, and she sells the artwork of more than 47 artisans, artists and
craftspeople. Her sensibility embraces the elements—colors, textures and themes
are from nature, earthy, rustic and natural. “Everything here is one of kind,”
Menssen said. “Each artist that I carry is handpicked and I make sure that
their art works well with the other artists here. Many of them collaborate on
pieces.”

 Menssen was intrigued by
Hartman’s suggestion, and she recognized in Hartman the same vision, passion
for art and craftsmanship that fires her creativity and vision. “And as we
talked more and more it seemed like the perfect partnership,” Menssen said.