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Students create Northfield Arts Guild documentary

By Linnae Stole '10
April 29, 2009

For the third year in a row, St. Olaf students have partnered with the Northfield Historical Society to create a documentary highlighting an aspect of the local community. The final product of this year's partnership, The Northfield Arts Guild: 50 Years in the Making, will premiere Thursday, April 30, at 6:30 p.m. in Buntrock Commons, Viking Theater.

NAGDocumentary
The co-producers of the project, Stephen Anderson '09 and Rachel Woldum '09, were drawn to the opportunity to work on the documentary because of their interest in film and media. Anderson is an American studies major with a concentration in media studies, and Woldum is an English and film theory major with a concentration in women's studies.

The documentary highlights the history of the Northfield Arts Guild over time, focusing in particular on the involvement of local residents who have contributed to its success over the decades. "This has truly been a community effort. The guild has lasted as long as it has because of the outstanding support and dedication from the people of Northfield," Woldum says. A group of housewives who were seeking an outlet for their creativity started the guild in the 1950s, she explains. This organization is particularly unique in comparison to other arts guilds because it encompasses all five artistic pursuits: dance, visual arts, music, writing and theater. The guild provides lessons and workshops in each area of the arts, as well as venues for public showings, including art fairs, theater productions, dance performances, and poetry readings.

The production of the documentary is part of the Northfield Historical Society's continuing efforts to connect students with the local community. It will be premiered on campus to allow Anderson and Woldum to talk about their work in a familiar setting. It will also be shown at the Northfield Arts Guild's 50-year celebration later in the year.

Preserving history
The Northfield Historical Society has been in existence since 1975 and is dedicated to preserving, interpreting and honoring the unique history of the local community. The organization actively serves the area by offering presentations of Northfield history, educational programs, special historical events, exhibits, and a library and archives. Previous St. Olaf student collaborations with the Northfield Historical Society include a 2008 documentary on the infamous story of Ytterboe the dog a 2007 feature on a local woman who wrote to soldiers stationed abroad during World War II.

Contact Kari VanDerVeen at 507-786-3970 or vanderve@stolaf.edu.