Folksy artist finds focus in multiple forays
Alumni spotlight: An interview with local artist Anne Lies

-- Kristin Johnson

I sat down with Anne Lies, a former editor of The Metropolitan newspaper, in front of Nina’s Coffee Shop in the Cathedral Hill neighborhood of St. Paul. It didn’t surprise me that Anne wanted to sit outside, regardless of the ninety-degree temperature we had that day. This is because Anne, like her musical group The Mila Vocal Ensemble, is drawn toward things European. And what is more European than sitting at a sidewalk café?

Anne’s main artistic focus right now is Mila, a group she’s been performing with since 1990. Mila’s a cappella ensemble, consisting of seven members, boasts reproductions of vocal music of over 30 countries, and has earned them national acclaim.

This year, the group has appeared twice on the popular radio show “A Prairie Home Companion,” hosted by Garrison Keillor. They performed on the live radio broadcast once when the show traveled to Duluth, and joined Keillor once in Chicago for a performance at the Ravinia Festival. The group has been invited back again for another show this fall. Currently, Mila is planning a tour of the British Isles and relishes the chance to challenge itself with learning music in some of the Celtic languages.

In addition to singing with Mila since 1990, Anne has studied jazz and classical singing. But Anne says her musical career stems from experiences way further back than that. In fact, Anne began performing when she was just six years old in front of her family home in South Minneapolis. Her first stage was their sidewalk.

In December of 2003, Anne graduated from Metropolitan State University with a degree in Writing. Since then, Anne has begun work as a freelance writer and also teaches elementary special education.

In addition to singing and writing, this emerging artist is an avid photographer. Her work has been displayed on the “Double Dare Press” Web site, as well as several local galleries. To see Anne’s photography, visit the “Double Dare Press” archive pages (http://www.doubledarepress.com).

To sample Mila’s vocal music, go to http://www.milavocalensemble.com. You can also purchase CDs online or at Barnes and Noble and The Electric Fetus.

Currently, Anne is working with the Outsiders and Others Gallery in South Minneapolis. They concentrate on “outsider art,” meaning self-taught artists or others who are not part of the mainstream and also emerging artists. Visit them online at http://www.outsidersandothers.org.

Here are a few words from Anne Lies, in her own words:

Kristin Johnson(KJ): Artistically, you seem to delve into several different media: writing, singing and photography, to name a few. Where do you devote most of your energy currently and how do you see this changing/evolving in the future?

Anne Lies(AL): Here is where I would usually insert some remark about having an attention deficit. I have always had a strong creative impulse and a boatload of interests and hobbies, which have resulted in a closetful of UFOs (UnFinished Objects). While I was in school, I tried to be very focused and apply myself only to writing—and spent a fair amount of time chiding myself for not being more disciplined. When I started taking photography classes a little voice chimed in, Don’t do it! You don’t need another distraction! But making photos has turned out to be one of my most satisfying and challenging forays into visual art. As a bonus, it’s completely compatible with writing! I’m currently working to fashion a professional and creative life that draws on as many of my interests as possible, rather than hounding myself into focusing on just one thing.

KJ: If you could change something about your time as a student, what would it be?

AL: You mean besides starting it about ten years sooner?

I would have taken greater advantage of the resources that the university has to offer. I know full well how life goes as a working student: Eat (when you can), sleep (but probably not enough), and work, work, go to class, work, try to spend time with your family, work and work. My experience of school changed considerably once I got involved at the newspaper. I definitely felt more a part of the campus community. While that was very satisfying, I know there were great opportunities, events and resources I missed out on. I wish I had used MSU less like a commuter campus and more like a residential college.

KJ: What advice do you have for students at Metro in taking their art and bringing it to the broader community once they graduate?

AL: Do your research. There are zillions of local and national resources for artists. However, some are more useful than others, and the only way you’ll be able to judge is by taking the time to find them and then examine them with a critical eye. I know it sounds about as revolutionary as yesterday’s oatmeal, but the oft-recommended informational interview is a great tool. It’s also a perfect way to accomplish my next point, which is network, network, network. The Twin Cities is a small community, but it’s not like word about your work will get around all on its own. Lots of brilliant artists have died in obscurity, so even though it sometimes feels risky, you gotta toot your own horn, baby. It’s all about the horn.

To read the complete interview with Anne Lies, visit the “Haute Dish” Web site at http://hautedish.metrostate.edu.

The Metropolitan Home || Calendar || Commentary || Masthead || Contact
Metropolitan State University Homepage

All material © Metropolitan 2005, except as noted. All rights reserved.