Northfield on Independence Day

I will publish a series of articles to record the happenings in Northfield. To be honest, I initially attempted to participate in the local events not because of interest but the confusion of not knowing what to write about in the weekly blog. That’s when I started to roam around the neighborhood seeking for something fun. To my surprise, it offered me a brand new perspective in learning about this town but also learning about myself. 

My impression of Northfield used to only rest on several restaurants and coffee shops downtown. Northfield seemed to be only a quiet small town that surrounded Carleton and it was only Carleton that occupied the center of my life. However, my summer time here allowed me to really assimilate into the local lifestyle. One discovery is that Northfield is not as quiet or dreary as people might assume but a thriving and lively place, especially on Saturdays. 

Morning: Northfield Arts Guild 

I wandered around downtown on Saturday July 4th, which is also Independence Day. In the morning, I watched an exhibition in the Arts Guild. This was my first visit. I was actually first attracted by the banner that they would host a light show at night, and then I found they were also hosting an exhibition. The Northfield Arts Guild is the local center for visual arts where artists are invited to host exhibitions all year round and various arts classes including ceramics and clay are open to the public. I love its purple exterior. Although it was only a small building instead of a gallery, when you walk inside, you will be attracted to the colorful mosaic ceramic tiles and delicate pendants or glasswares in the giftshop by the window. Walking up the staircase, a clear space under warm yellow light is presented to you. 

This is the main gallery. They were hosting an arts exhibition called Unquieted Landscapes hosted by two British artists, Amelia Wykes and Andrew Wykes. These drawings presented landscapes in different textures and colors: some were painted with watercolor and reminded me of Impressionism (please correct me if I am wrong, I am not an Art History major); some were more abstract and used mainly black lines; and some were sketchy with light colors embellished. I really love the concepts of this exhibition. On the brochure, Amelia wrote: “The feeling of space becomes primary when the individual objects within it lose their names. These items become lights, shapes, and color, capturing a moment and a relationship rather than a series of recognizable objects”. This reminded me of the concept of phenomenology which I learned in the existential philosophy class in spring term. It is a great rediscovery of our own sensual experience and language system. It rejects the fixed and inanimate categorization and labeling of objects, but embraces how objects present themselves in the transience of changing light, wind, or mood and discrepancy that cannot be captured by the existing language system. In these transience and discrepancies, the scenes themselves grow and gain new lives. 

The upper gallery was also open and presented more casual artworks created by Guild staff which did not have a central theme. I love the visuals created in different materials and techniques including Polaroid emulsion lift, stencils on fabric, fused glass, and ceramic plates with glaze. On the second floor I also found the ceramics classroom and an artistic rubbish bin. 

Noon: Riverwalk Market Fair

After visiting the arts guild, I walked along the way to Bridge Square where every Saturday during summer the Riverwalk Market Fair is held. The market fair invites local farmers and artisans to sell their products and provides a different mix of musical entertainment and special events. The market fair shows the thriving side of Northfield. I loved how the market fair connected the whole community together, the hospitality when farmers and artisans introduced their fresh and handmade products, the great foods which you can taste only in the market, and the melodious tune from the guitar that hovered around the waterfall.

However, the first stand that attracted me did not sell foods or handwares but books. It was a high school student who sold books he wrote himself. He said these books were based on different worldviews and styles: some were sci-fi, and some were of a Medieval fantasy style. I appreciated his creativity and humor and joined his mailing list. Maybe the next time I see him he will bring his new book. I also met a stand owner called Sam who was selling his homemade Korean hot sauce. I loved the spicy, sweet, smoky flavor so I bought one bottle and it became a flavor catalyst when I added it with mayo into my self-made tuna sauce (Maybe I should write a blog later on all the pasta sauces I made). There were also stands that sell hot dogs, coffee beans, steaks, ceramic bowls, drawings, etc. 

Night: Light Show 

Do you remember the light show I mentioned earlier? At night, behind the Arts Guild and Little Joy Coffee, the riverside was decorated with beautiful lights. Families brought their kids and dogs to gather around the riverside, listening to the zumba music by the local bands and DJ, and enjoy the ice cream provided by Tacos El Sitio. Kids put on face paints and had fun. When I stared at the Cannon River under the afterglow of the setting sun, the scene was reminiscent of the river by which I grew up and witnessed my growth for nineteen years. I conceived the river as both a stagnant and dynamic symbol. The river is stagnant as it is a reservoir of memories and emotions; it is dynamic as it is always flowing and symbolizes the trajectory of life’s journey. I could relate to Northfielders’ love for the river. It was the river that connected us together. I would call that feeling the sense of belonging. 

Daniel Yao (he/him/his) is a sophomore international student from Shanghai, China. He is primarily attracted to Carleton because his favorite animal is a penguin, which is also the official mascot of Carleton. He plans to major in Philosophy and Cognitive Science and he loves the trimester plan of Carleton which allows him to explore the intersection between learning science, human mind, and artificial intelligence. On campus, you can usually find Daniel working as a Chinese tutor in the Language Center (LDC), studying with friends in Sayles, or taking a walk in the Arb. When he is not in class, he likes to enjoy coffee and scones in Goodbye Blue Monday or cycle in the Division St. Next fall term, Daniel will work as the student assistant  for AI at Carleton.