Caponi Art Park Medieval Fair 2011

Caponi Art Park Medieval Fair 2011

Caponi Art Park Medieval Fair 2011

If you are from the south east metro region of the twin cities you have to be at least slightly familiar with the Caponi Art Park http://www.caponiartpark.org .
If you are not familiar, let me bring you up to speed.

Caponi Art Park Medieval Fair 2011

Caponi Art Park Medieval Fair 2011

Caponi Art Park provides opportunities for reflective experiences as well as active participation in a variety of programs. The Art Park welcomes over 15,000 visitors each year. Visitors enjoy a quiet and peaceful atmosphere as they walk the trails and take in the art. The Art Park’s most prominent features include miles of wooded walking trails, a one-of-a-kind Sculpture Garden and the Theater in the Woods outdoor amphitheater.

A 60-acre sculpture in itself, the Art Park serves as a backdrop to cultural programs and educational offerings. Programs include the Summer Performance Series, Family Fun Tuesdays, Shakespeare Festival, Medieval Fair, Poets in the Park and Guided Tours.

Caponi Art Park Medieval Fair 2011

Caponi Art Park Medieval Fair 2011

This park is the life work of Antonio Caponi.


Caponi was born in 1921 in Pretare, Italy, a tiny village in the Appennine Mountains on the Adriatic coast. The rugged surroundings had a deep impact on him and a profound influence on his work. The story of these early years is told in Caponi’s lyrical book, Voice from the Mountains (Nodin Press 2010). Caponi came to Minnesota in 1946 to study at the Walker Art Center School and later at the University of Minnesota where he earned his M.Ed. As a student Caponi exhibited his work alongside his teachers and the Minneapolis Institute of Art purchased two of his sculptures.

While a student, Caponi made the first of his many contributions to the field of art. He rediscovered how to cast metal using the Lost-Wax Process by reading Benvenuto Cellini’s autobiography in its original medieval Italian. Once a tightly held secret, Caponi successfully introduced the process to the community for others to use. Consequently, he built the first metal foundry in a school while teaching at Macalester College. An example of the Lost-Wax Process can be found at Caponi Art Park in the sculpture Pompeii.

Caponi Art Park Medieval Fair 2011

Caponi Art Park Medieval Fair 2011

So in our midst we have this artist, this Renaissance man and it is he and his organization that put on the annual Medieval Fair. The Medieval Fair is an annual educational living-history program presented by the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) Barony of Nordskogen chapter that brings the Middle Ages to life. SCA is an international nonprofit devoted to the study of the Middle Ages and Renaissance.

Caponi Art Park Medieval Fair 2011

Caponi Art Park Medieval Fair 2011

The Barony of Nordskogen chapter is the active chapter of the SCA in the Twin Cities and surrounding area. Its members make education about the Middle Ages a priority and share their knowledge through historically accurate re-creations, demonstrations and classes.
At this event there were authentic pavilions on display in a Medieval Village as SCA members in period dress presented educational demonstrations and activities to the public, which included rapier and armored combat, music and dance, weaponry and armorers, storytelling Bards, jugglers, cooking, period games, heraldry, bone carving, fiber arts, and other arts and skills.

Caponi Art Park Medieval Fair 2011

Caponi Art Park Medieval Fair 2011

While this particular event is not as big as the annual Renaissance Festival in Shakopee MN, it was certainly a great way to spend the afternoon. So if you have not been to Caponi Art Park, get out to the park, it is a wonderful regional treasure. And, put on your list for next fall to get out to the Caponi Art Park Medieval Fair.

Caponi Art Park Medieval Fair 2011

Caponi Art Park Medieval Fair 2011

Learn more about Anthony Caponi

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About waynem

As a Minnesota based photographer and artist I have been greatly influenced by the Upper Midwest. I focus my skills and energies on portraits, landscapes, cityscapes, architectural and fine art work. My best work comes from images first painted in my mind. I mull over a prospective image for weeks or months, seeing it from different angles and perspectives, then finally deciding what to capture. The result is images that deeply touch people's emotions and powerfully evoke memories and dreams. My images are used commercially by companies and organizations ranging from Financial Services firms, mom and pop Ice Cream shops and The Basilica of St Mary to communicate their shared vision and values. Book and magazine publishers have featured my images on their covers. My photographs also grace and enhance the decor of many fine homes.
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4 Responses to Caponi Art Park Medieval Fair 2011

  1. Leif Hagen says:

    Great snaps of the Medieval Fair at Caponi Art Park last weekend, Wayne!

    • Error: Unable to create directory wp-content/uploads/2024/03. Is its parent directory writable by the server? waynem says:

      Wow Lief you are right on it. 🙂
      Thanks so much, it was a great event, and a perfect day.

      I was hoping to run into you over there.
      I trust you got some great shots?

  2. Bob says:

    So, what kind of guitar was the guy play’n? Honestly, the best photographs of guitars always include the builder’s label – which is found inside the sound hole. How else are we supposed to know how good the guy is?

    • Error: Unable to create directory wp-content/uploads/2024/03. Is its parent directory writable by the server? waynem says:

      Bob,
      While I have failed in my duties to get all of the details on the guitar, I did manage to determine that the strings were not authentic cat gut strings. So that ruined the whole shot for me.

      Next time I will get all the details inside the guitar… 🙂
      Or, you should be out shotting with me so you can help me with those details.. 🙂

      When are we getting out walking dude???

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