The Walker Shop and mnartists.org are pleased to present the Summer 2012 season of local artist made wares for mnartists.marketplace. Starting tomorrow, Friday May 18, these objects will be available at the Walker Shop and online!
mnartists.marketplace is a mini-store within the Walker Shop devoted to the presentation and sales of local art, artistic wares, and art inspired objects. In addition to inviting artists to submit designs for a twice-annual juried call, mnartists.marketplace offers a curated rotating selection of local artist-made wares.
Here’s a little more about the Summer 2012 mnartists.marketplace artists and their work:
Scott & Dave Meyer, Meyer and Sons Design
Chanhassen and Cottage Grove, MN
http://www.quarterhorseracinggame.com/
Brothers Scott and Dave Meyer are originally from Austin, Minnesota. They currently reside in Chanhassen and Cottage Grove respectfully. Throughout their lives, they learned the value of working together. Thus, a couple of years ago, they started Meyer & Sons Design L.L.P and launched the Quarter Horse Racing Game.
Growing up they would play a version of the horse game with family at holiday gatherings. It was on a large home-made board and the pieces were stored in a zip top bag. While looking for a version of their own, they noticed all the ones for sale were large and cheaply made imports. After many drawings and numerous prototypes they finally landed on what is sold here today. They partnered with local artists Tim Pawelk and John Cassady (Buffalo, MN) for the millwork and laser etch detail. You may recognize Tim’s laser craftsmanship at Target Field. The boards are then assembled in Cottage Grove in Dave’s garage. In two years they’ve sold almost 400 games; everywhere from Minnesota to Canada and even Ireland
Andy Larson, Trash Bags
Minneapolis, MN
http://trashmessengerbags.com/about-us/
Trash Bags is a Minneapolis based bagsmith owned and operated by Andy Larson, a decade long Minneapolis bike messenger. Established in 2008, Trash Bags strives to not only make tough, durable items valued for their practical use, but also to take those items of utility and turn them into a vehicle for expression using a multitude of custom color options and, often, full appliqué art. Handmade, one by one in a NorthLoop warehouse space, you can spot Trash Bags by the distinctive hand stitched Trash logo on the streets of Minneapolis, but also scattered on the backs of cyclists across the country and world.
Luci Kandler, Celebi
Minneapolis, MN
http://fauxpoco.blogspot.com/
Celebi is the new label for Twin Cities designer Luci Kandler. The name comes from an old Turkish adventurer who was known for writing about his travels with great detail, but also with a flair for storytelling that now makes it hard to tell truth from fiction. He signifies the way Luci feels about exploring the world through print design and using it to re-tell a story. The scientific, historic, and story-like screen prints that appear on Celebi products are drawn by hand and printed in small quantities at Faux Poco studios.
The imagery in this collection of home and personal accessories was taken from Frida Kahlo’s self portraits. By displaying just a piece of each painting (nails, cut off braids, monkeys, Mexican embroidery) the screen prints give you a bit of the story without revealing too much.
Johnnie Schmidt, Fruitionlab
Litchfield, MN
http://www.etsy.com/shop/Fruitionlab
Johnnie Schmidt is a skill-collecting craftsman from Litchfield, Minnesota. As a studio art major at St. Olaf College he took as many classes in as many different disciplines as he could until they eventually cut him off. After working mainly as an architectural model and prototype builder all over the country, he returned to his native Litchfield and equipped a workshop suitable for the creation of almost anything: Fruitionlab.
Each LP Record Puzzle is completely handmade and assembled by Johnnie. The puzzle, box and logo designs, drawn on the computer, are sent to a 50 watt CO2 laser where they are cut into the vinyl records and album covers. After about 30-steps of pre-and-post-processing, printing, cutting and assembly these 70 piece puzzles are ready to entertain and confound. Enjoy!
William Dohman, Oh Dier
West Saint Paul, MN
http://ohdier.com/
Minnesota native William Dohman wants you to love the place you live and work. So he founded Oh Dier, a St. Paul–based home-décor company, where he often uses up-cycled or recycled materials for his designs. He was voted Best Etsy Artist for Midwest Home magazine in 2011 and his work has been recognized in several national magazines, books, and design blogs. Powered by a Masters degree in architecture, as well as a few laser beams, hand saws, and sanding blocks, he strives to design cheeky, urbane objects to beautify your world.
Jen Hanlon Ash
Roseville, MN
http://jenhanlonash.com/
The photography and digital images of Jen Hanlon Ash portray subjects in slow decay: falling down structures, abandoned houses, rusty vehicles and old signage. That aesthetic can be found throughout her work even when the subject itself is pristine. Many of Jen’s images are digitally layered with textures to create this effect. She has a keen interest in product development and is exploring the use of her images on fabric, accessories and home items.
Jen has a degree in Fashion Design & Merchandising from the University of Northern Iowa which is not the fashion capital of anywhere, but it suited her well at the time. By day she works at Minnesota Public Radio and by night/weekends she works on her art.
Ranae Redenius, Trigo
Roseville, MN
http://www.etsy.com/shop/Trigo
Renae’s creative story started when she joined the Army. While deployed in Iraq, she insisted that her real purpose for being there was to make macaroni pictures and marionette goats from random bits found around her work space. After her stint the Army, Renae studied apparel Design & Development at the University of Wisconsin-Stout. Frustrated at having graduated during a recession, she decided to create her own job designing monster themed catch-alls.
Inspired by the book Stupid Sock Creatures, as well as all the Pee Wee’s Playhouse she watched as a kid, all of her monster coin purses are handmade by Renae. She is grateful for the positive feedback she has received as it keeps her from becoming another homeless veteran. Renae is a team leader for HandmadeMN.
Melissa Gausmann, Earth Grown Crayons
Minnetonka, MN
http://earthgrowncrayons.com/
Melissa Gausmann makes her handmade soy crayons by blending natural soy waxes and nontoxic mineral and organic pigments. Earthgrown Crayons are hand-poured into nature-inspired shapes.
Why soy crayons? Soy is an all-natural, renewable resource that is one-hundred percent biodegradable, making it an earth-friendly choice for kids. Soy beans have been a part of Melissa’s life since she can remember. Growing up she spent time on her grandparents’ farm in rural Minnesota. She watched her grandpa plant and harvest soy beans in the fields behind his home. Now, many years later, Melissa makes her own creations from soy, inspired by a love for animals and other living things.
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About the Walker Shop
The Walker Shop supports the mission of the Walker Art Center through the sale of merchandise from around the globe. It offers a unique assortment of award-winning contemporary home and office accessories; artisan jewelry; books about multidisciplinary contemporary art, design, and culture; creative toys; and exclusive Walker products. All proceeds support the Walker’s artistic and educational programs.
Walker Shop Hours
Tuesday-Sunday, 11 am – 5:30 pm
Open Late Thursday, 11 am – 9 pm
Closed Monday
612.375.7633
mnartists.marketplace Walker Shop Online: http://shop.walkerart.org/collections/mnartists-marketplace
About mnartists.org
The mission of mnartists.org is to improve the lives of Minnesota artists and provide access to and engagement with Minnesota’s arts culture.
mnartists.org is a joint project of the Walker Art Center and McKnight Foundation.