February
Artwork from three letterpress studios.
Bench Pressed are a design and letterpress company based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. We founded Bench Pressed in 2012 when we bought a small tabletop letterpress and moved it into our spare bedroom. Ten years later, expanded into a studio-slash-retail space and care for six vintage presses (and counting). We now design, print and package our products out of our shop in the Seward neighborhood. We love making hand-drawn and -printed letterpress cards and gifts that are "tongue-in-cheek with a little sweet."
Bruno Press is a one-woman letterpress print shop in St. Joseph, Minnesota. Everything is created on 100 year old presses with hand-set wood and lead type, and hand-carved linoleum blocks. I am a printmaker, a letterpress printer, and an avid linoleum carver. I think my reduction linoleum prints are what I enjoy most and what set me apart from most other printmakers. I want to showcase what I do best and the reduction print is just that.
Minnesota Center for Book Arts is the largest and most comprehensive center of its kind. We celebrate the book as a dynamic contemporary art form that takes many shapes. MCBA engages a continuum of creators, learners, and admirers through high-quality programs that celebrate a diversity of artistic perspectives and voices. We advance the book arts field by inviting innovation, caring for traditions, educating new enthusiasts, inspiring creative expression, honoring artistic excellence, and empowering broad public access to this dynamic art form. From the traditional crafts of papermaking, letterpress printing, and bookbinding to new methods of art-making and communication, MCBA supports the limitless creative development of book arts.
March
Selected by Creative Handmade Goods in Fergus Falls.
Michael Burgraff has many artistic interests, but often finds himself continually drawn to his home studio, the wheel, and the clay. His passion for perfectly imperfect pots is contagious.
Rachel Venberg is a painter in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. Rachel’s childhood on the shores of Lake Superior fostered in her a love of exploring the curiosities of the natural world. Painting has always been an expression of Rachel’s awe of nature whether through wall painted murals of fairy gardens and forest scenes for her children, sculptures with fabric or drawings of her pet chickens. More recently, Rachel has grown in her love of acrylic painting on paper and canvas. And who knows what’s next!
Sylvia and Arnie Christenson own a local Minnesota craft business specializing in hand woven rugs. We also design calico creations, which include potato bags, curling iron bags, flax filled neck, back and shoulder wraps, eye wraps, boo-boo bags, table runners, pot holders and such such more.
Creative Handmade Goods is a retail store located in the heart of downtown Fergus Falls, MN featuring the work of an ever-rotating list of lakes area artists and makers. The owner, herself a creative, is a former corporate executive who sought out something more in 2010 and never looked back. Born of her desire to support the local arts community by offering a sales outlet for new, emerging, and professional artists and makers, the shop offers works from weaving to woodworking, paintings to pottery, and just about everything in between. The brick and mortar location opened in the midst of the pandemic, but had roots in hosting outdoor and holiday markets supporting creatives of all types.
April
Artists from Springboard for the Arts' Ready Made artist roster.
Wondrous Crane is a Minnesota-based company where the pottery is made to hold wonder. The work includes but is not limited to: ceramic mugs, plates, bowls, vases, utensil holders, cups, bud vases, soy candles, soap dishes, and succulent holders. Everything is functional, dishwasher safe, food-safe, and microwavable. All work is handmade by ceramic artist, Emily, and wheel thrown on an electric potters wheel.
Meenal Patel is an artist, illustrator, designer, and children’s book author. She is inspired by moments of childhood wonder, graphic textures in nature, and the strength of community. Her art is rooted in reflections on the power of feeling seen and the journey to feel at home with all facets of ourselves. She hopes the experiences and joy that she infuses in her art will result in connection, belonging, and delight for someone else.
Tiny Art by LRG is a project of Lily Rogers-Grant, started out of abundance of support and love from friends and family. Since then, tiny floral and mountain paintings have blossomed into a small business. Lily takes pride in her small BIPOC, woman-owned business. Based out of the Twin Cities, Minnesota, Tiny Art by LRG specializes in hand-painted goods and handcrafted watercolor paints. Lily lives in St. Paul with her two cats, Opie and Peach and works full time as an epidemiologist.
Ready Made is a directory of artists and makers in Minneapolis creating beautifully crafted one-of-a-kind pieces.
CSA was featured in the New York Times! “Rupam Sharan, a gastroenterologist, and his wife, Serena, heard about the program on public radio. “We’re interested in contemporary art, but haven’t started a collection yet,” Dr. Sharan said. “This is us getting our feet wet.”” Read the full story here.