May 2014 archive
Art-a-Whirl
Art-a-Whirl Art Fair/Crawl in Northeast Minneapolis
I went to my first Art-a-Whirl on Friday night. This is amazing to me because I was raised by artists, lived nearby Northeast for two years and have worked there for three years, yet somehow I’ve never experienced this huge event. It’s the largest open studio tour in the country. The whole thing takes place at various venues in and around Northeast-there’s a free trolley to take attendees from one place to another. It’s quite literally impossible to see everything in the one weekend that Art-a-Whirl takes place over. I am blown away by how much art there is in this town. So many talented and professional people open their studios, display their work and welcome the public in during this huge weekend art extravaganza. Here are a few of my highlights.
Artist’s Studios
Peeking into artist’s studios, alive with light and color, was a dream. Everyone was buzzing with excitement over supporting local artists and there was really something for everyone-every style, every price range. One highlight for me was finding Mariah Masilko, who paints abandoned buildings. I’ve had a lifelong fascination with ghost towns and photographing abandoned buildings-I even did my Senior Honors Thesis on the abandoned towns of Minnesota. See, there’s something at Art-a-Whirl for everyone, no matter how obscure!
Shopping local artisans’ jewelry, crafts, pottery and clothing
Besides fine art, there were craftsmen who made the most interesting things.
For example, these “beerings” by LB Originals are made from alcohol bottles! People are so ingenious and creative.
And this necklace is made from old children’s book covers! It’s the Dick and Jane Collection by artist Ruth Mikos.
Hands-on creative activities…yes please!
Art-a-Whirl also offers the chance for attendees to get creative.
The non-profit Keys 4/4 Kids displayed their painted pianos and let kids and adults paint piano keys. The organization donates pianos to low income families, schools and community centers. The next day when talking to my mom about my experience at Art-a-Whirl, I learned that my parents donated the old piano we’d had while I was growing up to this very organization. I was happy to learn that it had gone to such a good cause.
Another hands-on activity I loved was making a sculpture with items found on the shores of lakes and rivers with artist Barbara Rogers Bridges of Found in our Waters. As an artist and educator, she teaches students not only how to make things but about the health of our waters and keeping them clean.
If all this doesn’t convince you to go to Art-a-Whirl if you’re town this weekend, let me mention food trucks, musical performances happening all weekend, and the involvement of local breweries. I’ve definitely become an Art-a-Whirl loyalist and I’m so proud to be part of an area that’s so thriving with arts, culture and community involvement.
May it Be of Use Month Week 1 Update
Well we’re about a week into May it Be of Use Month and I want to update weekly on my progress. First of all I just want to say I am so excited about the energy behind this idea! It’s inspired me to finally move on some stuff that I’ve been putting off for quite a while. Seeing other bloggers get on board has been exciting as well-shout out to Emma from It’s Emma Elise for coming on board and writing this post about May it Be of Use.
I’ve thought a lot about how my stuff may be of use to others this past week. I’ve delved into the far corners of my closet, explored previously uncharted basement territory (scary) and used my creativity to imagine who might benefit from this stuff. Although I’ve identified a ton of stuff to give and organized it, I haven’t actually gotten around to giving it away. It takes more logistical juggling than I anticipated. You have to call for a charity pickup, arrange to see someone you want to give something to, or go to the post office and pay for shipping.
So the only thing I actually finished was something that didn’t require any work other than just stepping outside. I found four stray horse chestnuts and put them outside for the squirrels. Who said May it Be of Use can only benefit humans?Total items actually given away: 1 (counting all four chestnuts as an item). Okay, so I’m a little behind, but I’ve laid the groundwork for a successful May it Be of Use Month ahead.
What are you giving away this month? Don’t forget to check out the online May it Be of Use Community on Facebook.
Stonearch Style: Denim Jackets
Denim jackets are all over for spring. These little denim wonders have gone in and out of style since they were invented in 1873* and, I’m happy to report, are back in style once again.
*I looked that up on Wikipedia and have to put my trust in Levi Strauss on this one.
It’s the perfect transition piece for spring that make those cute spring sundresses wearable when the sun goes behind a cloud, or, if you live in Minnesota, until mid-June/July ? Plus wearing one gives me serious throwback nostalgia to the early 90s when denim jackets, skirts and overalls were my childhood uniform.
This one is a hand-me-down (I guess I benefited from someone else’s May it Be of Use Month!) that I immediately put on to walk the dog on the Stonearch bridge in Minneapolis. If you don’t one already in your closet and haven’t scored a hand-me-down, consider the following tip for buying a new jean jacket this spring:
1. Cropped is in, and works great over dresses.
2. You can find them in secondhand stores if you want to avoid paying full price.
3. If you need a place to show off your denim jacket style, the Stonearch bridge is looking pretty fabulous this time of year.
May it be of Use Month
When I saw this idea posted on Facebook, I knew I had to jump on board. We all have nearly new stuff lying around we’re not using. The idea, created by Maggie Harris, is to give away one item a day during the month of May to someone who can actually use it.
“This May, I have decided I am calling “MAY it be of use” month. Every day I will be *responsibly* purging something from my home that is useful but not used by us, every day in May. Imagine the de-clutter and the help that can come from 31 days of “MAY it be of use”, says Maggie.
This is meaningful to me because throughout my life people have generously given me hand me down items that were truly useful to me in times when I didn’t have a lot of extra cash. I’d love to pay that forward, but honestly a lot of stuff that I have just sits and sits unused at my house. So, this is the month that changes!
So why give stuff away for free, you might ask, if it might be worth something? If you have the time to sell your stuff online or through a garage sale, I applaud your efforts wholeheartedly. I’ve meant to have a garage sale for, oh, probably three years now, and it never happens. Meanwhile, the stuff keeps accumulating.
For example, I had a floral blazer sitting in the back of my car for an embarrassingly long time, destined for the consignment shop but never actually making it there. Eventually I needed to clean my car out so this lovely jacket wound up that very day on a lovely friend whose health sometimes prevents her from doing a lot of shopping. She looked great in the bright blazer, which fit her perfectly! Every time I think of it I feel so giddy that something that was a hindrance to me became a cherished possession to someone else. That’s why I’m so excited about May it Be of Use Month-I could have gotten maybe $5 off consigning the jacket, but the relief of not having it on my to-do list and the pleasure of seeing it go to good use is worth far more than that.
So, where to start? An item a day is pretty daunting for me and my busy schedule, so I’m going to focus on doing this once per week for a total goal of 31 items. For example, if I give away ten items in a free stuff “sale” next weekend, then I’ll count that as ten toward my goal.
Ideas to get started with:
-Clothing you bought but never wore, but might suit a friend’s size and style.
-Kitchen items that you’re not using could be given to a family member going off to college or getting her first home.
-Don’t have a specific person in mind? Just bag up your miscellaneous goods for drop off at a local charity.
Let’s see what we can give. Join in and let me know what you’re giving with the hashtag #MayitBeofUse on twitter and Instagram and be sure to share your ideas and inspiration with the May it Be of Use facebook page.
