This update to the “news” page is long overdue. Since we posted so long ago, it is hard to know where to begin.  So, I am just going to dive right in.   We all enjoyed and survived the artOPENer weekend (May 5th and 6th).  If you were unable to attend this year, you might want to get it on your calendars for next year….check the website – www.artopener.com.  The tour featured 10 sites including the gallery and featured 18 talented, amazing artists in a variety of mediums…..if you are an art lover, it is a “can’t miss” annual event.

Jeff Bucklew

As we head in to summer, we want you to be aware of some of the new artists we are featuring.  In the fine arts department, we are thrilled to have Mike Anderson, a woodcut artist from Stevens Point on board.  His work is precise, subtle and features natural imagery that is stunning.  As a young artist, he has already been recognized as a featured artist in the international “Birds in Art 2011” exhibition.  His selected piece was “Marsh Wrens”.  In addition to Mike, we are also representing a Hudson photographer, Jeff Bucklew.  Jeff has been a photographer for over 25 years and is truly coming in to his own both technically and artistically.  He recently won the top award with the Minnesota Photography Club with a stunning black and white piece called “Farmer’s Shed”.   In addition, I would also like to mention fiber artist Tracy Herlache of River Falls.  Tracy’s work is original and evocative.  She too, has been recognized for her work by winning first of show in the fiber arts category at the Minnesota State Fair Fine Arts Competition.  We have also added the work of Mary Jo Scandin, a recent transplant to the Twin Cities from Madison.  Mary Jo was originally a fiber artist, but is now incorporating her love of fibers with an encaustic application.  We are still proud to be representing Nanci Yermakoff ( water color), Allan Servoss (color pencil drawings), Nancy Ashenmacher (pastel), Dan Weimer (acrylic), Nick Wroblewski (woodcut), Melissa Belanger (mixed media acrylic), Kate Gomez(mixed media acrylic), to mention but a few.

Tracy Herlache

We have added some other artists to the gallery as well.  We are thrilled to have Susan Panciera, a gold and silver metal smith, from St. Peter, MN join us.  Susan’s work is graceful, feminine, contemporary, user-friendly and impeccable in her manipulation of the medium.  Also, in the jewelry department, we are featuring hand crafted Saami bracelets made by Catherine Schoenherr.  Catherine has taken a traditional Scandinavian craft and made it her own.  The bracelets use all the traditional elements of reindeer skin, coiled pewter, and antler buttons.  Peter Pestalozzi, a furniture maker from Ely, MN has also joined us here at SEASONS.  His work is contemporary, fluid, and functional.  We also have quirky new table lamps by Laura Fisher– delightful paper maché trout!

We have very lovely, functional salt and pepper grinders by Richard Cruise that are sleek and lovely to look at and to use.  Shortly, we will also be featuring some amazing leather bags by Susanne Williams, a Fargo, North Dakota artist.

These artists plus the wonderful ones we already have the pleasure and honor of representing, are making the gallery sing for the new season.  So, if you haven’t been in for a while come and check us out and be inspired!

We have two more “First Friday” events before we take a break in August.  Our June “First Friday” is entitled “Fanciful Gardens” and features Karen Peltier, a mixed media artist from Hudson who creates amazing Fairie Houses:  Sheryl Tuorila, a ceramic and mixed media artist who creates charming wall pieces, as well as benches with her hand crafted tiles; and, metal sculptor, Jim Wadsworth who creates lovely, whimsical, yet sophisticated pieces for outdoor or indoor pleasure.  The show opens on Friday, June 1st.

Then, the event that everyone is waiting for – ‘Seconds, Experiments and Undiscovered Art Sale” opening the “First Friday” in July (July 6th) at 5:00 pm.  Yes, this is our annual, wild and crazy, fun and silly sale.  We invite our artists to contribute work that falls in the seconds, experiments and undiscovered art categories, the work is priced at about 1/3 to 1/2 off the original price and the sale lasts through Monday, July 9th.  Monday, however, anything that is left is marked an additional 1/2 off the sale price.  Traditionally, customers have been able to score some incredible deals throughout the weekend.  Put this on your calendars for sure.