Local Art Scene: Armory Annex Artisans Actively Apply Themselves to Their Crafts

Paul Webster shows a visitor how to forge iron.

The growth of the "maker scene" has been quite explosive in recent years, perhaps in part as a countertrend to the tech wave that has swept the globe. Hands-on interactions with raw materials, building connections with the real -- not digital -- world.

For those unaware, a number of makers have taken up active residence in the Armory Annex, a former Perkins Restaurant adjacent to the Historic Armory. The Annex was open during Saturday's Art for Earth Day Gallery Hop, but you're actually welcome to visit most any time I believe. This is a quick snapshot. There is are glassblowers, artisans, a piano technician and a forging community here. Check it out. It's a beehive of activity.

The forgers are present every Saturday. 

A few tools of the trade.

Paul Piszczek is the piano man here. These are the innards for
Esther P's Zentangled piano. 

One of the glassblowers at work. Between Duluth and Oulu we have 
a talented and active network of glassblower artisans.

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Almost Wordless Wednesday: Forging Ahead with Dan Neff's Art of Glass

Lake Superior Art Glass expanded to a second location this week. 

Saturday's Open House included media coverage.

(Owner/creator Dan Neff in the spotlight.)

The Blacksmiths are still active here as well.

Britta Lynn Kauppila also maintains a studio here.

Kauppila is both a metalsmith and jewelry designer 

working on expanding her second location as well: Online.

It's been fun watching the evolution of the Armory Annex,

located at 1325 London Road across the street from Valentini's.

It's latest iteration now includes Lake Superior Art Glass.

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Meantime, life goes on all around you. Get into it.

Armory Celebrates 100 Years of Making History

Will we see you there?

Saturday, November 21, 2 - 4 p.m.

Armory Annex, 1325 London Road, Duluth

Here's a map so you can find us.

Twin Ports Arts Scene: Openings and Events This Coming Weekend

"He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree." ~Roy L. Smith

Christmas is closing in fast, and with it the last three performances of The Nutcracker by the Duluth Symphony at the DECC, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Here's a rundown of other things to consider for the weekend ahead as alternatives to the mall.

Grand Opening of Studio 15

Friday December 12, 7:00 p.m.
Billed as "Food, Drinks, Art, and Fun", Studio 15 is celebrating its opening just in time for friends to find locally made arts and gifts. The gallery, located at part-way up the block on 3rd Avenue West, features work by Lydia Walker, Nina Holz, Richard Rosvall, Todd Olson, Joseph Thoennes, Steven R. Mangan, Janet Billig, Heidi LeWren, Joanna Hanson, Kathy Holz, Robert Adams, Sean MacManus, Heather Leopold, Lisa KC, and Terri Spenser.

AICHO's Second Annual Biiboon Bimaadizimin 
This is the second year for this event, which starts Friday from 3-6 p.m. and continues Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.. This event is organized to help support Native and Local Artists and Entrepreneurs. You can shop, eat or just simply visit.

"Support" at The PROVE

This student curated show also serves as a fund-raiser.
UMD graduating seniors of Jen Deitrich’s senior seminar course have collaborated with Prøve Gallery to open the exhibition “Support.” They have spent the semester working hands on with Prøve to develop concepts, learn the daily operations of running the gallery, and the process of developing an art exhibition in a professional setting. Opening reception is this Friday from 7 till 11 p.m.

A Remarkable Tale Book Signing

Saturday December 13, 2:00 p.m.
The Red Mug Coffeehouse in the Historic Board of Trade Building in Superior will be hosting a book signing with a reading by Ed Newman (that's me) from his newly published children’s picture book, A Remarkable Tale from the Land of Podd. Here's your chance to meet illustrator and UMD graduate Ian Welshons of Stillwater who will also be present.

A Remarkable Tale from the Land of Podd uses wry Seussian humor, rhyme, and captivating illustrations to teach an important lesson about self-awareness and self-worth. No matter how we perceive ourselves, we can make the most of what we’ve got—and others probably won’t even notice what we don’t like about ourselves anyway.

Holiday Celebration at the Armory Annex
Saturday December 13, 2:00-8:00 p.m.

The Armory Annex is located at 1325 London Road in the former Perkins Restaurant building.
This Holiday Celebration is hosted by the Armory Arts & Music Center, Snoodle Ceramic Studio & Gallery, and our local Forging Community. There will be music, games, art for sale by multiple artists, demonstrations and information on how you can become involved in everything happening there. This is a Free, family-friendly event. Artists include-Aurora Baer/ performing music, Tonya Borgeson, Kitty Jacquot, Mike Joens, Ed Newman, Esther Piszczek, Brian Rauvola, Sharon Rogers, Richard Rosvall, Melanie Sternberg, Adam Swanson, Claire Witt, Unicornucopia’s Handmade Ornaments, Pierce & Piszczek Fine Pianos, and Forging Community blacksmiths.

At 5:00 p.m. Ian and I will be on hand to sign copies of A Remarkable Tale from the Land of Podd

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Meantime, art goes on all around you. Celebrate it.