There's a New Art & Gift Shop in Town: Rabbit, Bird and Bear Fine Art & Gifts

This week I learned of a new Art & Gift Shop in Downtown Duluth:  Rabbit, Bird & Bear Fine Art & Gifts. The shop is next to Hanabi at 114 First Avenue West, a stone's throw from Joseph Nease Gallery on First Street.

I have been a longtime follower and fan of the work of Michelle LeBeau, owner/CEO who was Executive Director for AICHO for 13 years. 

"We opened our first shop in Cornucopia WI at Ehlers General Store until the Sept 15th -- we had a hugely successful time there, but it was only a seasonal shop so we decided to open a shop in Duluth," LeBeau said. "We closed down in Corny on the 7th and opened in Duluth on the 15th."

LeBeau previously 

Noteworthy work by Moira Villiard who continues to impress.

worked with AICHO staff to create the art galleries and Indigenous First gift shop. Her background includes 47 years in leadership roles in various non-profits here in Duluth including Women's Coalition (Safehaven), Women's Transitional Housing, Women in Construction and finally AICHO.  

"I retired in January 2023 and after a month was so bored that I knew I had to start working again.  I was in Red Cliff visiting Rabbett Strickland and the idea came to open a gallery in Bayfield. At the time I couldn't find available space so luckily found the spot in Cornucopia -- once I decided to open a shop," LeBeau explains. "I reached out to all the artists I had been working with the past 15 years and invited them to be a part of the new gallery. Everyone I reached out to was very happy to be part of a new shop."

As it turns out, while in Cornucopia LeBeau met additional artists that have now become part of her shop here in Duluth. 

"Avery Makes Room For Them is our gift shop coordinator -- he worked previously at Les Kendall's Smokehouse and Indigenous First. Avery is an artist in his own right.  I had a lot of help from my family and Avery setting the shop up so it went really smoothly."  

Michelle's son, Zach, is also an artist the store carries. "He makes custom knives and his partner Kim Nordin sells her jewelry in the shop. My grandson, Stone, named the shop," she said. "I feel very lucky to have had the support of my family and all the artist's we represent.  Our start-up loan came from NE Entrepreneur Fund."

LeBeau intends to open a second location in Washburn WI at the Washburn Cultural Center in June 2023. "We also have a space in Bayfield that will open this January."  

FOR MORE INFORMATION, including hours:

Visit https://www.rbbartgifts.com/

Susie's Christmas Gift Shop for 2020 -- Buy Now and We'll Deliver

This year Susie's Christmas Gift Shop is offering a variety of gift possibilities. Here's what Susie has to say about what she's been doing this year.

I had planned to teach some art/craft classes this year which were cancelled because of the pandemic, so I came up with some "Art Classes to Go" packets. These might be an unusual gift for either a child or adult who may enjoy doing art. Everything is included in the packet to make a completed project.

Art Class to Go Christmas Card Set

Two of the classes are making greeting cards, one for Christmas cards and the other for cards with animal themes using some very interesting and unusual papers of multicultural designs. These two card making classes are appropriate for anywhere from 8 years old to adults. $20 makes 10 cards.

 

Art Class to Go with Watercolors

Another Art Class to Go is designed for children from ages 3 and up. Watercolor paints are used to bring out various textures in some fun papers, and includes animal cutouts to also decorate according to specific instructions using the materials given in the packet. This packet costs $9

In another class I'm offering, you can make 3 metallic looking gift boxes for $14, again appropriate for older kids and adults. (Photo at top of page.) These end up looking pretty classy!

I also have Goose Egg Ornaments for sale ($20), which come in a hand decorated box for storage during the year, and goose feather quill pens ($22) which come with a holder and a bottle of ink. 

 

If you are anywhere in or near Duluth or Superior, Ed or I can deliver to you, or arrange to meet you somewhere. If you are outside of the area I can ship the Art classes for an additional $5,  or feather pens minus the ink for $25.

 

MORE PHOTOS BELOW

Goose Egg Ornaments and Art Classes to Go can be found at Two Loons in Duluth's Lincoln Park District. More of Susie's work can be found at Art on the Planet in Superior.

TO ORDER Contact Susie, here on Facebook or by Email, Downhomecreator AT gmail DOT com.

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Goose Egg Ornaments. ($20)

Goose Feather Quill Pen ($22) --includes holder and ink.

Art Class to Go (fish texture reveal)

Art Class To Go card designs for kids age 8 to adult.

Now You Know Where The AICHO Building Downtown Is Located

Giclee reproductions of work by Rabbet Strickland can be found here.

For the past five years I have been writing and telling people about events at the AICHO, former YWCA that houses the newly named Dr. Robert Powless Community Center. All too often I'm met with blank expressions. "Where's that?"

Well, now we know. As you drive East on Second Street from Mesabi and past the courthouse, we've got a landmark. Here's the backstory from yesterday's DNT regarding the new mural on the West-facing side of the AICHO property.

Now that you know how to find it, I'll mention again the Indigenous Arts shop inside where you can find gifts and various items created by local

Detail from Leah Yellowbird piece.

artists and craftspersons.

KBJR also produced this account of the new mural.

But art is not the only thing happening here. Housing for homeless families has been created, along with a deepened sense of community.

When I met with director Michelle LeBeau last week I learned that AICHO now owns five properties, including a battered women's shelter and a new facility in the developing West End that includes a larger gift shop and laundromat, along with more housing. Low income housing is a critical need here in the Twin Ports.

Moira, on staff here, is a superfine artist in her own right.

"Creation Story" by Karen Savage.

Here's my original story on the mural, and what follows are some additional photos from the roof and inside the gift shop.

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

Swamp Sisters Re-Opened for 2008 Season

Anyone looking for a way cool, fun place to catch a breakfast or lunch on Fridays or Saturdays should check out the Swamp Sisters Café & Gift Shop. The restaurant and gift shop, located on 7249 Industrial Road, 4 miles West of Twig, is open from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. from April through mid-November.

A special feature of the menu is Bonnie’s Swamp Skillet with buffalo sausage or ham, onions, peppers, mushrooms, tater tots, eggs and cheese, which I should have taken a picture of before I ate it. (my favorite! yummm!) The lunch fare is equally as exciting. It’s home cookin’ at its finest, seasoned with warmth and a sense of humor.
The gift shop, featuring bison meat, antiques and crafts, serves to occupy the faithful when the dining area is overcrowded. Be sure to take in the signs. These sisters, and the ever faithful brother, have a wry sense of humor that pervades all they do. They named themselves the Swamp Sisters because relatives had joked about their family trying to farm in a swamp.

With no business experience, or business plan, they just plumb opened their doors with good food and Northern Minnesota rural hospitality. It soon became apparent there was a need in the community for a place to gather for coffee, etc. Word got around that the eatin' was good, too, and today they can't keep customers away.

If you see something you like, it just might be for sale. If not, well, the food sure is good anyways. For more information, or to find your way if you get lost, call 729-0088