Where to Find Local Art

By Lauren Elizondo

Minneapolis/Feb. 18, 2010/V-Local…Tired of that worn out poster of van Gogh’s Starry Night hanging in your living room? If you’ve been searching for something new to decorate your walls, forget big chain stores; look local. Not only will you be supporting local artists, you’re likely to find completely original artwork for a fraction of the prices you’d find at a nationwide retailer for just a print. Here are a few spots you might consider looking at:

Art Shows
A great place to discover new art is at an art show. Local art shows usually don’t get much publicity, so it’s good to check bulletin boards in coffee shops and community centers. Art schools often have fall and spring art shows where students exhibit their artwork. While the artwork might not be for sale immediately, it gives you a chance to meet the artist, exchange information and let them know you are interest in acquiring some of their art.

Art Crawls/City Festivals
Sometimes cities celebrate local artists by holding a citywide art crawl – an event that gives local artists an opportunity to open their doors to the public and exhibit their artwork either in their own homes and lofts or at participating businesses. These art crawls also might coincide with city festivals. Often they include a fair-like midway where businesses and artists are able to rent a space or tent to show their works.

Local Shops
Small and one-of-a-kind coffee shops are known to exhibit artwork by local artists. Seldom will the pieces not be for sale, unless they are going to be in an upcoming art show. The coffee shop will  be able to give you information about the artist and the art show if you aren’t able to buy the piece the same day.

Garage Sales
Sure, there’s bound to be way more faded prints of famous paintings and ugly retro wall hangings of mushrooms and owls at garage sales than unique local art, but it’s worth a shot! Sometimes local artists take advantage of the traffic garage sales draw and set up shop. Garage sales are also a great place to find vintage local art.

Caribbean Fever meets the Jazz Muffin Friday, April 17th at 9 p.m.

Hosted by Sheila St. James, with music by the Jazz Muffin and Les Exodus

On Friday, April 17, 2009 50 States Entertainment will present a concert of International style and sounds. This is event is open to the public.

Join us as 5SE presents Caribbean Fever this Friday, at the Rosewood Room located at 404 3rd Avenue North in downtown Minneapolis’ historic warehouse district featuring Minneapolis #1 Reggae band Les Exodus and the “Jazz Muffin” Mikhala for a very special performance.

Les Exodus formed in 1987 in the TC area, and quickly gained popularity and began touring internationally. Throughout the 90’s, the band went through several roster changes, as far as band members. Some former members included Innocent, Lance Polania, Victor Voroli, and Paul McGee, just to name a few.

Les Exodus with impress you and don’t be surprised to hear the latest R&B single or perhaps a salsa or a hip hop groove snuck into the reggae context. One of the standout features of an Exodus show is how big and full they sound with only drums, bass, and keyboards underneath the vocals.

Jazz Muffin is Mikhala’s interpretation of bringing the good songs back with zest, dancing and a bit of sexiness for the mature and the young to enjoy. She gives the songs a “reggae- muffin treatment”, which some call disrespectful, others rejuvenating and fresh. It’s a rare mix of the Jazz repertoire from 1935 to 1948 with input from Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, Louis Jordan and others, tipping the hat to the great originals.

This event will be hosted by Health and Fitness go-to-girl, Sheila St. James. Sheila says, “It’s okay to call her a fitness guru, but ultimately she wants to be known as a life-saver.”  Armed with a dual Masters Degree in Human Performance and Health Promotions, she is a Clinical Exercise Physiologist; and, America’s newest fitness inspiration.  Producer and host of the award-winning wellness television program, “Shape Up With Sheila.” Her cable television show has won nods for Best Educational TV program, and it also won an award for Best Public Service Announcement.

For more information, please call 612-616-4560 or make reservations by calling the Rosewood Room at (612) 455-2525.