Artists, Artisans & Authors

It was a coincidence that Shawn and Cindy both fell in love with metalworking, but they’ve found ways to collaborate on their individual art forms. Often, they share a booth at festivals called “Blades and Beguiling Jewelry” and support each other while creating at home.

Ely’s artistic nature has roots in early immigrant communities working in the mines. The arts were a way for the community to gather together and weather difficult times. Says Ian: “We did not have a lot. The moments that we were together were filled with song and dance.” 

The mission of Good Graces Paper Co. is just as multilayered as its name. First, the designs are crafted to speak to other Black women, giving them a place to express their anger and exhaustion while finding a way to maintain hope and healing. For those outside of the immediate audience, the designs seek to challenge– to spark curiosity and conversations that will lead people to learn more about the issues and histories of which they are uninformed. But even that isn’t the entire story:  “I have some designs that are just pretty!” laughs Melanie. 

It’s Grace's artistic eye and attention to detail that allow her to transform her experiences outdoors into stunning hand-illustrated stickers, wrapping paper, and notebooks for her company Little Rocks Design. Whether as inconspicuous as a mushroom or as magnificent as Lake Superior, which Grace can see from her window in Duluth, anything can become a sticker to commemorate the environment of Minnesota in particular and the Midwest in general.

Smith + Trade now has three brick and mortar storefronts connecting local makers, growers and doers with community locals and curious tourists. The original Stillwater store celebrates its connection to the St. Croix River from its Main Street perch. The northern Crosby store has a more rustic feel that fits in with the relaxed north woods cabin vibes. The Red Wing store celebrates its river influence with a modern vintage feel. 

“I started seeing images as shapes. Looking at a photograph as a whole and then wondering what else it could be by ripping it apart is an exciting way to approach art,” reflects Nate Reiman of Minneapolis’s 4iphoto. “Rebuilding those ripped apart images opens up visual worlds that question what we see.”