Artists, Artisans & Authors

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.” 

Gallery 24 is a non-profit collaborative space run by more than two dozen local artists from Rochester and the surrounding communities. Located at 120 Elton Hills Dr. NW, the gallery is open six days a week. When you visit in store, the volunteers you meet are the same people who have created everything on display.

For Melissa Daul of Minneapolis, the discard pile receives new life through her wood working business Reclaimed North. Melissa started turning wood in 2018. Her first teacher was her father, a fantastic wood worker.

For Emma Crutcher of Cool Trash in South Minneapolis other people’s trash is literally her treasure.  Emma discovered the Precious Plastic project, which was founded in 2013. This project hosts a suite of open source plans to build machines to recycle plastic on a small scale. “This movement challenges us to think about plastic as a valuable resource for building and creating,” explained Emma.

“Lime Street Creative + Co was generated out of the idea that it wouldn’t just be me. It would be a cooperative process,” explained Jamie. “Making deeper connections with my clients becomes an invaluable part of the artwork. It’s something that you simply cannot find through the ‘big box’ stores.”