Sharyn Shoots

Labor / Leisure in the Common Room
Wednesday night I attended another fine event at The Soap Factory (guess I’ve been gushing a lot about them, but I do appreciate the space). I joined others in The Common Room as “Adult Books” (Casey Deming, John Jerry, Jennifer Jerry, Tom Kaczynski, Ginny Maki, Anna Tsantir and Zak Sally) facilitated a book-making workshop and assembly line. They were on hand to guide participants through the creation and assembly of “a limited-edition art book that explores the relationship between the Mill District’s industrial past and leisure-focused present.” The book features contributions from the group, plus Ruben Nusz, Jes Seamans, Aaron Anderson, DNML, and others. Participants earned a copy of the completed book as payment for their services. Sadly my attention span was too short to assemble a book, but I did photographically document others doing so. And afterward I snuck downstairs for a sneak peek of The Haunted Basement. Too bad I can’t make it to tonight’s Chatroulette event at Art of This (and that this is the last weekend before they close down that space, forever and ever).

Xpos and Experiences
The first annual Minneapolis Indie Xpo was a smashing success, despite the oppressive heat and humidity. It was steamy hot inside The Soap Factory, which threatened to melt the frosting off The Donut Cooperative’s tasty offerings, but it didn’t seem to keep the crowds away. We visited with many friends and acquaintances from in and out of town. It was a full house, exhibitor and attendee-wise. I walked away with some most excellent swag – prints, posters, t-shirts and comics – though I spent a bit more than I’d intended. There was SO much to look at but my favorite tables of the day were from Sam Hiti, BT Livermore, Zak Sally / La Mano, Uncivilized Books and Cathy Camper (I’m sure I missed some great stuff but I was totally overstimulated). My son was too but he mostly enthralled by the aforementioned donuts, Ghostbusters’ ghostmobile and indoor swing anyhow. Overall an excellent way to spend a Saturday!

On Sunday The Homegrown Experience was held at the Nicollet Island Pavilion. It was organized with a “focus on sustainability, connecting people to the land and providing healthy and enjoyable experiences” and featured demonstrations by chefs, local restaurants, farmers, CSAs, co-ops, food producers, local vintners and brewers. We enjoyed many excellent food and beverage samples – iced Peace Coffee! tea sandwiches! crostini! oysters! chocolates! cheeses! more! – before ambling over to St. Anthony Main’s adorable Aster Cafe for a spell.

Sugar, Ah, Honey, Honey
Some days are stressful. But quality distractions can help. Like episodes of Futurama via Netflix Instant. And this interview with a baby sloth wrangler. And the critters on Cute Overload. And hey, dudes with beards eating cupcakes! Recently my hirsute co-workers helped me create my own take on this. (Full set of photos on flickr here.)

The Only Way Out Is Through
As a resident of the Twin Cities I feel lucky to have access to so many art galleries and other creative spaces. Just last week I attended a Red76 curated event and another evening caught one of the ARTERY TWENTYTEN performances, hosted by The Soap Factory. There is always something happening around town.

This week? The long-anticipated opening of Smell the Glove: a Spinal Tap Art Exhibit. I managed to get my submission in for this group show (albeit a little late). A friend paid me the compliment of calling it my Mapplethorpe. But you’ll just have to swing by the exhibit to see for yourself! One of my models asked me not to post the photo on the internet, and to keep his identity anonymous. But if you come to the PG-13 opening Saturday night, August 7th, you will have the chance to check it out.

This weekend contains other photographic adventures as well. I have an engagement photo shoot lined up for a lovely couple, which may include some of their household’s critters. And I will also be sharing a booth – selling prints and postcards and whatnot – at the Uptown Art Market which is going on at the same time and very near the annual Uptown Art Fair. Stop by and say hi if you can.

Let Them Eat Cake
Yesterday marked the grand opening of Cake Eater Bakery, by two of my friends, in the Seward neighborhood of Minneapolis. And it was crazy crowded! Area residents and other local fans are definitely embracing this long-anticipated new venture. And you can embrace them too. Check out their site, follow them on twitter, become a fan on Facebook and most definitely visit them, in person, at 2929 East 25th Street.

Periods of Sunshine
Winters in Minnesota can feel like they are dragging on and on endlessly. Residents here are faced with a choice. Hide and hibernate indoors until the Spring thaw, or face the elements and triumphantly overcome them. Sometimes with the element of surprise. Who expects such a riot of color and creativity on a frozen lake? But that’s what the Art Shanty Projects are all about. Well, that’s my take on it. Their mission statement is:

Art Shanty Projects is an artist driven temporary community exploring the ways in which the relatively unregulated public space of the frozen lake can be used as a new and challenging artistic environment to expand notions of what art can be.

Over the last several years the ASP has helped me look forward to January and February rather than dreading these cold, dead months. Admittedly we did luck out with extremely mild weather for this year’s opening weekend, but we would have made the trek anyhow. And you should too. Head to Plymouth’s Medicine Lake, weekends from January 16th – February 7th.

The Stars Come Right
Despite seriously foul weather over the holidays my son and I still enjoyed some fine festivities. And, even better, we had plenty of downtime at home (with our Wii and new Wii accessories). Which is where we’ll be ringing in the new year together. Hope all has been well for you and yours!

The Accidental Tourist
It had been years since I’d taken part in such an epic cross country road trip, but last week a friend and I traveled from Minnesota to California in her truck. We had four main stopping points along the way, in: 1) Lincoln, NE 2) Denver, CO 3) Flagstaff, AZ and 4) Palm Springs, CA. Each spot offered something unique and interesting. After arriving at our destination, in Los Angeles, I spent the weekend there before flying home to the Twin Cities. A few of my favorite photos are below.

Falling Forward
Weather in the Upper Midwest is always unusual. This year we enjoyed a particularly mild summer, followed by a somewhat intense Indian Summer but then it jumped straight to snow, like a record skipping a groove. Last week my son and I took our annual trek to Duluth, MN for his October school break. We left prepared for anything, with clothing to layer according to the temperatures. Our walks along the shores of Lake Superior were brisk, yes, but not uncomfortably so. And we encountered some simply stunning Fall leaves.

Sunday Afternoon Adventuring
It is officially Fall now and Fall in Minnesota is my favorite of all seasons. Today my son and I took a daytrip out to the lovely Big Stone Mini Golf in Mound, MN, before heading to the nearby Minnetonka Apple Orchards in Minnetrista. The weather was predictably unpredictable. Winds so strong our golf balls were thrown off course and at the apple orchard we were nearly knocked out of the hay ride. And when we returned home from adventuring we discovered the winds had broken our boulevard tree in two! Even so, I will always adore Fall.