Author: Alan Honn Glass

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Delia Jurek, Center City Printmaker

We are thankful that longtime local Delia Jurek has shared her art, support and stories with us; who better to spend Center City Days with than this printmaker, actor and activist? We’re looking forward to offering an expanded selection of Delia’s prints beginning July 31.

Meet the Artist! Friday, July 31 5-8pm
Join us at Al’s Glass Showroom during Center City Days to meet and greet Delia and to see and shop a selection of her prints.

MAIDEN DIXIE Street Dance to follow at 8pm, behind Al’s Center Saloon

Prizes & Surprises at Summit Avenue businesses Saturday, August 1 12-3pm

The Showroom will be open Friday, July 31 from 3-8pm and Saturday, August 1 from 10am-3pm

Alan Honn Glass Showroom
321 Summit Avenue
Center City, MN 55012

 

JurekWaitingToServeAbout the Artist:

Adventurous and versatile, printmaker Delia Witherill Jurek addresses landscapes of environment, politics and emotional life in her work.

The artist, a resident of Center City since 1976, maintains a studio behind her historic home, a hundred year old former retail structure that was moved down the street from its original site near the current courthouse. She works on a press that was formerly owned by noted printmaker and University of Minnesota professor Malcolm Myers.

Originally a ceramic artist who taught pottery at nearby Hazelden, Delia gravitated to printmaking upon returning to the U of M to finish her degree after many years away. While making prints offered a repetitive practice and the possibility of multiples similar to pottery making, Delia was intrigued by a distinct change in media. Her interest was fueled by the opportunity to study in Italy at the International School of Graphics in 2000. She pre-sold the prints she would make there to fund the trip and returned as a visiting artist in 2003.

Many of Delia’s prints reflect the mood and rituals of central Minnesota’s outdoor life: fishing, broomball, night driving. Delia favors the monotype form, singular prints or very small series’ of prints with slight differences. She has exhibited her work at the Highpoint Center for Printmaking in Minneapolis and is represented by Northern Prints Gallery, Duluth.

Pictured above: Waiting to Serve, copper etching; below: the artist in her studio

DeliaStudio

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made in Center City: wood pallet goods by Travis Greene

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When his mother admired a rustic wooden wine rack, Center City firefighter – and handy guy – Travis Greene went out to his shop to construct the perfect thing from re-purposed commercial pallets. His wife Laura began to request shelving pieces and spice racks for their home and as gifts for lucky friends. Since opening an etsy shop, Wood Pallet Treasures, earlier this year, Travis and Laura have been busy filling orders for these hardworking, handcrafted storage forms.

Meet the Maker! Friday, June 26 5-8pm

Join us at Al’s Glass Showroom for this perfect opportunity to see these 100% reclaimed wood designs in action and to custom order a piece to meet your needs directly from the maker. Travis will be on hand to answer questions about his process and to discuss measurements and finishes.

The Showroom will be open Friday, June 26 from 3-8pm and Saturday, June 27 from 10am-3pm.

Alan Honn Glass Showroom
321 Summit Avenue
Center City, MN 55012

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summer at The Showroom

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The sun is shining through the window as we prepare to open The Showroom on this first day of summer vacation. A group of local teachers took a break from classroom clean up to enjoy burgers at Al’s Center Saloon next door while the guys at Moe Auction Service received fresh goods for the next sale across the street.

Al continues to bring in boxes of glass to unpack, and most recently pulled out very vintage pieces, made as a beginner during his college days. The vases offer a wonky charm and provide a contrast to the technical mastery of Al’s current work.

Currently:

• A second story sign post is under construction – our banner is scheduled for installation next week.
• We’ll be open most summer Saturdays from 10am-3pm in addition to Fridays 3-8pm. We’ll also be open “by chance,” and when we say “by appointment” we mean it! Please feel free to message us via the Contact page to arrange a showing that meets your availability.
• We’re scheduling events through the summer – find updates here on the website.
In the meantime, mark your calendars for
⁃ Friday, June 26: Travis Greene will be on hand to answer questions and take orders for his fabulous wood pallet goods, always on view at The Showroom and available at etsy.
⁃ Friday, July 31 – Sunday, August 2: Center City Days!!

Our Chisago Lakes region is glorious in summer, and there is plenty of fun to be had in the neighborhood (more info at Chisago Lakes Chamber.) If you’re not local, plan a road trip!! Hope to see you then –

Alan Honn Glass Showroom
321 Summit Avenue
Center City, MN 55012

Summer Hours:
Fridays, 3-8pm, most Saturdays 10am-3pm,
by appointment or by chance

AlBeginner

 

 

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art, community, gratitude – Friday nights in Center City

Many thanks to everyone who visited Al’s Glass Showroom this month! We’ve had the door open for the past three Fridays – up until the music starts next door at the bar – and have had a great time welcoming friends and neighbors.

We’re lucky to have the company of two Center City artisans who’ve contributed work to this project. Travis Greene quickly created fantastic wood pallet display pieces for the space. His repurposed, rustic instant organizers are available at the Showroom and at etsy. Delia Jurek, in the midst of organizing her studio up the street, has shared a trio of large monoprints and has placed a selection of unframed work for sale. Familiar places are reflected in this longtime local’s imagery.

Friday night feels right in Center City. Al’s Center Saloon, as always, is serving awesome burgers until midnight and hosting live music or karaoke each week. Scenic North Center Lake is blooming and Cotton Candy Ice Cream Shop has opened for the season across the road. Throughout the summer, Al’s Showroom will be open Fridays from 3-8PM. Please join us to kick off each weekend with art, music, great food and good spirits.

Alan Honn Glass Showroom
321 Summit Avenue
Center City, MN 55012

Fridays, 3-8PM and by appointment

aEntrance bView cShiny dGreene2 eJurek fDennison gWindow hJurek3 iJurek2

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Harrison Street Appreciation

It’s always sweet when Harrison Street plays Al’s Saloon … In appreciation of Erin & the boys, we’re serving coffee and sweets at the glass showroom Friday, May 15, from 3-8PM before the music starts at 8:30.

The Showroom space is coming together: functional, pallet wood goods from Travis Greene are now on view and Al continues to unpack more glass, including vintage pieces from back in the day and new works from last week.

Please plan to join us in downtown Center City, MN to kick off the weekend with art, music, great food and good spirits!

HarrisonAppreciation

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now in progress: Al’s Glass Showroom

We’re patching, painting and unpacking the entire inventory of glass in the space next door to Al’s Center Saloon in Center City, MN. Al’s taking this opportunity to revisit early pieces, debut new works and consider future forms. Through 2015, the showroom will serve as a sales floor for Al’s glass and a venue to host events with neighbors & friends who make good stuff.

All are welcome! details to come …

Alan Honn Glass Showroom
321 Summit Avenue
Center City, MN 55012

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now in Austin, MN

On a recent sunny fall day, we road-tripped to deliver a fine selection of Al’s work to the Austin Artworks Center. The Center now enjoys new digs in a beautifully repurposed bank building downtown – we lingered at the drawing exhibition upstairs and the clay studio in the basement. Happy to be represented in southern Minnesota! Images courtesy of Austin Artworks Center. More info HERE

AustinArtworks

Al@Austin