News from The Soap Factory

photo by Hillary Lund

The Soap Factory, with the help of its recently formed Building Revitalization Task Force, is pleased to announce the selection of MacDonald & Mack Architects with Dunham Associates to create a Historic Structure Report and comprehensive energy plan. The report and plan will provide key information for the rehabilitation and much needed heating of the building. This project has been financed in part with funds provided by the State of Minnesota from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund through the Minnesota Historical Society.

The Soap Factory is a 501(c)(3) arts nonprofit in Minneapolis that draws over 24,000 individuals to its supportive environment for experiment in contemporary art. The organization is the sole owner of its facility, a 48,000 sq. ft. warehouse building with the original portion built in 1883 that housed the National Purity Soap Company for many decades. The structure is a microcosm of Minneapolis’ architectural development, with the original timber-framed brick warehouse, followed by two increasingly modern additions of steel and concrete, capped off with the quintessential mid-century modern offices completed in 1948. The Soap Factory is a contributing resource in the St. Anthony Falls National Historic District and the City of Minneapolis Landmark District.

The Soap Factory is now offering programming all year rather than just seasonally. Stay tuned for more!

A Show to Bring Guests from Out of Town To

This is the kind of show that forces you to slow down and take in the details. Imagine sitting down to a meal with these items. A feast for the eyes!

Dining with the Tsars: Imperial Russian Porcelain brings together approximately 140 superb examples of Russian porcelain wares produced at the Imperial Porcelain Factory in St. Petersburg during the rule of the Romanovs. The beautifully crafted and hand-painted objects on display present visitors with examples of inspired decorative settings and tableware.

This is from the remarkable private collection of a Wisconsin resident.

Mary Abbe of the Star Tribune recently wrote about the exhibition. "Why porcelain? ....Expensive and fragile, porcelain was the era's ultimate luxury good, so pricey that--according to an exhibition panel--it was at first used only for state occasions. For daily use, the royals had to make do with gold and silver tableware!" See Abbe's whole article here.

This show charts the history of imperial dining, featuring rare objects from palace dinner and dessert services used by the Romanovs for court functions and family meals. Also featured are several menus for important royal receptions dating to the periods of Alexander III and Nicholas II.

Be sure to visit The Museum of Russian Art to see these beautiful delicate items--especially with out of town guests during the holidays! The show runs through August 7, 2011. Admission is $7. www.tmora.org

Show of Landscape Paintings by Joshua Cunningham Opens Tomorrow Night

Blue Shadows and Bare Branches, 24”x36”, oil on panel

by Joshua Cunningham

A Winter Show opens at the Grand Hill Gallery in St. Paul Thursday, December 9, 6:30-9:30 p.m. The show runs through January 15.

The eclectic exhibition of landscape paintings explore the expanse of Great Lakes, the rhythms of Prairie in South Western Minnesota, the light and air of the Bluffs along the Mississippi River from St. Paul through Lake Pepin, and the vivid colors of the Tulip Fields and lush valleys around the Northern Cascade Mountains of Washington State.

Grand Hill Gallery is located at 333 Grand Ave Suite 101, St. Paul MN, 55102 at the intersection of Ramsey and 35E.

Grand Hill Gallery

333 Grand Ave Suite 101

St. Paul MN, 55102

651-227-4783

Sketch Night Tomorrow Night

SKETCH NIGHT at the Bell Museum

Thursday, December 2, 6:30 to 8:30 pm.

Regular museum admission

Sketch Night offers both the accomplished illustrator and casual hobbyist an opportunity to sketch museum objects in a one-of-a-kind setting. This month's theme is "shells and sea creatures" and will feature a variety of stunning shells, skeletons and other oceanic treasures. Roz Stendal, a local artist and illustrator known for her customized art classes and workshops, will be on hand to offer pointers to those who want them. Bring your own sketching materials or make use of limited paper and pencils available for sale.