ART OPENS DOORS!

As the Director of Art of Edina, I am so honored to be working with Galleria Edina to curate and help oversee this playful new art installation called Art Opens Doors!

We asked 11 talented Twin Cities creatives to design tiny doors. The artists were free to use their imaginations and create big impacts in small spaces!

We also created one larger, full sized door graphic for a total of 12 doors.

The doors are now nestled throughout the halls of Galleria and hopefully add a little whimsy to visitors’ days!

The doors are also up for a good cause! Visitors can tag their door photos on Instagram or Facebook with #ArtOpensDoors @galleriaEdina and @bigstwincities and Galleria will donate $1 (up to $5000) to Big Brothers Big Sisters Twin Cities.

Each door is unique and a reflection of the artist’s style…

Nestled between Louis Vuitton & David Yurman is “I Didn’t See You Arrive (But You’re Here All The Same)” By Abby Haddican.

Abby’s door is an original acrylic painting that is described as a “colorful evocative portal to a more magical place.”.

The Edina-based artistic power couple Nick and Anne Legeros created their own “Open Door Art Gallery”. Nick is a well known sculptor and Anne is known for her wonderful paintings. Their art can be found all around Edina and the state!

Their doors open to a fabulous gallery space complete with original sculptures and paintings! Anne says “we wanted to play upon the theme of art opening doors and literally have our doors open to art.”

Allen Christian, artist and creator of the House of Balls art studio created this metallic masterpiece. “This door was created by three driving forces,” says Allen, “the first being Japan. This year I finally made it to Nihon, or Nippon, which means “House of the Rising Sun”, a definite bucket list item for me. Visually this piece is driven by the Japanese sense of simplicity. I also gave it an Asian theme influenced by this trip.”

“The second element,” continues Allen, “is the drum cymbal, an element I’ve been working with in a series of sculptures the last couple of months. For me it has to do with sound and vibration that emits from this object which becomes part of our global vibrancy.

The third element is the door itself. I have had a public studio called the House of Balls since 1986 and it’s always been about crossing the threshold. For me that threshold is creativity and how we can join the chorus of voices that sing in all its diverse forms. Hopefully this door opens a mind or two to their own possibility and potential.”

You’ll find “Nobody’s Gnome” located in a central location of the Galleria. This woodsy wonder was created by Can Can Wonderland owner and talented artist Chris Pennington. Chris used wire, Sculpey Clay, found globe, popsicle sticks, model grass tufts, miniature flowers, felt, doohickies and treasures.

Chris says, “For many years, Fairy Gardens have been all the rage. Their delightful settlements can be found in yards and gardens throughout the Realm. However, there is a darker side. Fairy gardens have increasingly encroached on what has been traditionally considered garden gnome habitat. Surface dwelling varieties of gnome, such as the tree gnome are particularly at risk. Our project is designed to raise consciousness on the plight of the endangered tree gnome, and appreciate their unique style of dwelling.”

Arcos Abiertos was created by the talented mosaic artist Mica Anders. It is an elegant façade featuring open archways adorned with sumptuous fabrics and rich mosaic tiles.

Anders used original batik fabrics and small jeweled stones to create her intrinsically detailed door.

Minneapolis’ famous traveling Font Salesman Chank Diesel created this Super-Sized Succulent Shop called Jumbo Jades..

Chank played with scale (and fonts!) and created a little store that sells humongous jade plants. His space includes the use of live succulents and teeny people and pets.

“Soft Landing” was created by the talented Meg Corcoran of ScribbleNest. Meg is a mixed media artist who creates collages, paintings, sculpture, mobiles and more.

Meg’s lunar landing scene is made almost entirely of found or repurposed items including velvet, marbles, Superballs, belt loops, bottle caps, bubble wrap, upholstery foam and more.

“Dream Big” was created by Hayley Kolar, a St Paul painter and artist who has an affinity towards rainbows.

Hayley used bright and colorful elements to communicate a sense of hope. She said that she wishes to portray the idea that “no dream is too big - the sky is the limit!”

“Minneapolis” was created by the mystery pop-up artist MOWS who is known for creating tiny doors al around the Twin Cities!

Mow’s Minneapolis is made out of cast resin and has multiple objects that are associated with our great city! His minimalistic style door adds a modern edge and pop of color to the space.

“Unlocked” by Judith Marilyn is nestled in a prime traffic area between the new Face Foundry and Starbucks.

Judith used brightly colored geometric shapes for an abstract design. Her door was created to offer “support and guidance for a child to allow them to grow creatively by exploring and using their imaginations.”

Nearby you will also find “Frenchie” which was created by Twin Cities designer and Instagram sensation Erin Francois.

Erin’s door was inspired by some of her favorite doors she has seen and photographed during her travels to Paris. Her installation include marbled handmade paper, crown molding, double french doors with centered knobs, brick pavers and a sweet vintage bike parked out front.

Art Opens Doors Wall Mural was created in partnership with LAB MPLS.

LAB MPLS designed the full-scale wall graphic as well as the small promotional pieces found throughout the Galleria!

This wonderfully whimsical exhibit will be displayed through August 31st. Please visit Galleria Edina and see if you can find all 12 doors and help raise money for a great cause by sharing a photo or two!

To learn more about each artist, click on their above-mentioned names in bold.

To learn more about Galleria, click here.

To learn more about Art of Edina, click here.