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Spring is coming and it’s time for something new  at the History Center in downtown Lindstrom!  The center is pleased to announce the NEW Folk Art exhibit is ready for viewing Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10-4.  Masks and social distancing are still required and hand sanitizer is provided and encouraged.

Folk art is defined as the products of artists who naturally produce pleasing pictures, carvings, textiles and household furnishings without the benefit of formal art training.  The historical center has assembled a great sampling of folk art items thanks to the generosity of members, volunteers and staff who have loaned some of their extraordinary treasures.  There’s many wood carvings as well as baskets, paintings, pottery,  birdhouses, quilts, toys and various other home décor items.  

Highlights of the exhibit are the wood carving collections of Bruce and Kathy Carlsted of Taylors Falls, Neil Gatzow of Wyoming and Mike Kampa  of Chisago City as well as selections of wood carvings done by Don Johnson of Chisago City and Leif Benson of Kost.   There is also a  showcase of the miniature mid-century village of Harris that was created by Marvin Nelson, and a gorgeous Log Cabin quilt   from the late 1800’s and beautiful Alaskan folk art loaned by Nancy Klammer of Lindstrom and a variety of  paintings done by Lin Strong of Almelund in addition to many other interesting items from the CCHS Collections.

The most unusual piece of folk art on display is  a “memory jug” that was made by Cande Nelson’s grandmother, Christine Anderson Swenson,  around 1915.  These jugs were thought to  be “sculptural scrapbooks” of the time and were possibly influenced by the “spirit jug”  traditions that were brought to the US by African slaves in  the early days of our country.

This fascinating  exhibit will remain up for the next several months.  Please stop by and have a look...you  are sure to enjoy it!

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