COMMUNITY ART
In case you haven't been able to tell, we're more than just a little art supply shop. We're people that care. A lot. About a lot of different stuff. Mostly we just want to make the world a better place by being most fully our best selves. And the way we do that at the Stick is through art. And people. We hope that by bringing art and people together and pushing that art and those people to say something and to be something that we will all grow stronger as individuals and as communities.
Community art is art made by people. Lots of people. Anyone in the community that wants to participate. Big people, little people, people that can see, people that can't. People that are artistic, people that aren't. But that's not the point. The purpose of community art, as we see it, is to involve a broad family of people in the creative process. And we do that with broken tile and cut glass and lots of shiny gems. And big hearts. Yeah, that's it. Big hearts. And all these people, together, create. And, with a little guidance from us and a whole lotta magic, something beautiful materializes - it often amazes us. So many hands and fingers and eyes and stories are embedded in the community mosaics that you'll see here. Again and again, we've been part of the magic that happens when hands are busy and hearts are free. So, stand back, throw your eyes out of focus a bit, and enjoy.
COMMUNITY CAIRN
2020
The project involved the community through engagement events this summer and fall, including an online video and survey to gather input and then several art creation events when the community was invited to help create the work. Community members painted quilt squares that became part of the mosaic design and wrote on tile pieces that are featured in the work. Several local assisted living facilities also participated, with seniors getting the opportunity to write on tile pieces as well. All told, nearly 200 people took part in this community project.
UNITY TOWER
2019
This sculptural tower was designed and created by Roseville Area Middle School with the help of Lori during an artist residence at the school. It is permanently installed at the Ramsey County Library.
COLLABORATIVE MOSAIC: THE MOSAIC BODY
2018
28 pieces, one image. Collaborative Project: The Mosaic Body is a creative collaboration of many different artists. The woman stares out- poised yet relaxed, protective yet fierce, cautious yet unwavering, and in full embrace of herself in all her complexities. The image of the woman was drawn out onto one large piece of Wedi board by Lori and Juliette, then cut up into 28 pieces each containing individual images ambiguous in their lines and shapes. Everyone who participated was given a Wedi board square, and had no knowledge of what the full image looked like. The only rules were to follow the red outlines with red tile, and fill in the shapes with any color, and any pattern. When all the pieces were returned, they were then reassembled into the original image. The result you see here is the original drawing now filled in with the individual voices and imaginations of each artist who took part.
HAMLINE MIDWAY LIBRARY COMMUNITY MOSAIC
2018
This mosaic was created with and for the vibrant community of the Hamline-Midway neighborhoods in Saint Paul. Lori created the design based on what the community members wanted to see. Workshop days were then hosted outside the library and were open to the public- people of all ages came and participated, and for many it was their first time making a mosaic artwork. This nature-inspired and community-fueled mosaic now stands proudly at the Hamline Midway Library, built with the hands of the neighborhood members.
HAMLINE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
2018
Lori created this mosaic with local children that were attending Vacation Bible School through the Hamline United Church.
FOREST LAKE AREA MIDDLE SCHOOL
2018
This mural was made with the students at Forest Lake Area Middle school during a residency. With Lori's help, the students designed and constructed a 6x10’ mosaic mural in honor of the inaugural year of Forest Lake Middle School. This project was made possible through a grant from TEFFLA, The Education Foundation of the Forest Lake Area.
BUSH FOUNDATION COLLABORATIVE COMMUNITY MOSAIC
2016
This collaborative mosaic was made with members of the Bush Foundation. Lori created a design on Wedi board, cut it into 12 pieces, and everyone in the group completed a square without knowing what the final design would look like. This was one of the first projects of its kind that Lori experimented with, and inspired her to expand the possibilities of this kind of collaboration.
COMPAS ARTSCOPE PROGRAM
2012
Created by local teenagers as part of the COMPAS program through ArtScope. Lori worked with them to design and install the mural at “The Canvas”, a teen art center located in Hancock Recreation Center in St. Paul.