
21 Feb Art Shanty Projects: Artist Exhibits on a Frozen Lake
Minnesota has a vibrant art scene with world class museums, theater and live music in every direction and artist galleries and studios in almost every corner. In addition to this, residents have learned to embrace the winter and find creative ways to enjoy the season. After combining these two principles, the Art Shanty Projects were born. This event is a yearly gathering where a community of over 100 artists set up temporary displays and performances on the ice of a frozen lake.
The free event is held every year in February and the shanty projects are open on Saturdays and Sundays. Located on Medicine Lake in White Bear Lake, the project focuses on expanding one’s notion of art and make an interactive environment between the artists, art, performances, and visitors. The founders of the event saw a chance for artists to create in an extreme environment while reinventing the cultural pastime of ice fishing.
Themes for the shanties cover a wide range of subjects and activities—you can find anything from science and nature themes to dancing and music. We were impressed with the creativity of the artists and had a blast exploring the various exhibits.
Unfortunately, we didn’t have quite enough time to check out every single shanty, but we certainly made a good dent in our exploration. I wish we could have seen all of the installations, but it gives us even more reason to head back again for more art fun. Here’s a bit more information on the shanty projects that we were able to visit.
Artetarium
Artists: Gabriel Bodkin, Alex Schluender
This domed structure was set up to resemble a planetarium inside—on the ceiling, visitors can see silhouetted “constellations” and listen to storytelling and music. The creators of this shanty wants visitors to reflect on their understanding of myths and the human story.
Conversation Booth
Artists: Alexandra Eninsche, Caitlin Dippo, Nick Kramer
Inside the Conversation Booth, visitors sit in a booth and talk to other festival attendees on the opposite side of the wall through a phone. It encourages interactions can conversations with others that might not have happened otherwise. Micah had a fun chat with one of the creators of the booth, and we loved the unique interactive spin on this display!
Ghost Shanty
Artists: Sam Clausen, Lauren Fleming, Sean Higgins, Perri Kinsman, Tyler MacNeal, Joe Mollen
The Ghost Shanty had a collection of artifacts from Minnesota that were selected to represent the diverse character of the state. Visitors can interact with the artifacts that are hanging from the ceiling and are encouraged to create their own art and interpretations on the walls of the shanty to show what Minnesota means to them.
I-C SPArkle-matic
Artists: Richelle Soper, Cole Zrostlik
This fun exhibit was set up like a human carwash that visitors can walk through. The “interactive spa experience” is a funny way to interact with various objects as you make your way through the shanty.
Shanty National Park
Artists: Eli Edleson-Stein, Sarah Rusch
One of my personal favorite shanties was the Shanty National Park. Inside this shack, you will find greenery, critters, a flowing river and beautiful nature scenes. I love the elements of movement in the display and it felt like we had a quick escape to summertime in a National Park in the midst of winter.
Snow Blind
Artist: Robin Garwood
Snow Blind is another very interactive shanty—from the outside it doesn’t look like much, but once you are inside, you will find floor to ceiling windows covered with overlapping grids. Visitors are encouraged to touch the window coverings and watch how it changes the appearance of the scenery outside.
String Box Shanty
Artists: Christopher Brenny, Dave Dammar, Mark Dunsworth, Adam Jarvi, Monica Russell, Sean Wagner
The String Box Shanty uses string to interact with the always changing environment that surrounds it. The frames of the shanty are threaded with colorful string by visitors to show the effect of human touch. The intertwining strings create a maze of interaction and in turn they create a beautiful display of art.
The Justice Shack
Artists: Jennifer Byers, Colleen Cook, Hortense MacLeod, Angela Maki-North
The Justice Shack was run entirely on solar power and it provided a warm space for visitors to reflect and voice their opinions on the issues of justice going on in the world. They encourage visitors to share their opinion by posting it on the wall and they welcome poetry, meditation and engagement with the community.
The Sky is Falling
Artists: Raymond Finzel, JP Merz, Jane Rennick
Inside this shanty you will find a biofeedback experience complete with light and sound. Place your hand on the handprint and the light will change as will the sound you hear in the room. The purpose of this display is interacting with the artists to explore the relationship between what’s inside you and the environment around you.
Winter Parasol
Artist: Kerrik Wessel
The colorful panels in this creation are red and translucent, but they also serve another purpose which is to generate electricity by collecting the sun’s energy. They are pieced together to create a beautiful display, but I love that they serve a functional purpose, as well!
ArtCar + ArtBikes of Minnesota
Artists: Carol Ahlgren, Allen Christian, Jan Elftmann, Sandee Elftmann, Ruthann Godollei, Max Haynes, Mina Leierwood, Mark Mueske, Patti Paulson, Janet Skidmore, Craig Upright, Toni Warner
We didn’t see the ArtCar, but we did get a chance to see the ArtBike. The bike resembled a seal and had seats in the front to give visitors rides to and from the shoreline! The ArtCars also offered transportation to and from the shore if you don’t want to make the walk out there.
Inward Music: Defrosted
Artist: Sarah Stengle
This display is a moveable installation of furniture and harps mounted on skis. Performers play the harps and visitors are invited to join in and play music themselves—it was another fun and interactive exhibit.
Have you ever been to the Art Shanty Projects or something similar?
Linda Aksomitis
Posted at 11:07h, 23 FebruaryWhat an amazing event idea — so many unique and fascinating displays. It looks like the perfect off-the-beaten path destination for anyone who loves winter (which we do!).
Jenna Kvidt
Posted at 01:02h, 03 MarchYeah, it’s a great winter activity! Perfect way to embrace the cold and enjoy something a bit different! 🙂
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Suze
Posted at 04:41h, 25 FebruaryTwitter: luxurycolumnist
It’s amazing how creative people can be in such a small space! The Conversation shanty is my favourite, such a simple yet brilliant idea. I love the Art Bike too, did you get a ride on it?
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Jenna Kvidt
Posted at 01:01h, 03 MarchI know–I love seeing how creative people can get–it’s amazing! But no, we didn’t end up going for a ride unfortunately. We should have but just didn’t get around to it! It looked like fun though!
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Anne
Posted at 06:11h, 25 FebruaryI absolutely love this. It’s so different and looks fascinating. What a fabulous idea.
Jenna Kvidt
Posted at 01:00h, 03 MarchAgreed! It was quite the event!
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Indrani
Posted at 05:23h, 26 FebruaryI am speechless really!!! What all ideas they have come up with!
The conversation booth is such a great idea. And I am sure my kids will love the ghost Shanty.
Jenna Kvidt
Posted at 01:00h, 03 MarchYeah, there were so many neat ideas! Would love to see all the drawings in the ghost shanty after the event is over!
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Mike Cotton
Posted at 08:46h, 26 FebruaryI used to live in Moorhead, MN, back in 2005. The state of 10,000 lakes is beyond beautiful and full of culture.
Jenna Kvidt
Posted at 00:59h, 03 MarchAgreed, such a beautiful state with lots of great culture! That’s cool you lived in Moorhead for a bit–we grew up about 40 minutes from there in Pelican Rapids!
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Vicki Louise
Posted at 23:49h, 26 FebruaryTwitter: vickilouise86
What a funky art exhibition! And on the ice too! Where on earth do people come up with these crazy ideas?! it’s fascinating!
Jenna Kvidt
Posted at 00:58h, 03 MarchI know–crazy how they even thought of this event! It was so fun to explore–we loved that it was out on the ice!
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Jo
Posted at 19:10h, 27 FebruaryOh wow this looks like soooo much fun – I love the artifacts hanging from the ceiling and the car wash, national park etc – what fab ideas exhibited here. I would love to visit an exhibition like this!
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Jenna Kvidt
Posted at 00:56h, 03 MarchIt was a blast! So many cool creations! 🙂
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elisa
Posted at 12:06h, 28 FebruaryI love this kind of initiatives, creative projects and events are my favourite hobby in wintertime. I loved the string box installation, I think it has interesting photo opportunities. Thanks!
Jenna Kvidt
Posted at 00:56h, 03 MarchYeah, there could be so many interesting photos with the string box–it was a really neat display!
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Megan Jerrard
Posted at 01:31h, 01 MarchTwitter: mappingmegan
This is incredible! I’ve never seen anything quite like it, and the Shanty’s are super creative … I would love to travel to MN during the winter to see this. Great way to still embrace the outdoor after everything has frozen over! LOVE the art bike 🙂
Jenna Kvidt
Posted at 00:55h, 03 MarchAgreed–it was such a fun way to embrace winter! We loved it. Hope you can make it to MN in the winter sometime to check it out! 🙂
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Anita Hendrieka
Posted at 05:52h, 01 MarchThis is such an original and fascinating idea for an exhibition. Out of all the exhibitions I have seen this would have to take the cake!
Jenna Kvidt
Posted at 00:54h, 03 MarchIt was a great time and is definitely a unique event! Hope you can check it out sometime!
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whatdevondiscovered
Posted at 13:49h, 01 MarchThis is such a cool event. I love that the cold weather is embraces and enjoyed. I think the conversation shanty was my favorite.
Jenna Kvidt
Posted at 00:54h, 03 MarchYeah, the conversation shanty was a fun one–cool way to have some interesting conversations! 🙂
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Jennifer
Posted at 09:05h, 02 MarchTwitter: jdomb
This looks like such a cool festival! I’d go for the location out on a frozen lake alone. The conversation shanty reminds me of going to confession in my Catholic school days. And I love the art bike! What a fun way to ride around.
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Jenna Kvidt
Posted at 00:52h, 03 MarchLol, yeah I can see where the booth would remind you of confession! We had such a fun time exploring–we loved that it was on a frozen lake too. Made for a really cool environment! 🙂
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Roman Milovidov
Posted at 20:29h, 08 MarchSuch a cool festival! Seems it was not cold there! We have a lot of snow and ice during winter, I like the ice statues and the ice art!!
Great ideas.
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Jenna Kvidt
Posted at 02:36h, 11 MarchIt was a great time! The temperature was around 35ºF that day, so it was pretty nice out for Minnesota winter! 🙂
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