Art Under $300
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Whether you’re interested in buying original
artwork as home décor or you’re ready to start building a serious collection,
taking the first step can be intimidating. What galleries should you visit? Can
you find original pieces that won’t break your budget? How do you know if an
artist is worth collecting? What is good art? Mpls.St.Paul Magazine lifestyle editor Jayne
Haugen Olson and galleries columnist Stephanie Xenos have taken the first step
for you. They visited nearly thirty galleries and arts-focused shops and found
twenty-five refined, thoughtful pieces in a variety of media for less than
$300—many are by Twin Cities–based artists.Though
we can’t answer all your questions—tastes in art are wide-ranging and very
personal—we do know this: If it speaks to you, buy it. Produced by Claire
Joubert, Jayne Haugen Olson, Stephanie Xenos
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Dancing Family by Boris Kramer
Forged steel, 12 inches high, $265 The Grand Hand Gallery
The
pieces you’ll find here might well be described as art for everyday life. The
gallery is full of beautiful handmade objects, many surprisingly affordable.
It’s an ideal place for art collectors and tasteful gift-givers alike. 611 Grand
Ave., St. Paul, 651-312-1122
Photo by Michael Hendrickson
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3 Times Pop by James
Mixed
media on metal, 10 inches square by 7 inches deep, $290 Art Resources Gallery
Of the places we explored, this gallery has the
largest assortment, including fine crafts, blown glass, paintings, textiles,
sculpture, mixed media, and ceramics by local and national artists. Ask for
assistance—we were also tempted by some unframed pieces stored flat in drawers.
Bonus: The basement at the St. Paul location is a clearance room filled with
framed posters, prints, vintage pieces, and original works. 494 Jackson St., St.
Paul, 651-222-4431, also Galleria
and International Market Square
Photo by Michael Hendrickson
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Four Birds in Crabapple by Laura McCaul
Blackware ceramic, 7 by 11 inches,
$230 Clay
Squared to Infinity
Mixing
functional art with fine art, Clay Squared has tons of handmade tiles, mosaics,
and other glazed ceramic art pieces deserving a place of honor on a wall or
tabletop. 34 13th Ave. NE, Mpls., 612-781-6409
Photo by Michael Hendrickson
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On Seventh Street by Ron Merchant
Giclee, 13 by 15 inches, framed,
$140 Art
Resources Gallery, St. Paul
Photo by Michael Hendrickson
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Under the Pink II by Bethany Kalk
Mixed media, 18 by 14 inches, $250,
unframed Soo
Visual Arts Center
Part
of Soo Vac’s mission is to make art affordable, and that comes through in the
many options available for less than $300 at this über hip Uptown spot.
Sometimes edgy, sometimes ironic, sometimes humorous, the prints and other art
objects are accessible in more ways than one. 2640 Lyndale Ave. S., Mpls.,
612-871-2263
Photo by Michael Hendrickson
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The Delegation and a Bridge by Brian Sago
Solar plate intaglio print, 14 by 16-1/4 inches,
$175, unframed Highpoint Center for Printmaking
More
than thirty artists working in a variety of styles, from stone lithography to
etching, belong to this cooperative workshop and gallery. Many offer at least
some pieces for $300 or less. Buying art takes a little more legwork here since
each artist represents his or her own work, but it’s worth the effort. 2638
Lyndale Ave. S., Mpls., 612-871-1326
Photo by Michael Hendrickson
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Small vases by Laurie Shaman
Slab-built earthenware, 5 by 3 by 2 inches
(medium), 2-1/4 by 3-3/4 by 1-3/4 inches (small), $65 (medium), $40
(small) Northern
Clay Center
Choosing
between the many options may be the hardest part about visiting this gallery and
adjoining store. The styles—Asian, modern, romantic, rustic—and selection of
affordable ceramic art are impressive. 2424 Franklin Ave. E., Mpls.,
612-339-8007
Photo by Michael Hendrickson
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My Three Sisters by Star Wallowing Bull
Limited-edition lithograph, 22 by 29 inches,
$250, unframed Bockley
Gallery
Most
pieces are geared toward art collectors with well-padded pocketbooks, but there
are exceptions. Smaller pieces and limited-edition prints by Native American
artists can be had at more plebeian prices. 2123 W. 21st St., Mpls.,
612-377-4669
Photo by Michael Hendrickson
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Pear Tote by Amy Rice
Mixed media, 12 inches square, $240,
framed Outsiders
and Others Gallery
Something
for everyone (and every price) sums up the selection at this gallery dedicated
to the work of self-taught artists. Nearly everything is less than $300, so
you’ll be awash in options, from a wide selection of Amy Rice’s work to the
whimsical seed-covered creations of Lillian Colton. 1010 Park Ave., Mpls.,
612-338-3435
Photo by Michael Hendrickson
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Nest Series by Sharon Meyer Postance
Jute, raffia, wire, silk, and cornhusk paper, 7
by 10 inches, $300 The
Grand Hand Gallery
Photo by Michael Hendrickson
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Landscape by K. Daphnae Koop
Mixed media on carved wood, 5-3/4 by 5 by 2
inches, $150 Five
Two Six Gallery
Among the fine assortment of lighting, textiles,
jewelry, and vintage and antique furniture, the mindful gallery director has
woven in contemporary pieces by local painters, printmakers, sculptors,
photographers, potters, and ceramic artists. 526 Selby Ave., St. Paul,
651-222-3839
Photo by Michael Hendrickson
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Jersey Girl by Kari Maxwell
Oil painting, 8-1/4 by 10-1/2 inches, framed,
$225 Artist
Mercantile
This
quaint artist-owned shop/gift store includes functional wares, jewelry, and
wearable art, as well as pottery, paintings, and photography primarily by local
artists and craftspeople. 24 7th Place W., St. Paul, 651-222-0053
Photo by Michael Hendrickson
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Portal by Dick Brewer
Back-painted relief carved Plexiglas, 6 inches
across, framed, $295 Gallery
360
On
any given day you can walk through the doors of this contemporary
gallery/boutique and take in works by more than 100, mostly local, artists. The
pieces range from investment-quality art to smaller gift items created from
nearly every conventional medium. 3011 W. 50th St., Mpls., 612-925-2400
Photo by Michael Hendrickson
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Untitled by John Orth
Acrylic on paper, 11 by 15 inches, $300,
unframed Gallery
13
You
can’t please all the people all the time, but Gallery 13 comes close, offering a
little of everything, from Edward Gory–esque drawings by Alexsandra Rozenman to
colorful woodcuts by Joshua Norton. 302 13th Ave. NE, Mpls., 651-592-5503
Photo by Michael Hendrickson
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The Hero by Marcia Casey Cushmore
Color photograph, 10 by 12 inches, $300,
framed Flanders
Contemporary Art
Flanders
is one of those galleries you might not think to visit if you’re planning to
spend hundreds rather than thousands. But call ahead, lay out your budget, and
this purveyor of contemporary paintings, drawings, and sculpture will have a
selection of art for you to view. 3012 Lyndale Ave. S., Mpls., 612-344-1700
Photo by Michael Hendrickson
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El Abuelo by Xavier Tavera
Color photograph, 16 inches square, unframed,
comes with MCP sponsor membership, $250 value Minnesota
Center for Photography
The
Minnesota Center for Photography shows work by both established and emerging
photographers, which makes it a great place to scout for up-and-comers. You’ll
find more fine art photography books than prints in the retail area right now,
but the selection is growing. 165 13th Ave. NE, Mpls., 612-824-5500
Photo by Michael Hendrickson
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Lake Street Series, artist unknown
Prints purchased at Minneapolis College of Art
and Design student sale
14-1/2 by 31-1/2 inches, framed,
$250 Mitrebox
Framing Studio
This
North Loop frame shop has a hip vibe and an urban sophistication. Besides
offering great framing services (even for works you buy at other galleries), the
owners seek pieces by local artisans, then frame them to sell. 213 Washington
Ave. N., Mpls., 612-676-0696
Photo by Michael Hendrickson
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Mickey’s Diner by Karen Mazzarella
Giclee print, 9 by 18 inches, $35, unframed
open-edition print; print from original oil, 24 by 48 inches,
$150 AZ
Gallery
You
never know what you’ll run across at this artists’ co-op gallery located in the
Northern Warehouse Building in St. Paul’s Lowertown. The selection tends to
reflect the works currently on exhibit, but affordable prints from a variety of
co-op artists are guaranteed. 308 Prince St., St. Paul, 651-255-6624
Photo by Michael Hendrickson
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For You by Ann Wood and Dean Lucker
Mechanical picture, 8 by 12 inches, framed,
$168 Gallery
360
Photo by Michael Hendrickson
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Within Reach by Christine Herman
Monotype, 8 inches square, $250 Three
Rooms
This
boutique/gallery’s strength is its edited collection of home wares and artworks
by American artists. Some pieces are mass-produced, but most are handmade
originals, including our pick from Stillwater artist Christine Herman. From the
whimsical to the refined, the contemporary assortment has made this shop an
Edina mainstay. Galleria, Edina, 952-926-1774
Photo by Michael Hendrickson
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