Tag Archive: Rock Johnsen

  1. Coalescence

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    This Spring, Gamut Gallery is kicking off the new ownership team’s inaugural exhibition.

    To kick off the 2024 calendar year, Gamut Gallery’s new Director, Francesca Bernardi, partnered with Gamut’s former director, Cass Garner, to create the collaborative exhibition, Coalescence. To bring this conception to fruition this duo requested artist suggestions from the new ownership team, Francesca Bernardi, Kasi Aten, and Brian Oreck along with the co-founders of Gamut, Cass Garner Jade and James Patrick. As the new ownership team is transitioning into their roles, it was essential for them to connect with the community that has been part of Gamut’s roots.

    The curators combed through all the suggestions to pull the most cohesive artists together who represent each owner and co-founder. Cass and Francesca are very excited to welcome back Briana Auel, Evan Weselmann, Kim Heidkamp, John Foster, Jessica Kitzman, Laurie Borggreve, Madison Rubenstein, Nelson Cain, seangarrison, Suyao Tian, and Rock Johnsen – 11 artists who have been part of Gamut’s story over the past 5 years. 

    Together, this roster of abstract artists was formed to bring a vivid multi-media exhibition that embraces the accessibility of Gamut featuring paintings, sculpture, and fiber art available at all price points and sizes. Many of the artists are creating works in the styles they are currently known for while incorporating nods to their past works that started their careers. This exhibition is guaranteed to give you the feels!

    GALLERY & GIFT SHOP OPEN HOURS
    FREE open hours: Thursday – Friday, 11am – 6pm; Saturday 11am – 4pm.

    PUBLIC OPENING NIGHT:
    Saturday, March 16th  // 7-10PM
    Coalescence –  A vivid multi-media exhibition that embraces the accessibility of Gamut featuring paintings, sculpture, and fiber art. Curated by Cass Garner and Francesca Bernardi. Featuring Briana Auel, Evan Weselmann, Kim Heidkamp, John Foster, Jessica Kitzman, Laurie Borggreve, Madison Elyse Rubenstein, Nelson Cain, seangarrison, Suyao Tian, and Rock Johnsen.
    • $10 presales available
    • $15 day of the event, FREE for members
    • DJ sets by James Patrick and Clint Lakness

    COALESENCE CURATOR and ARTIST TALK:
    Thursday, April 4th // 7pm
    Moderator, Russ White of MPLSART joins curators Cass Garner and Francesca Bernardi alongside Coalesence artists Evan Weselmann and Jessica Kitzman to talk all things art.
    • $7 presales coming soon!
    • $10 day of the event, Free for Gamut Gallery Members

    THC SIP and PAINT
    Saturday, April 20th, 2024 // 2pm – 5pm
    Bringing back the energy that created Gamut Gallery, this sip and paint will have all the feelings of CoLab. Bring a friend or make a new one while playing art games and picking up a paintbrush. Canvases and paint will be provided.
    • $15 presales coming soon!
    • $20 day of event
    •     21+ event
    • DJ Bobby Kahn brings the funk

    ABOUT THE CURATORS
    Cass Garner     is a graphic designer, art curator, project manager and working in Minneapolis. She co-founded Gamut Gallery, a cultural hub in Minneapolis over the past 12 years promoting the arts in Minneapolis and beyond. Cass led operations and project management for exhibitions and events while she was the Director until February of this year. She has curated dozens of exhibits within Gamut’s walls. In 2018 Cass was the solo Juror of Artistry’s 42nd Annual Members’ Juried Art Exhibition. Her curatorial practice expanded in 2020 partnering with The Coven at their St. Paul location to curate a special nook of the Coven, and she partnered with HAUS Salon in 2021 to highlight local, innovative artists from the Twin Cities producing 25 solo exhibits throughout the HAUS Salons across Minneapolis. Most recently Cass was the Project Manager for the Holidays on Nicollet and a juror for Hennepin Theatre Trust It’s the People Project.

    Francesca Bernardi is the new Gallery Director and co-owner of Gamut Gallery. They are an art therapist, artist, art collector, and burgeoning curator. Through their work in art therapy, they are a skilled relationship cultivator, attentive communicator, and passionate about building community with multifaceted individuals. Coalescence is Francesca’s gallery curatorial debut however, they have hosted pop-up art galleries in their home featuring local artists. Francesca’s excitement for curating will lead to many more exhibits highlighting artists in Minneapolis.

  2. July Maker’s Market

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    Original Artwork by Lora Hlavsa

    Featuring Alex Guy (Malleus Pottery), Boxy Mouse, Juliana Fergusson (Hello Cross Stitches), Sara Kahn (Imaginary Conservatory), Sarah Pfeifle (Va Va Voom Studio), Rock Johnsen, & Tavia Trulson (Oh! Beehave Balms).

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    Complimenting our current exhibition, Art Is For Everyone, Gamut’s summer pop-up Makers Market has returned to Elliot Park! To commemorate a decade of operating within the Twin Cities arts community, we’ve invited ten creators that have helped tell our story to be part of it once again. As one of the season’s most popular events, our July market will feature jewelry, paintings, pottery, buttons, clothing, sassy cross-stitch, body care, naturalsoap and more!

    The core of Gamut’s philosophy is the sincere belief that art fosters community and that everyone should have access to becoming a collector. With that mission in mind, we are constantly working to reach new audiences that might not have previously known how welcome they are in gallery spaces. Knowing that many of our visitors have begun their journey collecting art with us here at Gamut is such an incredible honor that we feel so lucky to be a part of. Over the last ten years, we’ve watched it unfold across 103 exhibitions, showcasing innovative and accessible media, content, and styles from 880 represented artists. 

    As always without you, there would be no us! Thank you for your years of support & we hope to see you on Saturday, July 9th to celebrate!
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    Art Is For Everyone Maker’s Market Finale
    Saturday, July 9th // Noon-4pm • FREE
    Alex Guy (Malleus Pottery), Boxy Mouse, Juliana Fergusson (Hello Cross Stitches), Sara Kahn (Imaginary Conservatory), Sarah Pfeifle (Va Va Voom Studio), Rock Johnsen, & Tavia Trulson (Oh! Beehave Balms).

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  3. Earth’s Alchemy Artist Talk

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    Saturday, February 19th
    Earth’s Alchemy Artist Talk featuring Rock Johsen – moderated by Cassie Garner, Director of Gamut Gallery & Ceramicist Carter Casmaer.

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    We invite you to start your day out with Rock’s two favorite things; art & science. Join us for a conversation with exhibiting solo artist, Rock Johnsen, moderator Cassie Garner & Ceramicist Carter Casmaer. Listening to Rock Johnsen engage with patrons that came to his exhibiting opening left the room with an overall feeling of awe. Rock’s passion for science and art combined for the ultimate experience our all attendees. We guarantee you will not want to miss the opportunity to listen to Rock dive into his biggest project to date. This will be a limited capacity event and we recommend getting your presale to reserve your seat.

    Earth’s Alchemy has turned Gamut Gallery into a transcendent winter-scaped wonderland. Just like no two snowflakes are alike, each piece featured in this exhibit is one of a kind, inspiring us to remember science in everyday life and its inherent influence on societal progress and inclusivity. Rock’s work represents the certainty of constant evolution at an atomic level, the diversity that stems from these atomic interactions, and their eventual influence on our collective appreciation and interest in expressing ourselves through art.

    Learn more about Earth’s Alchemy: www.gamutgallerympls.com

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    ARTIST TALK
    Saturday, February 19th, 2022 • 10am
    Moderated by Cassie Garner, Director of Gamut Gallery & Ceramicist Carter Casmaer, followed by open Q & A

    • 30 person limited capacity event
    • FREE pre-sales available and recommended
    • All tickets are will-call at the door
    • Masks required indoors
    • This event is FREE in thanks to the Artist Initiative grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board

    MN State Board Art Grant.
    Rock Johnsen is a fiscal year 2021 recipient of an Artist Initiative grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.[/bscolumns][bscolumns class=”clear”][/bscolumns][bscolumns class=”one_half”]

    Rock Johnsen is a scientist and potter living in Minneapolis, MN who grew up in Kansas and Missouri. He obtained a Bachelor’s degree from Pittsburgh University in studio arts with a focus on ceramics and chemistry. Rock’s work explores concepts of duality that he has been perpetually confronted with growing up as a queer person of mixed race in the United States. He uses human anatomy and creatures to examine our comfort level with functional items and also explores the links between chemistry and geology in ceramic glaze.

    His unique crystal growing process is really the recreation of an environment. Rock uses a kiln to simulate the earth’s mantle. Over several hours, between 1800-2200 degrees Fahrenheit, the mixture of basic elements transition to a liquid state. While the vessel’s surface is still fluid, zinc and silica atoms attract one another due to their natural polarities, migrating through the liquid to form larger molecules. With each new piece, Rock mimics environmental conditions by making slight adjustments to the temperature and holding times of the ceramic media; the chemical properties of each element emerge from the crystal solution as the final size, shape, and reflection of each piece becomes an individual representation of material science.

    Carter Casmaer is a Doctor by day and ceramicist by night. He first learned ceramics in his hometown of St. Louis and has ten years of experience working with clay. He aims to make beautiful, functional, affordable pieces that are a pleasure to interact with one’s daily life.

    Cassie Garner is a graphic designer, art curator, and gallerist living and working in Minneapolis. A founder of Gamut Gallery, Cass began as a graphic designer and has grown with the gallery over time. Three years into business when the gallery was forced to relocate, she joined the ownership team and became the gallery manager where she applied her many years of retail and customer service experience. In the spring of 2018, Cass transitioned into the role of Gallery Director and now leads operations and project management for exhibitions and events. Her other passions include collecting art, dancing, making connections, and spending time in her Southside home.

  4. Earth’s Alchemy – Featuring Rock Johnsen

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    Exhibition Extended through Saturday, March 5th, 2022!

    February 4th – March 5th, 2022 // Rock Johnsen solo exhibition exploring the periodic table through his custom ceramic glazes.

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    With the new year in full swing, the transformative power of winter in the Twin Cities sets the stage for Gamut Gallery’s first show of 2022: Earth’s Alchemy.  We are thrilled to host Minnesota State Arts Board recipient, Rock Johnsen, who shares his passion for chemistry and geology in his first solo gallery exhibition.

    Through his experimental glazing methods, the distinctive and delicate crystal structure highlighted in Rock’s body of work evokes the familiarity of ice cracking under the weight of heavy-soled snow boots this February.  From everyday objects like plates, mugs and bowls to his larger-than-life periodic table installation, Rock explores the intersection of art and science by way of the earth’s rare elements and his pottery wheel.  In doing so, he shows us that elements can interact with one another within the confines of solid and functional objects.

    Just like no two snowflakes are alike, each piece featured in this exhibit is one of a kind, inspiring us to remember science in everyday life and its inherent influence on societal progress and inclusivity.  Rock’s work represents the certainty of constant evolution at an atomic level, the diversity that stems from these atomic interactions, and their eventual influence on our collective appreciation and interest in expressing ourselves through art.

    MN State Board Art Grant.
    Rock Johnsen is a fiscal year 2021 recipient of an Artist Initiative grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund. [/bscolumns][bscolumns class=”one_half_last_clear”]

    MEMBERS ONLY PREVIEW NIGHT
    Thursday, February 3rd, 2022 // 6-9pm
    Meet & greet with Rock Johnsen
    • This event is for Gamut Gallery Members, become a Member today!

    PUBLIC OPENING & ARTIST BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
    Friday, February 4th, 2022 // 6-9pm
    • This event is FREE in thanks to the Artist Initiative grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board
    • Limited 30 person capacity
    • FREE pre-sales available & recommended
    • Masks required indoors

    ARTIST TALK
    Saturday, February 19th, 2022 // 10AM
    Moderated by Cassie Garner
    • This event is FREE in thanks to Artist Initiative grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board
    • Masks required indoors
    • Coffee & treats provided[/bscolumns][bscolumns class=”clear”][/bscolumns]

    Rock Johnsen is a scientist and potter living in Minneapolis, MN who grew up in Kansas and Missouri. He obtained a Bachelor’s degree from Pittsburgh University in studio arts with a focus on ceramics and chemistry. Rock’s work explores concepts of duality that he has been perpetually confronted with growing up as a queer person of mixed race in the United States. He uses human anatomy and creatures to examine our comfort level with functional items and also explores the links between chemistry and geology in ceramic glaze. 

    His unique crystal growing process is really the recreation of an environment. Rock uses a kiln to simulate the earth’s mantle. Over several hours, between 1800-2200 degrees Fahrenheit, the mixture of basic elements transition to a liquid state. While the vessel’s surface is still fluid, zinc and silica atoms attract one another due to their natural polarities, migrating through the liquid to form larger molecules. With each new piece, Rock mimics environmental conditions by making slight adjustments to the temperature and holding times of the ceramic media; the chemical properties of each element emerge from the crystal solution as the final size, shape, and reflection of each piece becomes an individual representation of material science.

  5. Raging Art On

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    FEATURED ARTISTS: Aaron Kibben, Aaron Schmitz, Allison Baker, Anna Brauch, Ashley Nichole, Barret Lee, Benja Wuest, Black Daze, Canaan Mattson, Cassie Garner, C.E. Hickman, Dawn Yang, Darwin Patrick, Eli Libson, Emily Forbes, Emily Quandahl, Evan Weselmann, Heather Renaux, Jacob Eidem, James Kloiber, Jamie Owens, Jenna Richardson, Juliana Fergusson, Justice Jones, Kellan David, Lalunette Jewelry, Linnea Maas, Lora Hlavsa, Nelson Cain, Phaedra Odelle, Rachel Schroder, Reid Olson, Rock Johnsen, Roland Patrick, Ron Brown, Rose Weselmann, Russ White, Scott Seekins, Sherstin Schwartz, stace of spades & Witney Bjerke.

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    As a local art gallery & retail space, the holidays are our favorite time of year! Nothing makes us happier than helping our community spread love through the arts. While gatherings and holiday arrangements feels a bit different this year, there is so much magic to be made this season. The event that kicked off Gamut’s inception is back for the 9th year in a row! A holiday shop in a gallery setting, Gamut provides a fun-filled, consumer-conscious alternative to chain stores and mall shopping. Our annual holiday retail shop, Raging Art On (RAO), will feature over a dozen new artists and many others that have been with us from the very beginning.

    With the exception of selecting the participants, Gamut leaves the rest up to the local artists. In doing so, they choose their works and the number of pieces they wish to show.  What emerges is a gallery filled with paintings, photos, prints, collectibles, jewelry, sculptures, and more! RAO will kick-off with a dedicated members only night on Tuesday, December 1st, followed by 3 weeks of FREE open gallery hours + selected works will remain available online through January 5th.

    As we continue to assess the evolving nature of COVID-19, Gamut Gallery will be operating under limited capacity to allow adequate social distancing. Additionally, to ensure everyone has access to a safe holiday shopping experience, patrons may request an appointment. We want our community to know above all, we hear you and we’re here for you. Hesitations towards crowds and anxiety around holiday planning are valid concerns. We will be keeping the gallery clean by actively sanitizing, temperature readings, and enforcing social distancing. We are also happy to announce that we will be providing alternatives to in-person shopping, such as online ordering, curbside pickup, virtual shopping appointments & private shopping sessions.

    Selected works featured in RAO will be available on Gamut’s website for those who wish to shop from the comfort of their home beginning Wednesday, December 2nd! Gamut Gallery will also be diligent with Instagram and Facebook live streams during our open hours. Go ahead and wear your pjs while shopping for your holiday essentials!

    Raging Art On reflects Gamut Gallery’s ethos of community, collaboration, the art of the happening and eco-consciousness. Artworks & gifts are cash-n-carry at our holiday sale, they are handmade locally and are in harmony with those values. In 2020, more than ever, let our artists be your elves and continue to support our vibrant community of local artists and makers.

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    MEMBERS ONLY NIGHT PREVIEW PARTY:
    Tuesday, December 1st // 5-10pm
    Reserve your spot if you are a current Member and/or become a member today!! NEW! Individual & Dual Members will receive 10% all purchases on opening night, Platinum member(s) will receive 20% off!

    December 1st – December 2oth
    In person shopping Wednesdays – Saturdays from 11am – 6pm & Sundays by Appointment
    •  Only 8 guests in the gallery at a time.
    •  We collect info from all guests for contact tracing
    •  All temps will be checked at the door, high temps will not be allowed to enter.
    •  Hand sanitizer and extra masks available at the door.
    •  Gloves will be available to all guests who wish to handle work(s).
    •  Private hour long shopping sessions every Sunday from noon-4pm – Please book ahead on our website. 
    •  First hour of shopping will be available for the most vulnerable Wednesday – Saturday.

    December 2nd – January 5th • Selected Works Online

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