Bringing Together Edina's Art, Business Communities

What’s wanted and needed regarding art and culture in Edina? The Arts & Culture Working Group of the (EAC) has been meeting monthly since March to gather information to answer that question. All interested citizens are welcome to attend.

One critical, creative caveat that seems so obvious is to bring together the worlds of art and business. 

I’m thinking: 

• The Art of Business
• The Business of Art
• Art as Business
• Business as Art
• Art IS Business
• Business IS Art

The Art of Business

Whether I’m getting my teeth cleaned at Park Dental in the Southdale Medical Building, shopping for Marmite at on France Avenue or eating the yummy avocado and chicken flatbread pizza at , I’m thinking: How I can impact the places I do business with to support the arts?

For starters, there’s all that wall space. Especially in restaurants, coffee shops, doctors’ and dentists’ offices, in fact at most offices. If you’re like me, you frequent the same places of business. After the first few visits, I’m oblivious to the surroundings. That COULD be different if there was original art which changed every few months. Yes, it would take a commitment of time on the part of businesses. And, of course, time is money. I assert it would be worth the investment for the difference the business’s could make for the local art scene. Another result is that they’d have happier, more appreciative customers and perhaps happier employees, too. Happy customers buy more!  Happy employees stay longer!

The Business of Art

One of the most frequent comments I hear local artists expressing is the lack of gallery and studio space in which to work, show and sell their work in Edina.  

What would happen if businesses did something about that?  The 50th & France Business Association has taken the lead by supporting public art in partnership with the Edina Public Art Committee (EPAC), expanding the annual sculpture exhibit. There are now three areas for public sculptures in the annual exhibition: 50th & France, The Promenade and Grandview Square Park. [See photographs from my previous EdinaPatch Blogs.]  

Simon Property Group Inc., which manages , has expressed interest in the possibility of a collaboration with the EAC, the board learned at a recent working session with the Edina City Council. America’s first indoor shopping center now undergoing a multi-million dollar renovation, that could potentially support a business-art relationship. The Minnetonka Center for the Arts has a presence at Ridgedale Center and classes are offered there for kids, teens and adults. They also promote art birthday parties for kids. Awesome!

Art as Business

Spaulding, Heidi Hoy’s charming bronze dog is causing quite a buzz with patrons of and the neighboring . Mayor Jim Hovland mentioned in his remarks at this week’s opening of the 4th Annual Edina Sculpture Exhibition at Pinstripes that the owners of Salut may want to purchase Spaulding. Let’s hope they do!

Apparently, many of their customers are becoming attached to the whimsical little pup. It’s good for business. I hope one or both of those restaurants sees the value of buying the sculpture, not only to support Edina Public Art, but to provide a dining atmosphere with a sense of joy and culture for their customers. Besides, I’ve hear that happy customers order more wine!

Business as Art

A business degree from the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management can help businesses succeed. A business that supports local cultural and artistic involvement can have an advantage over a business that doesn’t. Case in Point: the new MoZaic Art Park developed by Stu Ackerberg in Uptown at Lagoon Avenue and S. Girard Avenue just behind the Lagoon Theater. This $45 million, 78,000 sq. ft. mixed use development is extraordinary.

The relatively tiny and enormously exciting space offers free wireless service with tables, chairs and perennial gardens that are creatively designed. MoZaic Art Park includes major works including two seven-foot bronze sculptures by Heidi Hoy. Two are titled Venus In Ventus atop monolithic 21-foot pillars from the old Minneapolis Federal Reserve Building. The intimate park’s water fountain is a huge downward pointing blue arrow where you can fill your own container, a regular drinking fountain and a built-in water dish for dogs. Brilliant! [See photos]  

Edina City Planners, architects and citizens planning buildings in our city as well as businesses considering expanding should experience this model! It’s a WOW! experience and will spawn ideas for our community.

Art IS Business

I’ve heard that an Edina City Ordinance prohibits residents from selling art made in their home FROM their home. In this day of entrepreneurship and ubiquitous Home Based Businesses, it seems that we would want to encourage artists working from their homes.

Some examples would be experienced and talented piano teachers giving lessons, stay-at-home Moms making extraordinary jewelry and professional photographers who no longer needs a darkroom, but simply a digital camera, a computer and their great talent to earn a living. This would expand what’s possible as well as encourage new opportunities for Edina artists to make money while making their art.

Business IS Art

It would be great to see Edina businesses embrace art. Collin Bredeson, and his wife and business partner, Margo, of , in the Grandview Square Park neighborhood, expressed interest in collaborating with EAC. Known by some locals as the bakery version of “Cheers”, the popular 1980‘s TV show, where everybody knows your name, the family-owned business is clearly a community gathering hotspot. It could be one location for rotating public art exhibits.

Bringing together art and business is a win-win for Edina.

The next meeting of the Art & Culture Working Group for interested citizens is July 12 at 7 p.m. at the Edina Senior Center. For more information, please contact:

Michael Frey, Interim Director
Edina Art Center
4701 W. 64th St.
Edina, MN 55435
952-903-5780
mfrey@EdinaMN.gov
www.ArtCenter@EdinaMN.gov