Woodbury Artist Transforms Historic Afton House into Unique Art Gallery

In the historic "Little Red House" located just east of Woodbury in the picturesque town of Afton, a new museum captures a charming atmosphere where local history and creativity meet—and local artists express themselves in every way.

The Creative Cottage, located in the “Little Red House” at 3192 St. Croix Trail in Afton, celebrated its grand opening on May 1 and features unique arts and crafts created by 31 local artists and artisans.

The museum is owned by Woodbury artist Gloria Popowitz and showcases photography, watercolors, acrylics, jewelry, and numerous other crafts and creations of all kinds. 

Transformation

Popowitz found the one-of-a-kind location for her museum while she was enjoying an anniversary dinner with her husband nearby and saw the “For Sale” sign.

Ironically, the history of the red 110-year-old house includes being used as a candle shop for more than 20 years, and then as a store that sold antiques and various other homemade crafts such as quilts, Popowitz said. The original owner—an author of children’s books—had done what she is doing today.

“It’s crazy how it’s full-circle,” Popowitz said.

After cleaning the cottage and brightening up the walls with a fresh coat of pastel-colored paint, it was set to celebrate its grand opening on May Day. More than 100 guests came to visit, and approximately 60 May baskets were sold, Popowitz said.

“It was a great success; I’m so honored to be a part of Afton," she said. “It has always been a passion of mine to do this. … This gives each artisan a chance to shine and to display things that people (otherwise) wouldn’t know about or see,” she said. “It’s a chance to network your creativity and find that unusual gift that you won’t find at Target. It’s (a celebration of) the lost art of hand-crafted things.”

The Creative Cottage will be a part of the Afton May Fair, May 21-22, and will feature an artisan who will use a spinning wheel to spin her own wool, a caricature artist, and children’s author Michael Willard, who will do book signings.

Hidden Treasures

Popowitz hopes visitors will enjoy discovering just how matchless some of the “hidden treasures” in the cottage are—and appreciate the causes some of them support.

Among the most unique items in the Cottage is the Haitian jewelry from the “Apparent Project” to help Haitian orphans and their families—such as handmade bracelets made from cereal boxes, selling for $15. 

“You can’t find them anywhere else,” Popowitz said. 

Another distinctive item is a Haitian hand-pounded cross necklace, made from punched tin. There’s handmade jewelry for sale that supports the fight against breast cancer. And there are even rugs weaved out of tube socks—another one-of-a-kind design.

“The innovativeness that people come up with—it’s what I really dig—and using stuff in a new way.”

History

Four exclusive oil paintings by deceased St. Paul artist Philomina Miller are on display for the first time. One of them, “Free Store,” was painted approximately 40 years ago and depicts the St. Paul Missions Free Store in the 1940s.

Miller used the impressionist style of painting to depict emotion in her work. Gary Miller, one of her grandsons, saved the original paintings after he and his brother found them in her basement. Nobody knew she had painted such works during her life, as she never put them on display, said Popowitz.

This is one of the reasons for the Creative Cottage’s existence, and one of its goals: To give local artists a place to share their creative works of expression, rather than letting them go unknown. Indeed, many of the unique creations have never been displayed anywhere else before.

Education

Starting in June, the Creative Cottage will also be a place to learn: Popowitz will teach several different art classes to adults and children.

The classes for adults, covering painting, will be held Thursday nights. More details are forthcoming, said Popowitz, and she is hoping to get some of her artisans to teach some of the classes. The children’s classes will be held every Wednesday morning from 10 a.m. to noon, June 15 to Aug. 31, and each will explore a different artistic medium or craft—including drawing, painting and embellishing.

Artists

How did Popowitz find all the local artists whose work adorns the Creative Cottage today?  

“I ran out of funds to put ads in the paper, but in the three weeks to get the place up and running, this filled by word of mouth,” she said. “I’m always looking for artisans—candle makers, soap makers. … I’m looking for pottery, any expressive arts, even poetry.”

She credits her family for helping her with getting the Creative Cottage prepared and set up for the public.

“This came together with love. I hope people can feel that (when they visit). It’s a little oasis from the day,” Popowitz said.

Personal Painting

Popowitz said her niche is painting murals for children’s rooms. In the Creative Cottage, one room is dedicated exclusively to this and crafts made especially for children—her most popular section. 

“Every day, something goes out of this room,” she said. “I mean, when you look around, how can you not feel the warmth (from the handmade items)? This has something—a special feeling to it.”

Popowitz also plans to use another area in the back of the cottage to feature antiques. 

“A lot of folks like to make treasures out of old—it’s kind of fun.”

Aside from painting children’s murals on walls, she also creates paintings—also on display in the museum—with a “mix of all mediums. A lot of people don’t realize you can mix anything—even kitty litter or oatmeal (with paint). It’s an awesome (way to create).” 

Reinventing Gloria

She called herself a “job gypsy,” having been in a variety of careers—from cosmetology, to working as a certified nursing assistant and doula at , to being a “full-time grandmom.”

“They grow up. I got tired of waiting for them to need me. So I’m reinventing Gloria,” she said. “You forget who you are after 34 years—I really believe this is meant to be. It’s so exciting to me. God is good. … What we’re given here (in life), we need to be utilizing it.”

She wants to “encourage others to step out of their box” and share their work with others—rather than keeping it to themselves, where nobody would appreciate what they could create. 

“Celebrating the handmade is what this is about,” she said. “…I’ve always wanted to do this.”

Popowitz also decorates and paints for . 

“I’ve always had a creative outlet somewhere.”

Her previous experience as a doula has undoubtedly influenced her work, especially with children’s murals. She said she has always wanted to decorate nurseries for hospitals. 

“I’m not closing any more doors—that’s for sure!”

The Creative Cottage is open Thursday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. For more information about the Creative Cottage, call 651-436-8019.