With a name as unique as The Black Crow Gallery, just imagine what interesting and unexpected items can be found inside.
Val and Gordon Tindall have transformed the space that held a grocery store in Lanesboro, Minn., for many years. Gordon will also be opening his business, Man Art, right next door to The Black Crow Gallery in an area which was also part of the grocery store.
Val was born in Clinton, Iowa, and grew up in Decorah, Iowa, living there most of her life. Eight years ago when she and Gordon were looking for a spot for their Spud Boy Diner, which is a re-built 1920s dining car, they found the lot they wanted for it in Lanesboro so, “We decided to move here,” says Val.
In the last few years they have purchased the space for their new businesses and, “When we purchased the building we were not sure what we were going to use it for,” explains Val.
“I am a basket maker,” states Val and that is by far not her only talent, as she also makes incredible mixed media pieces and more.
After thinking about it for awhile, Val, states, “I just decided why not give this a try,” as she thought, “I will have a place to display my own work and then also I can bring in other artists who can show and sell their work here,” as well.
She opened the doors of The Black Crow Gallery in June 2016 to share not only her artistic talents, but also the talents of many others who share her passion for artwork.
The name of the business, The Black Crow Gallery, comes from Val’s love of birds and the iconic silhouette of the crow in particular. “Crows are fascinating to me,” states Val, stating one particular day she heard “an unusual bird song” and did not know what type of bird was making the song. “It turned out to be crows communicating,” says Val, and she was amazed at their beautiful sound and adds that they are “super smart” birds, as well.
“It’s nice to be able to offer space for other people” to showcase their work, Val says. The Black Crow Gallery features work by mostly regional artists from Minnesota, several of them are from Lanesboro, and there are a couple artists from Iowa who have their items in the gallery, as well.
Val has many types and sizes of baskets on display, along with her mixed media pieces. Explaining her newest mixed media pieces, she says, “I was wanting to incorporate materials I use in making baskets into something that was two dimensional and framable, so I used birch bark,” and also used what she calls her “new favorite material” to use, which is willow bark.
One of a kind lamps made by artist Don Bell are very interesting, useful, and are made with found objects. One of these lamps placed in your living room is sure to be a conversation piece when friends or family visit.
Spoons made of wood by Jeff Ward certainly catch your eye as you walk into The Black Crow Gallery, as do his intricate boats.
Well-known local artist Heidi Dybing has brought in her handmade pillows and quilts and will also have her beautiful mosaics available in the gallery.
Hand-dyed silk scarves from Patsy Martinson are lovely, colorful and sure to draw compliments when worn.
Sculptures by Hans Peter Jorgensen have to be seen in person to truly appreciate them, as his pieces are true works of art.
Greeting cards by Lucinda Winters “have been really popular,” states Val, as she explains “Lucinda Winters and her husband Bruce Nash have moved to Lanesboro and she is the daughter of Jonathan Winters,” and the cards in the Winters’ Wonderland Card Co. collection feature the artwork of her father.
“A lot of people don’t know that he was an artist and he did all this incredible work,” states Val, adding ,“after he passed away his daughter wanted to honor his love of art, so she created a line of greeting cards,” many of which can be found at The Black Crow Gallery.
For those of us who love jewelry, look no further than The Black Crow Gallery, as Delia Bell, Vicki Green and Artria are just a few of the artists who have brought in jewelry pieces including earrings, necklaces and more.
Diane Knight has quite a following for her artistic boxes, as a customer from Rochester, Minn., recently drove down to Lanesboro to purchase one of Diane’s boxes to give as a wedding gift.
Jane Grevstad’s bags, scarves and mittens will not only warm your heart, but the scarves and mittens will keep you warm come next winter.
These are just a few of the many talented artists that have brought their items into The Black Crow Gallery for all of us to admire, appreciate and purchase.
Also available are newly designed Lanesboro t-shirts, books by local authors, berets, headbands, turned bowls and so much more.
Val says she “carries a few vintage things” including “vintage textiles and antique pieces,” with new things coming in daily.
If you have not stopped in to The Black Crow Gallery yet, be sure to visit soon and stop back often as new pieces are brought in so often you are sure to see something new and different on any given day.
The Black Crow Gallery is located at 110 Coffee Street in Lanesboro. For more information, phone (563) 419-0727, visit blackcrowgallery.com or facebook.com/theblackcrowgallery.
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