"What are you going to do with all that string?"

The most frequently asked question at the Shanties this year! What are we going to do with all the string that adorned this years String Box Shanty? We can't tow it away from the beach with the doors open and the string hanging on the frame... and we don't want to throw it all away... so, lets get creative!

It took 3 garbage bags to collect all the yarn from this year's Shanty. 

One of those bags exploded all over Monica's desk... weird how that happens when she's out of town.

After cleaning up the mess, we set off to create the largest yarn ball we possibly could! Drawing inspiration from the World's Largest Ball of Twine in Cawker City, Kansas, we started tying pieces of yarn together and winding them into a ball. So far, we have a 9 inch yarn ball, and two bags of yarn to go!

And of course, we regularly play with the ball... this is Adam getting ready for his tryout with the MN United FC, and a potential career change.

Follow our Instagram and Facebook pages to track our progress with the Largest Ball of Yarn project. We'll keep you updated on all the fun!

And once again, a BIG thank you to everyone who helped build the Shanty and make it one of the most popular and visually stunning Shanties at this year's event. Thanks for being a part of our Art!

A work of Art.... Shanty.

Since installing the String Box Shanty on the lake two and a half weeks ago, we've taken some amazing pictures, enhanced by the ever changing Minnesota weather conditions, foggy mornings and beautiful sunsets.

Here are a few of our favorite shots of this year's String Box Shanty...

A blank canvas.

A beautiful sunset over the lake.

Misty and rainy. Snow crystals forming on the string.

A reverse view, looking from the String Box back at the Artist in a Box Shanty, which we have been using to stage the time-lapse camera (see below!).

Its amazing to see what people decided to do with their string. Only two rules! Just tie off the ends of your string, and leave one end of the shanty open. The rest is up to your imagination.

Ok, this picture isn't real... but Monica did do an amazing job photoshopping Adam and the Shanty into this epic Mad Max scene! - Original photo credit to Warner Brothers.

And finally, the time-lapse video! Taken on Saturday February 11, 2017. 

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day from NSA - 2016 Shanty & Coco Dugan Early -  by russell photo studio

Art Shanty 2017 | String Box Shanty

The 2017 Shanty is almost complete! It has been a six month process, from brainstorm sessions to finishing touches. 

Here's a look at our journey to build the String Box Shanty.

The concept is simple. Build the frame and let the participants build the rest. The steel frame has dozens of eyelets on each of the doors. When participants show up, we will give them a ball of yarn, and let them string it up in whatever pattern they like! Our hope, is that by the end of each weekend, the participants have basically created a cocoon around the box, connecting the doors and enclosing the walls with different patterns of yarn. We don't know what its going to look like, but we're excited to see the process unfold and to see the end result.

The first rendering of what we want the Shanty to look like. An open frame with eyelets to thread string through. At the beginning of the Shanty Program, the frame will be bare. As people show up, they grab a ball of string and thread it however they want through the blank canvas of the frame. We don't know what the end product will look like, but we think that's part of the fun!

Kevin "The Welder" and Mark look over plans for the frame.

The frame is ready, delivered by Kevin. Off to its temporary home at White Bear Boat Works to get floors and a paint job.

Like a glove!! The 2x6 cedar planks fit perfectly in the frame. Although this color scheme looks great, the floor boards will soon be stained black, and the frame will be white. Our goal is to have it look more approachable and less like the set of Mad Max.

First layer of paint on the frame, and a look at the doors as we prop them open.

First coat of stain on the floorboards.

Painting and staining complete! Last steps before installation are to install the skis and screw down the floor boards.

The Shanties will be installed on White Bear Lake (right off Ramsey Co. Beach, on the north end of the lake) on Sunday, and will remain on the lake until February 26th. 

Every weekend in February, Saturdays and Sundays from 10am-4pm, the Shanties will be open to the public. Come out and take a look, visit with the artists, and participate in the event.

For more information on the 2017 Art Shanty Program, visit their website:

www.artshantyprojects.org

Art Shanty - Gallery of old Shanty Art

In anticipation of the upcoming 2017 Art Shanty event, Soo Visual Arts Center hosted an exhibit of pictures and parts from past Art Shanties, including some shots of our 2015 Curling Shanty and 2016 Artist in a Box Shanty.

Some shots of our 2015 (Curling Shanty) and 2016 (Artist in a Box) Shanties... and some fake beards.

Some pins, patches and bumper stickers, commemorating Art Shanties of years past.

Flier for 2015 Art Shanties.

NewStudio is excited to be part of the Art Shanty exhibit again in 2017. We are busy constructing our "String Box" shanty, getting it ready for installation at the end of the month. Without giving too much away, I will tell you that this year's shanty will be only partially complete upon installation. It is up to the creativity of you, our guests, during these four weekends in February, to help us finish the Shanty, and turn it into a work of art. The final design will be a collaboration between all of you, and all of us. We can't wait to see what you come up with!

The 2017 Art Shanty exhibit is on White Bear Lake, with parking available at Ramsey County Public Beach. The exhibit is free and open to the public from 10am-4pm on the following dates.

February 4-5, February 11-12,  February 18-19 and February 25-26, 2017

We hope you can join us!