A book launch for Judith C. Stern, author of GALLERY DAYS, Memories from the Artists’ Quarter in Historic Downtown Minneapolis. Thursday, November 21, 4-7pm Kickernick Gallery, 430 North First Avenue, Mpls. Free event – All are welcome.
GALLERY DAYS is the only ART BOOK that provides an intimate, historical perspective of the Warehouse District and the Judith Stern Gallery in the 1970s and 80s. A mecca for artists, galleries, film-makers, tourists and coffee-lovers, the energy was anchored in the New French Café. We learn how it all began and ended.
In 1986 Judith Stern was a divorced mom with four children, no business experience—but enthused about selling American Indian contemporary art. Called a “pioneer” in the press, she befriended the rich and famous, the poor and forgotten—characters who fill over 100 stories that began in the Kickernick Building, 416 North First Avenue and ended at 118 North Fourth Street by the New French Café.
Not in the book, but newsworthy today: Forty-six years later, after an absence of artists and stores, two visionaries opened the Kickernick Gallery in September to revive the Artists’ Quarter. Kristi Oman, owner and Christy Frank, curator invited Judy to launch her book Nov. 21, 4-7pm in the same building as Judy’s 1978 gallery opening!
Born and raised in Robbinsdale, MN, she has been: a fashion designer; a story-teller with Maren Hinderlie, Guthrie Theater; had a reading at the Playwright’s Center where she studied; taught American Indian Spirituality through the Science Museum of Minnesota; taught American Indian Art at the University of St. Thomas as a visiting instructor; and owner of the JvonStern Store in Marine on St. Croix selling her clothing and furniture she designed. She served as a board member of the Superior Hiking Trail Association while hiking the entire trail with her life partner, Rudi Hargesheimer, author of the Superior Hiking Trail Story.
Judith has authored seven self-published books with the PJ Penguin Publishing logo. Her new books published in October 2024 are: Artist DAVID BRADLEY, Northern Roots, about a White Earth MN native who becomes famous. It is four color, 88 pages, soft cover, 8.5 X 11 inches. GALLERY DAYS is 12×12 inches, four color, 196 pages, hard cover, four pounds, museum quality paper with a stitched binding. Printed in China. The other six books were printed at Bookmobile, Mpls.
David Unowsky, popular former owner of the Hungry Mind bookstore, said, “Gallery Days has so much text compared to most ART BOOKS. My wife said, ‘It’s a coffee table Art Book that you can pick up and read a story—not just look at the pictures.’”
