Our Artists

Lowertown Classics - Season 2016/17 - April 8, 2015, 8pm

Friends of great music during an election year,

 

The last concert was a treat for all of our ears and eyes! A firework of pianistic mastery and true artistry paired with live painting by Jamie Kalvestran. While our good friend Clarice Assad has returned to her New York City domicile, she truly made an impact during her two month stay in the Twin Cities. If you are curious what she´s been up to, view this amazing video. It documents her work with girls at a St. Paul Public school in March.

click image to play

Clarice Assad (voice and piano) with Chris Olson (guitar). Photo Credit: Patrick Clancy

Jamie Kalvestran with the finished painting after a 2hr live-painting session. Photo Credit: Patrick Clancy

Jamie Kalvestran with the finished painting after a 2hr live-painting session. Photo Credit: Patrick Clancy

The musicians of the night with Lowertown Classics director, guitarist Eva Beneke: Oleg Levin, Clarice Assad, Clea Galhano, Chris Olson.  Photo Credit: Patrick Clancy

The musicians of the night with Lowertown Classics director, guitarist Eva Beneke: Oleg Levin, Clarice Assad, Clea Galhano, Chris Olson.  Photo Credit: Patrick Clancy

For our NEXT CONCERT ON APRIL 8, we are excited to welcome guitarist Andres Prado (Lima/Peru) who will be passing through the Midwest. Andrés Prado studied at the National Conservatory of Music (Lima), The Avellaneda School of Popular Music (Buenos Aires) and Trinity College of Music (London), specializing in Jazz and Latin American Guitar. As a composer his work has been recognized and documented for the national archive in Perú. As a player he has led his own bands in numerous appearances at music festivals in Perú, Argentina and England, on radio and television.
Listen to Andrés Prado HERE.

Celebrating our brand-new piano that night will be Ted Godbout, a young Minneapolis-based musician who has earned degrees in both classical and jazz piano performance. Another big shout out to WELLS PIANOS of St. Paul for their generous loan in support of our little series!

Ted is currently on faculty at Chaska Music Studios and St. John’s University and maintains a busy performing and teaching schedule in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota. He is co-founder of the Nexus Ensemble, a group which mashes Jazz, Hip-Hop, Afro-beat and R&B, and also serves as Director of Music at Shepherd of the Hill Presbyterian Church in Chaska, MN.  Ted appears regularly with many musicians and groups in the Twin Cities, including the Cedar Avenue Big Band, Tim Patrick and his Blue Eyes Band, PaviElle, Lila Ammons, and Alicia Steele.
Listen to Ted here!

Back by popular demand, and turning this night into a rare moment in Lowertown Classics history is Randy Sabien, jazz violinist, composer, and music educator known for his live performances and numerous recordings, many of them on Flying Fish Records and Red House Records. At the age of 21 he founded and chaired the Jazz Strings department at Boston's Berklee College of Music and since 2009 has been the chair of the Strings department of McNally Smith College of Music.

  

Enjoy the special atmosphere, great company and musical excellence that has made this series a go-to for music lovers in the Twin-Cities!


With complementary wine tasting generously served by Revival Wine, Beer and Spirit.

Music, Art, Wine and Candy. CDs of the artists for sale.
Bring a friend, and see you then!


Eva Beneke - Artistic Director
www.evabeneke.com



- donation by the door -
(suggested donation $10)

255 KELLOGG BLVD E
3rd FLOOR ATRIUM
St. PAUL MN 55101
ENTRANCE TO BUILDING VIA BACK ALLEY

Experimental and Conceptual Art at the Saint Paul Art Crawl

Under the auspice of experimental and conceptual art, William G. Franklin has produced a short video interacting with the mixed media work of Jamie Kalvestran. The resulting two-minute visual and sonic intervention will be featured on the 4th floor atrium of the Lowertown Lofts Artist Cooperative during the upcoming Saint Paul Art Crawl. 

Joe Krumplemann - Sneak Peek before the Saint Paul Art Crawl

We are excited to share a sneak peak of Joe Krumplemann's latest work! It's quite breathtaking and you will want to see it in person. We hope you'll join us at the St Paul Art Crawl, Joe is on the 5th floor and there will be lots to see. Mark it on your calendar! April 22, 23, & 24 • Friday 6–10 PM, Saturday 12–8 PM, Sunday 12–5 PM

©Joe Krumplemann

©Joe Krumplemann

©Joe Krumplemann

©Joe Krumplemann

Artists Are Preparing for the Saint Paul Art Crawl

Mark your calendar! April 22, 23, & 24 • Friday 6–10 PM, Saturday 12–8 PM, Sunday 12–5 PM

The Saint Paul Art Crawl is drawing near and the Lowertown Lofts Co-op Artists are hard at it getting ready. Here is a sneak peak of three of our Artists and what they are up to . . .

Studio of Joe Krumplemann, Glass Artist and Painter

Studio of Marla Gamble - Jeweler and Painter

Studio of Jamie Kalvestran, Surface Designer and Painter

We hope you'll join us for the crawl!

Lowertown Lofts Artist Liz Carlson and Bird Bits in the Gallery

A few words from the Artist: 

In 2015 I set out to complete my first one-a-day series of miniature watercolor paintings. AND I did it! 365 paintings! Come join me and see the compltete series displayed together at the Lowertown Lofts Artists Cooportive.

Birds have been a long time theme in my art. I'm happy to have shared my interest in them. I have learned about many new birds and attempted to render their likeness and personalities.

All non-reserved Bird Bits will be available for purchase.

Wait...there's more!

If you weren't able to make it to the opening there's still time and many birds looking to migrate to a new home. The show will be up most of February and a private viewing is an option. Contact me, Liz Carlson at LLACStudio308@gmail.com if you are interested in another viewing or a first viewing. I believe this will be the only time the Bird Bits will be shown together.

Please note the enterence to the Lowertown Lofts Artists Cooportive is in the alley connecting Wall Street and Wacouta Street, 255 Kellogg Blvd East, Saint Paul, Mn 55101
Look for our banners!

Ruth Mordy Friedlander at Seasons on the St Croix Gallery

Lowertown Lofts fabric artist Ruth Mordy Friedlander is now showing her tapestries at Seasons on the St Croix Gallery (401 Second Street, Hudson, WI) through February 29, 2016. Check gallery for hours: seasonsonstcroix.com.

Friedlander cites Ralph Waldo Emerson's simple but elegant insight as her touchstone: the creation of beauty is art. Her tapestries include beautiful original tie-dyed fabrics suggestive of nature images, framed in the delicate style of Japanese scrolls.

Friedlander and her friend Marion Angelica,a potter, are part of this unique show that highlights the relationships between women as artists, and the ways they provide support and inspiration to one another. In addition, the gallery displays work by several gifted local potters, painters, photographers, jewelers, and fabric artists. 

"UNFILTERED" Featuring Sue Coe, Nancy Robinson, and the Guerrilla Girls

Opening Reception: Saturday, January 23, 6-8 pm

Exhibition Run: January 23 - March 12, 2016

Special Event: Saturday, March 5, 6 - 7:30 pm
Robyne Robinson and Nancy Robinson in Conversation

Gallery Hours: Tuesday - Saturday,  12-5 pm

To read the press release, go tohttp://www.instinctmpls.com/upcoming/

Instinct Art Gallery
940 Nicollet Mall / Minneapolis, MN 55403
612.208.0696 / instinctmpls.com
facebook.com/instinctartmpls
twitter: @instinctMPLS
instagram: instinctmpls


This is a Guerrilla Girls Twin Cities Takeover Satellite Event. To read more about the Takeover, go tohttp://www.ggtakeover.com/

You are invited to an exclusive evening of art and television!

On January 14th, 2016, a premiere screening of the MN 

Original Series featuring collage artist, Kristi Abbott, will be hosted at the Lowertown Lofts Artist Cooperative. Filmed late in 2015 over 3 days, the episode highlights Kristi’s unique artform, her technique and her artistic journey to date. On display will be work filmed during the TV show, as well as new commission pieces for local businesses A=RT (Art Equals Real Transformation) and the Minnesota RollerGirls. 

Please join us for wine and cheese and help us celebrate this exciting event.

When: Thursday, January 14th, 2016

 7:00 - 9:00pm

 Screening to take place at 7:30

Where: 3rd Floor Atrium

 Lowertown Lofts Artist Cooperative

 255 Kellogg Blvd East

 St. Paul MN 55101

 (Entrance through back alley between Wall & Wacouta Streets)

 Kristi Abbott - (612) 991-9023

Peoples' Choice Award Winner - "Restorative" by Marla Gamble

We are excited to announce that Lowertown Lofts Artist Marla Gamble won the Peoples Choice award for her painting "Restorative" at the 5th Annual Lowertown Art Show at AZ Gallery. (Hours and address below)

Restorative - ©Marla Gamble

Restorative - ©Marla Gamble

© Marla Gamble

© Marla Gamble

Arrival - ©Marla Gamble

Arrival - ©Marla Gamble

Please visit AZ Gallery at 308 E Prince St # 130, St Paul, MN 55101. 

Hours: Thursday5:00 – 8:00 PM, Friday5:00 – 8:00 PM, Saturday9:00 AM – 3:00 PM, Sunday9:00 AM – 3:00 PM  Phone: (651) 224-3757



Joe Krumpelmann's Stained Glass will be featured at "Lowertown Classics" Nov. 6th


The next Lowertown Classics is near, and we´re preparing for a night of exceptional music - by Bach, Rodrigo and Jazz standards as well as originals by Jennifer Parker. 
Chansons by 16th Century French composers, polyphonic folk music from the Balkans and the Republic of Georgia. 
And drinking songs from Britain.

WITH:
Jennifer Scovell- Parker - vocals
Hymnos Vocal Ensemble
Eva Beneke - classical guitar
Christopher N. Olson - jazz guitar

The Lowertown Lofts Artist Cooperative is proud to welcome these amazing local and international performers, we are also happy to have Lowertown Lofts Artist Joe Krumpelmann's stained glass pieces featured on that night. 


Enjoy the special atmosphere, great company and musical excellence that has made this series a go-to for music lovers in the Twin-Cities!

© Joseph Krumpelmann

© Joseph Krumpelmann

© Joseph Krumpelmann

© Joseph Krumpelmann

© Joseph Krumpelmann

© Joseph Krumpelmann

Lowertown's Day of the Dead Celebration

Music, dance and Art. Featured artists include Ta-coumba T. Aiken, Chad Hambright, Orion Dante, Dolan Cyr, Pieter Sibal, Emily Bell and Staci Sathre

What: Dia De Los Muertos - Lowertown

When: 5-10 p.m. Sunday

Where: Bedlam Lowertown, 213 Fourth St. E., St. Paul

Info: or 651-209-0597

Cost: Free, $5 suggested donation

Aiken's contribution is a colorful 10-foot by 5-foot painting, "All in All."  

Aiken's contribution is a colorful 10-foot by 5-foot painting, "All in All."  

For more information go to this Pioneer Press article.

Fall into Winter Art Show and Reception

Burning orange, bright red, yellow flame
Slowly cooling to soft blue and stark white.
Thick paint, words, photographs, wax, oil, wood…
Time slows, thoughts deepen, creativity warms.
7 artists evoke the experience of falling into winter
Through their work in a cozy café,
Come join us for a night of music and art.

Opening night: November 6th from 6 -9PM
(During Lowertown’s First Fridays)
Exhibition dates: November 3rd- November 30th, 2015
At the Black Dog Café in Lowertown, St. Paul.
www.blackdogstpaul.com

Artists:  Lowertown Lofts Co-op Members Shelly Losee and Tara Tieso!
Plus, Laura Burlis, Gary Hoover, Catherine Palmer, Holly Tappen  and
Elaine Walsh

Mark your calendar! You don't want to miss, " Intricate Simplicities of the Spirit" by Ta-coumba Aiken

Ta-coumba Tyrone AikenTa-coumba is an internationally recognized artist, arts administrator, public speaker and community activist. Aiken focuses on public art and collaborative projects. Aiken is a recipient of numerous awards and honors inclu…

Ta-coumba Tyrone Aiken

Ta-coumba is an internationally recognized artist, arts administrator, public speaker and community activist. Aiken focuses on public art and collaborative projects. 

Aiken is a recipient of numerous awards and honors including but not limited to the 2015 Knight Arts Challenge Winner with Walker West Music Academy, 2011 Sally Irvine Ordway Award, a Pollack-Krasner Foundation Fellowship and a Bush Foundation Visual Arts Fellowship. His works can be found in the collections of the Walker Art Center, Bush Foundation, RBC Dain Rauscher, General Mills, Herbie Hancock, Saint Paul Union Depot, and Maya Angelou

Ta-coumba Aiken once again is exploring and expressing his "Visual Voice". He is used for community engagement and social activism. Aiken lends his talents to draw people's attention to the big issues in, inequities in homelessness, health, education, race and gender. He also believes in love for his fellow human being and all living things most importantly our planet. 

This exhibition titled " Intricate Simplicities of the Spirit" is Mr Aiken's description of his art and his life. When ask what is his style of art, he says 

" Superlative Realism " and smiles. " I created my art to heal the hearts of people and their communities by evoking a positive spirit."

For more information go to: tacoumbaaiken.com

Waschering Maschine, the experimental band of LLC member Billy Franklin

 

Wilhelmshaven is a new video by Dir. Tom Schroeder made to the music of Waschering Maschine, the experimental band of LLC member Billy Franklin. 8 rounds of musical engagement with Waschering Maschine. Ghent, Belgium plays Wilhelmshaven, Germany. With Brian Judd as Gregory Peck. 

Please accept the invitation to step OUT with Waschering Maschine.

Wilhelmshaven

https://vimeo.com/channels/wascheringmaschine/140517638

Waschering Maschine Vimeo Channel

https://vimeo.com/channels/wascheringmaschine

Eva Beneke Featured in the Saint Paul Pioneer Press

Lowertown Lofts Co-op member Eva Beneke was featured in the St Paul Pioneer Press recently. Eva is instrumental in making curricular changes as a guitar professor at McNallySmith College of Music and was portrayed with her classical guitar students in a two-page article about the college. You can read the full article online here

LOWERTOWN CLASSICS Season 2015/16 - Opening Concert on October 2, 2015, 8pm At Lowertown Lofts Artist Cooperative

Esteemed friends and fans of classical music in obscure spaces:

Sick of long summer nights, endless B.B.Q.´s, mosquito bites and all the outdoor sports you can handle? Fall comes, and St. Paul has its secret little classical concert series back. About time, we think. How else are your going tospend your first Fridays of the month?
Mark your calendars for those upcoming dates, and tell your friends about us. Not too loudly, since we ran out of chairs back in May, remember?

The OPENING CONCERT is held at our home base, the Lowertown Lofts Artist Cooperative and features some amazing local performers.

PAVIA WIND QUINTET

PAVIA WIND QUINTET

PAVIA WIND QUINTET - one of the Midwest's most exciting young chamber music ensembles, they will perform works by Nagle, Nielsen and selections of Richard Wagner's Siegfried Idyll. Check them out at http://paviawinds.com/
 

OLSON/BATES DUO

OLSON/BATES DUO

OLSON/BATES DUO - guitar and bass, extraordinary jazz skills, provided by Twin cities greats Chris Olson (guitar) and Chris Bates (bass), who we´d like to congratulate warmly for recently being awarded a McKnight fellowship!

HILDEBRAND- PETERSON DUO

HILDEBRAND- PETERSON DUO

HILDEBRAND- PETERSON DUO - these two young musicians come to us from the UofM across the river. Flute and guitar - a fine combination featuring works by Giuliani, Beaser and Ibert. With Jay Hildebrand, classical guitar and Hannah Peterson on flute.

Enjoy the special atmosphere, great company and musical excellence that has made this series a go-to for music lovers in the Twin-Cities!

With complementary wine tasting by our generous friends from Lowertown Revival Wine, Beer and Spirits.

Music, Art, Wine and Candy ...let´s celebrate!
Bring a friend, and see you then!

Eva Beneke - Artistic Director
www.evabeneke.com
www.lowertownlofts.org

FREE WINE AND CANDY
- donation by the door -
(suggested donation $10)
255 KELLOGG BLVD E
3rd FLOOR ATRIUM
St. PAUL MN 55101
ENTRANCE TO BUILDING VIA BACK ALLEY