Sales + Events: Feb. 4-10 features the opening reception of “Accumulation”

This week's shopping and events highlights.

“Accumulation” Opening Reception

Professor and ceramicist Monica Rudquist joins forces with Judy Onofrio, a mixed-media sculptor, to present their joint exhibition “Accumulation” at The Catherine G. Murphy Gallery in St. Paul.

The exhibition is rooted in the artists’ shared passion for form, material, and space. Though the new bodies of work are distinct and unique to each artist’s perspective, their art interacts and aligns seamlessly—bringing “Accumulation” to life.

Art by Judy Onofrio/Photo by Rik Sferra

Their works are similar in color (a monochromatic off-white) and both take on a “vessel” theme, but it’s their shared belief in the power of clay that makes them the perfect pair. The difference? Rudquist creates wall installations by arranging pieces of wheel-thrown porcelain, while Onofrio assembles cast animal bones into bowls, vases, and more.

Onofrio (who is also Rudquist’s mentor) came up with the name “Accumulation” for the exhibition. Over a span of 50 years, Onofrio has worked her way through many art mediums—including jewelry, mosaic, large-scale installations, and now, bone sculpture.

As morbid as it may seem, the art goes deeper than what’s on the surface. “I seek to move beyond a specific narrative, and reach toward a universal experience of beauty that speaks to the transitory nature of life,” Onofrio says in her artist statement.

Art by Judy Onofrio/Photo by Rik Sferra

Meanwhile, Rudquist reinvents functional clay wares, turns them into abstract wall art, and hangs them in a vertical, playful fashion.

“Clay can become almost anything one wants it to be,” Rudquist says in her artist statement. “I am an accumulation.”

And in an essence, she absolutely is. She describes herself as artist, maker, teacher, and collaborator. Not only is she an assistant professor at St. Kate’s, but she’s also the co-president of Minnesota Women Ceramic Artists and a founding member of Northern Clay Center.

The exhibition is free and open to the public from Feb. 9 to March 30. The opening reception is Saturday, 6-8 p.m. @ The Catherine G. Murphy Gallery, 2004 Randolph Ave., St. Paul, gallery.stkate.edu

Art and photo courtesy of Monica Rudquist

Other shopping and events highlights for this week include:

On the Verge: Designing for Health

Interior design isn’t just about looks anymore, it’s about health, too. Industry experts Thomas Fisher, Kathleen A. Harder, and Susan Jepson open up about how science, engineering, and humanities can be used in home design to impact our health and wellbeing. Wednesday, 6-8 p.m. @ The Bakken Museum, 3537 Zenith Ave. S., Minneapolis, eventbrite.com

Mpls. WinterSkate & Minneapolis Craft Market

Crafts, ice rinks, artisan goods, and warm mittens are on this weekend’s agenda. Skate (for free), take a break in the warming house, and let your fingers thaw. In the meantime, shop Minneapolis Craft Market vendors at WinterSkate. Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. @ Loring Park, 1382 Willow St., Minneapolis, mplsdowntown.com

Perennial Possibilities

When you live in Minnesota (where it’s cold for half the year), planting flowers that last can be tricky. Perennial expert Mike Heger explains his selection process, teaches class-goers about the best blooms for our climate, and provides a list of new perennials and combinations to try this spring. Saturday, 1-3:30 p.m. @ Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, 3675 Arboretum Drive, Chaska, mnarbonline.com

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