Books
Gallery Days: Memories from the Artists' Quarter in Historic Downtown Minneapolis
Funny, sad or scary, stories from the 1970-80s past come to life in Gallery Days. When Judy decides to start a gallery she is undaunted by a lack of business experience. Forming friendships with every character she meets, they transform the Minneapolis Warehouse District into a thriving Artists’ Quarter, only to be forced out by more profitable enterprises.
It all began with the New French Cafe, the Hanson-Cowles Gallery, the R. Thomson Frame Shop and the artists who moved into historic, sturdy but dusty, vacant factories located between 1st Ave. and 2nd Ave. North; and 3rd St. to 6th St. North.
Fascinating people who entered the Judith Stern Gallery at 118 N. 4th St. come alive in 100 stories not heard before.
Gallery Days is a delightful and entertaining read. It may be the only book to cover the 1970s to 1980s era of the thriving Artists’ Quarter in old downtown Minneapolis.
Gallery Days is 12 X 12, 196 pages, hard cover; with museum quality paper, hundreds of color images, interviews with famous personalities, stories and quotes, maps and news clippings. It has been called a helpful reference book.
$49.95 See pricing and purchasing details below all book descriptions.
Selected pages from the book below:
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.’”
Jim Lenfesty, former Star Tribune editor and poet, “What a marvelous book – surprised and pleased. Wonderful! Well done. You have it all!”
Karin Winegar, former Star Tribune writer, “If you were around in the 70s (and even if you weren’t but are curious to know what the heck was going on in the Twin Cities art, literature, music and food communities), this sums it up. And it’s a rich scrapbook of visuals –clippings, posters, photos, mementos – that embody the spirit of the time (our flaming youth) and the place (the warehouse district).”
And more from Karin Winegar, “Congratulations! Your book absolutely deserves the Minnesota Book Award for its range and understanding, its insider perspective –You Were There—and how it preserves the semi-enchanted time and place.”
Twincities.com, Mary Ann Grossmann:
“Gallery Days: Memories from the Artists’ Quarter in Historic Downtown Minneapolis”: by Judith C. Stern (PJ Penguin Publishing, no price listed)
This interesting book, packed with illustrations, tells part of the story of the life of the author, owner of the Judith Stern Gallery.
“This is the story about one woman’s failures and triumphs during an exciting, brief window of time when the Warehouse District in downtown Minneapolis woke up after a long slumber and became a vibrant artists quarter drawing visitors from afar and artists from the country,” beginning in 1977, the author writes. She places the center of the mecca that drew artists, galleries, filmmakers, tourist and coffee lovers within the area from First Avenue to Second Avenue South and Third Street to Sixth Street North, with the New French Cafe being the center. The demise began about 1983 with the building of the Metrodome.
Stern opened her first art gallery in the Kickernick Building in 1978. A believer in honoring the old, she undertook eight building-renovation projects, plus saving an antique horse-drawn fire pumper. Her book is divided geographically, discussing artists who inhabited the Renaissance space, including Meridel LeSueur, Fred Manfred, Waring Jones and Garrison Keillor, along with many more.
A native of Robbinsdale, Minn., Stern has been a fashion designer and a storyteller with Maren Hinderlie at the Guthrie Theater. She taught American Indian Spirituality through the Science Museum of Minnesota and American Indian Art at the University of St. Thomas, and owned JvonStern Store in Marine on St. Croix, selling her clothing and furniture she designed. She has independently published eight books.
“Gallery Days” is packed with lively anecdotes and artwork ranging from paintings to newspaper stories. It’s an important contribution to the history of the Twin Cities literary community. (For information, contact jsternmotherearth@aol.com)
A Race to Save Penguin Land, PJ Penguin
PJ Penguin, small, slow, clever, curious and lonely, leaves home for adventure and becomes a hero to those left behind. He joins forces with the kind American, Mr. Redcap and his Arctic huski dog, Zip. Along with other penguins, they win a race to the South Pole. Antarctica will be preserved for those who want to share the land with penguins.
$14.95
Three Scary Escapes, PJ Penguin
PJ Penguin escapes mean men in Antarctica on the Anna Maria lifeboat traveling northward on the Pacific with Zip, his husky friend and Al, the albatross. On an island PJ is attacked by green pigs and captured by a mad scientist hermit before escaping to continue north in search of a man who they hope gives toys to all the animals.
$18.95
Teachings from Mother Earth Book One, Think Inside the Circle
Minnesota. 1969. Judy’s mother-in-law is killed by a priest in a car accident during a visit to Fort Ridgely, where in 1862 Dakota Indians were jailed before being publicly hung in Mankato. Judy has a powerful dream. The deceased woman bears a mysterious Indian message. A home-maker and mother of four, Judy uproots the family for a two-year sojourn when her husband is accepted at UND in North Dakota, where they visit Indian schools. Her life changes radically. She pursues a degree in American Indian Studies and Applied Arts, leaves her church and abusive husband, then immerses herself with one question: Why did Euro-Americans have a different attitude toward nature than indigenous people? Her journals reveal conclusions relevant for us today. Her Ojibwe mentor tells her, “This is what you MUST teach them.”
$24.95
Teachings from Mother Earth Book Two, Everything Has A Spirit
Was it the Hopi Corn Dance, the blood sacrifice of Lakota Sun Dancers or her own Ojibwe vision quest that taught Judy to listen to Mother Earth’s teachings? Schools and churches reflect rational, logical, ethno-centric Manifest Destiny attitudes — justifications for raping Mother Earth, while trickster stories taught morals and wisdom that preserve health and beauty, spirituality, common sense and clarity. She turned to Descartes, Jefferson, St. Augustine and others for answers. An Ojibwe teacher named her Aabitawayi’ii ikwe, or Half-way Woman. That was 1977.
$24.95
“Judy Stern, the teacher, gives us much more than a semester of teachings! She helps us navigate the connections that bind us. Her honest, personal journey of discovery leads to her deep understanding which she shares with us all.” Ann Bancroft, U.S. National Women’s Hall of Fame member, Explorer, Educator,Lecturer, founder of The Ann Bancroft Foundation: promoting leadership of women andfull engagement of girls–one girl at a time.
“If any book can educate the majority society, this one belongs at the top of the list. This is a book that every intelligent Washichu needs to read if he/she wants to deeply understand where we Indian people are coming from.” Ed McGaa, Eagleman, author of “Mother Earth Spirituality.”
“In this book which is so valuable to our culture and to our continued existence on this planet, Judy Stern encourages us to seek freedom, knowledge, safety, and deeper connections with our world. Hers is an important, open, honest journey, covering the education and growth of a woman mentally, physically, and spiritually, and at its core is the Native American world view.” Freya Manfred, poet and memoir-writer, is the author of “Swimming With AHundred Year Old Snapping Turtle,” and “Frederick Manfred: A Daughter Remembers.”
Mother Earth's Teachings, The Doubting Daughter
During one long day in the wild, an innocent, precocious 14 year-old girl faces a dilemma. What is true? False? What is myth? Real? What is fiction? Nonfiction? The doubting daughter exemplifies millions of daughters educated with facts in school and faith in church. Life seems peaceful in post WWII America until she becomes a critical thinker. Deeply affected by nuclear power’s potential destructive uses, disturbed by changes to her village and loss of wilderness, she questions choices adults make on her behalf. A voracious reader, she sees how true or false stories result in good or bad attitudes. Ignored consequences create an unhealthy planet. Without satisfactory solutions in school or church she imagines a different path forward. She imagines a new system created with old wisdom.
A brief exposition follows the story with a true account about a red tailed hawk. The author provides observations about today’s declining Mother Earth. People’s beliefs about climate disaster are shaped by modern communication systems. Political and religious traditions are manipulated to serve a few people. The future of children and animals depends upon truthful, timely information and solutions. The book ends with a one-page list of values named “Mother Earth’s Teachings.”
$14.95
Philip J. Anderson, Swedish American Historical Society President, Professor of Church History at North Park Theological Seminary in Chicago, “This is nature writing at its best.” “…clarity and beauty in powerful writing; a passion and love for all human and nonhuman creatures.” “…wisdom into the human condition and its consequences (questioning whether humans even belong to nature anymore).” “…an ethical call for an interdependent biotic understanding of nature and human ethical responsibility.” “You, too, have seen ‘the fierce green fire.’”
Mizinokamigok, Ojibwe elder, told Judith to speak after reading her book,
“This is what you must tell your people before it is too late. Don’t blame us Indians. Mother Earth was in good shape until you whites showed up. You think you have a better way of life. You need to know what trees and animals do. In your heart you understand.”
Artist David Bradley, Northern Roots
David Bradley is a famous Ojibwe / Dakota / Norwegian artist from White Earth Reservation in Minnesota. He chose the Southwest to attend college. He did not move back to Minnesota, however the Judith Stern Gallery in Mpls, MN (1978-1985) was the first to feature his work as he was developing his unique style that would be repeated during in his entire career. Initially inspired by northern subjects and styles, he soon combined southwestern culture with humorous themes, his passion for justice, and a reflection of his dualistic life. This combination made him famous! Judith C. Stern photographed most of Bradley’s art before selling it, or saved color slide images mailed to her. This early art (some student work) is a rare treasure worth saving for it serves as a colorful reminder of his roots. Bradley lives in Santa Fe, NM with his wife and son. An ALS survivor with enormous fortitude; a visionary and warrior; his legacy will last forever.
$35.
Book pricing and how to purchase:
For each book ordered send check to : Judith C. Stern / PJ Penguin Publishing P.O. Box 42, Marine On St. Croix, MN 55047
Gallery Days $49.95
Book is BIG: 12×12 inches, Four pounds! Hard cover, 196 pages, Four color throughout.
Minnesota $3.40 tax included: $53.35 Shipping and handling one book $8.
Total: $61.35
Artist David Bradley, Northern Roots $35
88 pages, 8.5 x 11
Minnesota tax included: $37.28
Shipping and handling: $3.00. Total: $40.28
Teachings From Mother Earth Book One, Think Inside The Circle $24.95
SOLD OUT
394 pages, 6 x 9
Minnesota tax included $26.70
Shipping and handling: $3.00. Total: $29.70
Teachings From Mother Earth Book Two, Everything Has A Spirit $24.95
265 pages, 6 x 9
Minnesota tax included $26.70
Shipping and handling: $3.00 Total: $29.70
Mother Earth’s Teachings, The Doubting Daughter $14.95
176 pages, 6 x 9
Minnesota tax included $15.99
Shipping and handling: $5.
Total $20.99
A Race to Save Penguin Land, PJ Penguin $14.95
34 pages, 8 x 10
Minnesota tax included $15.99
Shipping and handling: $5.00. Total: $20.99
Three Scary Escapes, PJ Penguin $18.95
40 pages, 8 x 10
Minnesota tax included $20.25
Shipping and handling: $3.50 Total: $23.75