The Northwestern Casket Company, May 17th 2007, all photos copyright © 2007-2010 by QuoinMonkey, all rights reserved.
I went over to the Casket Arts Building on Thursday to help my friend, Gail, hang her show. She recently joined the rain collective, a confluence of artists who moved into the building this week.
I took my camera along and the pleasure was all mine. The exposed brick had been restored, the studio floors had been sanded and polished to their original luster, a stunning mix of maple and pine.
The oldest portion of the former Northwestern Casket Company, which served as a casket factory until January of 2006, dates back to 1887. It’s one of the oldest surviving buildings in the city of Minneapolis.
I met owner, Jennifer Young, and we stood in the door of Gail’s studio and chatted for a while about what kind of shape the building was in before they bought it – and what it looks like now (a photographer’s dream).
The former owner of Northwest Casket Company, Robert Berny, rose from clerk to president and spent 6 decades with the company until his death in 2004. He was buried in a custom cherrywood casket.
Yesterday, the building was bustling with artists preparing for an annual Northeast tradition, Art-A-Whirl. This is the 12th Annual Art-A-Whirl; I remember the first. I had a studio in the Northrup King seed building back then.
When artists come together, the energy is palpable – vibrating and alive. I felt like I was standing in pockets of calm when I captured these images – silent spaces between the buzz of hanging oil, acrylic, and canvas on freshly painted white walls, and lunch at Emily’s Lebanese Deli .
Exit, May 17th, 2007, all photos in this post copyright © 2007-2010 by QuoinMonkey, all rights reserved.
Saturday, May 19th, 2007
The building is gorgous, QM! That alone would be mesmerizing, but then add in all the creative energy…
And speaking of energy, what about the energy from the caskets? Was it only a casket manufacturing company, or was it also a funeral home?
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That is a good question. I didn’t know much about the building until I started researching it for these photos. In my quick search last night, I didn’t find much on the deeper history of the building. But I think I am going to keep digging.
The elevators are extra large with doors on either side to accommodate the long caskets. And there are parts of the building that are darker than others. But, overall, there is not a funereal energy to the place at all. The building seems very upbeat and clean spirited.
I used to have these dreams about the upper floor of a house that had very dark energy, but the rest of the house was fine. Sometimes in the dream, I’d be standing there with my hand on the door knob. I kept expecting to find pockets of dark in the Casket Arts Building. But, so far, no.
I wonder though, if I had a studio there and was alone at night, if it would feel entirely different?
I’ll keep you posted on what I find out about whether it was a funeral home or they just made caskets there. I bet the owners know. They might be around tonight. I’m heading back over there for Art-A-Whirl in a few hours.
It’s also my painter friend’s birthday (a big one, too). So, Happy Birthday! I hope you sell a lot of your work!
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QM–I just got back from a day out, and I finally had a chance to look at these photos in detail. The building is enormous! Does the art collective reside in the entire building? I can’t even imagine artists taking on something like this kind of a renovation. That’s some good intention!
I really like David Collins’ art (he’s one of the 19 artists in the Rain Collective). Find out how much his pieces are ;).
I’d probably want someone in the building with me, too, at night, but I’m more of a morning and early afternoon person. I bet the light is nice.
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Yes, I like David’s work. I actually met him last Thursday when the Rain Collective were hanging their work in the Casket Arts Building. We must have met before because he remembered me from somewhere.
I like this part of his bio:
I typically work on 3-5 works of art at a time and I find that the problems presented by one painting can be solved in another.
I like the idea that the problems of one piece can be solved in another. Process. Oh, and I also noticed he grew up in Nebraska (like Ted Kooser). 8)
There are some good artists on that site. David mentions Sally Brown in his bio (in the statement from his mentor) who was one of the founding members of WARM (the Women’s Art Registry of Minnesota). They’ve had a great history of promoting artists (especially women) in the Twin Cities.
Thanks for mentioning the link. I actually took some time to look at it too. Good artists.
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ybonesy: oh, the building – nope, the Rain Collective does not have the whole building (which is HUGE). They do have a lot of the 4th floor and are spread out throughout. But there are lots of other artists there.
The two people who own the building and are renovating it, John and Jennifer, aren’t artists per se – but they are artist promoters in a BIG way. They bought and renovated one other artists building in Northeast, the California Building, before this one.
I applaud their efforts to support artists in the community. I guess the building had been up for conversion into Lofts, but there were no takers. Now it’s all artists!
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It reminds me of the original Albuquerque High School building we had in downtown Albuquerque. For years it sat without a taker. There was talk of tearing it down, even. It eventually became lofts (linked), and they’re gorgeous and very viable. I would have loved seeing it get turned into multi-use–lofts, artists studios, a cafe, etc. But at least someone saw the value of the building. Those lofts have probably increased quite a bit in price in a matter of less than five years. Great investment for those who bought them when they first went up for sale.
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ybonesy: that’s a good link to Preservation. A similar effort has been underway here in Minneapolis for the last 7 or 8 years. Tons of older buildings turned into lofts and space for artists. It’s very exciting to see neighborhoods turn as these older buildings are revitalized.
It’s pretty cost-prohibitive. I think that’s why I applaud Jennifer Young and John Kremer. They aren’t just typical developers out to make a buck – they are doing it because they believe in what they are doing for artists and the community. And they were there last night at Art-A-Whirl just like all the rest of us.
I remember when the North Star Blanket building down by the Mississippi was being turned into Lofts, maybe 8 or 9 years ago now. I loved the area and SO wanted to buy one but just wasn’t in a place to do it.
Now the Guthrie has moved over right beside the North Star building. Along with the Mill City Museum (linked). It would have been a grand investment. And whoever bought a loft there back then is sitting pretty today!
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[…] Northeast Minneapolis, where I spent most of the time in the Casket Arts Building I wrote about in Casket Arts Photoblog. ybonesy asked in a comment if the building had a funeral home during the time it was a casket […]
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Hello
i will like to know if you have casket for sale so that i will order thanks
and hope to hear from you soon
Rev jamie mckee
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rev jamie, I’m not sure if you are the real deal, or this is a Halloween chuckle 8) but I’m happy to report that the Northwestern Casket Company has moved to New Hope, Minnesota (after being in Northeast Minneapolis in the building in these photos since 1886).
You can see a short blurb on the move in Business Link, the City of New Hope’s Business Newsletter (LINK). Here’s the info if you still want to order a casket:
Northwestern Casket Company
4300 Quebec Ave N, New Hope, MN 55428
(763) 231-0290
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When I was doing the research for the good rev jamie, I also ran into this MPR article on Coffinating Dr. Strangelove (LINK). It’s a theater production by Skewed Visions that takes place in the basement of the Casket Arts Building. You can read about it in the link. Happy Halloween to the newly revived Dr. Strangelove.
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[…] an art opening last night, I overheard a conversation by a woman who used to do research for a stop smoking […]
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[…] July 4th, we spent time in the Casket Arts studio with friends, talked about writing, art, politics, played albums, organized, tried to watch a […]
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[…] The show is taking place this Saturday, November 3rd, 2007, from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm in the Casket Arts Building, 681 17th Avenue NE, located in the infamous Nordeast […]
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[…] about how the entire 3rd floor was once filled with women who sewed the silk casket linings for the Northwestern Casket Company. And the polished maple we were standing on contained patches of thrown away boards from the casket […]
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My great great grandfather William Leitz owned Northwestern Casket Co. in I believe St. Paul or Minnapolis, Minnasota. His son, my grandfather died prior to 1901 John F. Leitz.
I was wondering if you have any information on this business in the late 1899’s and early 1900’s.
His sons work in this business with him.
Have more information but thought I would see if there was an archive with this info. in it.
Thanks,
Sandy
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Sandy, how wonderful that your great, great grandfather owned the Northwestern Casket Company. I have an art and writing studio in the building now and it’s a wonderful place to work.
As far as I know, the casket business was incorporated in 1882 and then was located in this building in Northeast Minneapolis, Minnesota from 1886 until around 2006. I don’t know where it was from 1882-1886.
I don’t have any more info on the business at the turn of the century other than what is in this piece and the comment thread. But perhaps you could click on some of the links provided and get the names of some people who might be able to help you track down the history of the business.
As far as I know, it’s still located in New Hope, Minnesota, but I haven’t checked since I wrote that in the comment. The address:
Northwestern Casket Company
4300 Quebec Ave N, New Hope, MN 55428
(763) 231-0290
Maybe you could write to the owners of the current casket business in New Hope. Then there are the new owners of the Casket Arts building, Jennifer Young and John Kremer. They know tons about the history of the building. They might be good people to contact, too.
Also the family of Robert Berny who was a future owner it sounds like, after your family. I think some of their names are listed in the links. Are you trying to track down info on your family history? If so, I wish you well in the search.
I ran into another man at the last art opening in this building whose grandfather worked for the Casket Company for years. I can’t remember his name right now. I think he also said either his grandfather or father built the building The Modern cafe is now housed in. Small world.
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[…] work.) QM’s going to putz in her garden and write and get ready for an art event at her studio. Here’s the basic idea behind our […]
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It’s mid-May, which means Art-A-Whirl in northeast Minneapolis. At this moment, I am sitting in QuoinMonkey and Liz’s studio. There are people wandering through to see their artwork and photography, the sun is shining through the three open windows, QM & L are chatting up the art enthusiasts, and everyone is in a good mood.
Yeah for QuoinMonkey and Liz–they are living their dream!
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I also visited Casket Arts yesterday during Art-a-Whirl, mostly to see what remnants remained of the company I first visited in the 70’s. Five years ago, a small group I organized were given a tour of the company by the president, and given a little history.
I was delighted to see that the outside of the building hasn’t changed, but I rather hoped that a little historical “shrine” might have been preserved to honor the company that started building the structure in 1855 and remained in business over 150 years.
My website has photos from my tour about 5 years ago, while the company was still in operation.
Bob Smith
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Teri, thanks so much for stopping by Studio 318 for Art-a-Whirl. We had a great time talking to you and hanging out. Was pretty crowded yesterday right through to the end. Then we went out and watched a couple of bands out be the silos, a lot of fun. So tired today but heading back in a few minutes.
It’s hard to explain how much it takes out of you to be “on” for three days while all the people mill through the Casket Arts Building. It’s a lot of fun but also draining for introverts like me. I’ve really enjoyed it though. Talking to people about art and and alternative photo processes and clay works. Had a few good responses to my latest mandala painting. I was surprised! Liz sold one photograph and has had much interest in her work. More later, maybe a post after it’s over. Taking photos today.
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Bill, thanks so much for stopping by with that bit of history and a link to your 1970’s photographs of the Casket Arts Company. I have always admired it; I used to drive by it every day on my way home to Northeast Minneapolis where I lived for over 20 years. I always checked out the building and signs and wondered what it was like inside. In 2007, a friend of mine moved into one of the artist studios. That’s when I did this post. I had no idea then that Liz and I would also be artists in the building by April of 2008. We love the building and the space where we work. (BTW, were you by chance in the southeast corner of the Casket Arts Building, Studio 318? We might have seen you wandering through!)
I love history and preserving the past. When I researched this piece, I could not find much on the web about the history of this building and the company. I posted what I could find though. The current owners know a lot about the history and I’ve often talked to them about it. Our Studio 318 is where many women used to sew the insides for the caskets. In fact, one of your photographs looks a lot like our studio, or at least the side that we are on. We often get people coming through Art-a-Whirl who had relatives, fathers, mothers who worked for the Casket Company and talk about their memories. One man’s grandfather or great grandfather actually built the Modern Cafe a few blocks down and told us his story.
I have a question though, what kind of historical shrine did you have in mind? Maybe it’s something I could mention to the owners next time I see them. They may have plans for something already. I know they are still working on the building and it’s a work in progress. They have worked hard to preserve the integrity of the inside of the building, refinishing the floors one by one, keeping the “Keep Clear” signs in red in places like our studio. And part of why they bought the building was to keep it from becoming “just another condo complex.” I agree, it would be great to have something up honoring the Northwestern Casket Company legacy.
For those who want to check out Bill’s photos of the Northwestern Casket Company from the 1970’s, here’s the link:
Northwestern Casket Company Tour – 1970’s – photos by Bill Smith
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BTW, I just checked in with ybonesy and it reminded me, I wanted to mention that red Ravine is in Art-a-Whirl as a piece of art. Liz helped me set up a station where people can sit down and check out the last 2 1/2 years of creative work that ybonesy and I have put into red Ravine. It’s a joy to be able to feature red Ravine along with my other work. Liz has a video station set up, too, with her progressive video work from the last few years. Including electronics in my otherwise, pretty down-to-earth b&w photographs, mandalas, clay work, and alternative photo process pieces seems like a good balance.
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[…] what should I post today? ybonesy’s back from Vietnam and has a few posts in the works; I survived Art-A-Whirl and am excited to be in the studio. I’m leaning toward something simple for our first day […]
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[…] a new mandala on canvas, progress on a series that’s been in my head for a while. And after Art-a-Whirl, I was reenergized for the writers’ photo series I’m working on. But I also have a […]
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The Rain Collective is having their annual show today and Liz and I are heading over to the Casket Arts Building later this afternoon. My friend Gail is showing her paintings in her studio on the second floor.
I didn’t know it when I wrote this post, but now Liz and I have a studio in the Casket Arts Building as well. The big yearly event for us is Art-A-Whirl in May. But there is First Thursdays (open studios the first Thursday of each month) and we try to make it to those (I wasn’t feeling well this week though and didn’t make it).
We have also been inspired to begin printing photographs again and hanging them in the studio. We are going to be getting the hang of a new printer that takes rag papers. So hopefully, the experimentation will be fun. It’s almost like having a darkroom again.
Good luck today, Rain Collective. We’ll be there stopping by your studios!
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[…] I have a print project in progress in the studio. I hope to have 12 framed pieces done by Art-A-Whirl in the Spring. Some of you are familiar with my Writers Hands project that I’ve been working on since 2007. […]
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[…] up fast. The Casket Arts Building, which includes the Carriage House, has a rich history (see Casket Arts Photoblog). Not only did it used to be a genuine casket company, it’s one of the oldest surviving […]
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[…] Art Studio Tour coming up this weekend. And I’m gearing up for Art-A-Whirl 2010 at the Casket Arts Building, May 14th-16th. So, for the next couple of weeks, we’re allowing ourselves to be free from the […]
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[…] The longer I drew, the more familiar the image, the less it looked like me. An alter-ego. I went to my studio, pulled out the Royal typewriter Liz bought for me at a garage sale (turns out, it’s French), […]
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[…] feels good to be writing again. Art-A-Whirl was a big success. The Casket Arts Studio space was my home for the last month. The Writers Hands Series is up on the wall. The cards and […]
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[…] that is why I went to my studio and ate up the time with myself. So the world would not devour me. Time to sit and listen to music, […]
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