C. Caldwell Fine Arts Gallery and Studio: The business of art

Friday, 10 February 2012 15:31 Erin Jerabek, Executive Director West Broadway Business and Area Coalition – erin@westbroadway.org

Mural by Charles Caldwell on West Broadway and 4th Street, North Minneapolis – Photos courtesy of the artist

The Grand Opening of C. Caldwell Fine Arts Gallery and Studio was December 16th.  The gallery hosts a variety of creations and the work of several artists.  At the gallery you will find a dynamic yet intentional collection of mediums and styles including: acrylic, watercolor, wood carving, pencil drawings, abstracts, realism, and impressionist.

The space itself is inspirational; however, the space and the collection combined with the opportunity to converse with Charles Caldwell himself will inspire you to create, produce, and build something- anything immediately, even if you have never considered yourself an artist.
On Role Models
“Hey little dude, your not suppose to be in here” Lincoln Elementary art teacher, Richard Scott called out as he saw a curious 6th grade Charles Caldwell wander into the art classroom.  Mr. Scott was busy carving a 18-foot totem pole and like any good art teacher, 70’s or today, Scott was wardrobed in a dashiki, bell bottom wrangler jeans, crusty boots, and beads. The art room was only for 7th or 8th graders but something about the excitement in the room told Charles he was in the right place so he immediately began to convince Mr. Scott of his need to stay.

“I need to be here,” Charles remembers pleading. Mr. Scott must have seen something in Charles because instead of turning him away, he gave him a project, a challenge to prove his worthiness or drive to be in art class.  Mr. Scott gave Charles a one by four inch solid piece of pine and the appropriate carving tools; he then directed Charles to whittle a “rattling ball in a cage,” a popular yet difficult wood carving practice.

Charles spent the rest of the night whittling away and in the morning showed up to Mr. Scott’s classroom with his perfected wood carving.  Mr. Scott took one look Charles rattling the ball and said “little dude, you can come into the room anytime.”  And that is what Charles did.

Prior to this Charles knew he had creative ability and was interested in art but didn’t understand it.  This experience triggered confidence and showed young Charles that creating art can get you places. From that day forward Charles recognized himself as an artist and so did his community.  Charles began to exhibit his work at age 14.

Charles Caldwell

On Opening a Business in North Minneapolis
Being a lifelong resident of North Minneapolis, Caldwell believes the Northside was the right place to open his gallery. “North Minneapolis is the community I grew up in, where I have developed my artist talent, the community has watched me grow and develop, from a child with artist talent into an businessman with a product.”  He opened the gallery for the community so they can have something special and unique and to invite those from other areas to showcase the talent the Northside has cultivated.  Caldwell described why opening the gallery in North was not only important for the community but for the artistic integrity of the work, “the strength of a piece that is produced and developed in a community is only amplified by viewing it in the community from which the vision was born.”

Caldwell is encouraged and challenged by the idea of art as a business. A huge motivation for Charles is sharing his gift with the community and those who want to learn about art. However, Caldwell is also a realist, “To many, opening the gallery signifies that I have financially “made it” as an artist. However, anyone who has opened a business, art or other, knows opening the doors is a huge risk. Displaying art alone cannot pay the rent.”  Caldwell is working with community partners and cultivating new relationships to bring greater visibility to the gallery, his work, and the North Minneapolis art scene.  Caldwell is also working to diversify his business by adding artistic screen printing component and an online gallery of his work.

On Becoming an Entrepreneur
Like most artists, Caldwell has always had an entrepreneurial spirit.  He established his first business at 12 years old, “when I was a kid I use to sell candy door to door with an elder and other child in the community.”  The elder would purchase the candy in bulk, have the children sell the candy, and give the youth a percentage of what they sold.  He quickly realized he could make more money by eliminating the middle man.

Caldwell worked as a plumbing apprentice for a time but was drawn back to art by his talent and his community. “A blessing or a curse that is the thing about talent, to use my artistic talent makes me an entrepreneur. If I do not create this product no one else will. I do it for my community.”  His talents have nurtured and supported by the Northside.  Evidence of this is the several murals that Caldwell has been commissioned to create throughout Northside, including the newest piece located on 4th Street Saloon on West Broadway Avenue and Our Struggles that was commissioned for  the Delisi’s Building in 2009.

On The Future
Looking ahead, Caldwell would like to establish his gallery as a popular Northside destination and implement a weekend long jazz festival outside his studio.  “There is a unique opportunity to have something in this community, in this part of the city, which will bring about a new way that North Minneapolis is viewed.”

He is also looking forward to creating opportunities for youth and adult arts education.  Caldwell would like to educate other artist about the business of art.

As for the Northside, Caldwell believes the community should continue to focus on cultivating arts entrepreneurs, businesses, and unique retail shops. In doing so along with continuing to infuse public art along the W. Broadway corridor will help the corridor and the neighborhood gain positive visibility now and into the future. He suggests using arts as a tool for enhancing and showcasing community vitality, “art is the food that we need to make our life expressive. Art can bring a smile on your face or it can bring a pain on your soul. Art is something that represents us when we are all gone. Archeological finds tell our stories, the stories of the past.”

“The C. Caldwell Fine Arts Gallery and Studio is a retail space open to the public for viewing and for purchase of affordable prints and original investment pieces for home and office décor and gifts for distinguished taste. This new gallery fulfills Caldwell’s long-time aspirations to create a space in the neighborhood he grew up in to celebrate, empower and inspire others to create and appreciate art.” – ccaldwellfinearts.com

Art Reception at C. Caldwell Fine Art Gallery Monday, Feb. 27th from 5-8pm honoring Dr. Josie Johnson with a portrait for her contributions to the Black history in Minnesota.

Business Name: C. Caldwell Fine Arts Gallery and Studio
Business Owner: Charles Caldwell
Location: 125 West Broadway Avenue, Suite 120, Minneapolis MN
Hours: Wednesday through Sunday at 1-7pm
Phone: 612-386-5114
Website: ccaldwellfinearts.com

Business leadership profile: Dr. Tara Watson

Saturday, 28 January 2012 01:38

Dr. Tara Watson – Photo: Courtesy of Watson Chiropractic

Since 2003, Watson Chiropractic has been specializing in chiropractic holistic healthcare with an emphasis in rehabilitative care, most commonly sports, car, and work-related related injuries. Dr. Tara Watson, owner of Watson’s Chiropractic, became interested in rehab care through her experience as a Division One college athlete at Seton Hall University in New Jersey.

On Opening a Business in North Minneapolis
“North Minneapolis is a diamond in the ruff; it is a hidden secret,” Dr. Watson described her experience, “Once this community believes in you they will support you and your business.  A presence in the community, willingness to work, and the commitment to stay goes along way in North.  When there is a need for a particular service or product, the community will support you once it’s known that you are committed.”
While studying to become a chiropractor, Dr. Watson had an opportunity to intern with at a chiropractic clinic in North Minneapolis.  When asked to return for her residency she did so eagerly, saying, “I felt like I could relate to the people and many were underserved.  There was the need for outreach, education and acting as a liaison with primary care and specialty doctors.”

Dr. Watson was offered several positions on the east coast but decided her best opportunity was in North Minneapolis. After working for a year at the office in which she had her internship, Dr. Watson started her own practice. She wanted to make sure the community was being properly educated around healthcare, “I found that people were using the ER for primary care so there was a need for health care, wellness care, education about healthier lifestyles. I jumped in and the rest is history.”  These gaps also led Dr. Watson to open a home health care agency. Dr. Watson now employs over 40 individuals between the two businesses.  Her drive to make the community a healthier place while being a successful female minority owned business is truly inspirational.

On Expanding
In the next five years, Watson’s Chiropractic will expand their services and add additional doctors to the practice. Dr. Watson is a problem solver, a doer when it comes to business and community needs.   In addition to maintaining the home health care agency, Watson also intends “to launch an exciting and much needed service into the community.” Venture details aren’t public just yet but Watson did disclose this about the new business, “God and the community willing, it will help to change the tone of the avenue and provide individuals with some much needed change.”

On Paying it Forward
“I am also becoming very active in the community; learning as much as I can to do my part as an individual, to give back and help facilitate change.”  Watson intends to join some of the organizations that are creating positive change and have assisted her in the past. “This is what I am calling my ‘paying forward,’” said Watson, “it takes a village to raise a child” and that belief has spilled over into her style of thinking, living, learning, and teaching.

On Becoming an Entrepreneur

“Once I realized the worst thing that can happen is failure, the entrepreneur was born,” exclaimed Watson. She meets adversity head on and refuses to be a victim. “I turn locked doors into opportunities. Regardless, my journey in no way has been easy and it certainly does not get easier, it continually takes different turns.” Watson described being fired from a job with no income while expecting a child and paying a mortgage and bills. “I turned that challenge into starting my own practice without a single client.  I rented space for six months to try to build my client-base.  Then I purchased equipment on credit, rented a space, qualified for a small loan, once the business was open the rest has been character building.”  Watson’s building was extensively damaged by the tornado that hit North Minneapolis on May 21st, 2011. By early June Dr. Watson had rented a temporary space to service her clients and by August her clinic was back in full operation.

On Work Ethic and Role Models
“My inspirations and role models change as I grow and change but I watched my mom go to work everyday and not get real help for us from anyone.  We stuck together, learned together and as she did better we did better,” Watson described her inspirations.  Jesus Christ, parents, coaches, mentors, and friends helped to shape Watson’s strong work ethic. “My humble beginnings made me dream, aspire, work hard, and appreciate.  I knew that no one was going to give me anything.” She grew up in a single parent household with little means and yet, two extremely hardworking and supportive parents.  “My parents are two of my biggest cheerleaders, they get so nervous and scared for me, not because they doubt me but they want the best and nothing but success for me.”

Watson’s Chiropractic serves North Minneapolis and the greater Metropolitan Area. The office is located on near the intersection of Penn on West Broadway Ave. North. They are accepting new clients and accept several types of insurance. Call and make an appointment today.

Business Name: Watson Chiropractic
Business Owner: Tara Watson
Location: 2110 W. Broadway Avenue Minneapolis, MN 55411
Phone: (612) 521-1386
Hours of operation: 9:30am-6:30pm

Please RSVP to Alicia – alicia@westbroadway.org.

We will hear about the proposed redevelopment at 2220 West Broadway Avenue (former site of Fire & Ice). Dean Rose, longtime Northside business owner, is planning a mixed use development on the site.  Dean’s hope is to jump start the redevelopment of this area which was impacted by the May 22nd tornado.  The plan includes relocating BLO in the new development as well as additional commercial and residential space.

An update will be given by the Minneapolis Public School District on the status of the building and ideas for addressing potential parking challenges.

Common Bond will be presenting their development plans for the Broadway curve area.

All are welcome to attend and partcipate. Contact Alicia at 612.353.5178 with any questions.

Join us for the first meeting of the merged Hawthorne & WBC Business Committees, Friday, January 27, 2012, 8:30am, McDonalds (916 W. Broadway).

All Northside businesses are welcome to join the business committee and attend the meetings.  Meet the new Committee Co-Chairs Al McFarlane, Insight News, Tim Baylor, McDonalds and participate in the election of the Hawthorne Business Committee Representative.  Topics of discussion will include: the Committee merger, existing programs and initiatives, committee visioning, the Northside Business of the Week program, and more!

Please RSVP to erin@westbroadway.org or ajasicki@hawthorneneighborhoodcouncil.org.

Please pass this on to other businesses that may be interested in attending. Thank you.

Saturday, July 30th, 2011 from 3pm-8pm, along West Broadway Ave at Emerson & Penn in Minneapolis

Check out some of the cool things that will be happening:

• LIVE Chainsaw art with recovered trees from tornado
• Food & free shuttle along the corridor
• Northside Community Poem Project
• Tornado Volunteer Recognition from 5-6pm @ Penn & Broadway
• Visual Art & Artisan Market
• Plus More!

Come check it out and support your community of local artists! Visit www.flownorthside.org to make a small donation, find out more details, and to get maps!