Blood, sweat and tears, that is what can be said is put into the quality of every aspect of art displayed this holiday season at the Stillwater Art Reach Pop-Up Shop. Big or small, all types of projects made by local artists from the St. Croix Valley can be found here. From hand crafted paintings to jewelry, to postcards, to glass work and much more, all is there. From Nov. 20th to Dec. 27th, a conglomeration of over 40 artists were displayed at this 3rd annual event hosted by St. Croix Art Program, this year space was provided by 45 Degrees and was rewarded with much success.

For the past 6 weeks, artists have taken turns heading up shifts at the Pop-Up shop. Open to anyone, people can talk with the artists themselves and at times there were in house musicians, book readings and new projects on display.

The holiday season on Main Street Stillwater seemed like the ideal time to introduce the community to this program. Artist Mimi Exon, heavily involved with St. Croix Art, went up and down main street and handed out tootsie-pops to all the owners with little tags advertising the Pop Up shop. This is her third year attending the event. Exon said, “It gives you great visibility. A lot of people come downtown to go to dinner or shop so we have had great foot traffic.”

For many of the artists, they have much more to handle in their daily life than their art. Most of them have other jobs or other art displays happening simultaneously, which can be trying to even the most flexible of artists.

Expressionism artist Han Huisman, originally from Europe, has a successful career as a scientist. Having taken up painting somewhat recently, he has had extraordinary success considering this short time period. With art previously displayed at a gala in New York, after the Pop-Up shop, he hopes to travel to California in March to further pursue his abstract medium.

Huisman is not the only one with a busy schedule. Oil painter Angie Milan has similar experience. With a career as a nurse, Milan recently decided to cut back on her hours to further concentrate on her art. Having been studying art seriously for around six years, Milan prefers a free air studio where she stands in nature and paints the life she sees. “Now I have more time to study and focus on my paintings. Painting is hard if you’re very seriously pursuing,” Milan said.

For some, the scheduling is not the only problem they come across. Many have difficulties with sales. Although the shop as a whole is considered successful, the venue just isn’t for some.

Huisman noticed that his large abstract paintings just were not selling. Although his sales were not optimal, he said, “For now, for things like paintings and sculptures, its not the best time, but for jewelry, pottery, post cards, that kind of stuff. It is a nice experience for me, I met some people and its very nice”. Milan, an artist who also was not very successful as far as sales go, despite the lack of product, said, “It has been very fun and interesting to meet other artists and see their work and the wide variety of things people do in the community.”

Although sales are not always promising, the environment of the Pop-Up shop is nothing if not supportive. An opportunity for the creative to interact with people they can relate with, similar experiences, similarity trying times and understanding minds, even if they didn’t gain sales they gained friends and a community that offers abetting advice.

Milan encompasses the attitude of the event when she said, “It has been very fun and interesting to meet other artists and see their work and the wide variety of things people create in the community. It has been nice to see people and talk to them and see where they’re at, pursuing their dream of creating what they create.”

Many of the people who are a part of the Pop-Up Shop are involved together in other art programs hosted by St. Croix Art Reach. Each going through the same processes of experimenting, failing, trying again, changing, finding what they enjoy doing, changing, and finally being happy with their hard work, this sort of community has a strong connection and it can be sensed in the atmosphere.

Although bonded, the group is very open to anyone trying their hand at projects, either for the first time or the hundredth time. Exon says, “No it is not competitive, it is a very supportive environment. To think that there are so many talented artists in the valley, and there is room for everyone.”

The Pop-Up Shop presents an amazing opportunity for not only artists but also the community. It is a way to get involved and support the neighboring members, who may not always have the chance to put on their own art gala or be displayed at other events. All find common ground trying to pursue something so influential, and it can be noticed not only in the artwork but in the tone presented. Planning to continue for many years, St. Croix Art Reach  hopes to offer events to all who are willing to pursue it.