Anne Damon has long considered opening a Mexican folk-arts shop, so when a Southwest Minneapolis space became available earlier this year, she jumped at it.
She plans to open
Zinnia Folks Arts at the end of April, and the grand opening is scheduled for May.
Zinnia Folk Arts will be a cross between a gallery, gift shop, and folk art store, she says.
Kurimay Upholstery had occupied the space at the corner of 46th and Bryant Avenue South for 40 years, according to Damon.
Damon spruced up the space, making only slight changes, swapping out the lighting, painting, and doing minor repairs, she says.
To show off the brightly colored items, the walls will be painted in neutral shades. The place will have a “clean, contemporary aesthetic."
In the past, Damon, who has collected Mexican folk art since she was in high school, had pop-up sales in her house and later, an interior design studio. For a while, she also shared a space with seven other shop owners who are part of the Guild Collective in St. Louis Park. At the same time, “I always wanted my own space," she says.
At Zinnia, she plans to feature “beautiful items you don’t often see in the Midwest,” including home goods, jewelry, ceramics, textiles, gifts, and more.
The idea is to give people a taste of Mexican folk culture.
Too often, these kinds of objects get put in storage in museum collections, she says. “I hope to not only show people these incredible handmade pieces, but also educate people about the artist and process.” She adds that she buys objects directly from artisans working in non-tourist-y areas.
Source: Anne Damon, owner, Zinnia Folk Arts
Writer: Anna Pratt