As its name would suggest, the Smallest Cog Bicycle Shop art gallery isn’t much for size, consisting of a single white wall on the south side of the storefront’s entrance. But the business’ latest art gallery shows that unlimited creativity can thrive within a limited space.
In a testament to the diverse array of artistry that can be captured on a single plane, over 40 works ranging from paintings to prints, photography, quilts, ceramics, bronze sculptures and more could be seen hanging side by side on Sunday during the opening of the Smallest Cog’s first juried exhibition: 8x8 Art and Artisans.
The rules of the spring exhibition were simple, artists could submit up to two works that were eight inches wide and eight inches tall. Any medium was welcome as long as the piece could be hung on the bike shop wall.
Though the Smallest Cog art gallery is still new, having only opened within the bike shop in the last year, local artists came out in droves to support the exhibition.
“I’m trying to support a new local gallery. I’m excited [Amanda Malkin’s] been having all these artist themed shows and I’m just typing to help support that too and encourage that,” said Craig Kotasek, owner of the Le Sueur-based Tin Can Valley printmaking studio. “So I’ve been trying to come to all the openings here and I’m a sucker for an art opening and checking out other crazy artists.”
For the exhibition, Kotasek shaved down two of his existing print designs to meet the 8x8 inch gallery format. His works included a print of a red and blue eight pointed star in a three-dimensional perspective alongside a print of two pandas riding a bicycle titled “Pandering.” Kotasek felt the latter work was the perfect fit for an art gallery taking place within a bike shop.
The prints were positioned alongside an eclectic variety of mediums. Miniature landscape paintings hung up next to quilted floral-patterned fabrics. Ceramic pillows hung next to fabric pillows while abstract experimentations with shape, line and color shared space with realistic scenes of people enjoying summer fun. The exhibition also included a miniature bronze ice cream cone and even a simple cutting board.
“I think the different mediums and textures and three dimensionality, it shows how diverse our arts community is here even if it’s a small community there’s a lot happening,” said gallery coordinator Amanda Malkin.
Malkin, a paper arts conservator and placemaker, has made the Smallest Cog a hub for artists over the past year, hosting the works of local artists like Michael Callahan, Cheryl Casteen, Eric Ouren and Emily Kretschmer. But the 8x8 exhibition, which runs through the end of May, marks the Smallest Cog’s first venture into spotlighting a multitude of artists all at once.
“The reason the exhibition is up is so I can support local artists and help them sell their work,” said Malkin.
Cheryl Casteen, a St. Peter-based multimedia conceptual artist and photographer, said the gallery was a great opportunity to meet with other local artists. For the exhibition, Casteen entered a pair of floral-based works. Her photograph “Pending,” taken in a field in North Carolina, captures a sunflower which is almost ready to bloom, while her photograph “Blue Iris” shows a luminescent blue iris flower against a dark background.
“I like to schmooze with other artists,” said Casteen. “Anytime there’s a group show of artists you get to see all your friends and see what they’re doing and see what kind of work they’re making and it’s fun.”
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