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.
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
