“Gallery Days, Memories of the Artists’ Quarter in Historic Downtown Minneapolis” with Judy Stern

Judy Stern, a Washington County history buff and resident of Marine on St. Croix will present a talk and read from her seventh book, Gallery Days, Memories of the Artists’ Quarter in Historic Downtown Minneapolis. Judy was there beginning in the late 1970s and ending in the mid 1980s operating the Judith Stern Gallery.

Her book tells many short, true stories about the people and artists she met in those years. Some of these tales relate humorous or intriguing encounters with well known celebrities such as Garrison Keillor, Jackson Browne, the Bob Dylan family, Butch Thompson and many more.  

Several of the artists, like Judy in 1989, re-located to Marine on St. Croix. The story of the rise and the fall of the Artists Quarter is told.

The book was nominated in 2024 for a Minnesota Book Award in the category of Minnesota Nonfiction. Karin Winegar, former staff writer at the Minneapolis Star Tribune said: “Congratulations! Your book absolutely deserves the Minnesota Book Award for its range and understanding, its insider perspective –You Were There– and how it preserves that semi-enchanted time and place.” Mary Ann Grossmann in the Dec. 29^th, 2024 St. Paul Pioneer Press, wrote an article. She said “Gallery Days is packed with lively anecdotes and artwork ranging from paintings to newspaper stories. It’s an important contribution to the history of the Twin Cities literary community.” Karin Winegar added, “If you were around in the 70s (and even if you weren’t but are curious to know what the heck was going on in the Twin Cities art, literature, music and food communities), this sums it up. And it’s a rich scrapbook of visuals–clippings, posters, photos, mementoes–that embody the spirit of the time (our flaming youth) and the place (the warehouse district).”

Judy’s history in Washington County extends back to her Great Grandfather, Theodore Schaefer and his brothers who built many local barns, including the one currently used at Aamodt’s Apple Farm. Artie Schaefer, the Polka King in the valley was her second cousin.

In-person attendees:
1862 Greeley Street South
Stillwater, MN 55082

Virtual attendees:
Link to WCHS YouTube page