The 2017 Shanty is almost complete! It has been a six month process, from brainstorm sessions to finishing touches.
Here's a look at our journey to build the String Box Shanty.
The concept is simple. Build the frame and let the participants build the rest. The steel frame has dozens of eyelets on each of the doors. When participants show up, we will give them a ball of yarn, and let them string it up in whatever pattern they like! Our hope, is that by the end of each weekend, the participants have basically created a cocoon around the box, connecting the doors and enclosing the walls with different patterns of yarn. We don't know what its going to look like, but we're excited to see the process unfold and to see the end result.
The first rendering of what we want the Shanty to look like. An open frame with eyelets to thread string through. At the beginning of the Shanty Program, the frame will be bare. As people show up, they grab a ball of string and thread it however they want through the blank canvas of the frame. We don't know what the end product will look like, but we think that's part of the fun!
Kevin "The Welder" and Mark look over plans for the frame.
The frame is ready, delivered by Kevin. Off to its temporary home at White Bear Boat Works to get floors and a paint job.
Like a glove!! The 2x6 cedar planks fit perfectly in the frame. Although this color scheme looks great, the floor boards will soon be stained black, and the frame will be white. Our goal is to have it look more approachable and less like the set of Mad Max.
First layer of paint on the frame, and a look at the doors as we prop them open.
First coat of stain on the floorboards.
Painting and staining complete! Last steps before installation are to install the skis and screw down the floor boards.
The Shanties will be installed on White Bear Lake (right off Ramsey Co. Beach, on the north end of the lake) on Sunday, and will remain on the lake until February 26th.
Every weekend in February, Saturdays and Sundays from 10am-4pm, the Shanties will be open to the public. Come out and take a look, visit with the artists, and participate in the event.
For more information on the 2017 Art Shanty Program, visit their website: