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Just want to give a shout-out and a huge thank-you to all the first responders during the Covid-19 pandemic that is affecting our community and the world, thanks for all that you do! For all of us that are at home and wondering what we can do with the time we have. Here are 101 things to do while in isolation, quarantine or on lockdown.  101 Things To Do On Quarantine
Try one of these or all of them and you are good to go!
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InspirationAs an artist and designer I look within and outward for inspiration. The environment around me is as important to me as the history and experiences that have shaped me. In my North Minneapolis studio there is a wall of windows that opens to the outside world. I observe the poverty, neglect, struggle, renewal and hope of the community. My resulting collection of work is a reflection of these modern day struggles and the stories of my ancestors  My Vision for 2020The old church across the street with its wooden steps. The creek running thru the neighborhood. Kids playing in the street. Open spaces and vacant lots slowly filling and changing. This painting is a reflection of what I see out of my windows. The large stretched canvas is open and undefined waiting to be filled with so many possibilities. The work that I do is about my community, its my story. My Vision 2020 by Shirley Jones. Acrylic on Canvas. Showing at Homewood Studios Feb 1-28th.According to the University of Minnesota's Racial and Ethnic Diversity Index, North Minneapolis is one of the most diverse neighborhoods in Minneapolis.  Plymouth Avenue, North Minneapolis Diversity has always been a positive term in my book, but there can be two sides to every coin. The positive side of diversity brings new opportunities and people into the community making it a wonderful place to live. The flip side is that inequality still exists and separation of people and opportunities continues. I feel art can be used as a bridge to get people to come together and find common ground. Doors Open is a city-wide celebration occurring on May 18-19, 2019. The goal of the event is to bring the community into spaces they don't usually get to see. I'm participating to share the story of the North Side and to get community members who don't normally get to meet together and learn the story of the community we all share.
Saturday, May 18, 2019 10-5:00PM Sunday, May 19, 2019 10-5:00PM Plymouth Avenue Art Studios 2404 PlyMouth Ave. N. Minneapolis, MN We are still very excited about the big blue box project! We have collected over 400 toiletry items and boxes to date. We have already distributed some boxes to needy folks at the Night of Hope event in Minneapolis on September 25th.
We would love for more groups to come out to create art for boxes and help pack boxes. Our next scheduled Big Blue Box workshop day is scheduled for: Saturday, October 7, 2017 11:00 am-4pm The Big Blue Box Project is coming along well! A continued thanks to all those who have come out and donated their time, money and resources.  St. Stephen's Street Outreach is one organization we hope to create a continued partnership with. Click on the link above for more information about the organization.
First, I would like to thank all the community members who came out to help paint and create drawings for the Big Blue Box Project. To date, community members have created 300 boxes and unique works of art and donated 100 toiletry items. For those who don't know, the Big Blue Box Project is a community art project that brings together local artist, youth and members of the community to create art boxes/hygeine kits for homeless community members. The purpose of the project is to engage community members, increase awareness of the problem of homelessness and provide works of art to people in need.  This project was born during my travels to the West Coast and Cuba this year. I saw poverty and homelessness out in the open on a large scale. Homelessness is often hidden and not talked about, This experience opened my eyes to the problem of homelessness so when I returned home to Minneapolis I wanted to do something in my own way. If you are interested in creating a box our next Art Box Workshop is scheduled for:
Saturday June 10, 2017. 11 am-4pm Plymouth Avenue Art Studio 2404 Plymouth Ave. N. MPLS, MN 55411 For Donations of toiletry items contact Shirley Jones 612-470-2787 for drop off times. The April 15, 2017 Big Blue Box art work day was a success. Thanks to all those who came out to Plymouth Avenue Art Studio.
Volunteers assembled and decorated over 100 boxes.
The next work day is scheduled for April 22, 2017 10am-5pm. Contact Us for additional information and RSVP.
 The word gems gives the impression of expense and luxery but they often glam up a simple outfit with very little expense. I often wear an older pair of jeans, a long sleeve white tee and a triple-strand genstone necklace and I am ready for anything! Try it, get the wow factor with a simple gemstone necklace and give any pair of jeans a new life and you are good to go too!
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AuthorShirley Jones, MFA is a Minneapolis based artist, educator and studio owner. You can find Shirley most days creating and building works of art in her basement studio in North Minneapolis. 
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April 2020
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