“Behind every successful woman is a tribe of other successful women who have her back” 

There is an ever-present and intense drive amongst artists, restaurateurs/chefs, food writers and influencers to be creators of beauty and nourishers of souls.  The new Artists In The Kitchen Exhibition, happening now at the Textile Center, hits both marks in the most remarkable way.  The exhibit highlights a magnificent display of 50 works by women artists inspired by 50 women chefs and restaurateurs (see the list of participants at the end of the article).  The artists ability to translate unique and powerful culinary experiences through the use of textiles is extraordinary and the outcome is well worth seeing.

The first exhibition of this kind was held at the Mansion at Strathmore in Maryland in 2015.  Susan Callahan, Chef Instructor at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, invited 21 local artists to partner with 22 regional chefs with the purpose of creating a visual tapestry that celebrated the female chef.

“The visual artists’ creations capture moments, memories, emotions – encapsulating the chef’s within their medium in order to transmit their energy and power, engage the viewer and tell a story.  Chefs, like their visual counterparts, are performance artists. They present their craft each day in edible medium combined with fine elements of design.  The chef ‘s art is to entertain her audience with course after course of flavor, texture, visual appeal and scent” – Harriet Lesser, Curator, Mansion at Strathmore

The Minnesota exhibition opened at the Textile Center on March 21st and will run through May 19th, 2018.  There will be a public reception tomorrow night (Thursday, March 29th) from 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM. This event is free and small bites will be available courtesy of the Red Stag Supperclub, their Clubroom & Courtyard and Chocolat Celesté.

The Exhibition is co-presented by the Textile Center and Women Chefs & Restaurateurs (WCR).  WCR is a National Organization that supports women in Food and Beverage.  Their mission is to create experiences that bring women together to propel careers forward.  Chef and local restaurateur Kim Bartmann is the WCR president. Artists in the Kitchen premieres in conjunction with the 25th anniversary of The Women Chefs & Restaurateurs National Conference, Women Speak: Curating the Future of Food.  This will be held in Minneapolis from April 21st – 23rd, 2018.

Textile Center – A National Center for Fiber Art

3000 University Avenue SE

Minneapolis, MN  55414

Getting there and parking:

• Parking is available in the lot behind our building, entrance at Arthur Ave and Sidney Place.
• BEGINNING MARCH 1, parking will also be available at 3018 University Ave SE, just 2 doors east of Textile Center. Look for the green signs!
• $3 parking is located at the surface lot at: 2813 4th Street SE, Minneapolis 55414

Additional Events:

Thursday, April 26, 12 – 1:30 pm
Art Speaks: Artists in the Kitchen
4 artist/chef teams gather for a panel discussion
Moderator: Stephanie Hansen • Jenny and Rachel Breen • Mecca Bos-Williams and Carmen Gutiérrez Bolger Lynne Rossetto Kasper and Carolyn Halliday • Brenda Langton and Shelly Mosman ($15 / $10 members).

Chef/Restaurateur – Artist Teams