Hucklebeary: FULL OF HEART e g

By Kelsey Roseth

When I walked into Duluth’s Hucklebeary a few weeks back, nervous energy bubbled beneath my chest. There to attend a watercolor class alone, I was intimidated. Sure, I can create a card as good as anyone armed with

Bear, a 6-year-old border collie/Australian shepherd mix who rushed forward as I stepped in – saying “hi” with an enthusiastic bark and uncontrollable tail wag. I barely had time to admire his red flannel bandana before Sam J. Nielsen, the watercolor artist leading the event, warmly greeted and guided me to this special space in the back of the shop.

Natural lighting filled this white-painted room, right up to its tall ceilings, casting a bright glow on the dozen or so participants who sat around an expansive table. The men and women eagerly explored the materials arranged in front of them while sipping mimosas, tea and coffee and snacking on fresh fruit and sugar-

With a friendly introduction from Nielsen and some laughcausing comments about her

“pregnancy brain,” the class kicked off with enthusiasm. The atmosphere was energetic, yet laid-back and comfortable. If there was ever a place to have fun painting, I thought “this could be it.”

From the get-go, the focus was all about the event takeaways. “Being able to feel that you’re not only walking away with the experience, but something tangible you can bring home to then continue and move on with your skills,” said Nielsen, who designed the course and watercolor basics booklet we worked from.

My neighbors at the table were there for the long-term benefits, too.

“We had been looking for at least two years for a painting class in the area,” said Joli Austin, a Superior resident who attended the class with her sister-in-law Ali Bilden Camps and mother-in-law Judy Bilden.

“I like how causal it is. It’s not a real formal class, and I love this kind of organization. You can take it home and know what you did. It’s wonderful,” said Bilden Camps. Continued on page 28

A combination of a carefully-curated gift store, creative lab and community studio, Hucklebeary is celebrating its second year in business. Founded by Twin Cities native and University of Minnesota Duluth alumni Emily Ekstrom, this shop combines passion and purpose.

“What I’m looking for is for people to leave having a positive experience,” said Ekstrom, who started her store through the Greater Downtown Council’s pop-up program. “If you’ve always wanted to try [to learn a new skill], now you’re able to give it a try and it’s a low risk.”

Ekstrom works hard to spark creativity and watch it grow and develop – and based on my experience I’d she’s well on her way to transforming the Twin Ports artistic community.

To give a class a try, visit hucklebearyduluth.com or call (218) 4619083. D

Hucklebeary

106 E Superior Street

Duluth, MN

Monday-Wednesday: Closed

Thursday: 10am-6pm

Friday: 10am-6pm

Saturday: 10am-6pm

Sunday: 11am-4pm uwsuper.edu/ourhive