Look at that beautiful view—well, maybe not the snow, but look at that window! There’s a warm glow cast onto our newly-restored windows installed by Northern Historic LLC as part of updates to the Coach House. After this gorgeous window was put back into place, so many people commented how they hadn’t really “seen” it before; it was obscured by a storm that hid the individual panels of glass, and had a bit of a sagging-wood smile. But no longer! There’s scaffolding out front as the other windows are going in, trim & sashes being repainted, and I’m learning about things like storm hangers & sash locks & adjusters (oh my!). Stop by and say hi—we’ll wave at you from inside the slightly-wavy glass (because every bit has been lovingly salvaged). 

As that last bit of snow finally melts, we’re gearing up for the Spring Garage Sale Friday April 12 (doors open at 7:30!) and Saturday April 13 (7:30am-2pm). You’ll find goodies for the home & garden, furniture, art supplies, and the kinds of quirktacular finds that only Shake Rag Alley offers. All proceeds go to support our arts & crafts workshops and community programming.

We’re excited to share that programming with you. Our new season of the Alley Stage Reading Series includes playwrights from Chicago and Saint Paul, and actors from our region—highlighting the creativity of the Driftless. Our summer Youth Program offers opportunities for creative play for young artists kindergarten through teens. We have Shake Rag Alley classics, and new classes like youth blacksmithing and an intergenerational Let’s Make a Mural workshop, as well as 5-day camp experiences. 

                              
Christina Kubasta                                          

Executive Director