Melissa Martyr

NewStudio Gallery Exhibit Offers Spaces For Contemplation

By Emma Chekroun, Pioneer Press, October 17, 2020

New Studio Gallery, the passion project of New Studio Architecture’s owner and president Sean Wagner, is nestled right underneath New Studio Architecture’s office. New Studio Gallery recently opened its latest installation, “At This Point … Three Spaces for Contemplation.” The installation features three pieces — or spaces — from Twin Cities artists Jovan Speller, Tia Keobounpheng and Rebecca Krinke.

The show is curated by Camille LeFevre, a former dance critic and writer and editor for architecture publications. LeFevre believes the exhibit addresses pressing issues, including undoing racism. The pieces are deeply personal to the artists and focus on concerns at the forefront of their minds; whether that be racism in America or past dreams. The artwork, LeFevre says, invites reflection and space to contemplate the past, present and future.

Minneapolis Basement Transformation

By Kim Palmer, Star Tribune, October 13, 2020

The challenge: Darrell Kesti and Ahnna Juntunen-Kesti were hoping to remodel the mostly unfinished basement in their Minneapolis home to create usable living space. Ideally, they wanted a family room that could double as a guest room, with a bathroom and a sauna. “We’re both Finnish, from northern Minnesota. We always wanted our own sauna,” said Kesti.

The team: Architects Adam Jarvi and Chris Brenny, NewStudio Architecture; interior designer Lindsay Matenaer, NewStudio; contractor Dan Guidinger, Guidinger Construction, LLC.

Designing Anthropologie's Devon Yard Lifestyle Center

NewStudio Architecture designed a quadwall skylight system that creates a light and airy greenhouse feel, while meeting strict local energy codes. Samantha Becker writes, “When designing the new Devon Yard in Chester County, Pa., NewStudio Architecture, St. Paul, Minn., was faced with a seemingly impossible task.”

Chroma Zone Mural & Art Festival Coming To Town

Margie O’Loughlin writes in the Monitor about the week-long Chroma Zone Mural & Art Festival held in St. Paul’s Creative Enterprise Zone (CEZ), showcasing the creation of 12 large outdoor murals, as well as community partner events within the CEZ, such as the gallery opening at NewStudio Architecture.

St. Paul's Creative Enterprise Zone

In St. Paul's growing Creative Enterprise Zone, businesses (including NewStudio Architecture) seek ways to preserve artistic identity. James Walsh from the Star Tribune writes about the Midway-area creative corridor helping to keep the St. Paul to help keep the vibe alive.