For most of the year, sculptor Layl McDill is dashing around the Midwest, spending every possible weekend showing off her intricate clayforms at various art fairs. So when she and her husband, fellow artist Josh Blanc, were considering their holiday plans, they were hoping to stay a bit closer to home. After having spent particularly frigid days over the years walking the skyways for exercise, the idea of setting up a space in the heart of downtown Minneapolis was alluring. “The skyways seemed so exotic to us since we didn’t come downtown much—it was like taking a mini vacation in our own city,” says McDill. Though they initially planned on an advertising-only approach, chats with fellow artists got them thinking: what about a pop-up shop?
When a space opened up in Gaviidae Common, the pair jumped, and so was born Clay Squared to Infinity’s downtown location. In addition to featuring the work of eleven local artists, the shop benefits the arts community at large: five percent of sales go to the Northeast Minneapolis Arts District.
If you work downtown, take a few minutes on your next coffee break to pop in the shop—it’s only open until the end of December, so better take advantage of the chance while it lasts. Besides, grabbing a unique gift and a quick sandwich, all without even having to put on your winter coat? It’s the skyway workday at its finest—time to take advantage.
Clay Squared to Infinity
Gaviidae Common, Neiman Marcus wing
Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
