What do Artistry’s Set Carpenters do when there’s no show being built?
While the actors and musicians rehearse for a show, the behind-the-scenes crew is at work in the scene shop. The set carpenters are busy taking the director’s vision and the set designer’s drawings and turning them into three-dimensional magic on the stage. They work tirelessly measuring and cutting lumber, building platforms and flats to create a world that only exists for a few short weeks. Then it’s on to building another show.
But right now, the carpenters at the Artistry Theater, located in the Bloomington Center for the Arts, are working on a very different project - that of building nine pedestal display units for the Minnesota Valley Wildlife Refuge, near the MSP International Airport.
Artistry, a not-for-profit organization, was happy to be able to help the Wildlife Center, another not-for profit, get ready for their re-opening. 
Designed by Lead Carpenter, Will Rafferty, and assisted by Stage Hand Colin Williams, eight 4’x8’ sheets of MDF have been transformed into sleek white pedestals where art will be placed. These will grace their showroom, the Confluence Gallery, when it re-opens in the near future.
Coming up soon at Artistry Theater is the musical Memphis which opens on April 23rd and will run until May 15 in the 366 seat Schneider Theater. [ ]
