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Alumna opens new art supply store in Northfield

By Kari VanDerVeen
February 15, 2008

RipkaApril99Store
"Art has always been my first love," says April Ripka '99.
St. Olaf College alumna April Ripka hopes that her new art supply store in downtown Northfield is a place where creative ideas will evolve.

The Sketchy Artist, her new store located at 300 Division St. S., opened its doors in January. It offers many of the same supplies as the Art Store, a longtime fixture in the Northfield business community that recently closed, but Ripka says it will also feature new products and an atmosphere all its own.

"Consider the Art Store a template for my ideas. I will carry a lot of what people are used to, while bringing in new items that are, hopefully, unique to many shoppers," she says. "I can emulate the Art Store as much as I want, but it will always be different for the simple fact that my personality is different."

Inspiring creativity
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A 1999 St. Olaf graduate who majored in art, Ripka worked at the Art Store under both of its owners and says each inspired her. She plans to combine what she learned there with her work experience in Web design and advertising to create a "fun, laid-back and explorative environment." She says she'll likely perform small demonstrations of art projects in the store to show people what they might do with a certain product or material. "If I have a product that isn't moving, I need to figure out a way to show people how they could use it," says Ripka, 30.

A children's section near the front of the store is similarly designed to inspire creativity in young artists. In addition to a variety of child-friendly products, a space for children to doodle includes a set of small stools and a chalkboard. The children's corner also features children's books and colorful artwork by St. Olaf alumna Cori Doerrfeld '01. Doerrfeld's husband, St. Olaf graduate Tyler Page '99, also has some of his graphic novels -- which are similar to comic books -- for sale in the store. In the future Ripka plans to display and sell the artwork of other Oles and local artists.

She also is hoping to expand the scope of the shop by taking her business online. Ripka's goal is to have products for sale online within a year and create a blog on the store's website where people can request or recommend certain products. She's also willing to post links to information about art-related events. Having an online presence will enable Ripka to reach residents in surrounding communities that don't have an art-supply store.

Applying lessons learned
Ripka grew up in Warsaw, Minn., about 20 miles southwest of Northfield, and attended high school at Shattuck-St. Mary's School in Faribault, just 15 miles south of St. Olaf. Ripka says St. Olaf helped her develop more than her art skills.

"As an art major you learn to develop your own ideas, as well as the thick skin one needs to stick to them," she says. "In retrospect, if I hadn't had the experiences and opportunities given to me at St. Olaf, I don't think I would have the courage to start my own business."

The fact that she's an Ole also was a significant factor in helping her receive a micro grant and a revolving loan from the Northfield Economic Development Authority. With the opening of her store, Ripka says she finally feels as though she's achieved her dream job.

"Art has always been my first love," she says.

The Sketchy Artist will be open Monday through Wednesday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Thursday 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Friday and Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday noon-4 p.m. For more information contact April at 645-2811 or hello@thesketchyartist.com, or visit thesketchyartist.com. College and high-school students will receive a 15 percent discount at the store by showing their school ID.

Contact Kari VanDerVeen at 507-786-3970 or vanderve@stolaf.edu.