Friedli Gallery and Studio

03/13/2026

CALLING ALL BOOK. ARTISTS!
I may no longer have my gallery, but Erin and I are gearing up for the 5th Annual Book Arts Show!!

Applications are now being accepted from now until March 20th. This year our exhibition will be inside OPEN BOOK in downtown Minneapolis! See the call details below, Huzzah!

https://forms.gle/LEBwUEUeSETmxkNm8

08/22/2025

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!
I’M MOVING TO ART @ 967 PAYNE AND SOLIDARITY STREET GALLERY!

I’m moving my art studio to Art @ 967 Payne Ave in East Side Saint Paul! Art @ 967 Payne is a collaborative art co-working space with a diverse community of artists from around the Twin Cities! While I’m sad that the chapter of Friedli Gallery is coming to a close, I’m VERY excited to work with and next to the great artists at 967 Payne, and support Solidarity Street Gallery! We’re already discussing cool collabs and how I can help support the community!

The change is great because I get to have a private studio space that is in the same space as other artists! Space for my GIANT easel, GIANT puppet making, gallery viewing of my work and more! I’m also stoked that I can continue my love for supporting other artists through working with those at Solidarity Street Gallery which is attached to the studio main space. This will give me space to thrive, while also giving back and being in community with others.

I’ll be sad to leave the West 7th neighborhood, "Vintage Row", and my work with the Fort Rd Federation, local businesses, and my friend and partner in crime Tim working on the West 7th Arts District project- which is something near and dear to my heart. But I won’t be gone gone- I’m still playing a supporting role in getting W7AD off the ground as part of their board. I want to also express my undying love and gratitude to Dave Thune and the entire Thune family for all their support over the years! They truly are family to me, and we will all continue to love and support one another in each other's future endeavors.

And I’ll still be around at Friedli Gallery on and off for a few weeks as I move into my new space. Come visit me and support my transition to the East Side through purchasing artists’ work at the gallery! Text me for hours at (248)660-3771.

This isn’t the end, it’s a new beginning. Much love to all my family, friends and supporters over the past 4 years in this great adventure! I look forward to making new community connections and friends on the East Side!

Sincerely,
Heather Friedli
www.friedliarts.com

Check out Art @ 967 Payne and Solidarity Street Gallery at these links!
https://www.facebook.com/solidaritystreetgallery
https://www.facebook.com/ArTat967Payne

06/12/2025

Artist Spotlight: Jamie Zavoral-Brown

In her adult life, she traveled, worked, and lived in Belize and the United Kingdom until 2019 when she returned to Minnesota. Her travels have influenced her work whether it's painting, glassblowing, or ceramics.

Jamie’s current clay work has been influenced by growing up in Minnesota. Her mother was raised in northern Minnesota and as a child, Jamie visited relatives on the White Earth Reservation. At that time, she did not consider the significance of her heritage as an Ojibwe. When she retired in 2021 she focused on ceramics and glassblowing. Traditional indigenous art styles influenced her initial work by incorporating animal figures into her ceramic pieces. The first totems she made resembled wooden carved totems of Canada. She has now created totems incorporating a human element within a natural backdrop. She continues to explore the relationship between man, animals, and the natural world.

Please support Jamie and all our artists at the opening of "Three Voices in Clay" THIS FRIDAY NIGHT! 6-8pm @ Friedli Gallery!

06/11/2025

Artist Spotlight: Layl McDill

“A long time ago in a kitchen in Wichita, Texas a young mother mixed up another batch of homemade play dough. She made all the colors for her freckle faced daughter and when her daughter rolled and squished this salty substance something magical happened- she began to turn into an artist.”

And THAT is my origin story. Stories help us make sense of our world and help us connect with others. My polymer clay sculptures are filled with the sensation of story. When people engage with my work I am often asked “What is this from?” because my work seems like it’s derived from fables or myths. But soon they realize the stories are all fresh and just a little off kilter.

Stories have been a theme in my work since I began my career in 1993. I’ve created pieces with full stories built into my work and pieces that just carry elements of life’s narratives. I have also explored storytelling as a performer and as a way to engage with others. Stories are such an elemental part of our existence and I hope to create art that expresses this and leads to the creation of more stories."

Come support Layl and our other artists during the opening of "Three Voices in Clay" THIS FRIDAY NIGHT 6-8pm!

06/10/2025

Artist Spotlight: Glenna Veater

My figurative sculptures explore the quiet, persistent transformation of the human spirit. Each form I create represents a moment in the ongoing, nonlinear journey of becoming — a visual meditation on growth, struggle, vulnerability, and potential. As people, we are never static. We exist in flux, caught between who we have been and who we are yet to become. My work captures these transitional states, emphasizing that identity is not a fixed destination but a continuous unfolding.
The figures I sculpt often appear incomplete or emerging, shaped by tension between presence and possibility. I aim to reflect the varied and personal phases of becoming that we all inhabit — sometimes raw and unresolved, other times poised and self-assured. These differences speak to the complexity of being human, reminding us that no two paths look the same, yet we all participate in the same essential process.
Through gesture, texture, and form, my sculptures ask viewers to consider where they are in their own journey and to recognize the becoming in others — with compassion, curiosity, and openness.

Please support Glenna and all our amazing artists at the opening reception of "Three Voices in Clay" THIS FRIDAY NIGHT! 6-8pm only at Friedli Gallery!

06/10/2025

The Medium is the Message: Three Voices in Clay

Exhibition Details:
Opening Reception Friday June 13th, 6-8pm
Artist talk 7pm
Location: Friedli Gallery 943 W 7th St., Saint Paul MN 55102

Three Voices in Clay - an exciting new clay art exhibition showcasing the voices and visions of three women clay artists, will open on Friday June 13th at Friedli Gallery, located at 943 7th Street West in St. Paul. This compelling new show invites the public to come and explore themes of identity, transformation, and feminine strength through the medium of clay.

The featured artists — Layl McDill, Jamie Zavoral-Brown, and Glenna Veater — each bring their distinct yet complementary perspectives to the exhibition. Each woman’s work speaks to deeply personal narratives, while resonating with broader cultural conversations. From vibrant mixed-media compositions and large-scale abstracts to evocative figurative pieces, the show highlights the range and richness of contemporary women's art.

Layl McDill creates sculptures with a sensation of story from polymer clay and found objects.

Jamie Zavoral-Brown builds sculptural clay pieces that tell stories about the natural environment.

Glenna Veater creates sculptures that tell stories using the female figure to convey her thoughts and feelings

“This exhibition is about dialogue — between the artists, the medium, and the viewers,” says Heather Friedli, gallery owner and curator of the show. “Each artist uses her own language of color, texture, and form to speak to our time and shared experiences.”

Opening Reception:
Join the artists for an opening night celebration on Friday June 13th 6-8pm at Friedli Gallery. The event is free and open to the public with refreshments and features an artist talk at 7pm.

Come support our artists THIS FRIDAY NIGHT for their opening reception!

05/09/2025

Join us Saturday night!

I'm teaching an Art & Mocktails class at Friedli Gallery and Studio Saturday night!
There's still a few spots open- who wants to join me?
Sign up TODAY! https://www.friedliartsgallery.com/classes-and-events-2/art-mocktails-reaching

05/06/2025

There's still open spots for our Art & Mocktails inaugural class this Saturday Night!
Come have fun while painting and enjoying fun colorful mocktails!
Sign up TODAY! https://www.friedliartsgallery.com/classes-and-events-2/art-mocktails-reaching

04/30/2025

Art & Mocktails: "Reaching"
Saturday, May 10, 2025
6:00 PM 8:00 PM
Join us for a fun night of creativity! This is about FUN and is a NO PRESSURE ZONE!

Every one of every ability is welcome, as artist Heather Friedli leads you step by step to create a beautiful rendition of Heather Friedli’s painting! No supplies necessary as they are all supplied through the gallery! I will be providing light snacks and Mocktails- Just bring yourself, and your penchant for fun as we rock out during this event!

This event has a 12 person limit. If you have a group of 10 or more, please contact me to schedule a private session!

Ages 16+
Registration on our website at www.friedliartsgallery.com

04/25/2025

Saint Paul Art Crawl Culinary Arts FOOD TRUCK Spotlight: Two Cups

"Two Cups is a cafe concept that has connected two friends with the same creation in mind. We dream of creating a space for a community to connect over comforting food and coffee. Two of Cups represents unity and harmony, as soon as we spoke about style and concept Two Cups was right in front of us. With a seasonal menu, every product is curated by the nature of Minnesota. We love local, delicious, and intentional breakfast food and hope you do too.

Our menu is made with ingredients direct from local farms. To highlight, we love local wheat berries from Askegaard farms that create delicious bread, pastry, and crepes. Sweet and savory crepe made fresh to order, sweet danishes, vegetable tart and a warm cup of Dogwood coffee is our favorite way to start the day. "

Come support Two Cups and all our incredible artists during Art Crawl THIS WEEKEND! Sat 12-7 & Sun 12-5 @ Friedli Gallery!