The Washington County Historical Society is excited to announce a program featuring Judy Stern and her seventh book, “Gallery Days, Memories of the Artists’ Quarter in Historic Downtown Minneapolis” at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 27 at the Washington County Heritage Center (1862 Greeley St. S., Stillwater, MN 55082.) Copies of “Gallery Days” will be available for purchase at the event.
Stern operated Judith Stern Gallery in the thick of the Artists’ Quarter in Minneapolis during its dynamic and prolific time in the 1970s and 1980s. Her book tells many short, true stories about the people and artists she met in those years at her gallery. Some of these tales relate humorous or intriguing encounters with well-known celebrities such as Garrison Keillor, Jackson Browne, the Bob Dylan family, Butch Thompson and many more. Several of the artists, like Stern in 1989, relocated to Marine on St. Croix. The book tells the story of the rise and the fall of the Artists’ Quarter.
“Gallery Days” was nominated in 2024 for a Minnesota Book Award in the category of Minnesota Nonfiction.

Praise for the book:
“Congratulations! Your book absolutely deserves the Minnesota Book Award for its range and understanding, its insider perspective –You Were There– and how it preserves that semi-enchanted time and place.” - Karin Winegar, Minnesota Star Tribune
“Gallery Days is packed with lively anecdotes and artwork ranging from paintings to newspaper stories. It’s an important contribution to the history of the Twin Cities literary community.” Karin Winegar added, “If you were around in the 70s (and even if you weren’t but are curious to know what the heck was going on in the Twin Cities art, literature, music and food communities), this sums it up. And it’s a rich scrapbook of visuals–clippings, posters, photos, mementoes–that embody the spirit of the time (our flaming youth) and the place (the warehouse district).” - Mary Ann Grossman, St. Paul Pioneer Press
Stern’s history in Washington County extends back to her great grandfather, Theodore Schaefer and his brothers who built many local barns, including the one currently used at Aamodt’s Apple Farm. Artie Schaefer, the Polka King in the Valley was her second cousin. The program is free to the public and no reservations are needed. Event attendees may attend either in person at the Washington County Heritage Center or virtually on YouTube. The YouTube link may be accessed at wchsmn.org/event/gallery
For questions, contact Washington County Heritage Center Site Manager Emily Krawczewski at emily.krawczewski@wchsmn.org or 651-439-2298. The Washington County Heritage Center is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday.

About the Washington County Historical Society
Founded in 1934, the Washington County Historical Society is a donor-supported, nonprofit organization with more than 750 individual, family, and business members. WCHS is supported by individual gifts, memberships and earned income, and foundation grants.