Minnesota Ballet’s ‘bittersweet’ move
By Lisa Kaczke on May 14, 2018 at 8:06 p.m.
The Minnesota Ballet is moving out of the place it has called home for 19 years.
The ballet will be moved out of its headquarters in the Grain Exchange on the top two floors of the Board of Trade Building and into an office and studio space on the Michigan Street level of the Wells Fargo building by the end of the month.
The ballet is known for its former space in downtown Duluth and the move is “very bittersweet,” said Robert Gardner, artistic executive director of the Minnesota Ballet. He added that a lot of work has gone into preserving the space, which is ideal for an artform like ballet.
“There’s a lot of history here for us. A lot of wonderful artists have passed through these halls. A lot of students have grown up here and pursued their love of dance here,” Gardner said.
In its new headquarters, the company will be missing the Grain Exchange’s high ceilings, arched windows and “beautiful historic space with a beautiful artform that all went together,” Gardner said.
Ballet students took photos in the space during the last week of classes earlier this month. Efforts have been underway to get the baby grand piano moved out and remove the sprung dance floor. Gardner has been cleaning out his office.
“You accumulate a lot of stuff over 19 years, even in an office. I’ve been going through letters from students and patrons. I don’t want to get rid of those. We will go on,” Gardner said.
(Read Full Article) Source: Minnesota Ballet’s ‘bittersweet’ move | Duluth News Tribune