It’s a bit hard to gaze at stars tonight. The clouds have moved in bringing warmer temperatures with them: sweatshirt weather in the middle of the day.

Neighbors and a class of teens came in from Minnesota Center for Books Arts to see the show today. Karen’s tour de force was, as always, apparent. Standing among the stars on a gray day is an uplifting experience.

Even as I write this, TalkingImageConnection, a group of writers, is busily at work, writing original prose and poetry in response to Karen’s installation. Her installation is “site-specific” meaning it was conceived of and designed for this space. So too is their work. Most of the poets were able to come in for the opening, soak up the experience and talk with Karen. On Saturday, February 23, 7 pm, Jean Larsen, Ace Moore, Alison Morse, Jeff Skemp and Charlotte Sullivan will reveal their “site specific” writing in a lively reading.

The focus of Susan Hensel Gallery is on compelling objects, meaningful use of materials, and engaging sculpture. It is a gallery where experimental ideas and works of the hand join to create unique sensory experiences. Opened September 10th, 2004 Susan Hensel Gallery is a gallery/ workspace presenting 5-6 shows per year in an intimate space, with hardwood floors and high tin ceilings. In 2013 the interior space reverted to a working studio for Susan Hensel where she continues to work on small and largescale artwork that engages both sculptural and cultural space. You can find her current work at www.SusanHenselProjects.com. The Susan Hensel Gallery is now both a large window gallery on Cedar Avenue, a main thoroughfare in south Minneapolis, and an online venture represented on Artsy.net.