The work of internationally renowned architect Frank Gehry never fit neatly into a box and defies the boundaries of labels.

“My approach to architecture is different,” Gehry once said. “I want to be open-ended. There are no rules, right or wrong.”

The Weisman Art Museum (WAM), designed by Gehry, is a clear manifestation of this abstract and innovative take on architecture. The University of Minnesota campus gem hallmarks Gehry’s infamous style with its fluid and innovative design, a step outside the box that’s indicative of the University’s values at large.

Bearing the name of philanthropist and art patron Frederick R. Weisman, the museum’s construction was completed in 1993. But WAM’s collection preceded the building it now calls home: it began as the University Art Gallery, located in Coffman Memorial Union.

Diane Mullin, WAM’s senior curator, is responsible for the museum’s exhibitions and collections. Mullin explained that former WAM director Lyndel King played a large role in getting the gallery moved to its current location.

“She felt that there should be a freestanding art museum for everybody on campus, not just an art department,” Mullin said. “She was the driving force for that. She had a vision, and she said that we needed a building.”

After hearing about other works Gehry had done in Minnesota, like the Winton Guest House, King felt as though he should be commissioned for the project.

“She felt that he was a very important architect because he used everyday things like stainless steel and chain link fences and took them out of context,” Mullin said.

This ingenuity is apparent in all of Gehry’s work, whether in terms of the materials he used or the abstract nature of his designs, and WAM is no exception. The museum’s most defining characteristic is its glistening metal facades where its sharp, geometric edges work in tandem with fluid curvatures to create a reflective beacon at the heart of campus.

Tom Fisher is a professor of Architectural Theory and Urban Design at the University. Before he was a professor, Fisher worked as the editorial director of Progressive Architecture Magazine and he spoke with Gehry for the publication multiple times. During their conversations, Fisher learned a lot about Gehry’s artistic inspiration and the reason behind many of his design choices.

“I was on the bridge looking at the building with him, and I asked what the inspiration was for that wrinkled metal facade, and he said ‘look down.’ If you look at the cliff face of the Mississippi right below the Weisman, the rock has the same kind of grey, fractured, angled appearance,” Fisher said. “He was making the argument that his building was contextual, because he was representing in metal the same kind of forms that existed on the cliff face right below it.”

Fisher noted that this interaction spoke to Gehry’s tendency to mimic natural forms in his work.

“A lot of his buildings have scale-like metal cladding that look like the scales on a fish,” he said. “I think he really likes the form of fish because it’s a body that’s evolved to move.”

Gehry’s work began to utilize the appearance of motion more as technology evolved. Eric Amel, a Contemporary Architecture History professor at the University, explained that the riverside metal facade was all hand-drawn. This side of the building uses descriptive geometry, which means that all of its forms can be developed into flat surfaces.

The building’s north-facing metal side, which looks towards Bruininks Hall and other campus buildings, was part of a 2011 expansion to the museum. Amel said that at this point, computer technology had evolved that allowed Gehry to give the addition a more motion-like appearance, made up of fluid metal ribbons and curves.

The differences between these two sides of the building speak to the innovative nature of Gehry’s work and how he’s willing to adapt his style with the changing technological landscape.

“The side facing the river has a certain Gehry voice to it from the 1990s, and the side facing Bruininks is the next generation of Gehry,” Amel said. “He’s willing to combine both of those voices in the same building and be comfortable with it.”

Outside of its reputation as an avante-garde art piece on campus, Mullin noted that the sense of innovation and creativity preserved within the WAM building is an attestation of the University’s core values.

“It’s cutting edge, and the University is always cutting edge, so I think it makes sense to invest in that kind of thinking,” Mullin said. “Gehry questions traditions — he doesn’t just uphold them. That’s what a good University does.”

Afternoon sunsets, end of semester stress, peppermint coffee drinks and freezing walks across campus can only mean one thing — we’ve made it to yet another holiday season.

This time of year always creeps up a little too quickly, which leaves many of us scrambling to find gifts for our loved ones. Although Amazon Prime’s two-day shipping may be tempting, there are plenty of local businesses where you can find goodies for people of all interests.

Here’s a curated gift guide to help you ditch Jeff Bezos and shop small in the Twin Cities this holiday season.

For plant parents:

Plant-themed merch from Mother Co. Plants — This store is a plant-lover’s paradise, with plenty of fun gift options to go around. They offer a wide variety of potted plants to choose from, as well as candles, incense and more. But the store’s merch is the cherry on top — their shirts, bumper stickers and bucket hats would make the perfect gift for any flora fanatic in your life.

Houseplants and accessories from The Greenery Minneapolis — This Indigenous-owned plant shop and mercantile carries everything you need for houseplants, as well as a selection of goods from local makers. Whether you’re looking for plant accessories, artwork, or a potted plant to start someone’s collection, The Greenery is a great place to check out.

For foodies:

Gift Baskets from Golden Fig Fine Foods — This specialty food store in St. Paul highlights locally-made goods to spice up any dish. If you can’t pick just one thing for the foodie in your life, check out their curated gift baskets. They cater to a variety of different taste preferences, including picnic snackers, chocolate lovers, snack addicts and more.

“The Sioux Chef’s Indigenous Kitchen” cookbook by Sean Sherman and Beth Dooley — Sherman is the founder of The Sioux Chef, a team working to make Indigenous foods more accessible to different communities. Reservations for his Minneapolis restaurant, Owamni, are hard to come by, so his cookbook could make a great gift alternative for those looking to learn more about Indigenous cuisine.

Coffee and tea subscriptions — What’s a better way to treat a caffeine-lover than by delivering drinks right to their doorstep? There are some local shops that offer this service, like Northeast Tea House’s monthly matcha subscription and Wildflyer Coffee’s bi-weekly coffee subscription.

For readers:

Books from the local indies — Instead of grabbing the newest bestseller from Barnes & Noble, head over to a locally owned, independent bookstore, like Moon Palace Books, Black Garnet Books or Birchbark Books, to name a few. Top it off with some store merch or a gift card, and you have the perfect holiday gift bundle.

Literature-inspired candles from Frostbeard Studio — These soy candles are perfect for book-lovers, as each scent is inspired by popular reads; among the lineup are “Headmaster’s Office,” “Sherlock’s Study” and more. They also offer a Candle of the Month Subscription Box, so the reader in your life can get their hands on all the newest scents.

For self-care enthusiasts:

Facial hair care from Average Bros Co. — This Minneapolis-based, eco-conscious grooming supply company has all the goods for your bearded buddies. From cedar citrus balm to wintergreen-scented oil, this shop is a go-to for the facial-haired folks on your holiday list.

Skin care kits from Santosha Co. — For those into health and wellness, this plant-based and chemical-free line of self-care products is a great option. They offer a variety of skincare and moisturizer kits, as well as their collection of beauty bars, body oils and more.

For crafters:

Candle-making class at Roseline’s Candles: This handmade, soy candle business in Minneapolis offers a wide range of scents, as well as the opportunity to make your own. These BYOB candle-making classes offer two gifts in one: a fun night out and some candles to take home.

Quirky cross stitches from Third Daughter, Restless Daughter — From snarky sayings to motivational quotes, this embroidery business does it all. Their unique works make great gifts for those looking to personalize their bedroom or office space. They also offer DIY Cross Stitch Kits so crafty folks can make their own pieces.

As early as 5 years old, bubbly and bright-eyed Jada Lynn already made music in the studio with her father. He handed her a microphone for the first time, and at that moment, she knew she wanted to be a musician.

“I was nervous at first, but it was a really cool experience to be able to share something that we both love,” Lynn said.

Today, the 21-year-old Minneapolis-based singer, songwriter and producer is making this childhood dream a reality. Through powerful, genre-defying vocals and hard-hitting lyrics, Lynn is blossoming into her true self, shedding her skin and unlocking more of her musical potential with each song and performance.

University of Minnesota music fans might be familiar with Lynn from her performance at the American Indian Student Cultural Center’s End Line 3 Concert, where her confident stage presence and impressive vocal runs captivated the audience. She said this experience turned out to be one of her fondest memories of performing.

“Usually I’m performing at parks or in parking lots, so getting to do that was really cool,” she said. “The vibe that I was channeling is just unforgettable.”

Lynn’s natural talent doesn’t come as a surprise, as music is deeply interwoven within her family lineage. Her great grandfather was a military drummer boy during wartime, and all of his children took a natural liking to playing instruments. The legacy continues with Lynn’s close family members — all of her aunts and uncles are songwriters and instrumentalists, but her father’s music had the most significant impact on her growing up.

Lynn’s father’s musical career can be defined by many titles: singer, songwriter, producer, rapper, audio engineer. “He does it all,” she said. Lynn explained that being raised by her dad undoubtedly had a strong influence on the way she grew into being an artist.

“I inherited a lot of musical knowledge from my dad. Not only would I listen to him create, but he’d also put me on to amazing artists,” she said. “I’m just a product of my environment, basically.”

In her childhood, Lynn was involved in choir, which she said played an instrumental role in cultivating her musical ear. As a freshman in high school, she took piano lessons, but taught herself how to play the guitar through YouTube tutorials.

Today, Lynn has four original songs uploaded on SoundCloud, and she’s worked with other artists to be featured on their tracks. Lynn’s music is versatile and can’t be placed into the confines of one genre. “I want to keep switching it up so people don’t know what I’ve got going on next,” she said.

Lynn’s music takes on a traditional R&B structure, but each track approaches the genre through a different sonic lens. “Morose” incorporates dark, gloomy synths and trap-inspired percussion to give the song a more modern rap feel, which is complimented by Lynn’s somber and honest lyrics. “Damage” puts a lo-fi spin on R&B, using a gentle piano backing track and laid back, retro drum loops. No matter what sound she cultivates, the common thread through all of Lynn’s music is her rich and effortless vocals, which seem to fit perfectly over any instrumental she uses.

Before she recorded any original music, Lynn said she would work on songwriting everyday. “I have this book that my dad gifted me when I was 15, and all the pages are filled,” she said.

For Lynn, releasing her own songs wasn’t a painless process. “I kind of struggled with imposter syndrome for a little bit with my talent, and that kind of pushed me away from putting my stuff out there,” Lynn said. “But the love and support that I’ve received from my friends and family has really helped me bust through my shell.”

An important member of this support system is Lynn’s 18-year-old sister, Alayah Rankin. Rankin said she always felt very connected to her sister. “We like to always talk about how we probably knew each other in past lives,” she said. “We’re usually in sync, even though a lot of the time we’re apart.”

Rankin mentioned that even when they were growing up, she had no doubt in her mind that Lynn would go on to be a performer. “She’s always had this gift of a beautiful voice, and she’s just a light,” she said. “I feel like entertainers have the ‘it’ factor, and she’s got it 100%.”

In recent years, Rankin has witnessed first-hand Lynn’s ability to come out of her shell through making music.

“As the years go by, she gets a lot more honest and raw with her music, which I love,” Rankin said. “She’s not the type of person that lets you in on what she’s feeling, but with her music, you can really feel what she’s going through. I feel like she can totally just capture you in her world whenever she sings.”

This captivating nature of Lynn’s music can be attributed to her thoughtful songwriting. “Honestly, I feel like my lyrics are my diary,” she said. “They’re all raw emotions.”

Lynn said that most of her lyrics derive from personal experiences, but she also draws inspiration from others. Hannah Broadbent met Lynn through the Minneapolis American Indian Center in winter of 2019. They’ve been close friends ever since, and Broadbent described Lynn as a little sister figure in her life.

After saying that she wanted to write about true love, Lynn wrote a song detailing the love story between Broadbent and her boyfriend, Johnny Crow. When Broadbent heard her perform the song, she said she was in tears the entire time.

“I mean, I cry every time she performs,” Broadbent said. “Life is really hard, and her life is no exception. So, to see her up there overcoming everything she’s been through, to shine as bright as she does, blows my mind to the point of tears.”

Lynn’s bubbly, humble and energetic personality radiates when she steps on stage, and Broadbent said that it’s the furthest thing from a stage persona. “Who she is on stage is who she is in real life, and I think that’s why I get so emotional,” Broadbent said.

Lynn said her confidence on stage doesn’t always come easily, but a piece of eye-opening advice helped her along the journey. “I was told from somebody that I really look up to that if we’re given the opportunity to create, then our job is to be able to share that with the world,” Lynn said. “To be able to share our gift with others is really important.”

She said that this is one of her ultimate goals for her music career. “I just want to make sure I stay true to myself and to create freely,” she said. “Being able to share what I have going on and seeing people resonate with that is probably the most amazing thing.”