Toys in the Attic show interview

Kids of all ages can embrace the spirit of play at this year’s TOYS IN THE ATTIC event on Friday, December 4, from 6 -9 p.m. at the Soo Visual Arts Center (2640 Lyndale Avenue, Minneapolis). The second annual event is a toy drive and art show – featuring limited-edition, toy-inspired poster prints and custom-created toys. 100% of the door donations and toys collected go to The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation – along with 25% of art print and custom toy sales. Attendees can also bid on unique custom toys during a silent auction and enjoy music from DJ Solid Gold.

We caught up with Steve Tennebrini, founder of Toys in the Attic, to get his thoughts on this year’s event and of course, toys.

Sneak peek from Sean Tubridy

What inspired you to start TITA last year?

First off, I like organizing group shows. I like to make art but rarely have the time or focus to make a whole show's worth of works by myself. I participated in some toys shows in the past where artists are each given the same blank shape to paint, decorate etc. They’re fun to be a part of. I wanted to do a toy show, but didn't want to limit people to a certain shape or medium as there were artists I wanted involved that weren't interested in custom painting a vinyl toy. So that was the first part. Since we weren't going to be focused on a unifying shape like a B.U.D. or a Dunny or Munny I needed a theme. When I was little, my dad had the Aerosmith album Toys in the Attic in his collection and I remember being creeped out by the illustration on the cover, yet I couldn't look away. That got me to thinking about things that are childlike but also a little on the twisted side – like Grimms Fairy Tales. Creepy stuff that is meant for kids. I gathered together a small handful of artists to make works based on their childhood memories, favorite toys etc., keeping in mind the darker, twisted spirit.

The toy drive was a bit of an afterthought, really. I recalled seeing on the news the year before that they were low on donations at the Toys for Tots buckets and they were scrambling toward the end of the drive to make their quota, so I figured since it's a toy show, why not have a toy drive at the opening? The designer toy scene boggles my mind a bit. People spend a lot of money of these designer vinyl toys, collect them, horde them, covet them. It's weird. They'll spend hundreds of dollars on a toy and then it sits on a shelf. Meanwhile, some kid plays with a shoebox or gets a pile of nothing for Christmas. Not to lay a guilt trip and in all honesty, there are designer toys I'd like to buy, but I just can't bring myself to spend the money on them, so I totally understand the appeal of these art/toy/objects. It's strange the way the world works and sometimes one can do something to help out. Kids need toys.

Sneak peek from Kit Lane

For those of us who didn’t attend TITA last year, what can we expect?

I'm pretty excited about how things are working out this year and this year's show is completely different from last year's in format. Last year was a straight up gallery show with a toy drive at the opening. Prices ranged from $15-$500 and all sales were for the artists. We had custom toys, art prints and paintings for sale, but the only charity tie was the toy drive. We collected a decent pile of toys, but sales were fairly low. So, earlier this year I participated in the Art Crank show and that got me thinking of a way to simplify, make it easier for people to buy and (hopefully) benefit the charity more. This year I've collected about 25 or so local print artists to each make a toy-themed art print. All prints will sell for the same low price ($30) and the diversity of artists involved should make it easy for someone to find something they like while also making it affordable. On top of that we've got some custom toy artists in the mix from around the country and again, in the spirit of affordability, we're having the toys available via silent auction with opening bids at $50. At the end of it, 25% of all sales and door donations (if you forget to bring a toy there is a suggested $1-$5 donation at the door) will go to the charity, Toys for Tots. So, more artists and lower pricing should help everyone involved while at the same time boosting the charity benefit. Our timing and location is a little bit better this year as well. Last year the show was in mid-September. This year we're landing right in the middle of the holiday season when people need to buy gifts and the Toys for Tots drive is in full swing everywhere and we're at the SooVAC. You can kill 2 birds with one stone at the opening. Donate a toy and buy some gifts for the art lover or parent with a nursery or playroom on your list.

Why do you think adults are so intrigued by toys? Or, you could flip it, why SHOULD adults be intrigued by toys?

Toys are all about fun and we never stop having them in our lives be it a jet ski, iPod, X-Box 360, snowboard, whatever. As adults we all still have our toys. Also, EVERYONE can think of that one toy they absolutely loved as a kid. I still have a box of Star Wars figures and spaceships stashed in my attic and many fond memories of playing with them for hours on end. Now having kids of my own, I enjoy watching them interact with their toys, cherish their favorites, etc. Whatever toys you're into, toys = joy and who doesn't like that?

Sneak peek from Jennifer Davis

Lunabee is in the show - she’s one of our favorite custom toy artists - how did you get her participation?

I basically sat down for a few days and started scouring the internet for a diversity of custom toy artists, stumbled across her and extended the invitation. I wanted to make sure there was a good representation of female artists for both toys and prints. She does amazing work. I'm excited to see her piece.

What can we expect to see from Adam Turman, Lonny Unitus or Nate Nolting (Craftstravaganza vendors)?

I've seen Adam's - it's pretty cool. Standard for his bag of tricks, although at the risk of disappointing a lot of dudes, no boobs on this one. Lon did the show poster; his re-imagined Toys in the Attic cover with modern-day toys. Pretty kick ass. (Bring a toy, get one free.) I'm not sure what he's cooking up for his gallery piece. My money is on something having to do with Star Wars, but I'm sure it will be cool. Nate's is inspired by his boy's favorite toys and is also very cool. All three of those guys have been involved in Squad19 at some point over the years and I love having them on board when I do group shows. They always deliver something cool.

Is there a certain artist (or toy) you’re particularly excited about?

Not really. I'm always surprised by something. At some point something will make me say "HOLY SHIT, LOOK AT THAT!!!" and it will make me feel like I suck a little. Make me try harder next time. But really, I get excited about seeing the whole show collected and hung and about watching people look at the work and having a good time at the opening more than anything. Being able to sit back and watch people enjoy themselves is very fulfilling. Hopefully this year we'll be able to help out the charity more when all is said and done.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Just to remind people to bring a toy and they'll get a free event poster (while they last).

-Interview by Kylee Breems