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COMMUNITY More than just ink Sculptor Writer
Tattoo artist Painter
Target shooter
Collector
PROGRESS
3
Tim Engstrom, Kathy Johnson
Albert Lea resident and business owner Gilbert Johnson, unlike the Hindu god Vishnu, doesn’t really have more than two arms. But if he did, he could keep up with his multiple talents better.
Most people know Gilbert Johnson as a tattoo artist, but that is just one of many skills By Tim Engstrom
Tim Engstrom
Ted (foreground) and Millie are two of three macaws who make their home in a bird room at The Chapel, a downtown Albert Lea tattooand-piercings parlor.
Walls at The Chapel are decorated with collectibles. One room is adorned with comic books and a mural Gilbert Johnson painted of one edition of the comic series “The Vault of Horror” published in the early 1950s. dorsement of his quality, safety has Max on his shoulder. Yes, and sanitariness. just like a pirate. Johnson grew up in Albert Lea. • It’s earned respect considHe is the son of Gilbert and Mary ering it is a tattoo place. Nine tattoo shops have come and gone Johnson and has a sister named during the decade or so The Cha- Heidi. He recalled moving 18 times as a child, to different pel has been open. Johnson said that when suspicious behavior is places in town. Back then, kids reported at other tattoo shops, it couldn’t stay at the same school, so he would lose school friends harms the reputation he values. and end up with time alone. So He has to fend off questions he drew. about whether it happened at He doesn’t lament the his place, which, of course, it did childhood. not. He also said he has given “If I didn’t have that, I wouldn’t tattoos to police and medical have this,” Johnson said. staff, which he sees as an en-
A PUBLICATION OF THE ALBERT LEA TRIBUNE • FEBRUARY 2013
Some artists specialize. Albert Lea artist Gilbert Johnson Jr. diversifies. He is known in the area for his skills as a tattoo artist. But he possesses other skills: the arts of painting, sculpting and writing and the sport of target shooting. It’s hard to classify collecting as an art or sport, but it definitely requires skill. And he is a businessman. He owns The Chapel tattoo parlor, which holds a few distinctions among Albert Lea’s downtown merchants: • It doesn’t keep regular set hours. Johnson said he has enough demand for his tattoo skills that he works by appointment only. It’s only open when he is there. He said he does 5,000 to 7,000 tattoos a year. • It’s probably the most successful business in Albert Lea where the only customer entrance is the back door. It might even be the only business establishment where customers cannot enter a front door. The business is at 115 S. Broadway. He used to rent out the front of the building, so the back became the entrance for The Chapel. The front is no longer rented, but the back remains the entryway. Now and then, people will tug at the front door, scratch their heads, then read the sign telling them to go around back. • It’s no doubt the most creative business space. The walls are adorned with his paintings and his collections. He has in-the-package action figures ranging from “Planet of the Apes” to “Star Wars” to “Spawn.” There is a massive collection of toy hippos, whether plush toys or plastic figurines. There is a gun collection kept under lock and key. There is a pool table primarily used as a place to set items down. There are arcade games. There are remote-control toys, and the front room presently is being used to build a go-kart. • It is the only business with a bird room. He has three macaws — Max, Ted and Millie — who dwell in the bird room. If people spot Johnson in public, he often
Around the age of 18 he spent much of a summer at a tattoo shop in Albert Lea wanting to learn the trade. He finally convinced the artist to take him as an apprentice. But then he left for the University of Minnesota and put his new skill on the back burner. He wanted to become an architect. He discovered the U of M was not on track to become computerized and that the architecture he was paying for would be obsolete when he hit the job market. He changed majors. He was going to be a wildlife artist and majored in studio arts. He was told that wildlife painters were considered “illustrators” and not artists. He realized he didn’t need a degree to make art. Johnson finished at the University of Minnesota with a degree in cultural studies. His degree has an emphasis in women’s studies, which furthered his writing skills. He has had a book of poetry published. It is called “Making Tracks: Hearing Voices and Finding My Way.” He spent time in the Twin Cities painting murals for companies, doing an occasional tattoo on some odd jobs and became certified to teach. He returned to Albert Lea at the age of 26 to teach at the high school. He taught forensic biology for about four years but the program was dropped in a round of school district cuts in the early 2000s. So he bought the building at 115 S. Broadway and opened a coffee shop. It was called Gossip Coffee Shop. It didn’t last long. “I wanted to hang out in my coffee shop, but I didn’t want to work there,” Johnson said. He decided he would put his tattoo artistry to use and open a tattoo shop. He wanted a name that wouldn’t be intimidating — because many tattoo shops have scary names like “Satan’s Den.” One coffee shop customer suggested The Chapel, and it stuck. “The only place to decorate your temple” remains the slogan. In fact, Johnson is certified by Freeborn County to marry people, which he does when people request. He said it is only 4P. 2
Page 2 • Albert Lea Tribune • Sunday, February 24, 2013 • PROGRESS 2013
130 W. Clark, Albert Lea www.4-seasonsvacations.com
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The unassuming entrance to The Chapel is the back door. Gilbert Johnson’s business offers tattoos and piercings.
Tattoo parlor owner places customer service as top priority
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Continued from Page 1 fitting, considering the business name. “Anymore, Gilbert and Chapel are synonymous. I go by both names,” he said. And he paints. There is a huge mural on one wall of his tattoo shop of a comic book, “The Vault of Horror.” There wasn’t space to trace a projected image, so he drew the outline by hand. For his canvas paintings, he only uses five colors: red, yellow, blue, white and black. Red, yellow and blue are primary colors, and if he needs to make other colors, he blends them on the canvas, not on the palette. Johnson said he has been able to maintain the reputation of the tattoo shop with the following principles: • Be patient, show respect and listen to people, whether they are getting a five-minute tattoo or a five-hour tattoo. • Treat it as a business, be punctual, follow regulations to the tee, give paying customers what they expect and deserve. • Show a willingness to fix problem tattoos people get from other artists. • Acknowledge that tattoos are painful, explain what customers need to know before and after the ink is done, make the experience outside the pain itself as joyful as possible. Johnson never advertises and said he gets business sheerly by word of mouth. So what’s up with his crazy-looking shop — the birds, the guns, the collectibles and so forth? “The shop is kind of consistent with
In-the-box action figures from the original “Star Wars” movies can command a pretty penny in online auctions. Boba Fett is one of many collectibles that decorate the walls.
who I am,” Johnson said. “I am kind of a kid at heart, and the shop reflects the positive addictions I have worked through in my life.”
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PROGRESS 2013 • Sunday, February 24, 2013 • Albert Lea Tribune • Page 3
Youth director
What my friends think I do
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What students think I do
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• • • • • •
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Member FDIC
Page 4 • Albert Lea Tribune • Sunday, February 24, 2013 • PROGRESS 2013
What’s new in the Albert Lea parks? Draw a line from the park name to the new item
By Tim Engstrom
Hint: Some parks have more than one.
Edgewater Park Shoreland Heights Park Bancroft Bay Park Lakeview Park Pioneer Park Frank Hall Park Morin Park Oakwood Park We can produce & fabricate entire projects or parts for your project.
Laser and High Definition Plasma Cutting, Tube Bending, Punching, Shearing, Rolling, Brake Press Work, Production and Prototype Welding
Free Estimates & Certified Welders We offer field services in the fertilizer industry, certified welding in dry, liquid and anhydrous ammonia plants. We repair farm/home equipment & we also have portable repair.
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FREEBORN CONSTRUCTION Dennis & Brad Haugen
County Rd 46 East • Albert Lea, MN
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507-373-4434
Answers are on Page 8
PROGRESS 2013 • Sunday, February 24, 2013 • Albert Lea Tribune • Page 5
220 Elizabeth ave, • albert lea, mn
373-2828
Page 6 • Albert Lea Tribune • Sunday, February 24, 2013 • PROGRESS 2013
Name that building
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Americana Insurance... A great agency because of
great employees!
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Front L-R: Suzanne Dickson, Nancy Vaale, Lauren Nelson, Lori Bagley Back L-R: Stan Thompson, Tom Sorenson, LaMar Staloch
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Call us for your home & auto quotes www.americanainsurance.com • (507) 377-2000
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P.O. Box 507 • 2301 Myers Rd. Albert Lea, MN 56007
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Just ask Lauren or Lilly for that hard to find item! or any of the Raleigh’s Ellen, Lilly, Lauren, Matt & Peggy
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PROGRESS 2013 • Sunday, February 24, 2013 • Albert Lea Tribune • Page 7
(Google Earth edition)
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R Q Do you recognize these places? Match each letter to a place: ___ Albert Lea High School ___ Albert Lea Seed House ___ Albert Lea Wastewater Treatment Plant ___ Brookside Education Center, Albert Lea ___ Clarks Grove Baptist Church ___ Dras Cases, Lake Mills ___ Ellendale downtown ___ Freeborn County Courthouse ___ Freeborn-Mower Cooperative Services
By Tim Engstrom
___ Good Samaritan Society of Albert Lea ___ Innovance (Lou-Rich), Albert Lea ___ Larson Doors & Windows, Albert Lea ___ Mayo Clinic Health System of Albert Lea ___ Northbridge Mall, Albert Lea ___ Poet Biorefining Glenville ___ St. John’s Lutheran Home, Albert Lea ___ Streater, Albert Lea ___ United South Central School, Wells ___ Worth County Fairgrounds, Northwood
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Answers are on Page 8
we’re your energy superhighway…
right next door
Currenty we are pleased to offer: • Fresh and silk flower arranging for Weddings, Prom, Funerals, Holidays or any special day
ITC Midwest is pleased to contribute to the progress of the Albert Lea business community. From our warehouse and office facility on Highway 46, our 25 employees and contractors are working to improve electric reliability. We’re also connecting the clean wind energy developments under construction in Minnesota and Iowa, facilitating renewable energy connections and their economic benefits for our region. We’re pleased to be your energy superhighway, right next door. ITC MIDWEST 20789 780th Avenue Albert Lea, MN 56007 www.itctransco.com
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• Complete decorating for your wedding reception, Anniversary, Graduation or any special occasion • Home decor consulting • Cemetery Urns • Great gift ideas
Page 8 • Albert Lea Tribune • Sunday, February 24, 2013 • PROGRESS 2013
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Answers to parks quiz:
Edgewater Park
Shoreland Heighs Park
Edgewater Park
Bancroft Bay Park
Frank Hall Park
Lakeview Park
Frank Hall Park
Morin Park
Oakwood Park
Pioneer Park
ometown service you can
count on!
L to R: Kathy Jo, Darlane, Paul, Darcy, Julie
L to R: Sally, Jay, Jenny, Jessa
• Checking Accounts • Savings Accounts • Certificates of Deposit • IRAs • HSAs • Personal Loans • Commercial Loans • Agricultural Loans • Internet/ Telephone Banking • Safe Deposit Boxes • Debit/Credit Cards
Member FDIC
Answers to building quiz: Albert Lea High School: M Albert Lea Seed House: L Albert Lea Wastewater Treatment Plant: E Brookside Education Center: O Clarks Grove Baptist Church: J Dras Cases: I Ellendale downtown: G Freeborn County Courthouse: R Freeborn-Mower Cooperative Services: C Good Samaritan Society of Albert Lea: F
Innovance (Lou-Rich): H Larson Doors & Windows: B Mayo Clinic Health System of Albert Lea: K Northbridge Mall: Q Poet Biorefining Glenville: N St. John’s Lutheran Home: A Streater: D United South Central: P Worth County Fairgrounds: S
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PROGRESS 2013 • Sunday, February 24, 2013 • Albert Lea Tribune • Page 9
Familiar faces
Portraits of you taken by the Tribune staff
Sarah Stultz
Former Southwest Middle School counselor Jim Munyer stands in the hallway of the school. His last day was June 26 after 43 years with the Albert Lea School District.
Sarah Stultz
Every year in June Albert Lean Dave Mullenbach begins growing out his beard in preparation for the Christmas season.
Tim Engstrom
Paula Nuessmeier stands by a U.S. flag at the American Legion Club, shortly before a Noon Kiwanis Club meeting. She is a district director with the Twin Valley Council Boy Scouts.
We offer 17 lines of quality dog food, hundreds of dog treats and a huge selection of garden seeds.
Brandi Hagen
Jason Howland sits in his boat that he has prepared for a fishing trip. Howland will compete in the All-American tournament in Tennessee in June. Nicole Larson, a 2007 graduate of Albert Lea High School, holds up one of her designs, a Victorian dress she created last winter while in fashion school at the College of Visual Arts in St. Paul.
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Page 10 • Albert Lea Tribune • Sunday, February 24, 2013 • PROGRESS 2013
Thank You
A Big
to our employees!
* Years of service based on Alamco Inc. & Alamco LLC. Boekelman Ron Forman John Sipple Alan Forman Robert Lau Dennis Plantage Edwin Jr. Hertges Gene Schewe Gaylen Plantage James Malepsy Timothy Talamantes David Christenson Daniel Holst Donald Dempewolf Sharon Mehus Douglas Beckius Lonny Nelson Clint Forman Joseph Amundson Alan Paulson Randal Stockwell Roy Belshan Bart Olson Paul Lau Chad Reynolds Scott Viktora Gary Davies Douglas Moffitt Adam Hoyne Clark Davis Kevin Register Kenn Vanek Lane Emery Greg Hardies John Mehus James Ravlin Vaughn Goskeson Judd Belshan Ronald Rebelein Cathy
31 31 31 30 30 30 30 30 30 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 27 27 27 25 24 23 20 19 19 19 20 21 17 16 16 16 16 13 13 13 12 12
Zuno Luciano 12 Lopez Juan 12 Faugstad James 12 Castro Evaristo 11 Ellingson Josh 11 Davis Ronny 9 Newman Adam 9 Kauffmann Martin 9 Sorenson Keith 9 Register Trevor 8 Talamantes Willie 8 Miranda Christopher 8 Rosas Juan 8 Hagen Tina 7 Johnson Thomas 7 Dempewolf Broc 7 Huffstutter David 6 Hensche Michael 6 Engelby Darwin 6 Holan Gary 6 Birch Kevin 6 Beiser Donald 5 Barnett Ramon 5 DeLaFosse Lucas 3 Tuttle Taylor 3 Amundson Alex 3 Arnold Casey 3 Kalvig Tanner 3 Johnson Terry 3 Amanson Corey 3 Carlson David 3 Madson John 3 Price Michael 3 Gullickson Dustin 3 Duncan Keith 2 Perkins Austin 2 DeLos Santos John 2 Hill Shane 2 Burton Clifford 2
Duncan Sexton Hoium McCarthy Silva Fjeldberg Bryant Price Zwart Dahl Oliver Orourke Richardson Riedmaier Severtson Fenney Moyer Moffitt Toledo Bratten Bergland Crail Maier Fjeldberg Wacholz Hardy Johnson Strand Amundson Belshan Minessali Beighley Berg
Justin 2 Melissa 2 Richard 2 William Jr. 2 Debra 2 Jared 2 Jeff 2 Michael 2 Peter 2 Troy 2 Travis 1 Steven 1 James 1 Jeffery 1 Tavis 1 Jeremiah 1 Brian 1 Travis 1 Daniel 1 Clayton 1 Jed 1 Zachariah 1 Chad 1 Colby 1 Matthew 1 Vincent 1 J. Derek 1 Josh 1 Aaron 1 Emily 1 John Started in January Samuel Started in January Trevor Started in January
Started in 1938
Shoff Park
Albert Lea Park Shelter
RILCO - Rock Island Lumber Company + Weyco + ALAMCO Inc. + ALAMCO LLC = 75 Year Combined
Albert Lea High School
1410 W. 9th St., Albert Lea, MN 56007 507-373-1401 • Fax: 507-373-8166 • 877-679-9663 Visit us at www.alamcowood.com