This time we are looking at a city in Iowa, USA. Cedar Rapids is a big city with a special museum: the National Czech & Slavak Museum & Librabry. It´s a museum that celebrates life. Czech life. Slovak life. American life. They are a museum that encourages self-discovery, a museum that asks what it means to be free. Through extraordinary exhibitions and experiences, they tell stories of freedom and identity, family and community, human rights and dignity. Their stories connect yesterday with today and tomorrow.
The Museum Store supports the museum‘s mission by offering unique and custom items imported from the Czech Republic and Slovakia, as well as works by local artisans, authors, and craftspeople. Items include traditional and contemporary glass, folk art, mouth-blown glass ornaments, jewelry and apparel, children's books and toys, posters, and stationery. And Deafmessanger Notebooks.
Master Folk Artist Marj Nejdl and Store Director Sarah Jane Wick
Sarah Jane Wick is the store director and together with store assistant Laura and store associate Ann she brings those beautiful things to the people. Sarah answered a couple of questions for us:
Who are your customers?
Members and volunteers to the museum are our best regular customers but we get visitors and shoppers from all over the country as well as internationally.
What are best sellers right now?
Our top categories are glass ornaments, Jewelry and books.
What is your favorite product right now?
Botanicus Lavender Body Wash
If you could move the shop to another city anywhere in the world, where would that be?
San Fransisco
If you wouldn´t run the shop, what other dream job would you have?
Travel writer
What is the best thing about your job?
Meeting people from all over the world and working for the museum’s mission.
What is your favourite book publication last year?
Fascism by Madeleine Albright
What book publication are you looking forward to?
Becoming by Michelle Obama
Are you involved in art/design?
Backyard gardening
Who is our favourite artist?
Local Czech-American master folk artist Marj Nejdl
Your favourite spot in your town?
The Blind Pig Pub & Grub
Which was the last song you listened to?
Whenever You Call Me by The Spinners
City or wilderness?
City
Coffee or tea?
COFFEE
Thanks so much Sarah!