Open Door: Kipp Normand’s Studio

Multimedia artist Kipp Normand transforms trash into treasure at this whimsical Harrison Center workspace adjacent to Redeemer Presbyterian Church. Here, the quirky collector—and a godfather of the downtown art scene—rummages through his hodgepodge.

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Taxidermy

From a 1950s exhibit at Purdue’s College of Veterinary Medicine. “I love the sort of surreal notion that the deer has climbed up and stands on top of the shelf,” he says.

Stained Glass

When the church was built in 1903, Normand’s studio was the choir rehearsal room. “They spent a lot of money on the big, special window that was down in the sanctuary, and this was kind of just your average window,” he says.

Curtain

Sometimes Normand refers to himself as “The Wizard” because this floor-to-ceiling red drape hides his studio from the sanctuary.

Bottles

He snagged these at an auction of Hook’s Drug Store memorabilia. “Some are still full of who-knows-what,” he says.

Glasses

He ordered his signature round frames from New York shop Moscot.

Religious Kitsch

“It’s one of my little obsessions,” he says. “My family is French Canadian,and my relatives were big Catholics. So this is the imagery I’m used to seeing in people’s homes.”

Tool

Normand uses this vintage copy press to flatten objects for collages.

Blazer

“I’m a Value Village guy,” he says. “I don’t care to spend my money on brand-new clothes.”

Records

“I’m an insatiable collector,” Normand says. He likes classical music, Andrew Bird, or Neutral Milk Hotel humming in the background while he’s working.

Bench

From the Woodruff Place Flea Market, held each June.