Top Events & Activities to Check Out at Art-A-Whirl - 2020

Due to COVID-19, Art-A-Whirl has been changed to an online, virtual experience starting May 15th, 2020. For more information, visit Northeast Minneapolis Art Association.

2019 Art-A-Whirl: The Basics

What is it?
A celebration of art in the Northeast neighborhood of Minneapolis. With over 800 artists at more than 60 locations showcasing their work, Art-A-Whirl gives you a chance to meet and buy art from all types of different artists including painters, jewelers, photographers, and woodcarvers. This event is the largest of its kind in the country and includes opportunities to see private artist studios and galleries, demonstrations, mini-workshops, installations and special exhibitions. It’s free and open to public and includes unique events in coordination with local businesses throughout the area.

When is it?
Friday. May 17th 5-10pm, Saturday, May 18th Noon-8pm, Sunday, May 19th Noon-5pm

Where is it?
Studio buildings, art galleries, home storefronts and local businesses in Northeast Minneapolis.

How to get around?
Art-a-whirl provides free trolley rides that make stops at various artist locations throughout the NE Minneapolis Arts District. Check out the trolley schedule for exact times and locations. There are free parking lots near most artist locations and on street-parking.

I Bought Art Sticker
If you purchase original artwork make sure to receive an “I Bought Art” sticker. Participating local businesses will offer discounts to anyone wearing this sticker at Art-A-Whirl. See here for a list of deals.

Art Demonstrations

• Jennifer Shea Hedberg: A hands-on demonstration of how to make a Finnish Glass Ice Lantern which is a project from the Ice Wrangler’s book, Ice Luminary Magic. Location: Northrup King Building
• Kelly Marshall: Weaving demonstrations, free yarn thrums for kids and try-it weaving! Location: Northrup King Building
• Linda Shouffer: Demonstration of basic plant printing; demo cards will be FREE to people who come into watch the demo. Location: Northrup King Building
• Matt Thompson: Live neon glass blowing demos all day. Location: Strong Scott Building
• Mercury Mosaics: Watch a Live art demo of an 8 ft x 8 ft mosaic mural being created and installed, created by Adam Turman. Location: Thorp Building

See a full list of art demonstrations happening at Art-A-Whirl.

Interactive Activities

• Aldo Moroni: Help create a huge miniature world in clay. Location: California Building
• AlisonWendy Designs: Make and stamp your own bracelet. Location: Northrup King Building
• Linda Clayton: Listen to the songs from the U.K. that inspired a new series of paintings, London Calling. Location: Northrup King Building
• Melody Tudisco: Participate in the Color, Texture Challenge and learn how color and texture affect your feelings or if a painting, a sculpture, can make you happy, ease your fears, calm your nerves. Location: Northrup King Building

Take a look at all the interactive activities going on during Art-A-Whirl.

Other Related Events to Check Out at Art-A-Whirl

1. Indeed Brewing Company: Whirlygig 2019

Back for another year, Indeed Brewing Company's Whirlygig 2019 will feature all the things you love about Art-A-Whirl starting with art, live bands, favorite brews and Minneapolis food staples from Blue Door Pub, Natedogs, and World Street Kitchen. In the upstairs floors of the Solar Arts Building there will be a diverse array of art. You can also check out Art-A-Whirl artist Chuck U while he creates a live painting that will be auctioned off on Sunday.

2. Art-A-Whirl Menagerie at the PNA Northeast

This inaugural event promises a weekend full of art, food, music and beverages. Stages will be set up in the PNA Hall and the parking lot outside will host numerous bands. Grab food from the NE Social and Social Catering Co. and rumor has it that a very special beer will be offered whose proceeds will go to support the NE Arts District! Buy and see artists on exhibit in the Rogue Buddha Gallery. Featured artists include: Nicholas Harper, Alex Kuno, Heather Reneaux, Boxy Mouse, Michael Thomsen, Rudy Fig, Whittney A Streeter, Krist Kirk, Jon Langford, Johnny Kelson, Eli Libson, John Sauer, Moustache Jim + more.

3. Doors Open: Pillsbury A-Mill

Doors Open Minneapolis will also be going on during the weekend of Art-A-Whirl. This event gives you behind the scenes access to over 100 venues throughout the city. Which means Art-A-Whirl attendees will also get a never before seen peak at the A-Mill hidden museum. Get an exclusive look down the tunnels beneath A-Mill and view graphics throughout the building showing the Pillsbury A-Mill’s historical timeline. There are a few other venues participating in Doors Open in Northeast, check out our favorites.

4. Casket Arts at Art-A-Whirl

Over 140 artists and art-based businesses inhabit the Casket Arts Community. During Art-A-Whirl get an exclusive look at 100+ artist studios as they open their doors and show off their beautiful work. Browse paintings, prints, sculpture, jewelry, apparel, accessories, books, and more. Food trucks will be available if you get hungry. For drinks, a basement speakeasy will be set up featuring custom cocktails from Vikre Distillery in Duluth.

5. 612Brew at Art-A-Whirl

Looking for a vast array of food truck options? 612Brew’s Art-A-Whirl event will feature 8 different food trucks including The big red wagon, Brothers Gutierrez, Cheese Curd Tacos, Little G's Mobile Pizzeria, J+D Foods, MSP Pretzel, and The Fabled Rooster to name a few. 12 bands will perform within the 3-day event. Commemorate your time at the event with Nakomis Tattoo, which will have a pop-up tattoo shop located in the brewery. Featured art pieces from Lucid Wood, Dogfish Media, Mehndi Made Memories, Melinda Wolff will be on display and for purchase.

6. Brew Bauhaus Labs: Liquid Zoo

This 3-day event put on by Brew Bauhaus Labs will feature different themed fun for each day of Art-A-Whirl.

Day 1: Dance party.

Various bands will take the stage throughout the course of the event and kick-off Art-A-Whirl with a gigantic dance party. Some of the most renowned local restaurants (Revival, Parlor Bar Mpls) will also serve up some of their signatures dishes in the food tent and The Herbivorous Butcher Food Truck will be your go-to on the patio.

Day 2: All day music and culinary affair.

Join in for an all-day concert featuring local and national talent. Down in the Valley and Northmade Co will be selling items from their collections so you can also do some shopping while you are around. Make sure to pick up a commemorative Liquid Zoo tee/tank from Alchemist Printing Company as they live screen print made-to-order tees. Dogwood Coffee Company will have coffee to help keep you caffeinated. Out on the patio will be live local art demos from Northeast Minneapolis Arts Association artists.

Day 3: All About the Local Art

From 12pm-6pm check out the Made By Hands Art & Crafts Extravaganza. Along with music and food, artists and craftsman will be selling all kinds of art from paintings to jewelry to ceramics. DJ Shane Kramer of Transmission Music will keep you dancing and Revival and Sweet Gypsy Waffles will keep you fed. Shake up your look with a Minnesota and beer themed tattoo by Northeast Tattoo & Fade Away Laser Tattoo Removal or a haircut and bear trim by Manny from Saint Coast Barber Studio.

7. Psycho Suzi’s: Art-thou-luau 2019

We have one word that will get you to join in on this event: PUPPIES! On Saturday May 18th, Psycho Suzi’s will be holding an expanded Puppy Pageant with 3 separate pageants. More fun can be had dancing along to live music at the Doggie Disco Dog Park & Lounge.

8. Art A Whirl 2019 at Grandapalooza!

Grandaplooza is the backyard party you can't miss. Mixing art and live music this is a family favorite event. This year their booths will feature 4 talented artists: Trinkets and Gears (handmade repurposed jewelry made from brass, bones, resin and silicone), the paintings of Dallas Kelliher with new posters and more from Motari Jaguar, and lastly handmade necklaces and taxidermy by Cora Marshall and David Mudder.

9. Social Cider Werks: Artefacts

This year's theme: Art, Bikes, Chalk! Join in for 3 days of family-fun activities. See live chalk artists and then get inspired to create your own at the mural station. Food from Union Kitchen will be available for purchase and stick around for live music acts. An art market will be set up featuring local Northeast artists and craftsman, including Emily Floyd Handmade, Sideshow Gallery, Heidi Arts, Scrappy Products, Julie Garretson - Saatchi Art, Steak & Unicorns Art & Illustrations, Lucky7 Wood Furniture, Midwest Special Services, Inc, and Triple Crown.