What is it?
A celebration of art in the Northeast neighborhood of Minneapolis, brought to you by the Northeast Minneapolis Arts Association (NEMAA). 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?
May 16-18, 2025

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

Find NEMAA Members

Use the online Directory to find members by type (artist, business, food & beverage, etc.), medium, location, and whether they are open for in-person visits or online only.

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, and Metro Transit is offering free bus rides throughout the weekend. Click here for information on how to get around.

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.

Shop Online
Check the online shop with thousands of artworks by hundreds of NEMAA members! Shipping and curbside pick-up are available.

Art Demonstrations

• Lampwork Glass Demos: Live lampwork glass bead making demonstrations on our front porch studio using a torch melting glass to create beads and small sculptures when it’s at least 50 degrees outside and wind is below 20 mph.
  Sparkling River
• Gelli Plate Printing Demo: Experiment with printing using Gelli Plates! Explore the exciting process using acrylic paints and simple household pattern makers to create stunning, one-of-a-kind designs. The final works can be taken home and framed or cut down and pasted on cardstock.
  Flux Arts Building - Upstairs
• Travel Sketching with Patricia Canney: Travel sketches have been the best way of capturing a sense of place for Patricia over the years. Her oldest sketches go back 50 years and have included, West Africa, Paris, the south of France and her local neighborhood! Whether you want to save memories from a trip, a day at the lake, the perfect flower or cappuccino…a unique drawing is perfect!
  California Building - Studio 406
• Sock Knitting Machine Demo: See how socks are made on a hand-cranked circular sock machine! While our machines are newly manufactured, they are based on machines that were manufactured in the early 1900’s or before. This type of machine was used during both world wars to make socks for the troops to keep feet dry and prevent trench-foot.
  Quincy Hall

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

Interactive Activities

• Butterfly Scratch Art & Shrinky Dinks: Make and take beautiful colorful butterfly themed scratch art and shrinky dinks!
  Flux Arts Building - Upstairs
• Make a Beaded Gecko: Make a gecko using glass beads and thread! A table will be set up with instructions and materials. Open to everyone, but small children must be supervised by a responsible person.
  Flux Arts Building
• Jewelry Making: You will learn how to use simple steps to create your own earrings or necklace. Choose from several stone, glass, plastic or metal beads to assemble onto a head pin that can be made into a necklace or earrings.
  Flux Arts Building - Studio A

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

Don't miss the new Art-A-Whirl Passport Challenge!

Festival goers who download and use the new Art-A-Whirl Passport Challenge app can earn points during the three-day event by visiting various locations and sponsors, purchasing art and food, viewing the “Mississippi Tempest” commemorative sculpture, and more.

The Art-A-Whirl visitor who earns the most points over the three-day time period will win a certificate toward purchasing $1,500 in art from a NEMAA member artist. Three runners-up will each receive certificates for $500 in purchasing art.

All attendees earning points through the Art-A-Whirl Passport Challenge will be entered into a random drawing (based on the number of points earned) for gift cards to local Northeast restaurants and breweries in a variety of amounts. In total, $2,500 in gift cards will be awarded, bringing festival goers back to the Arts District throughout the year.

Download the app at any time! Winners will be announced in June.

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

1. Indeed Brewing Company: Whirlygig

Despite what the meteorological calendar says, the summer starts with Whirlygig at Indeed Brewing Company. Mark your 2025 calendars for May 16-18 to take part in the whirlwind that is Whirlygig. Come for the beer and music, stay till your heart’s content of both.

2. Brew Bauhaus Labs: The Liquid Zoo

Brew Bauhaus Labs' Liquid Zoo is back! Taking place during Art-A-Whirl weekend, Liquid Zoo showcases the Twin Cities' finest restaurants, artists and performers. Popular local performers are lined up for each day, and an epic dance party will close out the weekend.

3. Food Trucks at Northrup King Building

Over 400 Artists and Guest Artists on Four Floors of this historic, century old warehouse will be sharing their art and processes with you. The building will also feature food trucks, live art demonstrations and artist talks, interactive activities for the family, and more!

4. Art-A-Whirl at Sociable Cider Werks

A market with over 30 vendors and local artists, live music, delicious food and, of course, beverage galore is popping up at Sociable Cider Werks. The best part? It's all Art-A-Whirl weekend long.

5. BŪCH Gardens

Head to BŪCH Fermentary & Taproom Art-A-Whirl weekend for their signature hard kombucha and some fun! Steps away from the Solar Arts Building, BŪCH Gardens will put you right in the middle of the action.

6. Broken Clock Brewing Cooperative

Come by and discover amazing local talent when Broken Clock Brewing hosts a diverse lineup of artists in their taproom! Come through for one day—or stay for all three!

7. Earl-A-Whirl at Earl Giles

Head to Earl Giles during Art-A-Whirl Weekend! They'll have food, drink, music, art, and much more!

8. Pryes Brewing at Art-A-Whirl

Pryes Art & Craft is during Minneapolis’s Art-A-Whirl weekend. Shop over 20 local artist vendors on their huge outdoor patio and enjoy craft beer and wood-fired pizzas.

9. Wald-A-Whirl at Walden Coffee

Let Wald-A-Whirl take over your weekend! Browse art vendors and enjoy live music performances at Walden Coffee, which is nearby all the art building action. Stop by on May 17th from 10am to 5m.

10. Doors Open

Doors open is a unique opportunity to tour Minneapolis in a way you've never seen it before. From theaters to business hubs, sacred spaces to private clubs, sports complexes to engineering wonders, historical gems to not-even-open-yet buildings, Doors Open Minneapolis will give you a free behind-the-scenes look at dozens of exciting venues. This year, it's the same weekend as Art-A-Whirl!