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 15-17, 2026

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. Find more information on how to get around on NEMAA's website.

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.

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

Art Demonstrations

• Let the Water Do the Work: Becca David demonstrates watercolor effects that emphasize the transparency and fluidity of watercolor painting.
  Flux Arts Building - Hub
• Tulip Time: Watercolor demonstration creating tulips using a credit card technique.
  Northrup King Building - Studio 321
• Encaustic Interactive Demo: Learn about the ancient technique of painting with wax and fire. Guests will see how Lori sets up her heated palette and observe how she fuses with a torch/heat-gun. Guests will also have the opportunity to paint on and carve into on a communal wood panel to experience the process firsthand.
  Northrup King Building - Studio 376
• 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

• Disco Cowboy Belt Buckle: Have fun playing with a western set for photos and creating your own costume pieces. There will be bandanas, bike helmet decorating, “disco jewelry”, an opportunity to make “Trash Chaps”, a “Disco Cowboy Belt Buckle”, and more.
  Flux Arts Building
• Free Form Polymer Clay Creations: Piles of colored clay await you and your family at the Clay Squared Gallery. Choose an object to cover or make a creature! The possibilities are endless. Then take home your creation to bake it in your own oven.
  Flux Arts Building - E
• Collage in Bloom: Choose your colors, shapes, and textures. Arrange them into petals, leaves, stems, and a vase. Glue them into place and sign your original spring flower collage! Will you hang it in your house or give it to a friend?
  Northrup King Building - Studio 321

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

• Anna E. Orbovich: deep mapping wilderness: Through prints, drawings, cyanotypes, and time spent outdoors, deep mapping wildness traces landforms, trails, shadows and everything in between. This ongoing catalog of findings builds up in layers that can overlap and fade into one another. It is a collection of maps and imagery that lead nowhere physically, but rather aim to capture a moment spent in wildness.
  Thu Feb 19 - Tue Jun 30, Clifton E. French Regional Park
• LEGACY: The Women of WARM Gallery: This exhibition, with accompanying catalog book, is an extraordinary exhibition showcasing the work of 73 groundbreaking women artists who helped redefine the landscape of contemporary art and feminist expression.
  Fri April 10 - Sat Jun 13, Kickernick Building
• Fifth Annual Book Arts Show: Join us for the fifth annual Book Arts Show at Open Book in downtown Minneapolis! This juried show celebrates cutting-edge book arts, exhibiting exciting techniques in design, bookbinding, content, and more.
  Mon April 13 - Tue May 26 at Open Book, 2nd Floor Gallery

Don't Miss Art-A-Whirl Gold: A Golden Ale from Pryes Brewing

Sip the official festival beer, Art-A-Whirl Gold, at various locations for a limited time. It's a crisp, dry and light golden ale, 5% ABV, perfect for Art-A-Whirl festivities. Ten percent of sales go back to NEMAA!

1. Indeed Brewing Company: Whirlygig

Despite what the meteorological calendar says, the summer starts with Whirlygig at Indeed Brewing Company. Mark your 2026 calendars for May 15-17 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. Art-A-Whirl at Sociable Cider Werks

A market with over 40 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.

4. 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!

5. Pryes Brewing at Art-A-Whirl

Pryes Brewing hosts a huge art market during Minneapolis’s Art-A-Whirl weekend. Shop over 20 local artist vendors on their huge outdoor patio and enjoy the official festival beer, Art-A-Whirl Gold, and wood-fired pizzas.

6. Art-A-Whirl at Moth Oddities

'Whirl' around at Moth Oddities and shop a market with 13 local vendors! The market runs all throughout Art-A-Whirl.

Check back soon for more events happening during Art-A-Whirl!