Since its humble beginnings as an open studio crawl of Northeast Minneapolis' many artist buildings in 1996, Art-A-Whirl has grown and evolved exponentially. Presented by Northeast Minneapolis Arts Association (NEMAA), this year’s 29th annual art festival is still a great way to support local artists and makers. For the purposes of this newsletter, events highlighted will focus around style and shopping events happening throughout the annual Northeast Minneapolis arts festival, including studio openings, makers markets and vintage pop-ups.
Vintage shop Moth Oddities hosts an art and makers market during Art-A-Whirl weekend
THURSDAY, 5/16:
Pool to Party Soirée: Edina clothing shop Serge + Jane hosts a Palm Royale–themed rooftop party celebrating Edina Magazine's latest issue with vintage shopping from May Baby Vintage, pool drinks and more. Free. Thursday 3–6pm @ Serge + Jane, 4532 France Ave S, Edina, @sergeandjaneshop
ART-A-WHIRL 2024: 5/17–5/19
ART + MAKERS MARKET HIGHLIGHTS:
Events take place during Art-A-Whirl hours (Friday from 5–10pm, Saturday from noon–8pm, and Sunday from noon–5pm) in NE Minneapolis unless otherwise stated. Quincy St NE will be blocked off to car traffic during AAW weekend.
Quincy Hall Artist Market: NEMAA is partnering with Quincy Hall to activate an artist market in the heart of the NE Minneapolis Arts District for the three days of Art-A-Whirl. The 45 participating makers include SHExclusive Designs jewelry, Create Laser Arts, Larissa Loden, Kari Lee Art, Nokomis Knitting Company and Slow Burn candles. During AAW hours @ Quincy Hall, 1325 Quincy St NE, nemaa.org
Earl-A-Whirl Vintage + Makers Market: Local vintage and makers market producers Juniper Lou Markets is hosting a two-day event in the parking lot of Earl Giles with a great mix of vintage clothing, art, jewelry, housewares and more. Plus: live DJs, yoga, and an outdoor Earl Giles bar and food tent. Situated right next to Quincy Hall, this will be the block to hit during AAW. Saturday noon–8pm & Sunday noon–6pm @ Earl Giles Distillery, 1325 Quincy St NE, @juniperloumarkets
Whirl Weekend at Sociable: The cidery hosts a maker market featuring handmade goods and art by 30+ vendors including Mia Makes Things, Garden Witch jam, Moon Rocks Granola, Indigenous maker Waabooz Beading, Indigo Sun Jewelry, Material Forager vintage finds, Hawwaa Studios knitwear and more. Plus, music, food trucks, MN Nice Cream, slushies, cider and beer. Free. Friday 5–9pm, Saturday noon–8pm & Sunday noon-5pm @ Sociable Cider Werks, 1500 Fillmore St NE, @sociablecider
Whirlygig at Indeed: Indeed Brewing hosts an artist market that includes Cool Trash (who is also doing live plasticsmithing), Legacy Glassworks and Flavor World, plus vintage sellers Better Together, Wasted Retail (Sat. & Sun. only), You Thrifty Bitch (Sat. & Sun. only), food trucks, mini donuts, beer, live art from Chuck U and live bands every day and night. Free. Friday 3–11pm, Saturday 11am–11pm & Sunday 11am–10pm @ 711 NE 15th Ave, indeedbrewing.com
Moth Oddities Art-A-Whirl Market: Come whirl with vintage shop Moth Oddities, which is hosting a curated group of a dozen local makers and artists all weekend, including Lovely Little Uglies jewelry, Rare Press prints and art, Black Cat Jewelry, Wacks Co candles, Ann Erickson jewelry and recent artists-in-residence, Three Circle Shop. Friday 5–10pm, Saturday 11am–8pm, Sunday 11am–5pm @ Moth Oddities, 13 5th St NE, @mothoddities
AAW at Olio Vintage: All month, Olio Vintage is featuring local artists including Sheila Petersen, Henry Forcelle, Ben Hering, Sander Kolodziej and Matathew Dascenzo, plus handmade goods from Nomadic Collections (fair-trade clothing), Indigo & Snow (hand-dyed textiles and home goods), Nashipai (fair-trade artisan jewelry), twigminn (leather goods and handbags), Cloaked in Confidence (handmade jewelry) and Flicker & Fizz (candles), and as always, vintage goodies from the Olio collective. Friday–Sunday from 11am–6pm @ Olio Vintage, 21 5th St NE, @olio.mpls
Mercury Mosaics Spring Market: Join local tile manufacturer Mercury Mosaics for their Art-A-Whirl Spring Market. Check out 30+ talented makers while you enjoy a coffee and stroll through their production studio. Their sister brand, Mosaic Candy Shop, will also be set up in their Design Studio (Suite #175) on Saturday and Sunday. Expect live artist demos, discounts on kits and as a special Art-A-Whirl treat, and the limited-release run of mosaic kit coasters made in collaboration with local artist Josie Lewis. During AAW Hours @ Thorp Building, 1538 Central Ave NE #125, facebook.com
AAW Popup @ WORKSHOP: The design agency hosts a group of 14 guest vendors throughout the weekend, including backpack and belt bag maker Viska, ceramicist Studio OkOk (a personal favorite), Mother Co plants and Khazana Textiles, offering fair-trade textiles from around the world, plus live music, coffee and more. During AAW hours @ 1300 Quincy Sst NE, Minneapolis, @workshopdotcom
Pryes Art & Craft: Pryes Brewing is hosting an arts-and-crafts market all weekend as part of Art-A-Whirl featuring 20+ local artists and makers, plus live music, craft beer and wood-fired pizza from its pizza kitchen. During AAW hours @ Pryes Brewing, 1401 W River Rd N, Minneapolis, pryesbrewing.com
Turbo Tim's Crush-A-Whirl: Local auto repair shop, Turbo Tim's, hosts a full day of festivities. Its art market includes art and handmade goods for sale by local makers and artists including Flower Mouth Prints, Moss Formations, Thomas Bartlett Jewelry and Wile Flowers, plus live music in the evening, car crushing (!), tarot readings, live spray painting, kids' entertainers, beer, cocktails, burger and pizza, and cotton candy. Art market: Saturday noon–6pm, event ends at 8pm @ Turbo Tim's, 2823 Central Ave NE, turbotims.com/crush-a-whirl
Party at the Edge of the Whirl: Shop original art and handmade goods from over 20 local artists and makers at this one-day event hosted by boutique liquor store Ombibulous, plus beer and food for sale, a live DJ and free tastings. Saturday @ 949 E Hennepin Ave, @ombibulousmn
A-Mill During Art-A-Whirl: The artist building hosts an artist market of its resident artists and guests including Tess Borgerding Shibori dyed textiles, Happy Monday coffee and pottery, SHExclusive Designs and more. During AAW hours @ A-Mill Artist Lofts, 315 SE Main St, @artistsofamill
Art-A-Whirl at Studio Q Makers Market: Production studio, Studio Q, hosts a pop-up art and makers market featuring a group of 24+ vendors including Isadore Nut Co., Kobi Co. candles and more, plus live music. During AAW hours @ 1310 Quincy St NE #1, eventbrite.com
Vintage & Makers Market at 331 Club: The 331 Club hosts a two-day vintage and makers market outdoors, with vendors including Back Pocket Vintage. Plus, live music both days. Saturday noon–8pm, Sunday noon–7pm @ 331 Club, 331 13th Ave NE, facebook.com
Nova Pop-up Minneapolis: The debut market experience takes place across the river from Northeast in the North Loop, highlighting the talents of local artists, artisans and small businesses under one roof. Vendors include Lowken fashion, Goldfine Jewelry, Sneaky Link permanent jewelry, Kaihua Candles, Mixly Craftly Co, Barefoot Potter and more. The event is also raising funds to support Telescopes, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering underserved youth through various programs. Sunday 11am–4pm @ The NEU NEU, 514 N 3rd St, Minneapolis, @novapopup
NE Farmers Market: This Sunday, admidst the Art-A-Whirl action, is the weekly NE Farmers Market, outdoors for the season. Head to the St. Boniface Church parking lot every Saturday through October 12, rain or shine, for specialty foods, baked goods, beverages, fresh produce and handmade goods. Saturday 9am–1pm @ University Ave NE & 7th Ave NE, northeastfarmersmarket.com
OPEN STUDIO HIGHLIGHTS:
All studios open during Art-A-Whirl hours (Friday from 5–10pm, Saturday from noon–8pm, and Sunday from noon–5pm) unless otherwise stated. Featured locations include Northrup King Building (1500 Jackson St NE), Casket Arts Building (681 17th Ave NE), Holland Arts East (639 22nd Ave NE) and 1330 Quincy St NE
Celina Kane Open Studio: Local milliner extraordinaire Celina Kane will have fresh hats for summertime, brand-new headpieces and classics for every season. Her studio mates Modehaus Bridal and Iron Maid Art will also be open, and they’ll be joined by guest AudreyRose Vintage all weekend. During AAW hours @ Northrup King #225, @celinakane
The Crochet Gay debuts Studio Rouge: Local maker The Crochet Gay is celebrating five years with a pop-up shop including local artists, vintage goods for sale, a silent auction, crochet beginner classes and more. Saturday & Sunday noon-5pm @ Northrup King #454 @thecrochetgay
Makwa Open Studio: Ojibwe textile designer and maker Makwa Studio opens for the weekend. During AAW hours @ Northrup King #238, @makwa_studio
WAAM Industries Open Studio: Local maker WAAM Industries opens its studio for the weekend. During AAW hours @ Northrup King #265, @waamindustries
Ashley Mary Open Studio + Guest Artists: The local painter and muralist will have tons of new paintings and new prints, plus socks featuring her original art along with special guests Golden Boies permanent jewelry and Nick Lundeen Jewelry. During AAW hours @ Northrup King #284, @ashleymaryart
Excelsior Candle Co, Danielle Everine & more: The candle maker hosts guest vendors including sustainable clothing designer Danielle Everine, showcasing her colorful, new spring collection. During AAW hours @ Northrup King #206, @danielleeverine
A MANO Open Studio: Shop the maker’s latest collection of colorful serving, snack and trinket dishes, plus earrings, glass stir sticks and more. Friday 5–8pm, Saturday noon–6pm, Sunday noon–3pm @ Northrup King #252, @weshopamano
Everthine Jewelry Open Studio: Everthine Jewelry is taking walk-ins for permanent jewelry, plus free gifts with purchase on Saturday and Sunday, and a free nail art session when you show up wearing your Everthine Jewelry. Friday 5–9pm, Saturday noon–7pm, Sunday noon–4pm @ Casket Arts #202, @everthine_jewelry
Palisaint Vintage Open Studio: Shop the vintage seller’s spring/summer 2024 collection, plus a $5 rack. Open during AAW hours @ 1330 Quincy St NE, @palisaint
The Lavish Lab Open House: The Lavish Lab is a local event and interior decor and design firm and event planning company founded by drag superstar Bebe Zahara Benet, aka Marshall Kudi Ngwa. Open during AAW hours @ Northrup King #317, thelavishlab.com
AlisonWendy Designs Open Studio + Guest Artists: Fine jeweler AlisonWendy Designs is hosting guest makers Small Batch Oddities baked goods, You're the Party yarn earrings, CarrieKat Art upcycled clothing and The Sasquatch Laboratories woodwork and cutting boards. Alison will also be teachingn one of her popular bracelet mini workshops ($10); sign up here. Open during AAW hours @ Northrup King #428, @alisonwendy1
Vampire Vintage Pop-up: Shop Vampire Vintage’s curated assortment of vintage and antiques for the gothic, baroque and Victorian aesthetic lovers as it pops up at Wild Hare Salon. Open during AAW hours @ Northrup King #185, @vampirevintagedecor
Rank & File Vintage Open Studio: The local vintage home goods seller debuts its new studio to the public, filled with their latest vintage finds, art and more. Open during AAW hours @ Hollands Arts East #15, @rankandfilevtg
DISCOVER MORE @ AAW:
While this guide will spotlight my top picks, there’s so much more to discover. Utilize these links from the nemaa.org website for more.
Who's open: Filter the directory for maps and directories of artists & galleries who are open for Art-A-Whirl.
Art-A-Whirl activities: Browse art demos, interactive activities, family-friendly offerings, music, and more with NEMAA's sortable listing of activities happening Art-A-Whirl weekend.
NEMAA Directory: Find artists, galleries, and businesses by name, location, or medium.
Getting around: Find info on free Metro Transit passes, Arts District Trolleys, parking locations, accessibility, and more.
UPCOMING:
May 21: Otherwordly Spring Floral Fashion Show: Local floral workshop series Sip N Bloom and stylist Amy Seeman are back for their collaborative, floral-infused fashion show where botanicals reign supreme and style meets sustainability. Inspired by a future where our planet's fate hangs in the balance, the duo reimagines haute couture for a world where oxygen is our most precious commodity. Shop local vendors before and after the show directly from the runway. Tuesday, 5/21 @ 5pm doors, 7pm show @ City Center, 33 S 6th St, Minneapolis. Tickets $55+ @ sip-n-bloom.com
June 1: The Fitting Room 6 Year Anniversary Garden Party Experience: Local fashion designer-focused boutique The Fitting Room celebrates six years with a fashion show on their patio and sidewalk complete with new paintings on display from Lindsey Ries, floral designs by Richard Anderson and House of Harstad, and a runway show styled by Poppy Stella Rose, followed by shopping. Seating is ticketed but standing-room is free. Saturday, 6/1 from noon-5pm @ The Fitting Room, 318 W 38th St, Minneapolis. Tickets $25 @ eventbrite.com