Art A Whirl

It was a GREAT weekend for Art Lovers. The largest open studio tour with over 400 artists took place and I got to go!!!! We have been going for 3-4 years now and each year I am amazed that this treasure exist right here in NE Minneapolis. Every year their are more people attending and more artist as they convert more old buildings to artist studios. Most of the studios are in landmark buildings worth visiting for themselves.

We only made it to 3 of the buildings this year ( I think it might be impossible to see all the studio's in one weekend.)

Friday night we hit The Northrup King Building , built 1971.

It seems like there were hundreds of studios there , some had many artists to a studio, each studio a work of art in it's own right. Next year I will take my camera to photo the studios as well as the art ,if I can remember. I have a tendency to forget such practical things  as a camera when I'm about to indulge in the pleasure of viewing art!

So much incredible work, it was difficult to choose a few to put in this post.  Angela Kallsen  was a great inspiration for me with her en caustic paintings, so beautiful and fascinating. To me good art is something that either has a strong statement or is something you enjoy looking at and never try of looking at. I could look at Angela's work everyday forever.

I limited myself  this year to painters and print makers studio's due to lack of time. It allowed me to linger longer at the work I enjoyed the most like  Megan Moore's  simple yet powerful images.

Saturday was spent at the Free Arts table at the National Watercolor Society show and sale Art on a Line 

which is a separate event from the Art A Whirl. Another annual treasure for art lovers, with many artists showing and selling their work ( very reasonably priced, if you like giving handmade cards and art as gifts  this is the place to be) along with numerous demonstrations over the weekend. Really I wanted to attend them all, what an education...why are these two events on the same weekend?

I bought this lovely watercolor signed L. Hoppe.

Sunday, despite the rain, we made it to the Casket Art building ( built 1887 ) and the Carriage Building (built 1904) . If you love old buildings you have to see these!

While you are there you must stop at the Ink Orchard studio, Artist Kendra Baillie has a way with Ink and color. Her work is delightfully displayed not only in print but also on lamps, bags and cards. . I will guarantee you will not leave with out  a purchase!

If you missed the weekend a lot of the Artists have an open studio day during the month, just check the NEMAA website