Come downtown to celebrate the arts and artists during our monthly art walk. 4 – 7 pm with live music continuing later. Free and all are welcome! [Above Image: Rick Kagigebi at Giinawind Creative Space]

1. BENDERS

Local jeweler Lily Winter works out of her home studio to cut, solder, etch, enamel, and set stones and more. This year she is working to bring wild color to her jewelry through glass and enameling.

2. MACROSTIE ART CENTER

Celebrating the opening of the annual miniatures exhibition featuring Nancy Kingbird and over 80 different artists. Join us for a reception from 4 – 7pm and artist talk at 6pm — then stay for a fashion show with Annie Humphrey and Terri LaDuke of Zaasaakwe Designs at 7 pm.  

3. GIINAWIND CREATIVE SPACE

Showing “Air and Water,” a new exhibition of appliqued mural blankets by Rick Kagigebi.

4. STAINED GLASS WITH CLASS

Hosting Cydney Gibeau with Celadon Garden Pottery. Check out her collection of fun and functional ceramics.

5. OLD CENTRAL SCHOOL

The 3^rd floor resident artists Nelia Harper, Krista Rogers, and Leah Yellowbird will be hosting several guest artists with work ranging from rock designs to abstract expressionism: Ken Johnson, Robin Brown, Rachel Kortekaas, Amanda Wilde, and Jenny Winkleman.

6. NORTHERN CRUISERS & ITASCA VINTAGE CAR CLUBS

Hosting the season-opening First Friday Show-n-Shine on the west side of the old Kremer’s parking lot, with Bobcats Lunchbox on site.  This event is open to all Collector Cars of any model year.

7. FREE RANGE FOOD CO-OP SITE ANNOUNCEMENT

The community is invited to celebrate the announcement of where our future food co-op will be! From 3-7pm enjoy live music from Formerly Charles One-Man Band, local vendors from the Farmer’s Market, and brews and bites by Klockow & Rapids Brewing, Singing Chihuahua Tacos and Borealis Creamery. Come at 5pm to hear the exciting news!

8. RAPIDS BREWING

Listen to live jazz with the Clearwater Hot Club from 6 – 9 pm featuring Sam and Matthew Miltich with special guest, Briand Morrison.  

Come downtown to celebrate the arts and artists during our monthly art walk. 4 – 7 pm with live music continuing later. Free and all are welcome!

1. BENDERS

Hosting Jenny Farber of Chaotic Beauty Artistry. Jenny is a pyrography and watercolor artist based in Grand Rapids. She will have handmade earrings, magnets, and wall décor  available.

2. MACROSTIE ART CENTER

Celebrating the opening of “Social Canvas” an exhibition of photography and mixed media paintings by Roya Nazari Najafabadi. Join us for a reception with food and other refreshments from 4 – 7 pm and an artist talk at 6 pm.

3. GIINAWIND CREATIVE SPACE

Showcasing the artwork and cultural projects of students in ISD #318’s Ojibwe Education program PLUS the unveiling of a new freezer featuring single scoops by Borealis Creamery.

4. OLD CENTRAL SCHOOL

Stop up to the 3^rd floor artist loft to visit with resident artists Nelia Harper, Krista Rogers, and Leah Yellowbird. Nelia Harper will be demonstrating egg tempera painting and will have new portraits in progress on display.

5. GRAND RAPIDS AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

GRACF celebrates their 30^th anniversary “Seeds of Change” by hosting artwork by Michelle Linn of Itasca Creations and live music by Ditty Wish from 4:30 – 6:30pm, along with food and beverages.  Local nonprofits encouraged to attend to learn more about a 30^th anniversary nonprofit partner opportunity. 

6. RAPIDS BREWING

Listen to live jazz with the Clearwater Hot Club from 6 – 9 pm featuring Sam Miltich, Matthew Miltich, and Mark Kreitzer.

Come downtown to celebrate the arts and artists during our monthly art walk. 4 – 7 pm with live music continuing later. Free and all are welcome!

1. REIF GALLERY

Celebrating the group exhibition “Northern Landscapes” with an artist reception from 4 – 5:30. Visit with featured artist Serenity Crego and some of the 30+ additional artists who have work included in the show.

2. BENDERS

Welcoming Gitona King. “Cookies on the Range” is Gitona’s creative outlet where she creates custom cookies for her customers! Any design or art you can imagine, on a cookie. Plus, they taste great!

3. MACROSTIE ART CENTER

Presenting “Portrayals in Paper: Tales of Overcoming” in the MacRostie Gallery with paper quilling art by Nikki Besser. Join us for a reception with food, wine, and other refreshments from 4 – 7 pm and an artist talk at 6 pm.

4. OLD CENTRAL SCHOOL

Stop up to the 3^rd floor artist loft to visit with resident artists Nelia Harper, Krista Rogers, and Leah Yellowbird. This month, NV Painting & Decorating will be sponsoring activities in the attic including a Hot Cocoa Bar and Make and Take Valentines.

5. RAPIDS BREWING

Listen to live jazz with Sam Miltich and Friends and special guest Laura Caviani on piano. The group will perform from 6 – 9 pm.

The First Friday Art Walk is a community event celebrating art and creativity. Come downtown from 4 – 7 pm for a variety of free, family-friendly events.

1. REIF CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

Hosting the opening of Kristen Anderson’s exhibit “Seed Journeys” from 4 – 6 pm. Kristen’s wet-felted wool tapestries celebrate the seeds of the northern boreal forest. Refreshments provided!

2. BENDERS SHOES & GIFTS

Welcoming Gitona King. “Cookies on the Range” is Gitona’s creative outlet where she creates custom cookies for her customers! Any design or art you can imagine, on a cookie. Plus, they taste great! 

3. MACROSTIE ART CENTER

Celebrating the opening of the exhibit “Remnants Within” by sculptor Amy Varsek. Food and wine from 4 – 7pm with an artist talk at 6 pm.

4. STAINED GLASS WITH CLASS

Hosting artist Alyssa Olson with her modern clay earrings.

5. OLD CENTRAL SCHOOL

• First Friday Concert Series: On the Lawn:  Bring a chair or blanket for a free concert by Native rock band War Bonnet from 5 – 7 pm.
• Itasca Orchestra and Strings Program & Third Coast Chamber Collective: Room 109 Art and music from the IOSP/TCCC summer music camp will be on display in Room 109 for the First Friday Art Walk. Learn more about the camp and upcoming opportunities for strings students.
• Grand Rapids Players: Room 209: See the cast of These Shining Lives performing 10-minutes previews of their upcoming show. Preview times at 5, 5:30, 6, and 6:30.
• Artists in the Attic: 3^rd Floor  Visit with resident artists  Nelia Harper, Krista Rogers, and Leah Yellowbird.
• Borealis Creamery: Parking Lot  Visit the Ice Cream Truck for homemade, hand-scooped ice cream in variety of flavors.

6. NORTHERN CRUISERS & ITASCA VINTAGE CAR CLUBS

Hosting their final First Friday Show-n-Shine of the season at the old Kremer’s Parking Lot from 4 – 7 pm.  This event I open to all collector cars of any model year.

7. RAPIDS BREWING Stop in for an awesome line-up of northern Minnesota musical talent with Sam Miltich and Friends from 4- 6:30 and the Brothers Burn Mountain from 7 – 10 pm.  

The First Friday Art Walk is a community event celebrating art and creativity. Come downtown from 4 – 7 pm for a variety of free, family-friendly events.

1. BENDERS SHOES

Benders is hosting local artist Kelly Villebro. Kelly’s art can be described as rusty and weathered barn finds, repurposed and upcycled into flowers with a pop of color.

2. MACROSTIE ART CENTER 

Presenting the opening “Utensils and Fables,” printmaking and ceramics by Anika Hsiung Schneider in the Minnesota Gallery.  the MacRostie Gallery. Also on display in the MacRostie Gallery is the Duluth Fiber Guild’s 50^th Anniversary exhibition. The reception will include food, wine, and other beverages from 4 – 7 pm and an artist talk at 6 pm.

3. GIINAWIND CREATIVE SPACE

 Unveiling a new exhibit in the Giinawind Gallery – Karen Goulet’s mixed media installation project “Mookibii: She Emerges from the Water” combines fiber art, cyanotypes, video, and more in an homage to water in all its forms.

4. STAINED GLASS WITH CLASS

Hosting Jen Gorman with the Give Back Studio and her unique + handmade dog bandanas and treats along with Meredith Rothstein with At The Lake MN.

5.  OLD CENTRAL SCHOOL

• Story Art & Museum

Hosting Itasca Community Chorus’ Chamber Singers led by Adam Giebner from 4:30-5:00pm in the Music Room in Old Central School, 2nd floor.

• Artists in the Attic

Stop in to visit the Artists in Residence on the 3^rd floor. A new crew is moving in – stop by to welcome Leah Yellowbird and Nelia Harper to the residency!

6. CENTRAL SCHOOL GROUNDS

Celebrate First Friday with a free concert on the lawn and visit the Borealis Creamery food truck for hand-crafted small batch ice cream.  Rapid Brass, led by Heidi Wick, will perform from 5:30 – 6:45 pm. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and listen to music originally intended to be performed outside for village festivals, including marches, tower music, New Orleans’ jazz, and Finnish brass septets. The group is made up of brass and percussion players from the region, with professionals and students playing side-by-side.

7. NORTHERN CRUISERS & ITASCA VINTAGE CAR CLUBS 

The Northern Cruisers Car Club & The Itasca Vintage Car Club will be hosting a First Friday Show-n-Shine at the old Kremer’s Parking Lot from 4 – 7 pm.  This event I open to all collector cars of any model year.Bobcats Lunchbox will be on site selling burgers, fries, and more.

8.WINGS ‘N WILLOWS ART GALLERY & CUSTOM FRAMING

Welcoming local photographer Brian Elling. Born and raised in Grand Rapids Brian has spent time in Australia, Bali, Panama and across North America capturing nature, animals and scenery with his camera to share with others. Join us to experience his beautiful photography.

9. THE EVERGREEN

Featuring photographer Carol Bowman. Carol’s Northwoods nature photography captures scenes both breathtaking and familiar, and her images can be found printed on everything from magnets to mugs.

10. RAPIDS BREWING 

First Friday live music with Sam Miltich and Friends from 4 – 6:30 then Landscapes Band from 7 – 10 pm. Katy Buhr with Up North Sewing will be in the taproom with embroidered items from 4 – 6 pm.

11. INSPIRATIONS CHRISTIAN BOOKSTORE

Christian Fiction Author Margo Hansen will sign copies of her newest book A New Hope Begins! The event will run from 3:00 – 6:00.

The First Friday Art Walk is a community event celebrating art and creativity, which takes place in downtown Grand Rapids from 4 – 7 pm.  All are welcome!

1. BALSAM CREEK DECOR
Spring has sprung at Central Square Mall.  Stop by and check out the mosaics that Deb has been creating at her new location!

2. BENDERS
Hosting local baking artist, Josie Hughes. Josie is a home baker from Deer River. She started decorating cookies 4 years ago for family and friends. She has since started taking custom orders and has turned a hobby into a sweet little business.

3. MACROSTIE ART CENTER
Presenting the opening of “Reflection” – paintings by Marva Harms in the MacRostie Gallery. Reception from 4 – 7 pm with food, wine, and other beverages and an artist talk at 6 pm.

4. STAINED GLASS WITH CLASS
Showcasing Zach Rhoads with his psychedelic mixed media art.

5. OLD CENTRAL SCHOOL

• Story Art + Museum

April showers bring May flowers AND Story Art & Museum’s 2nd anniversary! Come see our new THEATER and OPERA themed displays in Faith Wick’s Fairyland and enjoy cake and refreshments in the Gathering Room.

• Artists in the Attic

Visit the artists in residence on the 3^rd floor. Chelsey Jo Johnson, Joanna Knase, and Eleanor Tillmans have studios open to the public. Stop by to see their latest projects!

6. UNWINED UP NORTH
Welcoming jewelry artist Lily Winter. Lily works in sterling silver, gems and glass, and her current line is made of tiny silver leaves soldered together in groups or cascades with stones or glass as color accents.

7. RAPIDS BREWING
First Friday live music with Sam Miltich from 4 – 6 pm and Katy Tessman with Louis Tessman Stanoch at 6:30 pm.