Come downtown to celebrate the arts and artists during the first monthly art walk of the new year! Events are held 4 – 7 pm with live music continuing later. First Friday events are free unless noted, and all are welcome! [Above image: Clearwater Hot Club]
Elizabeth Clay of Cozy Creations – at Benders
1. BENDERS
Benders is hosting Elizabeth Clay of Cozy Creations (Chisholm). Elizabeth has a passion for creating something out of nothing. Crocheting for her is a healing process and she loves to see her designs in use.
2. MACROSTIE ART CENTER
Presenting “To Throw Out a Line” in the Minnesota Gallery with fiber sculpture by Lauren Faherty. Join us for a reception with food, wine, and other refreshments from 4 – 7 pm and an artist talk at 6 pm.
Lauren Faherty fiber sculpture – at MAC
3. GIINAWIND CREATIVE SPACE
Showcasing the students of ISD #318’s Anishinaabe Gikinoo’amaadiwin/Ojibwe Education program and the creative cultural projects they have completed.
4. OLD CENTRAL SCHOOL
The City of Grand Rapids Artist in Residence program is housed on the 3rd floor of Old Central School. Stop up to see the space and visit with the current residents: Donna LaBeau (painting), Jenny Winkelman (painting and drawing), and Shanai Matteson and Annie Humphrey of Fire in the Village (printmaking, upcycled fashion, and community organizing).
Anishinaabe Gikinoo’amaadiwin students – at Giinawind
5. RAPIDS BREWING
Listen to live jazz with the Clearwater Hot Club – Sam and Matthew Miltich, Mark Kreitzer, and Tony Balluff. The group will perform from 6 – 9 pm.
Come downtown to celebrate the arts and artists during our monthly art walk. 4 – 7 pm with live music continuing later. First Friday events are free unless noted, and all are welcome! [Above image: Kim Young jewelry which will be on display at Wings ‘n Willows]
Bob Beaver at Bender’s Shoes
1. BENDER’S SHOES
Hosting Bob Beaver of Fish Frames LLC. Bob was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2015 and uses his creativity and woodworking skills as an avenue to express his thoughts to others.
2. MACROSTIE ART CENTER
Celebrating the opening of “Intersection: Reconnecting Through Clay” – with ceramic works by Bob DeArmond, Karen Keenan, and Ray Shelerud. Reception from 4 – 7 pm with an artist talk at 6pm.
3. STAINED GLASS WITH CLASS
Paul Durocher is a local artist whose work is eclectic, robust, and varied. His art as a quest to capture creation in realistic and engaging ways through painting and creating heirloom leather goods. Paul’s work features primary oil paintings and mixed medium acrylic and oils to include a good mix of many subjects from landscapes to portraits and “favorite memories.”
Karen Keenan, with Bob DeArmond and Ray Shelerud at the MAC
4. OLD CENTRAL SCHOOL
ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE – 3rd Floor
Donna LaBeau will present a watercolor demonstration at 5 pm and Fire in the Village will have hands-on printmaking activities.
LORA: AFFIRMATION ORCHESTRA – 2nd Floor
LoRa utilizes a variety of instruments—such as bowls, small gongs, drums, conch shells, dream pipes, and tuning forks— to create a unique atmosphere where vibration merges with creativity, fostering mindfulness and connection. Attendees are invited to write affirmations on canvas, or paper, inspiring spontaneous spoken word, or song.
LoRa: Affirmation Orchestra at Old Central School
BUFFALO PLAID COFFEE COMPANY – Parking Lot
Locally roasted coffee – grab a cup or a bag of beans!
5. UNWINED UP NORTH
Featuring The Chocolate Dog with homemade chocolate truffles from 3-6 pm and Todd Newman with live music from 6-8 pm.
6. FRAME UP
Hosting watercolor painters Jane Latimer and Denise Latimer. Come make a collage card. All ages welcomed with materials and instruction provided — just bring your hands and imagination!
The Chocolate Dog at UnWined Up North
7. WINGS ‘N WILLOWS ART GALLERY & CUSTOM FRAMING
Kim Young will be showing her Saami-inspired bracelets made of many colors of reindeer leather, reindeer antler buttons, and pewter (silver and tin) thread and her handpainted with new colorful designs.
8. THE EVERGREEN
Showcasing work by local artists Karen Olson Pottery, Tamarick Designs, Carol Bowman Photography, and DJP wood products.
9. RAPIDS BREWING
Fire in the Village presents a Zaka’an Celebration including a fashion show, block printing, and live music with David Huckfelt and Annie Humphrey starting at 8 pm. Tickets available online.
Come downtown to celebrate the arts and artists during our monthly art walk. 4 – 7 pm with live music continuing later. First Friday events are free unless noted, and all are welcome! [Above image by Lea Friesen – from the Garden Art exhibit at Reif Center]
1. REIF PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
The public is invited to attend the closing reception for the Garden Art group exhibit from 4 – 5:30 pm. It features work by Lea Friesen and over thirty regional artists. Light refreshments served.
Shannon Lucas Westrum with Jeremy Simonson at MAC
2. BENDER’S SHOES
Hosting Sandra Benzie of ZenDen Art. Sandra is a semi-retired local painter that has been perfecting her craft since she was young and whose faith is her focal inspiration.
3. MACROSTIE ART CENTER
Celebrating the opening of “Woods/Water: Entwined” – with artwork by Jeremy Simonson and Shannon Lucas Westrum. An artist reception with food, wine, and other refreshments will take place from 4 –7 pm with an artist talk at 6pm.
4. STAINED GLASS WITH CLASS
Welcoming Joanna Knase of JoJo’s Custom Candles.
Donna LaBeau watercolor demonstration in Old Central School
5. OLD CENTRAL SCHOOL
The Artists in Residence on the 3rd Floor include Donna LaBeau who will demonstrate watercolor painting at 5 pm, Jenny Winkelman, and Fire in the Village.
Rapids Brass presents a free concert on the lawn from 4:45 – 6 pm. Bring a chair or blanket to enjoy the show!
Northwoods Candy Company will have a booth on the grounds with caramel apples, fudge, and chocolate.
The Borealis Creamery food truck will be scooping their hand-crafted small batch ice cream in the parking lot.
6. NORTHERN CRUISERS & ITASCA VINTAGE CAR CLUBS
Come to the final First Friday Show-n-Shine of the season from 4 – 7 pm at the old Kremer’s parking lot. This event is open to collector cars of any model year, and Bobcats Lunchbox food truck will be on site.
Katy Tessman at UnWined Up North
7. UNWINED UP NORTH
Live music from 7 – 9 pm with Katy Tessman, an optimistic and approachable songwriter who celebrates life’s stumbles and summits.
8. RAPIDS BREWING
Live jazz with the Clearwater Hot Club from 6 – 9 pm featuring Sam Miltich, Matthew Miltich, and Gary Schulte on violin.
Come downtown to celebrate the arts and artists during our monthly art walk. 4 – 7 pm with live music continuing later. First Friday events are free unless noted, and all are welcome! [Above Image: Leah Fox of Sota Art Company]
1. BENDERS
Susan Hawkinson at Benders
Hosting Susan Hawkinson, author of three books including her most recent: The Adventures of Annie McCallum, set in Grand Rapids in 1955, which just took first place in Young Adult literature at the 2024 Midwest Book Awards.
2. MACROSTIE ART CENTER
Celebrating the opening of the 32nd Annual Juried Show with an artist reception including food, wine, and other refreshments from 4 –7 pm. The juror’s remarks and awards will be presented at 6pm.
3. BOREALIS CREAMERY
Scooping hand-crafted small batch ice cream along 1st Ave NW.
4. OLD CENTRAL SCHOOL
Third Coast Chamber Collective in Old Central School
The Artists Residency on the 3rd Floor will be open to the public. Shanai Mattson with Fire in the Village will have iced tea and free block printing demos, and Donna LaBeau and Jenny Winkelman will have work on display.
The Third Coast Chamber Collective presents a free concert at 5pm on the 2nd Floor and featuring their unique mix of music by classical and contemporary composers.
Borealis Creamery food truck will be on the grounds for hand-crafted small batch ice cream.
5. GRAND RAPIDS AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
Leah Fox of Sota Art Company will be displaying her fun, bright colored, whimsical art that shows her love of water, nature and her Minnesota roots. With live music by Dan Rigoni of Rapids Radio from 4:30-6:30pm and beverages and appetizers served.
Greg Kaczor at UnWined Up North
6. UNWINED UP NORTH
Celebrating First Friday with live music on the patio with Greg Kaczor from 6 – 8 pm.
7. RAPIDS BREWING
Presenting live jazz with the Clearwater Hot Club from 6 – 9 pm featuring Sam Miltich, Matthew Miltich, and 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. REIF CENTER
Presenting a free performance with Ken Waldman, Alaska’s Fiddling Poet from 3 – 6 pm. Ken Waldman has drawn on 37 years as an Alaska resident to produce poems, stories, and fiddle tunes that combine into a performance uniquely his. Tickets available at reifcenter.org.
Poetic Fashion Experience at MAC
2. MACROSTIE ART CENTER
Celebrating the opening of “Feral Biome: Shadow Work” an interactive mixed media installation by Amanda McElray Hunter in the Minnesota Gallery. Join us for a reception with food and other refreshments from 4 – 7 pm and an artist talk at 6 pm.
Then join us for a free fashion show and poetry event with the designers of Buckanaga Social Club and Duality Collection from 7 – 8:30 pm in the MacRostie Gallery.
3. GIINAWIND CREATIVE SPACE
Welcoming the students of ISD #318’s Ojibwe Education program for an exhibit of art projects and cultural creations.
4. OLD CENTRAL SCHOOL
Stop up to the 3rd floor artist loft to visit with resident artists Nelia Harper, Krista Rogers, and Leah Yellowbird. Explore their collections of jewelry, painting, and more!
Sam Miltich and Liz Ashworth at RBC
5. RAPIDS BREWING
Listen to live jazz with Sam Miltich and Friends and special guest Liz Ashworth on mandolin. The group will perform from 6 – 9 pm.
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!
John Bauer at MAC
1. MACROSTIE ART CENTER
Presenting “A Lost Art” in the Minnesota Gallery with found object sculpture by John Bauer. Join us for a reception with food, wine, and other refreshments from 4 – 7 pm and an artist talk at 6 pm.
2. GIINAWIND CREATIVE SPACE
Showcasing “Decidedly Weird Birdie Nest,” a new exhibit of drawings by Scout Humphrey.
3. OLD CENTRAL SCHOOL
Scout Humphrey at Giinawind Gallery
The City of Grand Rapids Artist in Residence program is housed on the 3rd floor of Old Central School. Stop up to see the space and visit with the current residents: Nelia Harper (oil painting), Krista Rogers (jewelry), and Leah Yellowbird (painting, beadwork, and more).
4. RAPIDS BREWING
Listen to live jazz with Sam Miltich and Friends and special guest Tony Balluff on clarinet. 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.
Diane Levar at MacRostie Art Center
1. STAINED GLASS WITH CLASS
Hosting Alyssa Olson with her modern clay jewelry.
2. GIINAWIND CREATIVE SPACE
Hosting an artist reception for the artists of the Animikii Print Club whose artwork is featured in the Giinawind Gallery.
3. MACROSTIE ART CENTER
Celebrating the opening of “Thinking About My Thinking” – an exhibit of watercolor paintings by Diane Levar. The reception will include food, wine and other beverages from 4–7pm and an artist talk at 6 pm.
Charley Wagner at RBC
4. BENDER’S SHOES & GIFTS
Benders will be 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 decor available.
5. OLD CENTRAL SCHOOL
Studio 001 Stop by the Garden Level where artist Lea Friesen will be demonstrating monotype printmaking.
Artists in the Attic Visit the 3rd floor artists in residence: Nelia Harper, Krista Rogers, and Leah Yellowbird. Guest artist Serenity Barden from Hibbing, MN, will be displaying her abstract paintings.
Sew Festive at North in Bloom
6. NORTH IN BLOOM
North in Bloom will be hosting a Bloom-tique with Kayla of Sew Festive. Get a jump on holiday shopping with in-store promos and unique embroidery gifts and more from Sew Festive. Open extended hours 8am-7pm Friday + 8am-4pm Saturday.
7. RAPIDS BREWING
Presenting live music by Charley Wagner beginning at 6:30 pm.
8. VFW POST 1720
Hosting Sam Miltich and Friends for an evening of jazz music from 6 – 9 pm.
#8 VFW Post 1720 is located west of downtown at 1212 NW 4th St
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.
Sam Zimmerman at MacRostie Art Center
1. STAINED GLASS WITH CLASS
Hosting Alyssa Olson with her modern clay earrings.
2. MACROSTIE ART CENTER
Celebrating the opening of “Giiwedino-Manidoog/Spirits of the North” – an exhibit of paintings and storytelling by Sam Zimmerman. A reception with food, wine and other beverages will take place from 4 – 7pm with artist talks at 6 pm.
Sunflower Studios at Benders
3. BENDER’S SHOES & GIFTS
Sunflower Studios is the creative vision of Shaylee Erdmann who works with real egg shells to create pysanky, also known as Ukrainian Easter eggs. In addition to traditional and modern designs, she also creates mosaic resin jewelry with shell fragments.
4. OLD CENTRAL SCHOOL
Katy Tessman at Rapids Brewing Co
Artists in the Attic
Visit the 3rd floor artists in residence: Nelia Harper, Krista Rogers, and Leah Yellowbird.
Central School Grounds
Borealis Creamery ice cream truck will be scooping homemade ice cream in a variety of flavors.
5. THE LAKE & CO
Give Back Studio and At the Lake MN will be at Lake and Company for First Friday with lake prints, stickers, dog breed prints, irreverent and funny cards and stickers.
6. RAPIDS BREWING
Presenting live music by Katy Tessman beginning at 6:30 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 a reception with Duluth artist Sarah Brokke from 4 – 6 pm. Her large-scale oil paintings cultivate vulnerable spaces of ritual, reflection, and growth. Refreshments provided!
Sarah Brokke at The Reif
2. BENDERS SHOES & GIFTS
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 plating.
3. GIINAWIND CREATIVE SPACE
Welcoming Karen Goulet for an artist reception with her exhibit Mookibii: She Emerges from the Water. Check out her paintings, fiber art, prints, and video and share your own stories of the water.
Lily Winter at Benders
4. MACROSTIE ART CENTER
Celebrating the opening of the 31st Annual Juried Show with juror Aaron Spangler. Featuring 24 different artists from the Upper Midwest. Reception from 4 – 7pm, sponsored by Members Cooperative Credit Union. Awards presented at 6 pm!
5. OLD CENTRAL SCHOOL
First Friday Concert Series: The Third Coast Chamber Collective presents a concert of classical masterpieces and Scandinavian folk tunes for string quartet. From 5-6 pm in the 2nd floor performance space and is free and open to all.
Artists in the Attic: Head up to the 3rd floor to see work by the new Artists in Residence: Nelia Harper, Krista Rogers, and Leah Yellowbird
Borealis Creamery: Visit the Borealis Creamery Ice Cream Truck in the Central School parking lot for homemade, hand-scooped ice cream in variety of flavors.
Third Coast Chamber Collective at Old Central School
6. THE EVERGREEN
Hosting local artist Doug Lien who paints for minor league baseball teams, college football teams, junior hockey leagues and golf courses. Doug teaches community art classes and will be providing a demo.
7. RAPIDS BREWING
Stop in for live music with Sam Miltich and Friends from 4- 6:30 and Anthony Miltich from 7 – 10 pm. Connie with Constant Botanicals will be in the taproom showing her unique planters and garden décor.
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 will be hosting author Anthony Anselmo. Anthony, a Minnesota author, will be signing and selling his debut novel: a ghost story centered in northern Minnesota.
Anthony Anselmo at Bender’s Shoes
2. MACROSTIE ART CENTER
Presenting the opening “50 Years and Beyond” in the MacRostie Gallery, which features the artists of the Duluth Fiber Guild. The Little Big Show miniatures exhibit is also on display in the Minnesota Gallery. The reception will include food, wine, and other beverages from 4 – 7 pm and an artist talk at 6 pm.
3. GIINAWIND CREATIVE SPACE
Showing “Waiting for Beds,” an experimental two-person exhibit by Moira Villiard and Carla Hamilton that explores what happens when someone has to wait for a bed during a crisis. The exhibit also includes community submissions from across Minnesota related to the topic.
4. STAINED GLASS WITH CLASS
Diane Levar and Students at GRACF
Hosting Tricia Wahlstrom with Rustic Willow Designs.
5. OLD CENTRAL SCHOOL
True North Salon and Spa
Welcoming Kyleigh Gullickson who will be displaying her Indigenous beaded earrings .
Artists in the Attic
Stop in to visit the Artists in Residence on the 3rd floor including Chelsey Jo Johnson, Eleanor Tillmans and Joanna Knase. Join Chelsey Jo from 11 am – 7 pm as she presents Plaguechess: a chess expansion set which will be available to play. She’ll also have various artworks including plague doctor linocut prints available for purchase.
LaPlant Road at the Central School grounds
6. CENTRAL SCHOOL GROUNDS
Celebrate First Friday with a free concert on the lawn by LaPlant Road from 5 – 7 pm, and visit the Borealis Creamery food truck for hand-crafted small batch ice cream.
7. NORTHERN CRUISERS & ITASCA VINTAGE CAR CLUBS
The Car Clubs are hosting a show-n-shine event in the Kremers parking lot (1st Ave NW and Hwy 2). This event is open to all collector cars of any model year. Bobcats Lunchbox will be on site selling burgers, fries, and more.
8. GRAND RAPIDS AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
Hosting First Friday exhibit of paintings by students from Diane Levar’s 2022-2023 watercolor workshops. Stop in to see dozens of local artists’ work, enjoy appetizers by the Timberlake, and music by Ditty Wish.
Samsoche Sampson at IEDC
9. ITASCA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
Samsoche Sampson is the featured artist AND musician at IEDC, which is showing a selection of his acrylic paintings and prints. Celebrate First Friday with live music, art,catering by Pinched Catering Company, and sweet treats by Dragonfly Coffee.
10. RAPIDS BREWING
First Friday live music with Sam Miltich and Friends from 4 – 6:30 featuring Leah Lemm, Tony Balluff, Nathan Norman, and Matthew Miltich, then Landscapes Band from 7 – 10 pm. Katy with Up North Sewing will be in the taproom with embroidered items from 4 – 6 pm.
Grand Rapids Arts 