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: Mandala by Ellen Sandbeck]

1. REIF GALLERY

Welcoming the four artists from the Regional Printmakers exhibition for an artist reception from 4 – 5:30 pm. Belle Hulne, Monica Ihrke, Glenna Olson, and Deb Page are each featured in the exhibition and will be present to meet with the public. Light refreshments served.

2. BENDERS SHOES

Benders will be hosting their very own Beth Beddoe of “Ad-tiques.” Beth and her daughter Stephanie use upcycled materials to create beautiful jewelry and decor.

3. MACROSTIE ART CENTER 

Presenting the opening “As Long As the Rivers Shall Run” in the MacRostie Gallery, which features papercutting artwork by Ellen Sandbeck. 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.

4. GIINAWIND CREATIVE SPACE  

Showing “Air and Water,” an exhibit of appliqued mural blankets by Rick Kagigebi. Rick will be present to share the stories of his blankets and give an artist talk at 6pm.

5.  OLD CENTRAL SCHOOL

True North Salon and Spa

Hosting a Wellness Happy Hour from 4 – 7 pm, with summer skin care tips and tricks!

Artists in the Attic

Stop in to visit Krista Rogers, Nelia Harper, and Leah Yellowbird the 3^rd floor for the final First Friday of their year-long artist residencies.

6. CENTRAL SCHOOL GROUNDS

Celebrate First Friday with a free concert on the lawn by Annie Humphrey and Jeremy Ylvisaker from 4 – 6 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 (1^st 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

Akre Homestead will be displaying and selling their inspired soaps, apothecary products and other items.  There will be live music by Dan Rigoni of Rapids Radio from 3 – 6 pm, and beverages and appetizers will be served.

9. WINGS ‘N WILLOWS ART GALLERY AND CUSTOM FRAMNG  

Featuring the creative, whimsical wood sculptures by Kent Brown.  Kent has been working with wood for 45 years. His carvings are inspired by loons, fish, crows, herons and more. Register to win one of his beautiful loons. 

10. THE EVERGREEN

Hosting Heidi Leppala from Dragonfly Ranch.  She has been painting with a variety of mediums for the past 40 years and recently has been working with mixed media using acrylic on canvas.  Heidi will have several of her paintings available for purchase during the event.

11. RAPIDS BREWING 

First Friday live music with the Clearwater Hot Club from 6 – 9pm featuring Sam Miltich, Matthew Miltich, and Gary Schulte.

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.