First Friday Art Walk – October 6, 2023

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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.

First Friday Art Walk – September 1, 2023

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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.

Kristen Anderson at the Reif

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.

Amy Varsek at the MAC

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: 3rd 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.
War Bonnet on the OCS Lawn

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.  

First Friday Art Walk – August 4, 2023

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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.

First Friday Art Walk – July 7, 2023

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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.

Anika Hsiung Schneider at MAC

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 50th 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.

Give Back Studios and At the Lake MN at Stained Glass with Class

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 3rd floor. A new crew is moving in – stop by to welcome Leah Yellowbird and Nelia Harper to the residency!

Rapid Brass at Old Central School grounds

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.

Carol Bowman at The Evergreen

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.

First Friday Art Walk – June 2, 2023

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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.

First Friday Art Walk – May 5, 2023

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Come to downtown Grand Rapids from 4- 7 pm on First Friday for a fun, free, family-friendly celebration of art and community!

1. BENDERS

Hosting Benders’ very own Beth Beddoe of “Ad-tiques.” Beth uses upcycled materials to create beautiful jewelry and decor.

2. MACROSTIE ART CENTER

Presenting the opening of The Little Big Show annual miniatures exhibition featuring Alyssa Swanson. Reception from 4 – 7 pm with food, wine, and other beverages and an artist talk at 6 pm.

3. GIINAWIND CREATIVE SPACE

Kick off Mental Health Awareness Month with Grand Rapids Area NAMI and the opening of “Waiting for Beds,” a new exhibit by Moira Villiard and Carla Hamilton.

4. STAINED GLASS WITH CLASS

Showcasing the creations of Ally from Gypsy Creek Boutique with wooden and acrylic goods ranging from travel maps, wooden board games such as cribbage boards, one-of-a-kind earrings, and more.

5. OLD CENTRAL SCHOOL

  • Story Art + Museum

Hosting Itasca Orchestra & Strings Program and Third Coast Chamber Collective from 4 – 6 pm for a preview of their Summer Strings Camp activities.

  • Artists in the Attic 

Visit the artists in residence on the 3rd floor. Multi-medium artist Eleanor Tillmans will be presenting a short artist talk “A Study of Earth, Water, and Life” at 7pm.

  • Borealis Creamery

Scooping hand crafted small batch ice cream in the Old Central School parking lot.

6. NORTHERN CRUISERS & ITASCA VINTAGE CAR CLUB

The Car Clubs are coming together to host a First Friday Show-n-Shine in the Kremer’s parking lot. This event is open to all collector cars of any model year, and Bobcats Lunchbox food truck will be on site!

7. RAPIDS BREWING

Katy with Up North Sewing & Embroidery will be showing and selling her creations in the taproom, Lonesome Dan Kase performs live from 6pm – 9pm, and there will be Cinco De Mayo food and drink specials.

First Friday Art Walk – April 7, 2023

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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 3rd 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.

First Friday Art Walk – March 3, 2023

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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. MACROSTIE ART CENTER
Hosting the opening of “Keystone Characters” – mixed media work by Layl McDill in the Minnesota Gallery. Reception from 4 – 7 pm with food, wine, and other beverages and an artist talk at 6 pm.

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First Friday Art Walk: February 3, 2023

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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. MACROSTIE ART CENTER
    Hosting the opening of the Ribbon Skirt Invitational in the MacRostie Gallery, also showing in the Minnesota Gallery is Charles Alberti’s exhibit of paintings “Fibonacci Sequence and the Golden Ration. Reception from 4 – 7 pm with food by Dragonfly Coffee, wine, and other beverages.2. GIINAWIND CREATIVE SPACE
    Warm up with some live music with Sam Miltich from 4 – 6 pm and view Shaun Chosa’s exhibit “Indigenous” on display through February. Shaun is a self-taught artist who lives and works in Ely, MN, and is a Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa citizen.

    3. STAINED GLASS WITH CLASS
    Showcasing Hibbing artist Julia Bergstedt with her acrylic paintings.

    4. OLD CENTRAL SCHOOL

  • Story Art + Museum

February celebrates Valentine’s Day on the 14th and Decorating with Candy Day on the 1st! Visit Story Art’s Gathering Room and create a candy sandwich or decorate a heart-shaped sugar cookie! We’re sure to be sharing stories and music, too.

  • Artists in the Attic

Head up to the 3rd floor to visit with the artists in residence. Eleanor Tillmans will have a display of alpaca fiber with information on its qualities and various uses and will introduce an upcoming community weaving project. Joanna Knase will have custom Valentine’s candles available.

5. RAPIDS BREWING
First Friday live music with Jason and Blake Waldron from 6 – 9pm. Listen to some classic country tunes with this duo from Effie, MN.

Frist Friday Art Walk: January 6, 2023 | 4 – 7 pm

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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. MACROSTIE ART CENTER
    Hosting the opening of “Fibonacci Sequence and the Golden Ratio,” an exhibit of paintings by Charles Alberti, in the Minnesota Gallery. Reception from 4 – 7 pm with food, wine, and other beverages and an artist talk at 6 pm.

    2. GIINAWIND CREATIVE SPACE
    Presenting “Indigenous” an exhibit of paintings by Shaun Chosa, a self-taught artist with a background in graphic design. He creates vibrant paintings that are expressive interpretations of historical and contemporary photographs. Chosa lives and works in Ely, MN, and he is a Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa citizen.

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