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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First Friday Art Walk – December 2, 2022

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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. JINGLE AND MINGLE – NIGHT MAKERS MARKET
    The Night Makers Market is collaborating with Grand Rapids Arts for a fabulous First Friday open-air holiday market! The event will take place on 1st Ave NW with local makers, food and craft beer, s’mores and hot beverages, visits with Santa, and fun for people of all ages.

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