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: painting by Donna LaBeau]
Gitona Berg with” Cookies on the Range” at Benders
1. BENDERS
Welcoming Gitona Berg. “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!
2. MACROSTIE ART CENTER
Hosting the opening of “A Play of Light and Shadows” — retrospective exhibition of 45 years of painting by Donna LaBeau. Join us for a reception with food, wine, and other refreshments from 4 – 7 pm and an artist talk at 6 pm.
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.
Skarlett Woods at UnWined Up North
4. UNWINED UP NORTH
Presenting live music from 5 – 7 pm with Skarlett Woods, an Americana, folk, and jazz artist from Duluth, MN.
5. RAPIDS BREWING
Listen to live jazz with the Clearwater Hot Club – Sam and Matthew Miltich will be joined by Briand Morrison on guitar and Gary Schulte on violin. 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: “Spectacular Star” by Jeannie Spears – from the Loon Country Quilters exhibit at The Reif
1. REIF PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
The public is invited to attend a reception for the Loon Country Quilters group exhibit from 4 – 5:30 pm. Over 20 quilters from the Itasca area have work on display! Light refreshments served.
Laurie Jacobi at MacRostie Art Center
2. BENDER’S SHOES
Hosting Heidi Barton of Loon Lake Watercolors. Heidi has always enjoyed crafting, but in the last four years has focused on watercolor painting as a creative outlet and is inspired by the colors of nature.
3. MACROSTIE ART CENTER
Celebrating the opening of “Wisdom in Wool” – a retrospective of the work of textile designer Laurie Jacobi. An artist reception with food, wine, and other refreshments will take place from 4 –7 pm with an artist talk at 6pm.
4. OLD CENTRAL SCHOOL
Steph Woodford at UnWined Up North
The Artists in Residence on the 3rd Floor include Donna LaBeau, Jenny Winkelman, and Fire in the Village.
The Grand Rapids Area Male Chorus will perform a mix of show tunes, jazz, choral music, and more starting at 5 pm on the 2nd floor.
Borealis Creamery will be scooping their hand-crafted small batch ice cream from their food truck in the parking lot.
5. UNWINED UP NORTH
Hosting Steph Woodford with permanent jewelry from 3 – 6 pm and live music by Keith Soring from 6:30 – 8:30 pm.
6. RAPIDS BREWING
Outside People at Rapids Brewing Company
Live music from 6 – 9 pm with Outside People, a solo acoustic rock project lead by singer songwriter Dani Kerr.
7. BLANDIN FOUNDATION
Hosting an open house with tours of the newly remodeled building and grounds. With live music by PK Mayo, award-winning guitarist and Iron Range native and refreshments by Pinched Catering.
Grand Rapids Arts 