Tag Archives: art

First Friday Art Walk – April 4, 2025

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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: Tamarick Designs]

1. BENDERS

Benders is hosting Shawnae Belanger of Ironwood Candles and Crafts with her handmade candles, wax melts, sprays, lip balm, bath whip, bath soak, and lotion.

Ironwood Candles and Crafts at Benders

2. MACROSTIE ART CENTER

Celebrating the opening of “Expressions” an exhibition featuring mixed media works by youth from the residential programs of North Homes Children and Family Services. With refreshments provided by First Call for Help/211 from 4 – 7 pm and an artist talk at 6 pm.

3. OLD CENTRAL SCHOOL

Artists Donna LaBeau, Annie Humphrey, and Jenny Winkelman have studios on the 3rd floor.  Stop by to see paintings in progress by Donna LaBeau and check out her recently completed 25” x 40” painting.

North Homes Students at MAC

4. GRAND RAPIDS AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

Featuring Tammy Horton Tamarick Designs with her handmade, one-of-a-kind jewelry made with natural stones set in sterling, copper, or brass. Live music by Dan Rigoni of Rapids Radio from 4:30-6:30 pm along with beverages and appetizers.

5. UNWINED UP NORTH

Presenting live music from 5 – 7 pm with Keith Soring.

Keith Soring at Unwined

6. EVERGREEN COLLECTIVE

Hosting Alan Anderberg, a Vietnam vet from the Grand Rapids area. Andy is hobby syrup-maker of 11 years and will talk about the process of making his wood-fired maple syrup.

7. RAPIDS BREWING

Live jazz with the Clearwater Hot Club from 6 – 9 pm. Sam and Matthew Miltich will be joined by Martha Larson on cello and Mark Kreitzer on guitar and mandolin.

Robert Blehert and sports artwork at Hill Top Antiques

8. HILL TOP ANTIQUES 

Featuring the sports artwork of Terry Jacobsen, Karl Jaeger, and Robert Blehert, including originals and limited edition prints. Scott McBride, one of the country’s top authorities on sports memorabilia, will also be on site to discuss the many pieces featured in the store.

First Friday Art Walk – March 7, 2025

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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: Todd Newman]

1. REIF PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

Portraits exhibition at the Reif Gallery – artwork by Susan Klann

Celebrating the art of portraiture with an exhibition featuring Susan Klann and over 30 regional artists. Visit with the artists and enjoy light refreshments during the closing reception from 4 – 5:30 pm.

2. BENDERS

Benders is hosting Aidan Lofstrom, a high school student in Grand Rapids. Aiden crafts unique pens and pencils using exotic wood and creates hand carved and hand painted spearing decoys.

3. MACROSTIE ART CENTER

Hosting the opening of “Species of Special Concern” an exhibit of drawings and paintings by Tanya Piatz. Join us for food, wine, and other refreshments from 4 – 7 pm and an artist talk at 6 pm.

Melissa Fowler at Giinawind Creative Space

4. GIINAWIND CREATIVE SPACE

Welcoming Melissa Fowler with an exhibition of birchbark, textiles, and beadwork. Her work is inspired by her love for endangered art forms, ancestral regalia, woodland florals, and powwow dancing.

5. STAINED GLASS WITH CLASS

Featuring the Root of Craft with handmade jewelry by Anastasia Root.

6. OLD CENTRAL SCHOOL

  • Third Floor: Visit the Artists in Residence to see watercolor demonstrations by Donna LaBeau and check out work by Jenny Winkelman and Annie Humphrey.
  • Room 203:  Join Fire in the Village for their first “Free Friday Art Jam.” Stop by to visit and bring something you’re working on or use art materials on hand to try something new.
Free Friday Art Jam with Fire in the Village

7. UNWINED UP NORTH

Presenting live music from 5 – 7 pm with Todd Newman on mandolin and acoustic guitar.

8. RAPIDS BREWING

Listen to live jazz with the Clearwater Hot Club – Sam and Matthew Miltich will be joined by Liz Ashworth and Mark Kreitzer on mandolin and guitar. The group will perform from 6 – 9 pm.

JW Wieser at Hill Top Antiques

9. HILL TOP ANTIQUES  

Featuring the artwork of the late James “JW” Wieser from Hastings, MN. A most interesting artist – he was a professional wrestler who performed as “Diamond Jim Reno” prior to enrolling in the police academy in 1971 where he began his law enforcement career of 26 years. His artwork was a form of stress relief and focused on subjects from his travels and the American West.

First Friday Art Walk – February 7, 2025

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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.

First Friday Art Walk – November 1, 2024

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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.

First Friday Art Walk – October 4, 2024

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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.