Try your hand at seed art or get the basic knitting lesson you’ve always wanted at this all-day showcase of Minnesotan creativity. Inspired by the exhibition The Spectacular of Vernacular, MN Made celebrates artists and makers of all kinds who feed off the particularities of local culture and unique places. Meet some of them at the MN Made Artist Mart, and treat your own creative spirit to a buffet of hourly, hands-on workshops. Entrepreneurial crafters can take advantage of brief seminars from peers on topics related to building a creative business. Live bluegrass from the Dusty Porch Sisters sets the tone for a down-home day. Copresented by the Walker and mnartists.org.
Tour: The Spectacular of Vernacular
- Target Gallery, 11:30 am
Join exhibition curator Darsie Alexander for a conversation about the role of vernacular forms in contemporary art.
*Gallery admission required for this event.
Music: Dusty Porch Sisters
Cargill Lounge, 1 and 2 pm
Born in the spring of 2010 as a collaborative effort between women who wanted a supportive place to make music, the “Dusties” arrange and play their own and traditional songs founded in the folk and bluegrass tradition.
MN Made Artist Mart
Cargill Lounge and General Mills Hennepin Lounge, 11 am–5 pm
Support our state’s local handmade movement by shopping at the MN Made Artist Mart featuring more than a dozen Minnesotan artists, designers and crafters. Meet participating artists including Abigail Woods Anderson, Richard Barlow, Bob Brocken, Susan Brown, Lisa Jordan, Marnie Karger, Curt Lund, Paula McCartney, Regina Perry, Molly Spilane, Lex Thompson, Theresa Gramlich, and Rebecca Yaker. All proceeds support the artists and the Walker’s artistic and educational programs.
MN Made Seminars
Lecture Room, 12 noon–3 pm
12 noon
How to quit your day job and do what you love
Join Michele Heidel (Fennel Studio), Holly Munoz (Rock Star Supply Co. and Draw Fire Records), Samantha Rei (Blasphemina’s Closet) and Karl Unnasch (Standard Issue Iron Pour, Guild of One) in a discussion about taking the leap to follow your creative passions and still be able to pay your bills.
1 pm
How to live anywhere and still make a scene
Artist and MSU professor Brian Frink (Mankato), artists Andrew Nordin and Lisa Berg from ARThouse (New London) and writer Ann Klefstad (Duluth) talk about the challenges and opportunities of being out-state artists, remaining connected to the art world and how to leverage social media to reach well beyond your community.
2 pm
How to buy-in, sellout and spread the word
Community Supported Art (CSA) co-founder and Springboard for the Arts Associate Director Betsy McDermott-Altheimer, Ruben Nusz and Scott Nederlow from Location Books and XYZ Gallery co-founder Mike Bishop for a discussion about alternative models of artistic support, distribution and promotion.
D.I.Y. Workshops
Star Tribune Foundation Art Lab, 12 noon–4 pm
Learn a new craft every hour.
12 noon: Seed Art Workshop, Led by Liz Schreiber
1 pm: Knitting for Beginners, Led by Kerstin Beyer, Masami Kawazato, and Jack Randol
2 pm: Collage and Card-making Techniques, Led by Jenni Undis of Lunalux.
3 pm: Finnish Belt Weaving Workshop, Led by Sue Harstad
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