Art-A-Whirl 2017: Where to Shop Minnesota-Made Goods

By
-

This weekend marks the 22nd annual Northeast Minneapolis open studio crawl, Art-A-Whirl. What began in 1996 as a small event spread across a handful of artist-dominated buildings has since expanded to become the biggest artist crawl in the United States. It’s also become a shopping destination for fans of Minnesota-made products. To help you get started, I’ve compiled a list of the best pop-up sales and open studio events happening at this year’s weekend-long event. (Unless otherwise noted, all events take place during normal Art-A-Whirl hours, Friday from  5-10 p.m., Saturday from noon-8 p.m., and Sunday from noon-5 p.m.) For more information, visit artawhirl.org.

Art-A-Whirl at Karen Morris Millinery Shop

Hat maker Karen Morris will showcase her newest summer headpieces at her Northeast shop with a special offer: Get 30 percent off the purchase of a second hat. Plus, shop handmade artwork, jewelry, handbags, and scarves by artists from around the world, including mixed-media artist Kathryn Korb, plus enjoy wine and refreshments. Thursday, May 18-Friday, May 19 from 1-7 p.m., Saturday, May 20 from 10 a.m.-7 p.m., and Sunday, May 21 from noon-5 p.m. @ 326 E. Hennepin Ave. #206, Minneapolis; view event page

Makers Sale at Blu Dot Outlet (Saturday) 

Blu Dot’s Northeast outlet hosts a makers sale from a handful of top jewelers, ceramicists, and textile artists. Shop goods such as hand-turned wooden bowls by Nate White, hand-dyed cotton and wool scarves by Martha McQuade’s SCARFSHOP, ceramics and neon lights by E. Smith Workshop, jewelry by Annika Kaplan, ceramics by Ginny Sims, and handmade leather goods by Hemlocks Leather while enjoying complimentary mimosas and free Blu Dot totes. While you’re there, be sure to check out the outlet’s warehouse of discounted Blu Dot items. Saturday, May 20 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. @ Blu Dot Outlet, 1323 Tyler St. NE., Minneapolis; view event page

Chowgirls Art-A-Whirl Lounge 

Hang out in Chowgirls Catering’s mod lounge space and enjoy pop-up shopping from a curated group of more than 30 local makers, including Radiate Activewear, Ash Photo Design, Vandalia Street Press, United Goods (formerly redshoes26), Marisa Martinez Jewelry, Wooden Spoon Editions, Stonyhill & Companies, The VOICE Community, Northern Glasses, Dipped In Acid, Elixery, Nokomis Knitting Co., Queenikathleeni Designs, and more, plus mid-century modern furniture from findfurnish, food by Chowgirls Killer Catering, an art exhibit by John Alspach, and seasonal cocktails. @ Solar Arts by Chowgirls at Solar Arts building, 711 15th Ave. NE. (top floor), Minneapolis; view event page 

Acowsay Cinema’s Art-A-Whirl Collective Pop-up

Shop small and support local at this studio event hosted at the Acowsay Cinema studio space, with goods for sale from vintage resellers Moth Oddities, Sister Honey Floral Co. on Saturday from 1-5 p.m., macrame plant holders and wall hangings by Suzy Cyr, and risograph prints by Ian Babineau, plus free cupcakes from Amy’s Cupcake Shoppe while supplies last, a bloody mary bar from BÄ’T Vodka on Saturday, Isadore Nut Company on Friday and Saturday. @ Acowsay Cinema studio at Q.arma building, 1224 NE. Quincy St, #230, Minneapolis; view event page

Hazel & Rose 1-Year Anniversary Celebration (Saturday)

Sustainable fashion boutique Hazel & Rose is celebrating its first birthday during Art-A-Whirl. Enjoy local art, live dance performances, and discounts while shopping the boutique’s selection of sustainably, ethically made women’s clothing, accessories, and skincare, plus free cotton candy from Cotton & Whim, a jewelry pop-up from Belle Isle Design Co., and a new delivery of spring clothing designs by Twin Cities clothing line Hackwith Design House. Saturday, May 20 from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. @ Hazel & Rose at the Broadway building, 945 Broadway St. NE. (second level), Minneapolis, 612-788-4178, shophazelandrose.com; view event page 

Neal Jewelry Open Studio + Pop-up Collective (Saturday)

Lauren Neal of Neal Jewelry hosts an open studio event and pop-up collective featuring a group of local makers. Shop her latest collection as well as discounted items from previous collections, one-of-a-kind pieces, and custom options, plus handmade body oils, balms, salves, and scrubs by Julia Elise, and illustrator Chris Larson’s charming risograph prints. Saturday, May 20 from noon-5 p.m. @ Neal Jewelry studio at Thorp Building, 1618 Central Ave. NE., #215, Minneapolis; view event page

Esko Thomson – Norther Pop-up Experience (Saturday)

New brand Esko Thomson is previewing its wares during a special Art-A-Whirl event. Shop hats, shirts, and other items from the store’s Norther brand, with proceeds benefiting several nonprofits. Plus, enjoy sauna and campfire simulation experiences, and take in live music from artists including Jeremy Messersmith, Andrew Broder, and John Swardson. Saturday, May 20 from noon-8 p.m. @ Esko Thomson, 712 NE. 15th Ave. (across from Indeed Brewing & Solar Arts building), Minneapolis, eskothomson.com; get event details

Art-A-Whirl Pop-up & Classes at Intelligent Nutrients

Shop handcrafted goods from six local artists, including paintings, floral designs, mala bead jewelry, woodcut prints, and apparel, during Intelligent Nutrient’s Art-A-Whirl event at its Northeast headquarters. Plus, shop the organic beauty brand’s selection of skincare, haircare, cosmetics, and fragrances. and sign up for classes to make floral crowns and mala bead necklaces. @ Intelligent Nutrients, 983 E. Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis, 612-617-2000; get event details

Sota Clothing Mobile Store (Saturday) 

Men’s and women’s Minnesota-centric t-shirt brand Sota Clothing debuts its mobile store for the first time of the season during Art-A-Whirl. Founded in 2013 by serial entrepreneur Spencer Johnson, the brand will be selling its popular men’s and women’s t-shirts and sweatshirts, bags, hats, and mugs that celebrate Minnesota pride. This year, its retrofitted, 1972 Fleetwing Chickadee mobile caravan shop will be parked outside the Broadway building in front of 612 Brew. Saturday, May 20 from noon-8 p.m. @ 945 Broadway St. NE., Minneapolis; view event page

Wanderlust Vintage Market

The newly opened vintage home store makes its Art-A-Whirl debut with a showcase of local artists and performers, plus a vintage caravan parked outside of the shop filled with retro finds from vendors including Double Peace Studio. @ Wanderlust Vintage Market, 349 13th Ave. NE., Minneapolis, 612-466-0785, wanderlustvintagemarket.com; view event page

Gumball Boutique Vintage Pop-up & Artist Market

Northeast boutique Gumball Boutique is hosting a vintage pop-up sale and artist market in honor of Art-A-Whirl. Find goods from more than 100 Minnesota makers and artists plus special guest artists, giveaways, treats, and sales. Friday, May 19 from 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Saturday, May 20 from 10 a.m.-10 p.m., Sunday, May 21 from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. @ 158 13th Ave. N.E., Mpls., 612-568-5813, gumballboutique.com

The Liquid Zoo and Made by Hands Art & Crafts Extra-Vaganza

As part of Bauhaus Brew Labs’ Art-A-Whirl festivities, Northmade Co. will be selling its northern-inspired apparel, Dogwood Coffee Company will have hot and cold coffee options, and Alchemist Printing Company will be live screen-printing made-to-order tees. On Sunday, shop paintings, jewelry, woodwork, sweets, knits, ceramics, and more from local makers, plus food and beverages from Revival, Parlour, and Dogwood. Saturday, May 20 from noon-8 p.m. & Sunday, May 21 from noon-6 p.m. @ Bauhaus Brew Labs, 1315 Tyler St. NE., Minneapolis; view event page

OPEN STUDIO HIGHLIGHTS: 

Northrup King Building (1500 Jackson St. NE., Minneapolis)

A-Mill Artists Lofts (315 SE. Main St., Minneapolis)

  • Floor: -1, Mixed Media 3: Women’s clothing and knitwear by Tessa Louise 
  • 3rd floor: Prints and original works by illustrator Cait Courneya

California Building (2205 California St. NE., Minneapolis)

  • Studio #305: Aisha Formanski of Everthine Jewelry will be joined by local potter Cady Buche on Saturday (Friday & Saturday only)

Casket Arts Building (681 17th Ave. NE., Minneapolis)

To learn more about Art-A-Whirl, visit nemaa.org/art-a-whirl.

by Jahna Peloquin

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR