GRAND RAPIDS — Between the monthly First Friday Art Walk and the annual Downtown Art Fair, Grand Rapids is a destination this weekend for the arts.
The First Friday event begins at 4 p.m. Walk through downtown Grand Rapids to find food trucks, vintage cars, art and live music.
- Benders Shoes: Hosting artist Kelly Villebro with rusty and weathered barn finds, repurposed and upcycled into flowers with a pop of color.
- MacRostie Art Center: Presenting the opening “Utensils and Fables,” printmaking and ceramics by Anika Hsiung Schneider in the Minnesota Gallery. Also on display in the MacRostie Gallery is the Duluth Fiber Guild’s 50th Anniversary exhibition. The 4-7 p.m. reception includes food, wine and other beverages. An artist talk will be 6 p.m.
- Giinawind Creative Space: A new exhibit in the Giinawind Gallery is Karen Goulet’s mixed media installation project “Mookibii: She Emerges from the Water.” It combines fiber art, cyanotypes, video, and more in homage to water in all its forms.
- Stained Glass with Class: Hosting Jen Gorman with the Give Back Studio and her handmade dog bandanas and treats, along with Meredith Rothstein with At The Lake MN.
- Old Central School, Story Art + Museum: Hosting Itasca Community Chorus’ Chamber Singers led by Adam Giebner 4:30-5 p.m. in the Music Room in Old Central School, 2nd floor. Artists in the Attic: New artists to meet on the third floor with the Artists in Residence program. Artists Leah Yellowbird and Nelia Harper are just beginning their residency.
- Central School grounds: A free concert on the lawn with Rapid Brass, led by Heidi Wick, will perform 5:30-6:45 p.m. The group is made up of brass and percussion players from the region, with professionals and students playing side by side.
- Northern Cruisers and Itasca Vintage Car Club: Hosting their Show-n-Shine at the old Kremer’s parking lot, 4-7 p.m. Bobcats Lunchbox will be on site selling burgers, fries and more.
- Wings ‘n Willows Art Gallery & Custom Framing: Local photographer Brian Elling on display. Born and raised in Grand Rapids, Elling has spent time in Australia, Bali, Panama and across North America capturing nature, animals and scenery with his camera.
- The Evergreen: Featuring photographer Carol Bowman. Bowman’s Northwoods nature photography captures scenes both breathtaking and familiar. Her images can be found printed on everything from magnets to mugs.
- Rapids Brewing: First Friday live music with Sam Miltich and Friends, 4-6:30 p.m., then Landscapes Band, 7-10 p.m. Katy Buhr with Up North Sewing will be in the taproom with embroidered items, 4-6 p.m.
- Inspirations Christian Bookstore: Christian fiction author Margo Hansen will sign copies of her newest book 3-6 p.m.
More can be found at grandrapidsarts.org.
Downtown Art Fair
The annual outdoor event on the lawn of the Old Central School in Grand Rapids allows visitors to meet area artists and peruse over 30 vendor booths with paintings, ceramics, jewelry and more.
Other activities include artist John Zasada demonstrating birch bark and basswood bark weaving and Curt Mangseth showing his cedar strip canoe. According to MacRostie Art Center Executive Director Katie Marshall, he’s really excited to display his work.
The fair also includes activities for kids of all ages, like painting tiny canvasses or playing giant Jenga, cornhole and lawn chess.
Listen to Marshall’s full conversation on the Morning Show above.
