BRAINERD — Since I began producing Area Voices almost three years ago, it has been my mission to get across one idea: Art is for everyone.
You don’t have to make art to enjoy art. One way to participate is to visit local galleries and art exhibitions. Not only is it a chance to see local art, but it’s also a chance to meet fellow art enthusiasts in your area. And who knows, you may just get inspired to create something.
In the next year, I’m starting “Andrew’s Area Voices Tour,” where I visit local art exhibitors across Northern Minnesota.
In late 2025, I decided to attend The Crossing Arts Alliance’s 8x8 Art Auction and Fundraiser in Brainerd. It seemed like a no-brainer for the first of these “road trip” editions of Area Voices: Not only is it an art exhibitor in our area, the gallery's show featured over 100 different local artists’ work.
The Crossing Arts Alliance began 25 years ago in downtown Brainerd. They host a gallery of 10 to 12 rotating exhibitions, and a gift shop with local and regional artwork. They also have a space to host workshops for people of all ages and abilities.
The Crossing Arts Alliance has been hosting the 8x8 Art Auction and Fundraiser for several years. They provide 8-by-8-inch canvases to anyone of any age and ability who is inspired to create. Each completed artwork is added to the auction and hangs in the gallery for a few weeks.
I arrived in Brainerd hours before the reception began on Friday, Oct. 24. I wanted time to talk with The Crossing Arts Alliance Executive Director Jennifer Jacquot-Devries to find out what vibe I should expect from the event.
“It's really fun," Jacquot-DeVries said. "This is a great opportunity for anyone to create art and see it hung in a gallery.”
Jacquot-Devries was also excited to tell me about an auction item getting lots of attention. It was an artist she had never met before. Their piece was an acrylic painting of a common loon during a sunset with bright popping colors. Even an executive director can be surprised by a new voice at an event like this.
The Crossing Arts Alliance also hosts a lot of weekly teen and tween after school studio nights, which brings a lot of younger artists to the 8x8 auction.
Jacquot-DeVries added, “It really is an opportunity for anyone with a creative spirit, who is brave enough to put their work on the wall, to come in, grab a canvas, make their art, share it with the community, see it in a gallery, and then help us raise funds for the Crossing Arts' ongoing programming.”
After our conversation, I had the chance to quietly take in the art before other patrons arrived. Wall after wall was filled with 8x8 pieces of a wide variety of art. Not only were there acrylic and watercolor pieces, but also metal, wood and yarn.
It was fascinating to see so many different ideas on display on the same 8x8 canvases. There were birds, landscapes, cats, fish and even a frog version of the hobbits from the Lord of the Rings series.
Once the event officially started and people started to arrive, I had a chance to talk to my fellow art enthusiasts. Even though I didn’t know anyone, it was easy to start conversations, because we were all there for the same reason: to appreciate local art.
One person I talked to was Sara Vacinek, president of The Crossing Arts Alliance Board of Directors. She started out as a patron of the space. After life became a little less busy with kids growing up, she was able to join the board.
“It just was a perfect combination of my background in art and my business career,” Vacinek said.
We discussed what the atmosphere is like at the event, and the art we liked. Then she revealed her favorite part of these receptions.
“It's just a really energetic time to be in the space. I love hearing all the voices and all the laughter and people just really observing and talking with each other about what's happening on the walls here.”
Vacinek also loved how at most exhibitions, you see one or two artists’ works, but at the 8x8 Art Auction and Fundraiser, you see over 150 different artists’ pieces.
She told me about the reason behind the fundraiser. Vacinek was excited to share that the money raised supports teaching programs for children and adults as well as general expenses to keep the lights on.
Later, I had a chance to talk with some artists who participated in creating their own 8x8 pieces. Kristi Whitman created a pop art inspired piece of a common loon. Karin Nelson painted a grain elevator on a prairie with a big storm cloud in the background.
Mark Christy submitted artwork inspired by nature with both a moose made of metal and wood and a metal sculpture of a Red-Headed Woodpecker.
I had such a great time talking about their creative processes, and how they decided on the subjects for their 8x8 canvases. We also discussed the relationship between artists and exhibitors like The Crossing Arts Alliance.
Christy said, “I never had that relationship at all until I moved up here. I actually just made art, but I gave it away. I've never sold anything, because I guess you hear the starving artist; we make and give. But up here, I learned that people were interested in it. The more I made and the more they promoted it ... the more I continued to sell, which motivates artists to make more work.”
Later in the evening, Jacquot-DeVries gave a speech thanking everyone for attending with a reminder to place bids before the following Sunday. After a little bit more mingling, it felt like it was time for me to hit the road back to Bemidji.
On my drive home (listening to Depeche Mode’s Construction Time Again, for those interested), I couldn’t help but feel inspired by what transpired that night. Even though I was basically a stranger to everyone in attendance, I didn’t feel out of place. It felt communal. Like we were all part of something bigger. Art is a great icebreaker and I was reminded again, art is for everyone.
I was also struck by something Vacinek said in our conversation about why places like The Crossing Arts Alliance are important in our communities.
“It's a place for people to come together, learn about different viewpoints, different artistic styles, get a chance to sit next to somebody or stand next to somebody that you maybe never would have met otherwise.”
If you’ve made it this far, I think it’s safe to assume you have more than just a passing interest in art.
Here’s my challenge to you: Go find art. Maye it’s an artist reception or a rotating exhibit. Just go and see if you don’t feel tapped into something bigger. Strike up conversations with fellow patrons.
You'll get inspired. Trust me. You might find yourself creating something you didn't expect.
Art is for everyone.
Tell us about upcoming arts events where you live in Northern Minnesota by emailingpsa@kaxe.org.
Area Voices is made possible by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund and the citizens of Minnesota.
