Compiled by Jacob Dommer
This month, the Northeast Arts District bursts with creativity and urgency, showcasing art’s capacity to provoke meaningful dialogue and inspire action. At the Rochester Art Center, the public art initiative for bird safety by Northeast artist Alyssa Baguss and writer Erin Sharkey transforms the center’s windows into a stunning display that merges art with environmental advocacy, highlighting the importance of protecting our feathered friends.
At George Floyd Square, the Social Justice Billboard Project, initiated by NE Sculpture, continues to amplify crucial narratives through powerful works by Gustavo Lira Garcia, Christopher E. Harrison, and Flahn Manly. And don’t miss the timely documentary “Suppressed and Sabotaged” at Casket Cinema, which dives into the critical issue of voter suppression.
This dynamic lineup of art exhibits and community engagement promises to spark essential conversations about pressing social and environmental issues within our community.
Casket Cinema
Brave New Films presents a Robert Greenwald Film, “Suppressed and Sabotaged – The Fight to Vote.”
- Event: Thursday, October 3, 2024 at 8:00pm. Doors open at 7:30 pm. Movie Starts at 8:00 pm.
- Details: Kick off Casket Cinema’s 17th season on October 3rd with the urgent documentary “Suppressed and Sabotaged.” This eye-opening film dives into the alarming tactics used to suppress the vote ahead of the November 2024 elections, spotlighting the personal stories of individuals in battleground states who face disproportionate challenges at the polls, including older adults, students, and people of color. Starting at 8:00 pm, this screening serves as a rallying cry against voter suppression and election subversion, emphasizing the vital importance of every vote. Join co-founders Mark and Wilbur, along with special guests, for a meaningful discussion following the film. Don’t miss this essential screening for anyone passionate about democracy. Bring friends, enjoy free popcorn, and feel free to BYOB!
- Cost: Free-will donation of $10-$20 – but nobody is turned away.
- Location: 681 17th Ave NE, Studio 145, Minneapolis. Enter thru NE Loading Dock.
NE Sculpture | Gallery Factory
Social Justice Billboard Project hosts meet & greet with 3 new artists exhibiting on the billboards at George Floyd Square.
- Opening Reception: Monday September 30, 2024, 5:30-7:30p
- Details: The latest Social Justice Billboard Project at George Floyd Square elevates BIPOC voices and artwork in our community by showcasing three powerful works that amplify the voices and experiences of marginalized communities.
“Resurrection of Voices” by Gustavo Lira Garcia serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring struggle for justice, using the skull to symbolize lives lost to racial injustice, while vibrant roses reflect resilience and the beauty of life that persists amid adversity.
“Siren” by Christopher E. Harrison acts as a clarion call, asserting that injustice anywhere threatens justice everywhere. This evocative portrait of a screaming woman embodies the urgent call to confront and reconcile the social issues resonating in our communities since the George Floyd uprisings.
“Fire!! / LIBERATE” by Flahn Manly boldly declares liberation and resistance. Manly challenges the dominance of colonial ideologies that have sought to suppress Black identity, envisioning a world where Black men exist freely, unburdened by societal constraints. This artwork is both a celebration of identity and a rallying cry for action, inviting viewers to imagine a future where liberation is unapologetically asserted.
Initiated in 2020 by NE SCULPTURE I Gallery Factory, the Social Justice Billboard Project continues to play a vital role in fostering dialogue and community engagement around social justice. Brass Solidarity will be performing every Monday at 5:30pm, further emphasizing sound as a voice for justice and an advocate for Black Lives. Together, these installations underscore the vital importance of elevating BIPOC voices and fostering dialogue about social justice, making a significant impact in the community.
- Duration: September – December 2024
- Location: At the intersection of 38th Street and Chicago Avenue at George Floyd Square in South Minneapolis.
Rochester Art Center
A Public Art Initiative for Bird Safety featuring the work of Alyssa Baguss and poet Erin Sharkey.
- Completion Date: September 16, 2024
- Details: Discover the intersection of art and conservation in the upcoming installation at the Rochester Art Center, featuring the work of Alyssa Baguss and poet Erin Sharkey. This project enhances the center’s towering windows while addressing the critical issue of bird collisions. Using perforated vinyl, the installation creates a barrier that prevents strikes while allowing natural light to shine through. Sharkey’s poetry explores themes of flight and migration, complementing Baguss’s vibrant imagery inspired by Minnesota’s biodiversity. This initiative not only beautifies the community but also highlights the importance of protecting local wildlife, showcasing art’s powerful role in fostering a safer environment. Join us in celebrating this innovative project that enriches both art and nature in Rochester.
- Regular Hours: Wednesday to Sunday. 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
- Location: Rochester Art Center at 30 Civic Center Drive SE, STE 120. Rochester, MN 55904.
Kolman & Reeb Gallery
Imminent Change | Rising Potential features multi-media artworks by Minneapolis-based artist and environmental activist, Annie Hejny.
- Opening Reception: Saturday, September 21st
- Artist Reception: 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
- Artist Talk: 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
- Details: This exhibition reflects Hejny’s journey around Lake Superior, where she collected water and sediment samples, capturing the lake’s essence through photography and video. In a departure from her traditional water painting style, Hejny incorporates these natural materials with manufactured pigments, creating acrylic paintings, mixed media wall sculptures, and a video installation that challenge conventional canvas space. Her work emphasizes the profound relationship between humanity and freshwater, advocating for awareness of environmental issues affecting our water sources. Hejny invites viewers to engage in conversations about the health of freshwater, recognizing our interconnectedness with this vital resource.
- Duration: September 14 – October 26, 2024
- Regular Gallery Hours: Saturday, 12pm to 4pm and every first Thursday of the month, 5pm to 9pm.
- Location: Studio 395, Northrup King Building at 1500 Jackson Street NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413.
The Supercharged Printmakers Gallery
Dreaming Blue, Burning Red presents a collection of paintings by artist Kendall Laurent for her debut solo show.
- Opening Reception: Thu Oct 3rd 6pm-9pm
- Artist Talk: Thu Oct 10th 6pm
- Details: Dive into You Say You Love Me and I Commit to Friction, a thought-provoking exhibition featuring six local artists who explore themes of space, sovereignty, and the tension of disorientation. Each artist presents a unique perspective on how friction—whether emotional, physical, or relational—can cultivate growth and understanding. Join us as we examine the nuances of connection and resistance through compelling sculptures and installations.
- Duration: October 3rd to November 1st, 2024
- Hours: Saturday October 12th from 11AM-4PM during Casket Arts Second Saturday Open Studio and by appointment.
- Location: located in the Casket Arts Building Studio #119 in the NE Minneapolis Arts District. 681 17th Ave NE, Mpls, MN, 55413
Midway Contemporary Art
K.R.M. Mooney & Pujan Gandhi in conversation at Midway
- Artist Talk: Saturday, September 21 at 1:00 pm
- Details: Join us for a conversation between K.R.M. Mooney and Pujan Gandhi, the Jane Emison Assistant Curator of South and Southeast Asian Art at the Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia). Taking place in Midway’s gallery, the discussion will focus on Mooney’s current exhibition, “Reserves,” and his artistic practice. Mooney, a Seattle native based in New York, has gained recognition for his innovative work showcased in various prestigious exhibitions, while Gandhi brings expertise in curating South and Southeast Asian art. Midway is free and open to the public.
- Duration: “Reserves” will be on view through October 5th
- Regular Gallery Hours: Wednesday — Saturday, 11am-5pm
- Location: 1509 NE Marshall Street, Minneapolis, MN 55413
Tettegouche State Park Visitor Center
For those headed up North for peak fall colors, find Northrup King Building artist Katherine Boyce on display at Tettegouche State Park for the month of October. Boyce’s solo show features works inspired by the quietude of the “off-season” in northern wildernesses.
- Artist Reception: Friday October 4th 7-8:30pm
- Duration: October 4th to October 30th
- Hours: 8am-6pm daily
- Location: Tettegouche State Park Visitor Center, 5702 Highway 61, Silver Bay, MN 55614
ANEW at The Underground Art
The Underground Art gallery presents its debut group show titled ANEW. The act of revival is unstoppable, natural, uplifting, heartbreaking, steady, and instant. ANEW is intended to reflect upon and celebrate this array of forces and emotions. The show highlights works that portray the motif of renewal and regeneration, either directly through the materials and mediums used or indirectly through their sentiments. The show features 2D and 3D works by the following 23 established Minneapolis artists:
Amy J. Coulombe, Eric Cornett, Emily Donovan, Beth Dorsey, Rita Dungey, Gregory Euclide, John Finkler, Bri Harrington, K. Daphnae Koop, Kathleen Krishnan, Ava Lambert, S. Catrin Magnusson, Mary S. Meuwissen, Chris Nystrom, Alison Price, Ingrid Restemayer, Barbara Riegel Bend, Hadley Rittgers, Halle Rittgers, Kate Singer, Mary Catherine Solberg, Jen St. Cyr, and Dean Trisko.
- Duration: September 14th – October 19th
- Location: Burlap Lofts, 501 1ST AVE NE SUITE B-030, MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55413
- Hours: Friday-Saturday, 2-6pm, or by appointment
