October brings exhibitions that celebrate community, resilience, and creativity. Empathy (Oct 2 & 4, Solar Arts) rallies community support for artists Kim Whiteford and Katie Palmer. At the Walker, Dyani White Hawk: Love Language (Oct 18–Feb 15) spans 15 years of powerful work rooted in Lakota traditions. Nature’s Reflection (Sep 27–Nov 8, Kolman & Reeb) explores our bond with the environment, while Art to Change the World’s ReUse-A-Thon (Oct 24–Nov 9) turns trash into treasure with workshops, swaps, and community creativity. Plus, explore Open Studio Saturdays throughout October at studios across Northeast, including the California Building, Casket Arts Building, Flux Arts Building, Northrup King Building, and Holland Arts.
Empathy: An Art Exhibition Celebrating Love, Compassion, and Community | Oct 2 & Oct 4, 2025 at the Solar Arts Building
Empathy is more than understanding someone’s struggles. It is showing up, lifting them, and standing beside them when it matters most. That is exactly what Kim Whiteford and Katie Palmer have done for the Solar Arts Building and the community beyond.
Since the doors first opened in 2012, Kim and Katie have been at the heart of Solar Arts as founding artists helping shape it into the vibrant creative community it is today. They have worked tirelessly to grow this arts community, to create opportunities for women, for people with disabilities, and for anyone who needed a hand.
Now, Kim is facing serious health challenges and is no longer able to walk. After a long and difficult hospital stay she is finally home. Katie has been by her side through every step as steadfast and supportive as she has been for our community all these years. The road ahead will be long with medical expenses and life changes that no one can prepare for.
On October 2nd from 5 to 9 pm and October 4th from 12 to 6 pm the Solar Arts Building will host EMPATHY, an exhibition of artworks that reflect love, gratitude, and the bonds that hold us together. Any work purchased from this exhibition will go directly to Kim and Katie to help with medical expenses.
The show will feature live music (bands TBA), guest artists, a special keynote speaker, and the unmistakable energy of a community that cares deeply for its own. This is a way to say thank you, to give back, and to stand with two remarkable people who have given so much to all of us.
Donate here to help Kim and Katie
Kids and families are welcome to attend. FREE ENTRY to everyone! All proceeds from purchased works will benefit artists Kim Whiteford and Katie Palmer
Dyani White Hawk: Love Language at the Walker Art Center October 18th through February 15th
Rooted in intergenerational knowledge, Dyani White Hawk’s (Sičáŋǧu Lakota, b. 1976) art centers on connection—between one another, past and present, earth and sky. By foregrounding Lakota forms and motifs, she challenges prevailing histories and practices surrounding abstract art. Featuring multimedia paintings, sculpture, video, and more, Love Language gathers 15 years of the artist’s work in this major survey.
The exhibition unfolds across four sections named by the artist to speak to Indigenous value systems: See; Honor, Nurture; and Celebrate. See introduces visitors to White Hawk’s worldview. Opening with early pieces that combine quillwork, beadwork, and painting, the artist examines, dissects, and reassembles elements of her own Sičáŋǧu Lakota and European American ancestries. Visitors will encounter Lakota forms and teachings that inform her practice, alongside works addressing urgent issues of settler colonialism and oppression.
This exhibition will take place at the Walker Art Center in galleries 1, 2, 3, and Perlman Gallery
Nature’s Reflection | Jodi Reeb and Lynne Sarnoff-Christensen Sep 27th – Nov 8th
To welcome in Autumn, the Kolman & Reeb Gallery is pleased to present its next Project Space grant exhibition, Nature’s Reflection, with works by Jodi Reeb and Lynne Sarnoff-Christensen.
Offering a fresh perspective on the ever-evolving relationship with our environment, Jodi Reeb and Lynne Sarnoff-Christensen are showing diverse works inspired by nature. The show features mixed-media paintings, glass and metal wall sculptures, clay wall works of trees, seeds and plants.
Art has long reflected humanity’s evolving relationship with nature, from early landscapes and botanical studies to modern abstract and conceptual interpretations. In Nature’s Reflection, Lynne and Jodi use painting and sculpture to invite viewers into this ongoing dialogue, reinterpreting light, texture, and form to deepen our connection with the natural world.
Gallery Hours:
Saturday, 12pm to 4pm
And by appointment
Artist Reception Sat Oct 4th 6PM – 8PM
1500 Jackson St NE #395 Northrup King Building, Mpls
Artistic ReUse-A-Thon at the Flux Arts Building October 24th – November 9th
On November 1st join us for 8 free make and take workshops all day long! Plus vote on your favorite piece of art made from trash in the Mystery Trash Remix. Bring your old art supplies to participate in the Art Supply Swap. All activities are free thanks to funding from Minneapolis Public Works’ Innovative Waste Reduction Grant.
Find out more here: https://www.arttochangetheworld.org/re-use-a-thon/
This event has three parts:
1) The Mystery Trash Remix- 20 Art to Change the World artists have transformed single use items into Art! Exhibited October 24th to November 9th. Come and vote for your favorite piece! The winner gets $500. Contact Liisa Le for a full list of the artists: liisaleart@gmail.com
2) Make and Take Workshops – Teacher’s design and lead workshops with single use and reused materials. Classes and schedule available on the Art to Change the World website: https://www.arttochangetheworld.org/re-use-a-thon/
3) Art Supply Swap – Clean out your closets and refresh your tool kit. You can drop off art supplies anytime before November 1st at the Flux Arts Building or bring them on November 1st where you can also pick out some new-to-you supplies to take home and create with! It’s Free!
Hosted by Art to Change the World at the Flux Arts Building
Open Studio Saturdays
California Building, October 11th from 11-4pm
Casket Arts Building, October 11th from 11-4pm
Flux Arts Building, every Saturday from 11- 5pm
Northrup King Building, every Saturday from 12-4pm
Holland Arts Building, October 18th from 10-3