Everyone is an mnartist at the Walker Art Center's February Free First Saturday
mnartists.org, the online database of Minnesota artists and organizations from all disciplines created by the Walker Art Center and The McKnight Foundation, provides the inspiration for Everyone is an mnartist!, the Walker’s Free First Saturday event from 10 am–5 pm Saturday, February 3. The day’s featured events include a performance by multilingual storyteller Paulino Brener; a video capture activity led by filmmaker Chuck Olsen who will shoot footage of kids and families to present on mnartists.org; a gallery spotlight of the Dolphin Oracle II led by Minneapolis-based artist and Dolphin co-creator Piotr Szyhalski; excursions to the art shanties at Medicine Lake in Plymouth (buses leave every 30 minutes between 11 am and 2 pm); a series of juried films for families made by Minnesota artists; art-making activities making posters and multimedia collages; and a story reading curated by the Children’s Book Illustrators Guild of Minnesota.
Activities are free and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Free First Saturdays are for Families!
Everyone is an mnartist!
Saturday, February 3, 10 am–5 pm
Get to know a host of Minnesota artists with the help of mnartists.org, an online program that supports the state’s creative community.
Video Capture: Starring You!, 10 am–2 pm
Bazinet Garden Lobby
Be part of the picture as filmmaker Chuck Olsen shoots footage of kids and families and their artistic creations to present on mnartists.org. Olsen is the founder and curator of Minnesota Stories, called one of the best videoblogs by the New York Times.
Art-Making for the Entire Family: Mixed-up Memories, 10 am–3 pm
Cargill Lounge
Make a multimedia collage based on your memories and favorite things. Led by artist Scott Stulen.
Gallery Spotlight: Meet the Dolphin, 10, 10:45, and 11:30 am
Best Buy Arcade
Join Minneapolis-based artist and co-creator of Dolphin Oracle II, Piotr Szyhalski, who’ll talk with families about this popular, cheeky “creature.”
Performance: Paper Boats with Paulino Brener, 10:30 am and 12:30 pm
Cinema
Paulino Brener travels the world on paper boats and brings back folktales from distant countries. Make your own paper boat and join this entertaining, multicultural, and multilingual storytelling fest.
Storytime: Chronicled in Minnesota, 10:30 and 11:30 am, 3 and 4 pm
Lecture Room
Listen to a storytime session curated by the Children’s Book Illustrators Guild of Minnesota.
Family Field Trip: Art Shanty Projects, 11 am–2 pm
Medicine Lake
Buses depart from the Walker every 30 minutes
Families hit the ice (and the beach) at Medicine Lake in Plymouth, where local artists have built a community of art shanties. While you’re there, become a kid critic and vote for your favorite hut. Reviewer Michael Fallon will post your comments on the Web from the mnartists.org shanty. For more information, visit families.walkerart.org.
Art-Making for the Entire Family: Street Style, 11 am–4 pm
Star Tribune Foundation Art Lab
Leave an artistic mark on your very own poster using stencils and urban calligraphy. Led by DeAnna and Roger Cummings, executive and artistic directors of the youth-focused art organization Juxtaposition Arts.
Film: Cinema Selects for Kids, 11:30 am, 2, and 3 pm
Cinema
Come in from the cold and preview a series of juried films for families made by Minnesota artists.