Minnesota Artists Take Center Stage at the Walker Art Center's Free First Saturday in February
Families are invited to come celebrate the work of Minnesota artists and mnartists.org, an online database of Minnesota artists and organizations from all disciplines, at the Walker Art Center’s Free First Saturday event
Minnesota-made on mnartists.org
, from 10 am–3 pm Saturday, February 2. Featured events include an interactive performance by Minneapolis band Thank You; a dance workshop led by Justin Jones (Minneapolis) and Chris Yon (New York City), featured performers from David Neumann/advanced beginner group’s Feed Forward, part of this year’s Out There 20 series; screenings of children’s films made by Minnesota artists; field trips to see the Art Shanty projects on Medicine Lake in Plymouth (buses leave the Walker every 30 minutes between 11 am and 2 pm); a story reading of Monkey with a Tool Belt by Chris Monroe; art-making activities to create a soft sculpture or landscape, led by stitching guru Patricia Hoskins, and a mini model of your dream shack from everyday materials; and a gallery crawl through the exhibition Present Tense: Photographs by JoAnn Verburg.
Activities are free and available on a first-come, first-served basis from
10 am–3 pm. Gallery admission is free from 10 am–5 pm on Free First Saturday.
Free First Saturdays are for Families!
Activities recommended for kids ages 6–12.
Minnesota-made on mnartists.org
Saturday, February 2, 10 am–3 pm
Get to know a host of Minnesota artists with the help of mnartists.org, the Walker’s online program that supports the state’s creative community.
Art-Making for the Entire Family: Felted Fun with Crafty Planet!, 10 am–3 pm
Cargill Lounge
Design a soft sculpture or landscape from felt with a little help from stitching guru Patricia Hoskins, owner of Crafty Planet, a store/workshop space in Northeast Minneapolis geared for do-it-yourself crafters of all ages.
Art-Making for the Entire Family: Build Your Own Shanty, 10 am–3 pm
Star Tribune Foundation Art Lab
Make a mini model of your dream shack from everyday materials such as duct tape, Popsicle sticks, Q-tips, and more!
Performance: Thank You and Friends present Dancescape, 11 am and 1 pm
Cinema
There’s never a quiet moment when the Minneapolis band Thank You is on stage. The set springs to life—trees shake, grass sways, families boogie—in this playful, interactive show.
Family Field Trip: Art Shanty Projects, 11 am–2 pm
Buses depart from the Walker every 30 minutes
Families hit the ice at Medicine Lake in Plymouth, where local artists have built a community of art shanties. For more information, visit families.walkerart.org.
Gallery Crawl: Present Tense: Photographs by JoAnn Verburg, 12 noon–2 pm
Friedman Gallery
Learn about the faces and places that have inspired St. Paul photographer JoAnn Verburg throughout her artistic career.
Dance Workshop: Make Moves with Chris and Justin!, 1:30 pm
Skyline Room
Have you ever wanted to dance like a spaceship or talk like an alien? Then take part in this creative movement workshop with choreographer/dancers Justin Jones (Minneapolis) and Chris Yon (New York City), a featured performer in David Neumann’s Feed Forward, part of the Walker’s Out There 20 series.
Film: Cinema Selects for Kids, 10:30 am, 11:30 am, and 12:30 pm
Lecture Room
Preview a series of juried children’s films made by Minnesota artists.
Story Time: Monkey with a Tool Belt by Chris Monroe, 1:30 and 2:30 pm
Lecture Room
Chris Monroe, the Duluth-based cartoonist behind the comic strip Violet Days, is releasing her first children’s book, Monkey with a Tool Belt, this spring. Get a sneak preview in a live reading by the author/illustrator, then stick around to draw your own comic tale. Selected drawings will be featured on mnartists.org.