Free October Programming at the Walker
This October, the Walker Art Center offers a full month of free programming designed to spark creativity and connection. Highlights include a fashion-forward Free First Saturday, hands-on Art Club workshops every Thursday evening, Sensory Friendly Sunday, and the opening of Dyani White Hawk: Love Language. From interactive art-making and family-friendly activities to thought-provoking panels and late-night gallery access, the Walker invites visitors of all ages to experience the season’s vibrant mix of art and community—free of charge.
FREE THURSDAY NIGHTS
Enjoy free admission every Thursday night during extended gallery hours. Discover current exhibitions, join a free tour, drop in for art activities, or catch a short film of your choice in the Bentson Mediatheque. Our shops stay open late, and food and drinks are available at Cardamom.
Advance tickets are recommended, but tickets are also available on-site on the day of the event at the Main Lobby desk.
Art Club: Open Studio—Acrylic Painting
Thursday, October 2, 5–8 pm
Art Lab
This week’s Open Studio is an opportunity to start a new project or make progress on an existing acrylic painting. Bring a canvas and any materials you’d like for this open studio acrylic-painting session. Oil paints, spray paints, and other fume-emitting materials are not permitted.
Materials are provided and distributed on a first-come, first-served basis; supplies are limited. Activities are designed for all skill levels. No prior registration is required for Art Club. The more you visit, the more you’ll discover.
Art Club: Cosplay
Thursday, October 9, 5–8 pm
Art Lab
In collaboration with and in preparation for ConFluence: Futures in Color, the Walker invites the cosplay community to work on their costumes in a collaborative environment. Join us for a creative evening where you can start a new project or bring a work-in-progress.
process invented the mirror: Discussing Function, Beauty, and Labor
Thursday, October 9, 6–8 pm
Walker Art Center
Join us for an evening exploring the exhibition Jessi Reaves: process invented the mirror with Visual Arts Curatorial Fellow Laurel Rand-Lewis. The night begins with a discussion on selected works in the show in the Bentson Mediatheque, followed by art-making in the Art Lab.
This event requires a free ticket; registration is available online. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Gallery admission is free on Thursday nights, 5 to 9 pm.
Art Club: Guest Artist Marianne Manzler from the Loft Literary Center
Thursday, October 16, 5–8 pm
Art Lab
Art Club invites you to join Marianne Manzler from the Loft Literary Center for a night of dynamic interactive writing workshops. Enjoy drop-in activities connected to the Walker’s collection exhibition This Must Be the Place and creative opportunities for writers to participate in purposeful free writing.
Art Club: Phantom Florals
Thursday, October 30, 5–8 pm
Art Lab
Inspired by Día de Los Muertos, Art Club invites you to make paper marigolds and other flowers at this hands-on workshop. Embrace the warm colors of autumn with a DIY garden that will last through the winter.
Haunted Museum Scavenger Hunt
Thursday, October 30, 6–8 pm
Walker Art Center
Get into the spooky spirit and haunt the Walker for a building-wide scavenger hunt.
Each participant receives a list of locations across the building to find clues. Visit them all to decode the mystery word and win a prize. All participants earn a special treat, but those who complete the full scavenger hunt will have a chance to win a spooky tote bag, free gallery passes, an artist catalogue, and more!
Pick up a worksheet in Cityview near the Pumpkinfest display starting at 6 pm. Return your completed worksheet to the Art Lab by 8 pm to redeem your prize (limited quantities available).
FREE FIRST SATURDAY
Free First Saturday features free gallery admission on the first Saturday of every month. Gallery admission tickets are available online in advance and on-site on the event day from the Main Lobby desk. Free admission 10 am–5 pm; activities 10 am–3 pm.
Free First Saturday: Express Yourself!
Saturday, October 4, 10 am–3 pm
Walker Art Center
Come collaborate with teaching artists to design that perfect outfit—because this time, you get to wear your art! Make wearable art and explore the galleries in your new finery this Free First Saturday at the Walker.
SENSORY FRIENDLY SUNDAY
Sensory Friendly Sunday October 2025
Sunday, October 12, 8–11 am
Walker Art Center
Sensory Friendly Sunday is a monthly event designed for kids, teens, and adults with sensory processing differences, autism, or developmental disabilities. The galleries will be closed to the general public, allowing visitors to enjoy the museum in a calm environment with accommodations such as quiet spaces, fidgets, and sunglasses available. Experience a selection of current exhibitions, make art, or watch a short film. All friends and family members are welcome.
To support the health and safety of visitors at increased risk for Covid-19, masks are required at Sensory Friendly Sunday for visitors over age 2. Accommodations are available if someone in your party is unable to tolerate masking. Please email access@walkerart.org or call 612-375-7561 for more information.
This program was created in consultation with the Autism Society of Minnesota (AuSM) and the University of Minnesota’s Occupational Therapy Program.
ADDITIONAL PUBLIC PROGRAMS
Teen Maker Break: Writers
Thursday, October 16, 2–5 pm
Walker Art Center
From books and memories to the world around us, inspiration for a story can come from anywhere. Join this Teen Maker Break workshop to explore the power of personal and collective narratives with Marianne Manzler, local writer, editor, and education manager at the Loft Literary Center.
Participants are encouraged to share their work in writing and verbally in response to prompts and artwork on view in the galleries. Cohosted in partnership with the Loft Literary Center, this program is open to teens interested in exploring their creativity through writing.
Free, no registration required. Drop in anytime between 2 and 5 pm. Visit walkerart.org/teens, follow @walkerteens on Instagram, or email teenprograms@walkerart.org for more info.
Opening-Day Panel: Dyani White Hawk: Love Language
Saturday, October 18, 1 pm
Walker Cinema
To celebrate the opening of the exhibition Dyani White Hawk: Love Language, join us for a Native-led, opening-day panel with the artist and invited speakers. Moderated by Candice Hopkins (Carcross/Tagish First Nation), Executive Director and Chief Curator, Forge Project, the panelists include artist and curator Keith BraveHeart (Oglala Lakota) and exhibition catalogue contributors Joyce Tsai, Executive Director, Clyfford Still Museum, and heather ahtone (Chickasaw Nation), Senior Curator and Director of Curatorial Affairs, First Americans Museum. The conversation will use White Hawk’s wide-ranging practice as a point of departure for rich discussion celebrating Indigenous art and strengthening critical thinking on both institutional and national histories and our current climate.
This event requires a free ticket. Registration is available online or at the Main Lobby desk beginning at noon. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Evening for Educators: Dyani White Hawk: Love Language
Wednesday, October 22, 5–8 pm
Walker Art Center
Are you a teacher in the Twin Cities or surrounding areas looking to integrate contemporary arts education into your classroom? Join us on October 22 for Evening for Educators, a free after-hours event for K–12 teachers, to celebrate the new exhibition Dyani White Hawk: Love Language. Teachers will have the opportunity to learn about themes in the show from Iyekiyapiwiƞ Darlene St. Clair (Mdewakaƞtuƞwaƞ Dakota), Indigenous Research Professor at the University of Minnesota; explore the galleries; and pick up resources to help connect the exhibition to the classroom.
Evening for Educators is free and open to K–12 teachers across disciplines. Doors open at 5 pm and the presentation will begin at 6 pm. Educators may bring one additional guest, and parking validation will be provided. RSVP by October 20. For more information, email lakayla.williams@walkerart.org.
Scholar’s Night: Indigenous Academia
Thursday, October 23, 5–8 pm
Walker Art Center
Indigenous and non-Indigenous post-secondary students and faculty alike are invited to celebrate the field of Indigenous Studies with this evening of activities across the Walker campus. Sit in on academic discussions led by Indigenous professors, join a tour of the exhibition Dyani White Hawk: Love Language, and visit our library for media on the intersections of Indigenous arts and academics.