Alicia De La Cruz / Waabooz Beading

How and why did you become an artist?

I became an artist because it has always been a core value taught to me by my elders to continue on with learning Ojibwe traditional beadwork. I was taught many different methods including brick stitch, peyote stitch and most importantly, embroidery stitch beadwork. I’m a very proud enrolled member of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe and descendant of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe and beadwork is something I feel like you don’t see as often practices. I’m so incredibly proud to continue my ancestors’ traditions with my art form.

What medium(s) do you work in?

Textiles including ribbon skirts and regalia. My main medium is Beadwork.

How long have you been working as an artist?

I have been beading since the age of 7, as taught by my aunts and grandma. I am now 31 years old, so I’ve been practicing my art for many, many years!

What are some of your biggest inspirations as an artist?

A lot of my inspiration draws on nature, as the Ojibwe are known for their floral beadwork. Both the tribe I’m enrolled in and my mom’s tribe (Leech Lake) draw on floral motifs. I love being inspired by nature. In my biggest project I worked with the Bell Museum to create 15 5×5″” beaded Wildflowers of Minnesota. This project is the true culmination of everything I was taught and took 10 months to complete. The work was on display at the Bell Museum and it’s now at the Mille Lacs Indian Museum. It will soon be on display at MSP Airport!

Beyond the subject of nature, of course I am inspired by the works of my aunts, who have now both passed but were expert beadwork artists.

I look forward every year to being an Art-A-Whirl artist because I have ACTUAL FANS of my work who specifically seek me out for this event! It’s been an excellent way to connect with both new and old customers. Beyond that, I always feel really supported as an artist by the organizers and this event allows me to connect with other like minded people. Truly people travel from all of the states and even the globe for this event and I feel really special having this LITERALLY in my backyard!

What is your connection to Northeast Minneapolis?

I currently live in Northeast Minneapolis and have been living here for the past 5 years! I’m originally from Columbia Heights so I didn’t go too far from where I grew up! I’ve been an artist here for longer, having shown a lot of my work in galleries here in NE such as Jackson Flats and ALTR gallery, beyond the 3 years of me showing for Art-A-Whirl!

Tell us how Art-A-Whirl benefits you as an artist.

I think every year brings something new to the table when it comes to Art-A-Whirl. I’ve met people who traveled as far as Australia one year. One year I sold my most expensive item to date, a fully beaded hat and the buyer is still a customer to this day! Most of all, I like that no year is ever the same and I mean that in the most positive way. Art-A-Whirl is ever changing, sticking with the artists while also always bringing something new and exciting to the table!

This is why I never miss a year as long as I’ve been here. Whether as an artist or a spectator/art purchaser I’ve always felt a special sense of community during Art-A-Whirl.

Any good stories or memories of an experience at Art-A-Whirl that you can share? What stands out?

I absolutely love being a NEMAA member as the artist resources are INVALUABLE. The Artist Opportunities in particular has helped me gain several new opportunities whether that be artist grants or fellowships. In fact, that is how I heard about the Bell Museum Fellowship back in 2022. I also really value the community, and getting the chance to connect with other artists through events posted in the news letter.

What has being a NEMAA member meant to you? What do you value most about membership?

It is VIBRANT and BUSTLING. one of my favorite things to do is take walks in my Windom Park neighborhood and just walking down the block you can see art in windows, in yards. Murals posted in the Park and a copius amount of art shows and events even within walking distance. Northeast is the absolute mecca for arts and I really don’t ever want to leave as I feel like this is the best neighborhood for artists and art lovers PERIOD.

Art-A-Whirl and NEMAA turn 30 years old in 2025. Can you believe it? What changes have you witnessed? 

Hey! Would it be crazy if I said I remember Art-A-Whirl to as far back as when I was a child?! Me and Art-A-Whirl are just about the same age and with how big it’s gotten and grown and changed with me I feel a special connection and ESPECIALLY it’s a special honor to be a featured artist for this momentous year!

I remember when I was younger, maybe 7 or 8 and seeing some artist studios and thinking HOW COOL WOULD IT BE IF THIS WAS MY JOB WHEN I WAS OLDER?

And now? IT IS! to see the growth is astounding, even in the past 3 years participating I feel like there’s so many new faces around and it’s been great to connect with them!

Why is art important in our community?

Art connects people. Art can say words that sometimes people can’t or don’t want to. Art is meant to MOVE. Art isn’t just what you typically think of when you think of the word Art and N.E Minneapolis is proof of that. When you walk into a studio you will see things and feel things you’ve never felt or seen before. It’s a voice for those who sometimes don’t or can’t have one. Art is a movement and I’m so thankful to be a part of this Art community.

Can you imagine a world WITHOUT the arts community in Northeast Minneapolis? How would the community be different?

I think it would be very sad to have a world without the arts community in N.E Minneapolis. This is a place where I’m not afraid of making a piece to call out #LANDBACK. I have a voice here and I think without this community it would feel like I was being silenced.

What are your hopes and dreams for Art-A-Whirl, NEMAA, and/or the Northeast Minneapolis Arts District in the next 30 years?

My hopes and dreams are for more artists, especially BIPOC artists to feel more and more comfortable to express themselves and just DO it. Whatever IT is and especially if it’s arts related, I don’t want the new generation to be afraid to create. Art is healing and art is what you want it to be so just create. Expressing yourself through your chosen artistic medium is NECESSARY.

If you could make one change in Northeast Minneapolis, no matter the cost, what would it be?

I would love for there to be a central building in Northeast, like a REALLY big one that has the concept of Artspace Jackson Flats but BIGGER. Like COLLEGE sized big! With housing for artists on top and blocks of murals all done by local artists!

Also MORE MURALS IN NORTHEAST DONE BY NORTHEAST ARTISTS!

Tell us again why you love being an artist and what your work brings to the community.

I love being an artist because it’s my sole purpose in life. My full time job is creating beadwork and making nail polish! All things creative! I also enjoy bringing my work back to the community with beading workshops, which I’ve hosted all over Minneapolis and beyond.

Being an artist isn’t just making stuff to make it, it’s making art to share with the community while also doing what you can do to give back when you can. Whether that’s with knowledge, volunteering or simply your positive interactions in the community.

Being an artist is everything to me.

What do you want to share that we haven’t covered?

I am also a mural artist, being in the process currently of making a 40 foot mural for the city of Columbia Heights, I also have made 2 murals for Twin Cities Pride of which I was a 2023/2024 Artist in Residence.