Heather Humbert

How and why did you become an artist?

I grew up with a professional photographer for a father. Childhood boredom was cured with crayons, colored pencils and paint. Our home was filled with art and our primary family outings involved art museums and art fairs, to me it was a way of life. It was only natural that I earned a degree in studio art and have continued creating.

What medium(s) do you work in?

I work primarily in acrylic paint.

How long have you been working as an artist?

After majoring in art in college, I was fortunate enough to continue pursuing my passion. For the past thirty years I’ve been working as an artist – as long as Art A Whirl!

What are some of your biggest inspirations as an artist?

I want my art to tell a story, or to allow the viewer to create their own story. Whether it’s capturing a moment of animal delight, a still life organically created by a child, a folktale interpretation or a snapshot of human expression, I want the viewer to have an immediate reaction. I draw inspiration from so many places and it’s constantly changing. I am a card-carrying member of the Minnesota Zoo and the Bell Museum (Northeast adjacent) where I find the animals and collections a constant source of material. Pulling from my family’s background, as well as the prevalence of Scandinavian culture in the Twin Cities, I’m also working on a series featuring Fenno-Scandinavian folklore and legends.

I would be remiss if I didn’t also mention the power of spending time with other creative folks. Creativity is infectious and begets an energy and electricity, which is yet another reason why communities like the Northeast arts district are so vital.

What is your connection to Northeast Minneapolis?

I have a studio in the 2010 Artblok building.

How does Art-A-Whirl benefit you as an artist?

Art-A-Whirl is the biggest event of the year for the Northeast arts community, and the largest open studio event nationally. Without Art-A-Whirl, it’s hard to reach an audience of this magnitude and it’s a great opportunity for community to come out and visit artists in their natural habitat.  My studio is located outside of the “main drag” which offers visitors seeking a quieter, yet robust art experience a nice respite. Even being off the beaten path, it is still the largest audience we will see all year at 2010 Artblok and it is one of my favorite events.

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

I really enjoy connecting with people and Art-A-Whirl is a great convener. I love when people walk in my studio and point, laugh or delight in reaction to the art. I think my favorite memory was my very first Art-A-Whirl in my studio.

I had just finished a new piece that I really loved and within 30 minutes a guy wandered in who had never been to our building. He circled the studio a few times but kept coming back to my latest piece and he finally said, “I just need to have it.” I was so happy it not only resonated with me, but also with this person that had never seen my work before.

I also still laugh about the time a person entered my studio and immediately exclaimed, “You’re a nerd!” They were so delighted and I appreciated their enthusiasm and excitement over my artwork.

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

Being a part of NEMAA has connected our studio building with some wonderful guest artists, some of which are now friends. It has also provided fantastic opportunities like a television interview highlighting my work and the studios of the 2010 Artblok building.

What do you wish more people knew about the arts scene in Northeast Minneapolis?

The art scene in Northeast Minneapolis is more than *just* the Northrup King Building. There are over 20 studio buildings in Northeast, each one unique and with a variety of artists ranging from painters to stone carvers to clothing designers. Many of the studio buildings also have coffee shops, breweries or other businesses that enhance the community, for example, 2010 Artblok has Bumbling Fools Mead!  There are also artists at all stages of their careers and art that is in everyone’s price range.

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

The first Art-A-Whirl I attended was as a visitor in 2006 and I remember my friends and I only visited one building because I was pregnant at the time.  We found easy parking and wandered the building with minimal crowds. It was definitely not the massive event that it is today. Another shift has been the move to online presence. Now, if you are unable to visit during Art-A-Whirl weekend, you can visit the NEMAA pages for the hundreds of Northeast Minneapolis artists to connect and purchase art year-round, allowing for worldwide audiences.

Why is art important in our community?

Art in community is so multi-faceted, it can be a beautiful mural, a protest, an intimate exhibit, a convening, a class offering, and so many other things. All of these provide an outlet for both artists and community to do everything from learn to laugh to grieve and everything in between. Art makes community and life extra in every way.

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

Northeast Minneapolis would be a very different community without the presence of artists. The growth and changes that have occurred in Northeast over the last 30 years is thanks in large part to the presence of a growing and vibrant art community. I am hoping that the Northeast Minneapolis arts community continues to thrive and provide an affordable and safe space for artists. Adding,

I moved to Minnesota from Chicago because of the arts scene. I found the Twin Cities art scene much more accessible.

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

I would like to see NEMAA grow and expand offerings for both their membership and for the public. As for the Northeast Minneapolis Arts District, I would simply like the artist community to continue to thrive and be the vibrant, exciting place we are known for and love.

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

I wish there were more affordable options for studios and housing for artists, as well as shared spaces for teaching classes. A residency program or two would be wonderful as well as additional gallery spaces for mounting group shows.

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

Art is an inherent part of my life, it’s who I am and how I view the world. My art, at its core, brings a mix of humor, sentimentality, whimsy and a bit of cheekiness to the community. I feel like now more than ever we need a bit of levity.  

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

Art-A-Whirl is a really fun weekend full of art, music, food, drinks, community and friendship. However, Art-A-Whirl weekend is more than a party, it is an opportunity for the public to support and become patrons of the artists in their neighborhood and community, so my ask is that patrons and guests make it their mission to buy at least one item from an artist. Every purchase, even a small one, can make a big difference and help keep Art-A-Whirl and the artist community of Northeastern Minneapolis around for another 30 years.