Kelly Helsinger and Michael Helsinger

How and why did you become artists?

Kelly: Being an artist feels coded in my DNA and I don’t think I had a choice in the matter. My earliest memories of earnestly trying to be “”good”” at art were in elementary school where I studied and sketched the animals in my home. In adolescence, every school project morphed into an art project if teachers allowed it. In adulthood, I knew becoming a professional artist would carry me down an unpredictable and arduous path so I chose to explore more traditional and stable careers, though that didn’t last long. I inevitably abandoned each path I tried and returned to my creativity over and over. In 2016, I decided to stop working against my core needs and poured all my energy into my art. The last 9 years have been as unpredictable and arduous as I thought they would be, but more fulfilling than I ever could have imagined.

Michael: I’ve always found fulfillment in building with my hands, but I have only recently started to consider myself as an artist.

I believe I will always feel like a carpenter who accidentally stumbled into the art world. No matter how I label myself, the need to build and create has always been there.

What medium(s) do you work in?

Kelly: mixed media- acrylic paint, inks, watercolors.

Michael: Wood, Light.

How long have you been working as an artist?

Kelly: I have been a full-time artist since 2016, but began selling my art professionally in 2010. 

Michael: I have been a woodworker for over 20 years with experience building custom homes, furniture, guitars, and drums. Over the last few years I have been creating wood sculptures and light fixtures.

What are some of your biggest inspirations as an artist?

Kelly: In a broad sense, I am inspired by emotional experiences and a desire to organize chaos. Simple things like light, lines, movement, and nature fill my creative cup. My abstract art comes from a place of emotional processing. This work can be both healing and expressive for me personally. My figurative and portrait work is inspired by exploration of identity and sensory input. I am constantly in awe of the human experience and my art is my way of processing, making sense of, and communicating what I’ve learned.

Michael: I randomly wandered into the Dallas Museum of Art back in 2009 or so and saw an exhibit by Olafur Eliasson called Take Your Time. I had never seen anything like it or really conceived that there could be anything like it out there. There were these installations that used light as a medium in a way that was just brilliant and it’s difficult to even begin to describe. It absolutely blew me away and kind of stayed in the periphery of my mind until I started experimenting with building light fixtures a few years ago. Such a cool little memory that blossomed into this incredibly influential thing in my subconscious.

What is your connection to Northeast Minneapolis?

Kelly: My husband, Michael, and I moved into our first apartment together in Northeast a few years ago. Michael already had a studio at Holland Arts West for his guitar workshop and he introduced me to the Arts District. Despite being born and raised in MN, I had no idea how vibrant the arts community in Northeast is. When Michael encouraged me to participate in my very first Art-A-Whirl in 2022, I was hooked. From there I took on a role at Holland Arts to help coordinate future events and manage social media while also taking classes at The Atelier Studio Program of Fine Arts.

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

Kelly: Art-A-Whirl has been the most beneficial thing I’ve ever done as an artist. In my career so far I have explored various income streams from social media sales, galleries, craft fairs, art fairs, exhibitions, licensing, teaching, and the list goes on. Art-A-Whirl is the top of the list for me. Art-A-Whirl opens doors to sales, fulfilling customer interactions, connections with other artists, future opportunities, and deeper connections to the arts community. I have never experienced so many dedicated art lovers or buyers in one place. 

Michael: Art-A-Whirl provides the opportunity to connect with the community.

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

Kelly: Being a NEMAA member gives me a true sense of community. When I first became a member, I just wanted a directory presence for Art-A-Whirl, but that quickly evolved as I realized how many perks a membership provides and how responsive NEMAA is to member feedback and participation. NE Minneapolis is a vibrant arts community and NEMAA helps to foster connections and opportunities within it while also promoting it to all the surrounding communities.

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

Kelly: With only three Art-A-Whirls under my belt, my experience is limited, but having started and remained at Holland Arts during this time I’ve seen how Art-A-Whirl keeps spreading and providing opportunities. Each year, I’ve seen more people come through the Holland Arts East and West buildings, and have witnessed excitement build for this community. I’ve also had the privilege of working directly with NEMAA in this short time and have witnessed a tireless mission to further the arts. Each year keeps getting better. 

Michael: It’s been really cool to see the bounce back after the pandemic.

Why is art important in our community?

Kelly: Art is the most important thing in our community. Art is a universal language that allows people of all backgrounds to connect. Art breaks down barriers within an artist and within a community. We can use art to speak about hard topics, to teach, to spread awareness, to share joy, to communicate pain and connect with others who feel the same as us. Selfishly, art has been a healing tool as well as a bridge to friendships and connections. Art has made me a better person and that then allows me to be a better member of a community. 

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

Kelly: What a dreary world that would be! I’ve lived in communities where the arts weren’t a priority and they feel–empty. A world without an arts community is one of routine and predictability. We’d have no murals, no gallery events, no open studios, no bustling art buildings or attached coffee shops filled with creations. We’d have less to enjoy, less to talk about, and less to connect us. 

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

Kelly: I hope that Art-A-Whirl, NEMAA, and the Arts District as a whole continues to grow and welcome new artists and art lovers in. I also hope that I can be here to participate in each of those next 30 years. 

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

Kelly: I love being an artist because it allows me to make sense of the human experience. My hope is that my work can bring a sense of peace to those that need it.