Layl McDill

How and why did you become an artist?

I can’t stop creating. I’ve always been a maker and explorer of different media ever since I was a child. In art school I thought I would be an illustrator because I didn’t think you could just be an artist but then I sold my work at the school art sale and discovered that people will buy what I make so I started my life as a full time artist and have been riding the roller coaster ever since.  

What medium(s) do you work in?

Polymer Clay and Found Objects.

How long have you been working as an artist?

Since graduating art school in 1993 but really all my life.

What are some of your biggest inspirations as an artist?

I love to find found objects at thrift stores and antique stores or just given to me by friends. These objects hang out with me until they tell me what they want to be! I think inspiration that comes from just your everyday life can be the most fascinating because it’s always there- you just have to be receptive to it.

What is your connection to Northeast Minneapolis?

I have lived and worked as an artist here since 1995. 

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

Every year Art-A-Whirl is a great kick start to my year. It comes after the long hibernation of winter when I usually create a lot of new work. I love that it brings a lot of new people to my studio and a lot of long-time collectors and fans. I have been doing make and take activities the last ten years or so and that has really added another level of engagement that I find really rewarding for myself and the attendees. 

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

AAW 2011 was especially memorable because that was the year the tornado hit North Minneapolis. Our studio was in the Keg House so just across the river from where it hit. I clearly remember the stormy weather and the sirens going off but right at that moment there were so many people in our studio. Diane Loeffler (our dearly missed state congresswoman) was in my studio buying a bunch of gifts for her staff members and this was setting off more buying. Or ,maybe it was the change in air pressure because the sales were the peak for the weekend! Needless to say we should have taken cover and gone to the basement but how can you turn away customers!  We just kept ringing people up. 

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

I value the connections that happen through the newsletter. I used the newsletter to promote our community event called “Snack and Squish” and this has brought in other artists from NEMAA to my studio. I hope to continue to meet more NEMAA members this way. 

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

I wish people realized that you can go and walk through any of the arts buildings any day of the week not just during a major event. I teach classes to a lot of people that are traveling so I always encourage them to just go walk through the Northrup King Building. Even if studios aren’t open there is still a lot to see in the hall ways and you probably will get lucky and meet some artists or find a gallery that is open. 

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

I personally have changed my expectations from being about sales to more about being about the community and experiences. As AAW got bigger there has been more and more competition for attention so that’s why I’ve focused on making our arts building into a place where people can come and make art and take a moment to chill out. When you always experience AAW in your studio I never really know what it is like in all the other buildings but I have heard that it is very crowded and busy but I like to think my studio is a bit of an eye within the storm where people can relax a little.

Why is art important in our community?

Art is a key component to all human cultures from the beginning of our existence. It is truly a necessity because it helps us connect with each other in multiple ways. It tells stories and makes people think about things in a new way. Our NE Arts District Community is like none other in the world!  We are full of successful artists that are creating every day and exploring so many different themes and having this all together in one place means we can be inspired by one another and learn from each other. We have a chance to be so much more as artists because of this community!

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

Northeast Minneapolis would be just like any other city neighborhood in the country.  Without the Arts District we wouldn’t have the strength in numbers to keep what we have and to keep growing and building our arts community.  I doubt there would be as many great places to eat and other amenities if it weren’t for the arts. 

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

I hope that the arts buildings can stay arts buildings and expand. I would love to see more artist owned arts buildings like the Flux. I hope that AAW will be become even more welcoming and accessible to all that live in our community and to people that come from out of town. I’d like to see it become a destination for art collectors from out of state. 

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

I’d like to see Lowry Avenue become an avenue of art businesses that focus on classes, workshops and experiences.  I want it to become a destination for people from all over the city to come and have hands on experiences with a wide variety of materials.  I think it would be amazing to have a whole street full of such businesses. Even better would be that all the artists would own their buildings. 

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

I feel extremely lucky that I get to play with clay and other materials every day!  It is such an exciting feeling to get an idea and then see where it leads you. I love to share this experience with anyone that comes into my studio and gallery whether it is by taking a class or joining in one of “Snack and Squish” events or just by viewing my work.  Art brings out conversations that can lead to meaningful experiences and this arts community is overflowing with these possibilities.

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

People don’t realize that there is nothing like Art A Whirl any where in the country. When you live here you think- there must be the same thing in other cities but there isn’t! We are so lucky to have this abundance of artists and art in our community so we have to value it and nurture it so it can keep growing and stick around for generations to come.