April 30, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Visit 1,400+ artists at 100+ locations in Northeast Minneapolis, May 16-18
(Minneapolis, Minn.) April 30, 2025—Art-A-Whirl®, the popular Northeast Minneapolis festival of art and fun, celebrates its 30th year, May 16-18, with a line-up of more than 1,400 local artists, two commemorative sculptures, and prizes for attendees who use the new Art-A-Whirl Passport app.
Commemorative Sculptures: “Mississippi Tempest” and “Northeast Gale”
Reminiscent of Art-A-Whirl’s iconic tornado, two sculptures – “Mississippi Tempest” and “Northeast Gale” – both commemorating the festival’s 30th year, will debut and be on display during Art-A-Whirl.
The sculptures are a collaborative creation between Michael and Kelly Helsinger. Michael, a woodworker, guitar builder, and drum maker with more than 15 years of woodworking experience, recently delved into sculpture, creating unique light fixtures made from wood veneer. Kelly, a 2D artist focused on abstract expressionism, defines her work as a delicate balance of chaos and control, brought to life through vibrant colors, dynamic movement, and organic flowing lines.
“Mississippi Tempest” is Art-A-Whirl’s signature sculpture and will be on display during the festival at The Holland Arts East Gallery, adjacent to Yellowbird Coffee Bar, along with additional works by Kelly Helsinger. The sculpture is 6’ x 3’ x 3’ and created from ebonized red oak, acrylic, shellac, wax, and lighting. “Our intention when creating the ‘Mississippi Tempest’ sculpture was to harmoniously combine our skill sets while executing our conceptual interpretation of the iconic Art-A-Whirl logo,” explained the artists. Following Art-A-Whirl, “Mississippi Tempest” will be available for display and purchase by contacting the artists.
“Northeast Gale” is a smaller sculpture perfect for a home or office, and created for the festival’s raffle. At 29” x 29” x 14” it doubles as a light fixture and is designed from maple, dye, urethane, wax, and lighting. During Art-A-Whirl it will be on display in Quincy Hall at the NEMAA booth. For the chance to win the sculpture, art lovers can purchase $2 raffle tickets online at Art-A-Whirl® Open Studio Tour – NEMAA or at the NEMAA booth at Quincy Hall. The winner will be notified in June.
Art-A-Whirl Passport Challenge to award $5,500 in prizes for festival attendees
Festival goers who download and use the new Art-A-Whirl Passport Challenge app can earn points during the three-day event by visiting various locations and sponsors, purchasing art and food, viewing the “Mississippi Tempest” commemorative sculpture, and more.
The Art-A-Whirl visitor who earns the most points over the three-day time period will win a certificate toward purchasing $1,500 in art from a NEMAA member artist. Three runners-up will each receive certificates for $500 in purchasing art.
All attendees earning points through the Art-A-Whirl Passport Challenge will be entered into a random drawing (based on the number of points earned) for gift cards to local Northeast restaurants and breweries in a variety of amounts. In total, $2,500 in gift cards will be awarded, bringing festival goers back to the Arts District throughout the year.
The Art-A-Whirl Passport Challenge app can be downloaded at Art-A-Whirl Passport Challenge – NEMAA or by scanning a QR code at the event. Winners will be announced in June.
Quick details:
Dates: Friday, May 16 (5-10 pm), Saturday, May 17 (Noon-8 pm), Sunday, May 18 (Noon-5 pm)
Location: Northeast Minneapolis – at 100+ locations: studio buildings, galleries, businesses and more.
Fee: Festival is FREE! All are welcome!
Getting Around: Getting Around Art-A-Whirl – NEMAA
Activities: Art-A-Whirl Activities – NEMAA
30 Featured Artists: 30 Featured Artists – NEMAA
Festival Beer: Art-A-Whirl Gold – NEMAA
Coloring Contest: 2025 Art-A-Whirl Coloring Contest – NEMAA
Art-A-Whirl News and Images: News & Media Room – NEMAA
About Art-A-Whirl and NEMAA (Northeast Minneapolis Arts Association)
Centered in the vibrant Northeast Minneapolis Arts District, NEMAA supports the local artist community with events, promotions, education, artist resources and fellowship. With more than 1,600 member artists, galleries and businesses, NEMAA is best known for producing Art-A-Whirl: the nation’s largest annual open studio art tour. Held the third weekend in May since 1995, the three-day festival features artwork in a wide range of disciplines and price points. In 2024, Art-A-Whirl welcomed more than 120,000 visitors from Minnesota and beyond.
The festival encompasses the Northeast Minneapolis Arts District, as well as the welcoming adjacent neighborhoods, chock full of music, activities, entertainment, restaurants, breweries and engaged local businesses. In 2025 art will be available at more than 100 locations. Attendees will be treated to a wide variety of art forms, including jewelry, printmaking, glass, textiles, photography, painting, drawing, sculpture, wood working, ceramics, mixed media and more.
About Holland Arts East Gallery and Yellowbird Coffee Bar
The Holland Arts East Gallery and Yellowbird Coffee Bar are open weekdays from 7 am to 5 pm and weekends from 8 am to 5 pm. The gallery hosts rotating monthly exhibits that feature artists from the Holland Arts community and NE Arts District. (The Holland Arts East and West Buildings are home to more than 40 creators spanning diverse artistic disciplines. Events — Holland Arts) The Yellowbird Coffee Bar is adjacent to the Holland Arts East Gallery, offering excellent coffee, genuine conversation, and great community.
Media contact: Lory Sutton, news@nemaa.org
Attachments: Sculpture images and video, Sculpture and Artist Backgrounder
