February 25, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — Media contact: Lory Sutton, news@nemaa.org, 612-875-0774
ART-A-WHIRL® CELEBRATES ITS 30TH YEAR! 1,400+ artists to welcome art lovers to Northeast Minneapolis, May 16-18
(Minneapolis, Minn.) Feb. 26, 2025—Art-A-Whirl®, the popular Northeast Minneapolis festival of art and fun, will celebrate its 30th year, May 16–18, with a line-up of more than 1,400 local artists.
The open studio tour will encompass the Northeast Minneapolis Arts District, as well as the welcoming neighborhoods of Northeast Minneapolis, chock full of music, activities, entertainment, restaurants, breweries and engaged local businesses. 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. Artworks will be at a wide range of price points, enabling everyone to take home a unique treasure.
Since Art-A-Whirl’s first open studio tour in 1995, attendance has grown from a few hundred people to more than 120,000, making it the largest annual arts event of its kind in the nation, and helping to position Northeast Minneapolis as a destination for both tourists and local residents.
“We are honored to be part of the thriving arts scene in Northeast Minneapolis and thrilled to welcome art lovers of all ages to this year’s Art-A-Whirl,” said Anna Becker, executive director of Northeast Minneapolis Arts Association (NEMAA). “Our anniversary brings us the opportunity to not only celebrate, but also to reflect upon all that NEMAA member artists have contributed to our community throughout the past 30 years.”
To commemorate 30 years of Art-A-Whirl, NEMAA is shining the spotlight on 30 Artists participating in this year’s Art-A-Whirl. Launching in April, visitors will be introduced to 30 featured artists of diverse backgrounds working in different mediums, representing the rich variety of Minnesota-created art on view and for sale at Art-A-Whirl, at nemaa.org and through studio events held year-round.
To help visitors better navigate the growing festival, a new app-based Art-A-Whirl Passport Challenge will launch just prior to the event, with the added bonus of enabling visitors to earn points towards winning prizes as they visit a variety of participating studios and businesses.
New and returning activities to the festival will range from a coloring contest and “I Bought Art” deals to art demos and interactive sessions with artists. A newly commissioned sculpture, reminiscent of Art-A-Whirl’s iconic tornado, will delight attendees and provide a fun photo opportunity.
Quick details:
- (An event map and specifics on the commissioned sculpture, 30 Artists, Passport Challenge, and festival entertainment and activities will be announced closer to the event.)
- Dates: Friday, May 16 (5–10 pm), Saturday, May 17 (Noon–8 pm), Sunday, May 18 (Noon–5 pm)
- Location: Northeast Minneapolis – at studio buildings, galleries, businesses and more.
- Fee: Festival is FREE! All are welcome!
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.
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