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Thorp Building

1618 NE Central Avenue
26 members open
Image: thorp exterior

Art-A-Whirl

Thorp Building is open Art-A-Whirl weekend on Friday, Saturday & Sunday.

Thorp Building is considered mobility accessible. View/Download Site Map

Ramp
Restroom
Parking

There are bike racks at Thorp Building.

Legend
Online sales available
Art-A-Whirl: open at least one day

Art-A-Whirl Activities

Art Demo
Family-friendly
Indoor

Acrylic Paint Pour Demo

Cost: FREE!

Saturday - May 17
Saturday, May 17th, 2pm-4pm

Learn about a mesmerizing and creative art technique! Artist Michele Hays of Behind the Red Curtain Arts will be leading demonstrations on how she creates her acrylic pour paintings. There are many techniques, but the ones she’ll be demonstrating are a blow out, a swipe, an open cup pour and a Dutch pour.

Feel free to stop by anytime between 2-4pm (we know, there’s a lot else going on at Art-A-Whirl…), but please sign up if you’re able, so we know how many people to expect!

This event will be happening concurrently with our Tin Can Luminaries class.

FREE event (with suggested donation)! Let us know you’ll be there at https://mntoollibrary.simpletix.com/

Thorp Building – 126 - Minnesota Tool Library, NE Mpls Branch
1618 Northeast Central Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55413
Map & Directions

612-440-8665 Send Email Visit Website

Family-friendly
Indoor
Interactive Activity

All Fired Up: Pottery Painting Party!

Cost: $15+

Friday - May 16 · Saturday - May 17 · Sunday - May 18
Fri 5–9pm, Sat 12–7pm, Sun 12–4pm

Come paint with us at this relaxed, drop-in pottery painting party. Choose from a collection of handmade porcelain pieces, poured from vintage molds dating back to the 70s and 80s—plus a few newer finds. You’ll find everything from mugs and vases to trolls, train sets, orangutans, cats, piggy banks, and more.

With over 40 glaze colors to choose from, you can make your piece entirely your own—no experience necessary. We’ll take care of the kiln firing, and your creation will be ready to pick up two weeks later!

Pieces range from $5–$100, with a $15 minimum per painter.

Drop-in hours:
Friday, May 16 — 5:00pm to 9:00pm
Saturday, May 17 — 12:00pm to 7:00pm
Sunday, May 18 — 12:00pm to 4:00pm

No need to RSVP—just show up and get All Fired Up!

Thorp Building – Studio 224
1618 Northeast Central Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55413
Map & Directions

612-280-2481 Send Email Visit Website

Art Demo
Other
Wheelchair Accessible

Instant Photography Pop-up Photo Booth with Midwest InstaCon

Cost: $5 per photo

Friday - May 16 · Saturday - May 17 · Sunday - May 18
All Art-A-Whirl weekend

Step into the spotlight and leave with a one-of-a-kind keepsake!  We’re hosting an instant photography photo booth all weekend long, featuring professional photographers from the Midwest InstaCon group.  For just $5, get your portrait snapped solo or with friends to capture the magic of Art-A-Whirl and take home a tangible memory.  No filters. No retakes.  Just real moments in a flash.

We’ll also be hosting an intro session to the world of instant photography, including a live Q&A where you can learn tips, tricks, and why this medium still has a place in today’s digital world.

Thorp Building – Studio 177
1618 Northeast Central Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55413
Map & Directions

decorative paper pattern (palm) in rainbow colors
Art Demo
Family-friendly
Indoor
Interactive Activity

Paper Marbling Demonstration

Cost: Free

Saturday - May 17
Saturday, all day

I use a great deal of decorative papers in my practice of book binding and box building. I will be demonstrating Turkish style (Ebru) marbling in my studio. All are welcome to watch. Questions welcome.

 

Thorp Building – 1618/225
1618 Northeast Central Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55413
Map & Directions

a group of people are drawing with soft pastels in an art studio
Art Demo
Family-friendly
Indoor
Interactive Activity

Soft Pastels – Open Drawing Studio

Cost: $15+

Friday - May 16 · Saturday - May 17 · Sunday - May 18
All weekend during Art-A-Whirl® hours

Play with soft pastels at Mary Pow’s beautiful art studio, located in the historic Thorp Building. This is a great way to take a break from the whirlwind that is Art-A-Whirl. Relax, experiment, and get into flow!

Mary will instruct you on how to start your drawing using vine charcoal and will teach you different techniques for using soft pastels. Once you feel comfortable, you can intuitively add color to your drawing. Spend as much time drawing in the studio as you please. Up to 8 people can draw at a time; first come, first served.

All materials are provided and you can take your finished drawing home with you. Recommended ages: 8 to adult (minors must be accompanied by an adult). $15 material fee per person – cash, Venmo, and credit cards accepted.

Upgrade Options:

  • Try specialized sanded paper +$5
  • Add a ready-to-frame 8″x10″ mat to your finished drawing +$5
  • Thirsty? Hot tea and sparking water are available +$2

Thorp Building – 1620-228
1618 Northeast Central Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55413
Map & Directions

Send Email Visit Website

Family-friendly
Indoor

Thorp Building Treasure Hunt

Cost: Free!

Friday - May 16 · Saturday - May 17 · Sunday - May 18
All Art-A-Whirl weekend

The Thorp Building is having a TREASURE HUNT!

Keep your kids engaged, bring a date, or try it yourself – this is a fun, interactive activity for anyone!

Ten famous artworks have been hidden throughout the Thorp building. Pick up a treasure hunt map at any participating studio and help us find them! When you’ve found them all, receive an “I Found Treasure” sticker and enter the drawing to win one of three amazing prize baskets!

How to participate:

  • Start at any studio in the Thorp Building with a Treasure Chest symbol above the door.
  • Locate each hidden artwork and write the corresponding suite number on the Treasure Map.
  • Unlock the next location on the Secret Route and continue your hunt until you find all ten!

This Treasure Hunt is brought to you by Mary Pow Designs. See the prize basket treasures at her studio in the Thorp Building, Suite #228.

 

Thorp Building – Building Wide
1618 Northeast Central Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55413
Map & Directions

612-910-0159 Send Email Visit Website

Family-friendly
Indoor
Interactive Activity

Tin Can Luminary Workshop

Cost: FREE!

Saturday - May 17
Saturday, May 17th, 2pm-4pm

Celebrate the Tool Library’s tin anniversary with this family-friendly, hands-on project! Using metal punches, hammers, drills, and other tools, participants will turn reused soup cans into custom candle lanterns to take home.

Stop in anytime during the workshop hours. A simple luminary only takes about 10 minutes or so, with more time needed for more detailed designs. This event will be happening concurrently with our acrylic paint pour demo.

All materials provided (although bringing your own empty, clean can to use or donate is much appreciated!)

Free for all, donations appreciated. Let us know you’ll be there at https://mntoollibrary.simpletix.com/

Thorp Building – 126 - Minnesota Tool Library, NE Mpls Branch
1618 Northeast Central Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55413
Map & Directions

612-440-8665 Send Email Visit Website

Indoor
Wheelchair Accessible

Tool Library Guided Tours

Cost: FREE!

Saturday - May 17
Saturday, May 17th, 10am-4pm

Curious about what a tool library does, or how we operate? Stop by on Saturday to get a personal tour of the Minnesota Tool Library’s inventory and shop.

Thorp Building – 126 - Minnesota Tool Library, NE Mpls Branch
1618 Northeast Central Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55413
Map & Directions

612-440-8665 Send Email Visit Website

Art Demo
Family-friendly
Indoor
Interactive Activity

Upcycled Wreaths: Knot your way to sustainable decor!

Cost: Free!

Saturday - May 17
Saturday 2-4p

Using thrifted embroidery hoops & strips of remnant fabric you will learn some basic knots & weaving techniques to create an sustainable artsy wreath for any space, season, or reason.
see more at winkworthdesigns.com

Thorp Building – 1618 #226
1618 Northeast Central Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55413
Map & Directions

651-321-1909 Send Email

Events at this Site

Class/Workshop
DIY Toilet Repairs

Need some toilet tips? Join Rethos and the Minnesota Tool Library for a crash course in toilet repair. Learn how to diagnose common toilet issues and determine the best course of action. Longtime plumber & teacher Manny Manzano will demonstrate basic repairs. You'll leave class with the confidence to tackle any flushing frustration that comes your way.

Thu May 22
6:00pm - 7:30pm

Thorp Building

$32 general / $20 tool library members

Register

Herb plants growing in terra cotta pots line a windowsill, their green leaves lit up by the sun
Class/Workshop
Kitchen Herb Garden Workshop

Bring some green to your kitchen, and always have fresh herbs on hand! In this workshop, participants will plant a small indoor herb garden in terracotta pots to take home.

Sat Jun 28
3:00pm - 5:00pm

Thorp Building

$45 general / $30 tool library members & N MPLS residents

Register

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