Local Filmmaker Keri Pickett on Her MSPIFF Entry, Uncle Roy

MSPIFF, our fabulous Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival, returns April 8-19 to celebrate its 45th anniversary with an awesome lineup of over 200 films from around the world, even some from right here in Minneapolis. I recommend Uncle Roy, by award-winning local documentary filmmaker Keri Pickett. It tells the extraordinary story of her uncle Roy Blakey - globetraveling ice skater turned trailblazing photographer and archivist. We talked to Keri about sharing a studio with her uncle at 413 E Hennepin, the excitement of the U.S. premiere at MSPIFF, and the ethics of documentary storytelling. Get your tickets here.

Keri Pickett, photo credit Karen Einstein

Q:  What does it mean to you to premiere Uncle Roy at MSPIFF?

A:  With the selection of Uncle Roy to MSPIFF this year, three out of four of my feature films have premiered at MSPIFF. Uncle Roy is a very intimate film about family and so it feels safe to share it with MSPIFF audiences. Me evolution as a filmmaker can be seen in pictures of post screening discussions happening in a theater which is walking distance from the Historic Old St. Anthony studio Roy and I shared for 33 years. I showed a sample sizzle of this film on my uncle’s personal story at the Walker Art Center, and after it played Roy was asked what he thought of the clip. His response was, “Too short.” He would be thrilled to know that people are interested in his story and of course I feel seen as a person and respected as a filmmaker.

Q:  Was there a moment when you realized the story of your uncle, Roy Blakey, needed to be a film rather than another form, like photography or writing?

A:  That is such a good question because I love creating books and Roy Blakey amassed so much memorabilia and created so many photographs that more books need to be made with his archive, but my instincts told me that Roy’s story needed to be a film. So in 2006 I bought a Panasonic camcorder camera, a faster computer, editing software and hard-drives with the intention of teaching myself filmmaking in order to make a film about Roy, his massive collection of the history of the ice shows and his life as a photographer to the stars in New York City. As I started to film, I also started to learn how to edit and I made a few short films to learn the craft. 

When I digitized Roy's 8mm cans of film, his life started to come alive and I started to learn about how theatrical figure skating shows dominated live entertainment for 4 decades. Attending Ice Follies, Ice Capades and Holiday on Ice reunions with Roy gave me a chance to meet the pioneers of this history, and my film focus changed to tell the story of the history of the shows and Roy’s efforts to preserve the history. Roy skated in The Soviet Union in 1963 - story follows an international route.

His treasure chest of 8mm films helped turn me into a filmmaker and in 2014 my first film, The Fabulous Ice Age, emerged as a Netflix Original right before the winter Olympics were in Russia, perhaps inspiring it to be translated into 10 languages. His natural skills as a documentarian inspired me to achieve my evolution as a media artist from photography and books to documentary feature films. This had to be a film.

Q:  How did you balance intimacy with objectivity when documenting someone so close to you?

A:  Others have granted me full access with my camera and so I felt it was good for me to experience what it is like to live authentically with a camera in the room. Balancing intimacy with objectivity has been at the core of my work since my early days as a Village Voice photographer to my decade of making pictures for People Magazine. For me, documentary filmmaking demands intimacy and for the most part I am the observer, the fly-on-the-wall who has the all-access pass to life. My film First Daughter and the Black Snake (2017) is powerful because the principal participant, Winona LaDuke, gave me intimate access to her dreams, her family and her efforts to defend the water. Finding Her Beat (2022), the film I co-directed with Dawn Mikkelson, also hinges on allowing me a front row seat to their lives as Jen Weir and Megan Chao Smith activate their taiko dream. When it came time to bring Uncle Roy to completion, I asked Dawn Mikkelson to help me edit the film and share it with the world.

Q:  Documenting family can be complex - how did you navigate consent, boundaries, and representation?

A:  Documenting family runs in my family as my grandparents were genealogists and then Roy’s photographic archive reveals that he valued documenting his life. Film was expensive back then yet he made sure to document with both an 8mm camera and a still camera, bits of his life, the ice shows and the places where he traveled with Holiday on Ice International.

Keri and Roy

My first interview with Roy was twenty years ago and it took me eight years to make my first film, but it emerged from Roy’s abundance of talent and passion for his own lucky life. He has been a part of every step. When the Fabulous Ice Age played in Napa Valley and in Lincoln Center, Roy joined the Q&A and it was clear that he LOVED sharing his story. I had his full consent to have his story told in a documentary film and I obtained it many times before dementia started robbing him of his memories. 

Q:  What type of conversations are you hoping the film sparks during and after the festival screenings on April 10 and 11?

A:  Because the film is about my efforts to preserve his memories, and given the fact that there will be many people in the audience who knew Roy, I am hoping to hear some other perspectives on how Roy’s life impacted others. Questions around how we preserve our family legacy may be overshadowed by the greater question of who will care for us, as we as a society collectively age. The documentary covers a wide array of topics and I will be looking forward to hearing which aspect of the film’s journey of discovery and preservation stands out as notable. 

Q:  Do you see this film as opening the door to more personal storytelling in your future work?

A:  Each film feels like the process of earning an advanced degree and this one is no exception. Personally, I have learned to “never say never” as I did a number of things with this film that I thought I would never do, such as appearing in the film. Never in a million years did I think I would ever have me doing a “voice over” as I am most interested in natural sound and unscripted dialogue. This door has opened my eyes to the importance of building the right team. Dawn and I worked together on the film Finding Her Beat and we brought in Me-Lee Hay to create another beautiful original score. Including Mark Smolowitz from 13th Gen Films as a consulting producer and Doug Blush as a consulting editor brings film wisdom and clarity. Finally, Jeffrey Winter at the Film Collaborative is representing the film in the film festival world where early indications are for a robust film festival life for Uncle Roy.

Q:  If Uncle Roy could attend the premiere, what do you think his reaction would be?

A:  Upon the film’s completion, Roy and I both imagined being at the festival together and so I can only hope that people’s hearts and minds will be opened by our relationship, my uncle's legacy, and the film which is also a love letter to our family. My mom (Roy's sister) and my sister will be at the premiere, and so I think he would gather people together and he would make pictures.

Oratorio Society of MN Announces April 17 Concert, An American Trilogy

Friday, April 17, 7:30pm

Ted Mann Concert Hall, 2128 4th Street S

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As the United States approaches the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding, the Oratorio Society of Minnesota and the University of Minnesota School of Music will present An American Trilogy, a sweeping concert of choral and orchestral masterworks inspired by the American landscape, spirit and poetry.

Bringing together the 150-voice Oratorio Society and University Singers, orchestra and a distinguished quartet of soloists - soprano Maddie Holtze, mezzo-soprano Kristina Rodel Sorum, tenor Scott Brunscheen and baritone Philip Zawisza - the program explores the cultural imagination that shaped America through music by Aaron Copland, John Corigliano and Lukas Foss. The concert is led by Artistic Director Matthew Mehaffey along with conductors Brandon Berger and Paolo Debuque.

At the heart of the evening is Lukas Foss’s The Prairie, a powerful choral work based on Carl Sandburg’s expansive poem. With bold orchestral writing and sweeping choral textures, Foss evokes the scale, force and generosity of the prairie landscape - land that has long sustained life, community and memory. In presenting this work, the program invites audiences to reflect not only on the prairie’s beauty and abundance, but also on our responsibility to honor the land and the histories carried within it.

Also featured is John Corigliano’s Fern Hill, a luminous musical setting of Dylan Thomas’s beloved poem about childhood and the passage of time, alongside Aaron Copland’s Quiet City, whose haunting trumpet and English horn lines evoke the introspective stillness of the American night.

“Together, these works offer a musical reflection on landscape, memory and the many stories carried through this place. The prairie is not simply a symbol of expansion or possibility - it symbolizes the courage and imagination of those and built communities there. It is a living landscape that has given deeply to those who have depended on it across generations. As we approach America’s semiquincentennial, this program creates space to experience that beauty while also reflecting on the complex histories tied to it - including loss, displacement and the enduring presence of Indigenous peoples. In that way, performance can become not only an act of interpretation, but also an act of acknowledgment and respect.” Matthew Mehaffey, artistic director of the Oratorio Society of Minnesota

To further explore these themes, the concert will feature a pre-concert lecture by Andrew Clark of Harvard University at 7:10pm. Professor Clark will place The Prairie into a modern context, examining its unique history and the evolving ways we understand the American landscape today.

Tickets are available at Oratorio.org or at the door. Prices include General Seating – $25, Premier Seating – $35, and Student / Livestream – $10.

The Oratorio Society of Minnesota is a 100-plus voice, auditioned choral group based in the Twin Cities dedicated to presenting compelling performances of major works for chorus and orchestra. Founded in 1980, the nonprofit organization brings together accomplished volunteer singers, professional soloists and instrumentalists to perform dynamic and diverse choral repertoire. The Oratorio Society presents an annual concert season and engages the community through educational and participatory programs such as a Summer Chorus and international music tours fostering lifelong engagement with choral music throughout the area.

Matthew Mehaffey is Artistic Director of the Oratorio Society of Minnesota and Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities at the University of Minnesota. An internationally recognized conductor, he previously led the Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh and earned a GRAMMY nomination for a recording of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony.

April 22 Red Cross Green Gathering Event Features Fun Earth Day Activities

April 22, 4p-7p

American Red Cross, Twin Cities, 1201 W River Parkway 

Red Cross Green Gathering is a community Earth Day open house highlighting practical, real-world sustainability in action. This interactive event features local partners, hands-on activities, reused-materials art, and behind-the-scenes looks at sustainability projects already underway at the Red Cross.

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Art to Change the World will display a selection of pieces from their Mystery Trash Remix (like the sample shown above) and will be hosting two make and takes:

• Magic Waste Wand Making - Use found objects to create a wand that can help make the world a better place!
• Sock-tapus - Transform an old sock into a fanciful sea creature!

Sock-tapus

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Featured Vendors include Chuck & Don's Uptown / Heatherly's Sweet Treats / Art to Change the World / Signature Mechanical / Chowgirls

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Free IT recycling - see website for details.

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Attendance is free, but you can register for an additional entry into the prize drawing.

New at Graco Park: Bike Maintenance Workshops with Bjorn Cycling

The Minneapolis Park and Rec Board welcomes Bjorn Cycling to Graco Park for a series of hands-on bike maintenance classes that are equal parts practical, empowering and fun.

Bjorn Cycling founder Erik has been teaching bike skills since the late 90s, and he breaks things down in a way that makes sense. Whether you're brand new to cycling or have been riding for years, you’ll leave feeling more confident and capable.

What you’ll get out of it:

• Fix your own flat
• Adjust your brakes and gears without guessing
• Learn what all those bike parts actually do
• Pick up quick trailside fixes and everyday maintenance tips
• Feel a little more self-sufficient every time you ride

Class options:

3-Hr Workshops (Ages 12–16/$60) A great starting point for youth riders

• April 26 | 2–5 pm
• May 17 | 2–5 pm
• June 12 | 9 am–12 pm
• July 26 | 2–5 pm
• August 16 | 2–5 pm
• September 20 | 2–5 pm

3-Hr Workshops (Ages 17+/$60) For adults to expand their bike knowledge

• April 1 | 4:30–7:30 pm
• May 3 | 2–5 pm
• June 14 | 2–5 pm
• July 12 | 2–5 pm
• August 9 | 2–5 pm
• September 13 | 2–5 pm

2-Day Youth Camps (Ages 12–17/$80) A deeper dive into bike maintenance

• June 30–July 1 | 5:30–7:30 pm
• July 30–31 | 1–3 pm
• August 20–21 | 1–3 pm

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A few things to know:

•  Graco Park is located at 810 Sibley Street NE
•  Bring your bike (especially one that needs a little love)
•  Small class sizes = lots of hands-on time
•  No experience needed

New Art Exhibit – Revive & Shine - Opens at The Mill Yard April 12

 

Revive & Shine

Opening Reception Sunday, April 12, 4:00 – 6:00pm

Stonebridge Lofts, 1120 S 2nd Street

Join the The Mill Yard opening reception to meet local artists, purchase original art, see neighbors and enjoy complimentary snacks and beverages. Chimborazo food truck will be on site with food to purchase.

The Mill City. Residents celebrate our area’s industrial heritage of the mighty Mississippi River and the mills. Today, what we see are the most recognizable Minneapolis landmarks. However, this is only part of the story. Rail lines were key to Minneapolis’ growth, and were particularly integral to the Mill District, bringing in wheat and timber and shipping out flour and lumber. We also honor the history of the mills, the reason for the rail yard’s existence. The Mill Yard aims to be both a gathering place for art and artists and a conduit by which art can be shared with and disseminated into the wider community.

Artists featured at this show:

Painter Ron Boehm is visual artist painting primarily in abstraction with acrylic paint. His compositions are inspired by his life experiences as well as the world around him. His focus is the strength and power of design and the use of various techniques to arrange strong contrasting colors. His objective is to develop a unique statement in each composition. His passion, fascination and play with color is obvious in his work. In addition, “Texture and the impact it can have on the outcome of the paintings has been incorporated in my efforts.” Ron currently lives in the Twin Cities after retiring from teaching art for forty-two years in North Dakota public schools.

Logan Chyla is a local ceramic artist working out of his studio at the Northern Clay Center. Logan makes wheel-thrown functional and decorative vessels intended for everyday use. He is fascinated by the ceramic making process and strives to show aspects of how pots are made throughout his body of work, as well as highlighting the unique marks made by the firing process. His focus is on atmospheric soda firing. Recently, Logan has also begun exploring new colors and surfaces using cone 10 reduction firing.

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Mark Kuhn is a professional fine art travel photographer with a passion for capturing the world’s beauty. His photographs of landscapes, architecture, culture and native beauty emphasize shape, line, texture and, most especially, color. “I chase stories through my lens alongside my wife and travel partner, Kris.” His body of work from traveling 37 countries, so far, is regularly exhibited at juried art shows, where he has received multiple high honors. In addition, his photographs have been recognized in international photography competitions. Mark is owner of Wanderlust Photography based in Maple Grove.

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Risa Nishiguchi is a ceramic artist with a focus on creating functional objects. On each piece she meticulously carves patterns to represent the flow of energy in everyday moments. Occasionally, patterns are revealed from the kiln flames during a soda firing. Risa received a BA in ceramic art from Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana and has been teaching pottery across the Twin Cities ranging from community classes to public high school education. She currently works as a ceramics studio coordinator at Eagan Art House.

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Rya Priede is a textile-mixed-media artist specializing in a unique form of traditional sewing and embroidery. Rya’s lifelong passion for sewing and textiles intersected with her love of illustration and interest in photography inspiring her to combine these elements into original images. Several years ago, she discovered the “Big Little Books” series of children’s books which were published from the 1930s to the 1960s. Drawn to both the illustrations and captions – taken out of context and viewed through a feminist lens – she found them witty, sometimes subversive and inspiring. She had the pages scanned and printed on paper. Then she sewed on them. Some pieces are on paper backed with linen and others are on inkjet Tyvek. “The backs are just as fun as the fronts. Removed from the printed illustration, it’s a pure record of the act of sewing.”

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Nancy Hemstad Seaton is a glass artist who has been creating her entire life. “It’s breathing.” She finds the physicality, technicality, fluidity and solid intense color of glass inspiration. “Together we express our feelings in a duet. It’s science and heart. Chemistry creates the colors; physics the shape.” Nancy creates functional pieces, such as plates and bowls, as well as jewelry and sculptural towers. She discovers that some of her pieces are straightforward coming out of the kiln exactly as planned. “In others I’ll put reactive colors together or let gravity and heat move things around.” Nancy and her husband live on the Gunflint Trail, “where the calm of a sunset or the power of a towering White Pine stir me to share that moment’s emotion.”

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Linda Snouffer is a multimedia botanical printmaker. Her combination of materials and techniques (from fiber arts, watercolor, acrylics, and pastels), has transformed timeless leaf printing into a fine art. All plant images in her multifaceted landscapes are created by printing grasses, leaves, and other plant material. Structural variations in grass stalks, blades and tassels print with remarkable artistic versatility to create meadows and cattails, while fern and yarrow leaf prints form woods. Each of the landscapes informs the viewer of the beauty and respect for native landscapes.

Light and Nature Art Opening at Washburn Lofts, April 16

Opening Reception Thursday, April 16, 5-7pm

Washburn Lofts Lobby and Great Room, 700 S 2nd Street

Karl Herber was born the youngest of five kids in 1971 and has long felt like the odd one. Through art and photography, he has learned to embrace those qualities that make him who he is. A year spent in Austria during college laid the foundation for his development as an artist. There, he studied German, art history, printmaking and photography. Over the following thirty-plus years, he has worked as a professional photographer, won awards, and exhibited and sold work in Europe and the United States.

He currently lives in Minneapolis, in a house filled with light and art, and two tall women who inspire him to be better each day. As an avid Nordic skier and runner, he can appreciate the change of seasons and morning light; enough to offset the effects of screen time and monitor glow.

Wild Fennel

Small Business Spotlight: Christos Greek Restaurant, an Eat Street Fixture Since 1988

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided

Carol and Gus Parpas

Christos Greek Restaurant seems like a permanent fixture on Eat Street, but it was a new venture in 1988.  We spoke to co-owner Gus Parpas about opening a new ethnic restaurant in 1988, his favorite menu items, and what it meant as a business owner to resist the ICE invasion of 2026 at the epicenter of the violence.  The bright restaurant interior is a feature only topped by the delicious food choices. Check out the We Can Change the World mural mounted on the back wall – made from boards mounted on the outside of the restaurant during the George Floyd murder unrest. Make plans to visit and support this community treasure at 2632 Nicollet Avenue. 

Q:  What inspired you to open Christos back in 1988, and how has that original vision evolved over the years?

A:  My wife Carol and I knew that while there were Greek restaurants on the Twin Cities dining scene, they represented the cuisine of regions such as Thesalloniki and Athens. Our goal was to introduce cuisine from my home island of Cyprus. The island’s cuisine is fundamentally Greek, with influences from ethnic groups that passed through over the centuries. The Arabs, Turks, French, Italians and various north African invaders all left their imprint, making Cypriot food many-faceted and colorful. You’ll find aspects of all of those cultures represented in our dishes.

Q:  How do you balance traditional Greek or Cypriot culinary roots with local Minnesotan tastes and influences?

A:  Italian, Mexican and Chinese food were staples on the Minnesota dining scene. But the relatively recent arrival of sushi and southeast Asian cuisine of all stripes opened new taste horizons for Minnesotans. By 1988 when we opened Christos, Minnesotans’ tastes had evolved. It was no surprise that they took to Greek/Cypriot food right away. It’s worth noting that we had always intended to present authentic dishes as we experienced them on the island, so we did not feel compelled to alter the taste in order to appease the locals. We have, though, tweaked recipes from time to time to capture the essence of certain regional renditions of dishes we came to prefer.

Above, Koto Poulo, and below, Koto Sto Phyllo

Q:  What are your personal favorite menu items, and which ones resonate most with Minneapolis diners?

Hummus appetizerA:  I gravitate to legume soups such as Louvana (yellow split pea with diced Kalamata olives on top); Fasoulada (white bean with vegetables); and Lentil-Spinach. All three are made with homemade vegetable stock. Also, fresh Seabass and fresh Salmon filet. Carol tends to favor chicken dishes such as Kota Sto Phyllo (boneless, skinless breast rolled around the classic mix of sauteed spinach, fresh dill and crumbled feta, then wrapped and baked in phyllo pastry); Oregano Chicken (half a chicken marinated in lemon, olive oil, garlic and white wine, then broiled); or Kotopoulo (half a chicken roasted with fresh herbs and topped with a savory mushroom sauce). Hummus, made fresh daily, is a go-to appetizer for both of us.

Mousaka

Q:  Your responses made me immediately hungry. How do you work to preserve Greek traditions in your dishes while innovating? Any ingredients or techniques you source directly from Greece?

A:  Changes to the menu are usually driven by our frequent visits to the homeland. When in Cyprus, we actively research new dishes and often cook with family members. Promising dishes are perfected back at the restaurant in Minneapolis, then tested as daily specials.

As far as ingredients go, we have a very reliable supply chain. Still, certain specialty items need to be shipped to us directly from time to time.

Q:  What role do you see Christos playing in the Eat Street community and Minneapolis dining scene?

A:  During the ICE invasion we undertook the role of spokesman for the businesses on Nicollet when news outlets were scouring the neighborhood trying to get the story for their viewers. Situated at the epicenter of the protests, we found ourselves speaking the truth in order to dispel the lies told by ICE. We wanted the public to know about the brutality of the tactics employed by ICE, the pain inflicted on families and the disruption suffered by businesses. We believe we helped in that regard. Beyond that, we enjoy being a gathering place for the community and a friendly restaurant serving authentic, affordable food is a warm, welcoming space.

Q:  Are there memorable customer moments or traditions that have stayed with you over the years?

A:  It’s always a good day when “Christos kids” come to visit. Members of this special class were born after we opened in 1988 and were introduced to us by their parents early on. Some of these parents had their first date at Christos. Many were engaged in the Christos dining room. Their kids have gone on to become doctors, lawyers, engineers and artists. Many have children of their own, starting a new cycle that we hope we are here to enjoy. They all have one thing in common: Christos is their club and its always a delight to see them.

It’s equally enjoyable to see the children of employees many of whom grew up right in our midst. If we judge by the number of weddings and quinceneras we’ve attended over the years, we are part of whole second families.

Q:  What do you hope the legacy of Christos will be in Minneapolis - both as a restaurant and as a community gathering spot?

A:  We think Christos will be remembered as the friendly eatery where guests are received warmly. Where the take-out station is bustling during the lunch and dinner rush and the servers are zipping around loaded with plates of tantalizing food. The seated guests often have to lean in to hear as the Saganakis are bursting into flames all over the dining room. The place where Chef Mohamed barks fired ticket numbers to the hot side. Where Carol and I are habitually greeting incoming guests with hugs. Everyone is an old friend, and if they are not, they will soon be. The Christos legacy of Mediterranean warmth and positive Greek energy lives on. Please follow us on Facebook and come visit!

Garden Art Fling at the Flux Arts Building, April 11

Rooster Quilt by Tina Rohde of WonderWeavers

Garden Art Fling at the Flux Arts Building, April 11, 10:00a-5:00p

Join local artists for spring fun focused on gardens! The Flux Arts Building will be full of artists both downstairs and upstairs in the Art to Change the World headquarters. 

• Make and Take activities include Flower Weaving, “Trash Flowers,” make your own clay vase, build your own mini Bookshelf and more - music and snacks, too! Clay Squared will have a 50% off instock tile sale.
• Garden Swap: Bring seeds, seedlings and small garden tools and/or just take what you need from the swap table!
• Garden Art Exhibit upstairs in the Art to Change the World Headquarters featuring shaped garden art.
• Art in the shape of squares, circles, hearts, hexagons, triangles, etc., all in the theme of things you can see when you are in a garden. Check out this beautiful garden display made by multiple Art to Change the World artists. These items will also be for sale, along with seed balls and plants. Questions on the upstairs activities? Contact Denise at MNdreamArt@gmail.com. 

Artists displaying in the Hub of the Flux Arts Building include:

Lola Alexander / Holley Wlodarczyk/Garden Variety Art / Catherine A. Palmer / Laura Burlis / Becca David / Jillian Collins / James Smead / JobyLynn Sassily-James / Margo Ashmore / Meg Volkman Daoust / Christina Buelow / Tina Rohde/Colleen Shaskin WonderWeavers - Storytellers

The Flux Arts Building is located at 2505 Howard Street NE Minneapolis. Questions? Contact Layl at Layl@claysquared.com

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Additional info re: the Garden/Art Swap at the Garden Art Fling 

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Do you have extra seedlings or seeds? Garden tools that you don’t use anymore? Are you looking for some free additions to your garden? Come to the Garden/Art Swap at the Garden Art Fling!

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Advance drop-off available: Thursday and Friday, April 9 and 10, 11am to 5pm, or bring your items during the swap event. No new drop-offs after 3pm Saturday, April 11. 

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Materials accepted:

Seeds, seedlings (clearly labeled), small plant starts (clearly labeled in containers no bigger than a few plants each), art/decor for the garden, small garden-themed art for indoors, garden and house plant books, gloves, kneeling pads, plant markers, small trellises and supports, small hand tools, materials for making weather resistant garden art.

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If you would like to offer plant divisions that the recipient can arrange to dig up, prepare a note with your contact info. If you are looking for gardening help, prepare a note with your contact info. If you bring found objects or other supplies for garden art, please check back toward the end of the event to take back what’s left over.

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Not accepted: No large tools, no chemicals, nothing requiring electric power or gasoline. Nothing bigger than an individual can carry. Please save your pots and larger tools for the traditional neighborhoods’ garden tool swap later in spring. Info on this event will be provided at the Garden Art Fling.

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You do not need to bring anything in order to take, or to take anything if you just want to contribute. 

Reach out to Margo Ashmore for questions about the Garden/Art Swap: margo@margoashmore.com

Upcoming Programming at the Mill City Museum

The Mill District of Minneapolis is home to the Mill City Museum, a historical treasure part of the Minnesota Historical Society. Here's a sampling of upcoming events:

Millers’ Tour Multiple dates - A 60-minute guided tour including many of the nooks and crannies of Mill City Museum.

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Thursday, April 9 / 7pm-8 pm
Book Launch: “Making Mill City: Flour and Fortune in Minneapolis” with Author Robert Frame III
Join author and historian Robert M. Frame III for an illustrated presentation to celebrate the publication of Making Mill City: Flour and Fortune in Minneapolis, a richly illustrated history of the flour factories that transformed the milling industry worldwide—and forever changed the culture and architecture of Minneapolis.

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Sunday, April 12 / 1pm-2pm
Season’s Eatings: Spring
Spring is in the air and Mill City Museum staff invite you to the Baking Lab to celebrate the season! Visitors will be able to sample a lemon poppy seed Bundt cake recipe from the book Bundt Cake Bliss by Susanna Short and explore the history of the famous Nordic Ware Bundt cake pan.

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Friday, May 1 / 6pm-8:30pm 
Pot Likker: Food, Memory, and the Art of Nourishment
This intimate, hands-on gathering brings together food, storytelling, and art to explore how everyday cooking carries memory, culture, and care. Hosted in collaboration with Chef Lachelle Cunningham, who is featured in the Women With Taste exhibit, the evening centers on pot likker, a deeply nourishing broth rooted in Black food traditions and shaped by generations of ingenuity.

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Saturday, May 2 / 10am-1pm
Pearl’s Garden Family Day
Celebrate the recent release of the MNHS Press children's book Pearl's Garden and the first day of the spring outdoor Mill City Farmers Market with author and artist Carolyn Olson. 

11th Annual Great River Coalition Earth Day 5K Bee Run/Walk/River Clean Up, April 18

Family- and dog-friendly Earth Day event on April 18 supports pollinators, healthy riverfront habitat, and community action

As spring approaches, the Great River Coalition invites the community to celebrate Earth Day in support of pollinators at the 11th Annual Earth Day 5K Bee Run/Walk and River Cleanup on Saturday, April 18, at Boom Island Park, 724 Sibley Street Northeast. Participants can run or walk the scenic 5K or volunteer for the organized river cleanup, helping protect pollinators and support a healthier Mississippi River. Learn more and register.

The event welcomes families and dogs and features Earth Day festivities including live music, kids’ activities, educational booths, prize drawings, and bee-themed photo ops with a selfie station and mascots. Pollinator costumes are encouraged, with awards for standout looks.

Hosted in partnership with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, National Park Service, and Mill City Running/St. City Running, the Bee Run/Walk brings together runners, walkers, volunteers, and environmental advocates for a morning of fitness, fun, and hands-on stewardship along the Mississippi River corridor.

Since 2016, the Great River Coalition has raised funds for pollinator plantings along the Mississippi River and built public awareness about the urgent need to protect native pollinators amid climate and environmental change. Native species, including the federally endangered Rusty Patched Bumble Bee, continue to need expanded habitat and food resources.

Why Pollinators Matter to the Mississippi River Ecosystem

• Strengthen habitat corridors: The Mississippi is a natural travel route for species; pollinators help keep connected habitat patches blooming along the way.

• Boost biodiversity: More native flowers means more insects, which means more food for fish and wildlife.

• Prevent erosion: Pollinators help native riverbank plants reproduce, and those deep-rooted plants hold soil in place so less washes into the Mississippi.

• Support cleaner water: Healthy riverfront vegetation slows stormwater and traps sediment and pollutants before they reach the river.

• Feed wildlife: Pollination boosts seeds, berries, and fruit that feed birds and other animals, supporting the whole river corridor.

• Signal ecosystem health: When pollinators decline, it can be an early warning sign of habitat loss, pesticide exposure, or stressed soils and water.

“Great River Coalition is working to expand the habitat for our pollinators. If you walk along our Minneapolis riverfront, or travel around the state, you’ll see the limited food resources that sustain our pollinators as they travel along the Mississippi River. The erosion created by the lack of grasslands contributes to soil and water pollution, and encourages invasive species. The Rusty Patched Bumble Bee, Minnesota’s state bumblebee, is critically endangered. We aim to bring awareness to the vital role pollinators play in the health of our riverfront communities, our state, and our planet.” Board President Diane Hofstede

Event Details

PRICE: $40 in advance, $45 on Race Day. Free for kids’ race (ages 6 and under) and River Clean Up volunteers. Includes family-friendly activities and a celebration of Earth Day.

Register: raceroster.com/events/2026/111846/earth-day-5k-bee-runwalkriver-cleanup

The 5K will start at 9am. The kid’s race, with goodie bags, will begin at 8:30am — children must be age 6 or under and must be registered before the event, either online or in-person with registration of walker or runner. The River Clean Up begins at 9:30am. Volunteers register online before the event. 

Prizes:

• HD Flat Screen Smart TV
• Four tickets to MN Vikings game at US Bank Stadium, Row 12, End Seats (End Zone, Facing Minneapolis, value $600 +). Date to be determined.
• And much more!
• Costumes are welcome. Prizes for the best! Name your team!

The Great River Coalition are change agents and advocates for policies and initiatives that honor the historic, commercial, environmental, and spiritual significance of the Mississippi River. To carry out its mission, the Great River Coalition collaborates with local businesses, organizations, and government agencies to engage, educate, and plant pollinator plantings in our communities. For 11 years the Earth Day 5K Bee Run Walk and River Clean Up has brought thousands of people, built awareness, education and interaction with our Mississippi Riverfront partners, local and National groups. Great River Coalition members and partners take action by testifying at public hearings, publishing impactful comments about riverfront impacts, and building relationships. As a member-supported 501(c) (3) non-profit organization, the Great River Coalition relies wholly on support from members, donors, volunteers, and sponsors.

Facebook: facebook.com/GreatRiverCoalitionMN, Instagram: instagram.com/greatrivercoalition

Never Spoken Again: Rogue Stories of Science and Collections - On Exhibit at WAM Through May 17

Immature peregrine falcon, taxidermy by John Jarozs. Courtesy of Bell Museum. Photo: Rik Sferra.

What artifacts make their way into modern art collections? What is the backstory – which sometimes includes violence, erasures and just plain coincidence - that the object survived to be viewed today? Colombian curator David Ayala-Alfonso explores this question in the Weisman Art Museum (WAM) exhibit Never Spoken Again: Rogue Stories of Science and Collections, on view until May 17. The exhibit is produced by Independent Curators International and will make you think more than twice about modern art collections, modern art museums, and the origin stories of the artworks.  

That’s a lot to process. So, we asked WAM’s Director of Public Engagement and Learning, Kaitie Covey, for five reasons to visit the Never Spoken Again exhibition. Her reasons are compelling: 

1) Visit the show, and rethink all the museum exhibits you've experienced during your life: Who made those displays, and what was their point of view, their intention in creating them? What sorts of stories are our institutions invested in, and who gets to author them? What kinds of preconceptions are we bringing to a museum visit? (And what happens when those expectations are subverted?)

2) See the provocative gold dies, created by Brazilian artist Felipe Steinberg (one of the Weisman's featured speakers in a panel conversation on April 8), which could be used to print ISIS five-dinar coins. This work asks the viewer to consider the intersection of money and power, and the production of currency as it's linked to sovereignty and influence on the global stage - the machinery that turns ideologies into something tangible and functional.

Above, Felipe Steinberg, In God We Trust, 2013, gold dies of a five dinar coin. Below, Ulrik López, Summon Song I (detail), Mayan screaming vase, 2018-2019. Object replicas, fabricated archeological site, and sound. Courtesy the artist, with support from the Foundation for Contemporary Arts Emergency Grant.

3) Listen to the eerie call of ceramic heads, similar to those unearthed in archaeological digs of the early 20th century and displayed in museums around the world, and hear their voices restored. 

4) See a perfectly preserved peregrine falcon (on loan from the University of Minnesota's Bell Museum), and learn about its surprising origins. 

5) Experience in this show precisely what makes the Weisman a distinctive place in the Twin Cities arts scene: As an academic art museum, the Weisman is uniquely positioned to hold conversations like those prompted by Never Spoken Again - where art, research, science, and critical thinking intersect. We’re not just presenting objects; we’re testing ideas together. And we’re also teaching. Every day we’re working with students - future curators, educators, scientists, artists, and museum practitioners - helping them learn how to question inherited narratives, how to care ethically for collections, and how to build institutions that are more reflective, inclusive, and accountable than the ones we inherited.

Plan your visit to WAM before the exhibition leaves in May. The museum is closed Monday and Tuesday. Hours are Wednesday to Friday 10 to 5 and 11 to 5 on Saturday and Sunday.

Reyes Santiago Rojas, Sugar Crush no. 1 (detail), 2019. Mixed-media installation. Courtesy the artist.

Graze Food Hall by Travail to Host MN Bars Bake Sale March 21

Over 40 Home Bakers - All Proceeds Donated To The Salt Cure Restaurant Recovery Fund To Help Local Restaurants

 

Graze Food Hall by Travail is hosting MN Bars Bake Sale on Saturday, March 21, from 12pm to 2pm with a DJ playing from 2pm to 4pm. Over 40 local home bakers are coming together to benefit The Salt Cure Restaurant Recovery Fund, which preserves the heart of Minnesota’s food culture and serves those who often serve us.

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“Building community is very important to us at Graze, and we are honored to help bring this event to life to help our restaurant community,” said Molly Herrmann, director of operations at Graze Food Hall by Travail.

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Each baker is bringing at least three dozen bars, and the event will feature celebrity bakers, such as Zoe Francois of Zoe Bakes, chef/TV host Andrew Zimmern, and singer/songwriter Jeremy Messersmith, making “Star Bars,” which will be sold separately in a pack of six.

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Guests are encouraged to pre-purchase tickets to guarantee bars don’t sell out. Tickets are just $4 and can be purchased online. A limited number of tickets will be available in person at the bake sale.

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“There is nothing more quintessentially Minnesotan than gathering a room full of bakers to help a neighbor,” said Zoe Francois, owner of Zoe Bakes. “We’re supporting the restaurant folks who nurture our community and need our love!”

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The Salt Cure Restaurant Recovery Fund is an act of preservation for the Minnesota restaurant community. Many small restaurants don’t have large enough platforms to ask for meaningful help, even though they have been directly and negatively impacted by actions this past winter. The Salt Cure Fund is a collective of local food advocates and industry professionals who have partnered with trusted community organizations, like The Minneapolis Foundation, to ensure that direct, critical aid gets into the right hands. Despite the fund recently hitting over one million dollars raised, applications for grants through the fund have already surpassed four million dollars, and time is running out to make an impact.

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“While raising a million bucks is a huge feat, the need far surpasses that,” said Stephanie March, co-founder of The Salt Cure Restaurant Recovery Fund. “In fact, we are currently working hard to distribute all the money we've collected quickly to help restaurants pay rent and payroll, so every dollar donated back stretches the mission to more restaurants.”

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Follow @grazenorthloop on social media or visit grazenorthloop.com for more information and a full list of upcoming Graze events.

Theatre in the Round Presents Conscience - a Story About Margaret Chase Smith, March 27-April 19

Theatre in the Round Players will present Conscience, a thought-provoking historical drama by acclaimed playwright Joe DiPietro. Performances run March 27 through April 19, with shows on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30pm and Sundays at 2:00pm. Tickets 

Conscience tells the inspiring true story of Senator Margaret Chase Smith, the first woman elected to both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, who in 1950 stood alone on the Senate floor to publicly challenge Senator Joseph McCarthy and the fear-driven politics of McCarthyism. Her courageous 'Declaration of Conscience' speech was a defining moment of political integrity—one that came with personal and professional cost but continues to resonate with striking relevance today.

Conscience is a stirring portrait of moral courage and the power of conviction—an intimate arena theatre experience that confronts history, politics, and the human heart with honesty and insight. This timely production invites audiences to reflect on leadership, integrity, and the responsibilities of public service.

SHOW DETAILS

Content Notice: Strong language; recommended for ages 13+

Audio-Described Performance: Sunday, April 12 at 2:00pm

Pay-What-You-Can Performance: Monday, April 6 at 7:30pm

Miller Lite’s Free Rides Program Returns to Minneapolis for St. Patrick's Day

Those in the Mpls/St. Paul area can visit the Metro Transit website to review routes and plan their St. Patrick’s Day travel. 

Molson Coors is once again partnering with Metro Transit to activate its Miller Lite Free Rides program for St. Patrick’s Day in the Twin Cities. Minnesotans will have access to fare-free public transportation from 6pm on Tuesday, March 17 to end of service on all Metro Transit routes – both buses and light rail.

Since its debut in Milwaukee in 1988, Free Rides has provided nearly 10 million rides nationwide through partnerships with local transit agencies.

St. Patrick’s Day Free Rides kicks off the 2026 program, which will extend to additional markets during major holidays and community events throughout the year. Further details will be released later in the year.

In 2025, Molson Coors partnered with local transit agencies in eight cities to provide fare-free rides on three different occasions. Last year, the program provided more than 29,000 rides in the Twin Cities area.

To help increase access to free rides on St. Patrick’s Day, Metro Transit has also partnered with the Minnesota Valley Transit Authority (MVTA), to provide transportation in the southern portion of the Twin Cities.

What’s it Like to be a Dinosaur Puppeteer? Meet Nat Speight, Puppetry Captain of Dinosaur World Live at Children's Theatre Company

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided

Dinosaur World Live opened at Children’s Theatre Company March 3rd and runs through April 5th. We wanted to know more about the role of puppeteers and especially the Puppetry Captain. Nat Speight was just the person to answer our questions. He told us all about the physicality required to be a puppeteer, how to get started in this career field and the importance of creating wonder in young audience members. This show will be extinct from Minneapolis before you know it – get your tickets today!

Nat Speight

Q:  What originally drew you to puppetry, and what’s kept you in the field?

A:  I think I've just always loved the idea of making something from nothing. What’s kept me doing it is that it’s such a unique challenge. You’re an actor, but your performance has to travel through this external thing to reach the audience. 

Q:  What does the role of Puppetry Captain involve beyond performing onstage?

A:  It’s a lot of 'keeping the vision alive' once the director isn't there every day. I’m basically the eyes for the puppeteers and puppetry in the show - checking that the dinosaurs still look as real as they did at the beginning and making sure the movements haven't gotten sloppy.

Q:  What physical or vocal techniques are essential for convincing puppetry that audiences may not consciously notice?

A:  Breath is such a key part of what we do as Puppeteers. If the puppet isn't 'breathing,' it’s just an object. We also do a lot of vocal work that matches the physical effort of the dinosaur, so if I’m lifting a heavy tail, the sound I make, even if it's just a grunt, helps the audience believe that the weight is real.

Q:  How do you pace energy and endurance across a full performance?

A:  It’s all about working smarter, not harder. You have to find those rest moments where the dinosaur is just observing or being still so you can catch your breath. If you go 100% at the start, you’ll be exhausted by the end of the show. It’s basically like being a marathon runner; you have to know exactly when to push and when to conserve your strength.

Q:  How do live audiences affect puppetry differently than other performance forms?

A:  Puppetry is so interactive. If a kid screams or laughs, the dinosaur has to react to that, you can't just ignore it or you ruin the magic. The audience is basically the final Puppeteer because their belief is what brings the show to life. You really feel that energy shift in the room, and it totally changes how we pace the movements from show to show.

Q:  Why do you think puppetry continues to resonate across cultures and generations?

A: I think it’s because it taps into that primal, 'playing with dolls' instinct we all have. There’s something universal about seeing an object come to life, it bypasses your brain and goes straight to your heart. It doesn't matter how old you are or where you're from, when you see a puppet come to life your imagination just takes over. 

Q:  Dinosaur World Live features life-sized creatures - what’s different about puppeteering something that big compared to smaller-scale puppets?

A:  The scale changes everything. With a smaller puppet, it’s all in the fingers and wrist, but with these guys, it’s a full-body workout. You’re using your legs, your core, and often working with other puppeteers just to make one step look natural.

Stage photos by Pamela Raith Photography

Q:  Dinosaur World Live might be many children’s first theater experience - how does that shape the way you approach the performance?

A:  It’s a huge responsibility, honestly! You want that first experience to be magical, not terrifying, though a little 'scary-cool' is good. We try to make the dinosaurs feel approachable and real so the kids feel like they’re part of the adventure. If we do our job right, they’ll hopefully want to keep coming back to the theatre for the rest of their lives.

Q:  What do you hope children take away from seeing dinosaurs “alive” on stage?

A:  I hope they walk away with a massive sense of wonder. I want them to feel like the world is bigger and more exciting than they thought. If they go home and start looking up facts about the Triceratops or, even better, start making their own puppets, then I’d say we nailed it.

Q:  For performers interested in puppetry, what skills should they start developing early? What advice would you give to young people inspired by this show?

A:  Start by watching how animals move, go to a park or a zoo and just observe. And honestly, get into a dance or yoga class! Puppetry is so physical, so the better you know your own body, the better you can control the puppet. My biggest advice, just grab anything around the house and try to make it look like it’s breathing. If you can make a pillow look sad, you’re a puppeteer.

Twin Cities Restaurants Announce Exclusive Specials for March ‘Eat for Impact’ Initiative

During the month of March, restaurants and community members across the Twin Cities are coming together to show how everyday food choices can become powerful climate action. Through familiar flavors and environmentally-friendly creativity, the Eat for Impact initiative is creating greater access to planet-friendly foods and demonstrating how local decisions can generate measurable global environmental benefits.

Nine local restaurants have created exclusive pro-climate, plant-based dishes that promote a healthier, more sustainable food system, which will be on their menus all March. Each featured meal reduces environmental impact while showcasing the creativity of plant-based ingredients. The specials include:

• Namaste Cafe

  • Roasted-Spice Pesto on durum wheat pasta with Fiery Spring Vegetables: Freshly roasted spices are blended into an aromatic, creamy pesto that coats our pasta, finished with a turmeric-chili sauté of fresh vegetables.

  • Bold All Almond Masala Tofu: Our signature and customer favorite Creamy Masala Curry, prepared with a velvety almond masala sauce with tofu cooked in a rich and aromatic curry prepared with onions, tomatoes, ginger, garlic and green peas (Gluten Free).

• Salt & Flour

  • Shaved Fennel & Citrus Salad: Fennel, spinach, orange, mint, chili oil and maldon salt

  • Winter Greens & Lemon Bucatini: Bucatini, olive oil, kale, spinach, swiss chard, sun-dried tomatoes, preserved lemon, toasted pine nuts

  • Mango Sorbetto: Macerated mangos, cane sugar, distilled water

• Food on the Fly

  • Crispy Tofu Tacos: Crispy marinated tofu tossed with savory taco seasoning and served in flour tortillas with citrus cabbage, pineapple salsa, and a refreshing strawberry vinaigrette.

  • Bulgogi Bowl: Jasmine rice with Thai basil aioli, topped with house-made ferments, fresh vegetables, plant-based beef bulgogi, and a savory butternut squash “egg yolk.”

• Hamburguesas El Gordo (two locations: Minneapolis and St. Paul)

  • Hamburgesa Fresca: Beyond meat, avocado, pickled peppers, lettuce, tomatoes, onion. mayo, ketchup and mustard.

  • Tacos Vibrantes: Vibrant tacos made with seasoned and fried soy curls, cilantro, onion, and avocado. Lime and salsa to taste.

• Sawatdee Thai Restaurants (three locations: Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Maple Grove)

  • Khao Soi Tofu: A Northern Thai noodle soup made with fried tofu, egg noodles, coconut milk curry broth, and napa. Topped with crispy fried noodles, red and green onions. 

  • Naked Tofu: Fresh tofu, mushrooms and dry chilis in a sweet sauce. Topped with cilantro and fried garlic. Served with rice.

• Hope Breakfast Bar

  • Specials to be announced soon!

At the end of March, a comprehensive climate report will be published about their impact. This report will highlight the greenhouse gas savings from all participants, including restaurant sales, and any additional food-related efforts from partners like climate offices, community events, and local businesses. Check out the website to learn more.

"Our goal is to make more sustainable, plant-based options available and accessible. By making products that everyone finds delicious, we hope to be able to introduce more people to plant-based eating. Especially people who might not have given it much consideration before." Samo Newman, chef and owner at Food on the Fly

Eat for Impact is an international initiative developed by Planted Society, which empowers cities to leverage the power of plant-based solutions to reverse environmental damage, conserve natural resources, and build healthier communities. In Minneapolis-St.Paul, the initiative is being led by local group Wholesome Minnesota, which has a mission to accelerate plant-based food offerings in Minnesota’s institutions and create a healthier community.

Per Anna Larsson, volunteer with Wholesome Minnesota, “This initiative encourages people to try delicious food that is good for the environment and our health. As a climate educator, I know that shifting to a more plant-rich diet is an absolute requirement for a healthy planet. I’ve lived in Minnesota for over 20 years, and we have a strong tradition of care for the natural environment and a fantastic food scene – Eat for Impact brings it all together.”

Since launching in 2022, Planted Society has worked with more than 391 restaurants and has launched 23 different Eat for Impact initiatives. On average, each initiative saves an impressive 40,000 pounds of greenhouse gasses and 585,000 gallons of water*, highlighting the substantial environmental impacts of plant-based choices. Further, partner restaurants report an impressive increase in sales during the campaign month; some past Eat for Impact initiatives have generated over $76,000 in sales from plant-based specials, directly benefiting the local economy. It’s estimated that each initiative reaches an average of 600,000 individuals, sparking conversations and driving awareness far and wide. 

*Based on 2025 averages.

Kolman & Reeb Gallery Announces Suyao Tian's Exhibition, Where We Meet

 Artist Reception: Saturday, March 14, 6:00pm–8:00pm 

The Kolman & Reeb Gallery has announced its next Project Space Grant Exhibition, Where We Meet, featuring new work by Suyao Tian. This series of immersive water-based media paintings continues her exploration of layered forms that remain open to interpretation. Each painting feels both complete and evolving—like a moment within something still unfolding. In this way, the exhibition marks a point within Tian’s lifelong artistic journey.

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Suyao TianFor Tian, her paintings are not separate pieces, but a continuous body of work that began when she first started painting and will continue until she is no longer able to make art. Each painting becomes a marker—evidence of where she is along a path that has no fixed endpoint.

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For this exhibition, Tian’s process begins outside the studio, where walks through neighborhoods and natural landscapes become inquiries, guiding what later unfolds on the canvas. Rather than trying to capture literal scenes, she reduces her observations into simplified lines and structural elements. This process includes both meditation and investigation—a way of thinking through place and perception.

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Material experimentation is central to her work. Ink, acrylic, and natural pigments, including handcrafted and internationally sourced materials, create images that shift from dense saturation to translucent washes, building depth and movement within fluid, biomorphic structures. Forms merge and dissolve without settling into fixed identities.

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Embedded within many compositions are subtle “hidden figures.” Viewers may glimpse a face, a mother and child, or another fleeting image depending on their perspective. Tian intentionally leaves these forms undefined, inviting interpretation rather than imposing meaning. Cultural background, memory, and lived experience shape what emerges, making the viewer a co-creator in the act of seeing. In this way, the work continues beyond the studio and into each viewer’s experience.

At the heart of Where We Meet is the concept that there is no clear beginning or end, no strict boundary between living forms and the spaces they inhabit. Everything unites—just as each painting merges into the next within her lifelong continuum of making.

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Per Anita Sue Kolman, founder and co-partner of Kolman & Reeb Gallery, “Suyao’s work embodies the spirit of the Project Space Grant. Her dedication to process and experimentation, combined with the openness she invites from viewers, creates an exhibition that feels both intimate and expansive.”

Gallery curator and co-partner Jodi Reeb added, “What moves me about Suyao’s paintings is the space they create. They ask us to slow down and look more closely. In that pause, something shifts—we begin to see connections we may not have noticed before.”

Suyao Tian is a professional artist based in the Twin Cities, MN. She serves as adjunct faculty at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, teaching Water-Based Media studio classes. Tian earned her BA from the University of Central Arkansas and her MFA from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. Her work has been exhibited nationally and internationally and is included in permanent collections such as the North Dakota Museum of Art and the University of Minnesota.

Kolman & Reeb Gallery is in Studio 395, Northrup King Building at 1500 Jackson Street NE. For more information, please visit: kolmanreebgallery.com or call 612-385-4239.

The Minneapolis Institute of Art and Minnesota Aurora FC Announce Partnership Connecting Art, Sport, and Community

The Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) has announced a multi-faceted partnership with Minnesota Aurora FC, a community-driven, women-led soccer club, that brings together visual art, design, and athletic movement in a new collaboration rooted in Minnesota’s creative and cultural life.

For its fifth season, Aurora’s jersey will become art in motion. Designed by Mia, in collaboration with local artist and educator Lindsay Nohl, the kit celebrates Minnesota through original artwork that moves with every sprint, pass, and goal. Nohl, a professor at Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD) and an accomplished creative leader, partnered with both teams to create a design that transforms the field into a public gallery. Nationally recognized for past jersey releases, Aurora continues to treat its kit as more than a uniform. It is the most visible expression of the club’s identity and a powerful canvas for storytelling.

Lindsay Nohl

The collaboration unites two women-led, community-driven institutions that share a belief in Minnesota as a creative and cultural capital. Together, Mia and Minnesota Aurora FC will create experiences that bridge art and sport, expand audiences, and deepen community connection through storytelling, design, and shared public moments.

“Art doesn’t live in just one place, and neither do our audiences. We believe deeply in Minnesota and in the organizations that shape its cultural life. By partnering with Minnesota Aurora, we’re inviting fans into new spaces — including the museum — through shared experiences that blend creativity, community, and sport.”                                           Katie Luber, Mia’s Nivin and Duncan MacMillan Director and President

Minnesota Aurora FC, founded on the principle “For Community, By Community,” has built a loyal following around the joy of soccer as a collective experience—one defined by shared emotion, belonging, and celebration. 

"Minnesota Aurora exists because this community showed up and believed in something different. This partnership is an extension of that spirit. We want our players, our fans, and our cities to see themselves reflected in the spaces we create, whether that's at TCO Stadium or at Mia."                                                        Saara Hassoun, President, Minnesota Aurora

The partnership further affirms Mia’s commitment to equity, representation, and inclusive storytelling in a highly visible public space. It speaks directly to the museum’s mission to celebrate creativity, elevate artists, and invite broader, younger, and more diverse audiences into meaningful cultural experiences.

Launch Details

As a part of this partnership, Aurora’s official kit reveal will take place on April 2, 2026. Mia and Minnesota Aurora will be giving away tickets to this event to 20 lucky fans through their social media channels. Additional details about the event are forthcoming.

Minneapolis Creative: Cartoonist Jim Keefe

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided

Jim Keefe at work over the years.

Our neighbor Jim Keefe is the illustrator and colorist for the Sally Forth comic strip. He frequently references places in the Twin Cities in the strip – keep reading for fun examples. We talked to Jim about cartooning as a career (he’s had a great one!), typical workdays, social media influences and saying no to the laziness and theft of artificial intelligence. If you haven’t read Sally Forth in a while, give it a look!

Q:  What first drew you to cartooning as a career? 

A:  I've always loved to draw. Growing up I was big into comic books - Spider-Man, Batman, and the like. I know I'm dating myself, but this was back in the days where you could just go to a drugstore or a 7-Eleven and there would be a spinner rack full of comics. Four for a dollar. That's what got me hooked. 

After that, the trick was finding a school that taught what I needed to know to enter the field. A couple years after graduating High School, I discovered the Joe Kubert School of Cartoon in Dover, New Jersey. It was the only school in the country at that time that specialized in cartooning and was taught by professionals working in the field. It's still around. It just moved from Dover to Madison, New Jersey.

Q: You’ve been the illustrator for Sally Forth since 2013. For the comic strip, you supply the art, lettering and color guides. Francesco Marciuliano is the writer. Can you please describe the creative process between the two of you. 

A:  Francesco lives in New York, so he'll email me scripts with panel description and dialogue, and I take it from there. It's a good working relationship because if I wanna change stuff in regard to how it would work visually, he has no problem with it. I actually think he sometimes runs with crazier ideas for the strip just because he knows I’m game for illustrating it.

Q:  What does a typical workday look like for you as a cartoonist? 

• Wake up.

• Do some correspondence and social media posts.

• Get to the drawing table.

• Take a break around lunch - work again - then dinner time.

• Hang out with my wife Deb - then back to the drawing board to prepare for the next day.

• Bed and blessed sleep.

 

Q:  How do deadlines shape creativity - do they help sharpen ideas or add pressure?

A:  A relentless deadline means when you feel burnt out you just have to power through. Deadlines are great in that they give you a definitive time that you have to produce finished work. The downside being that time constaints mean you can only give as much time to a drawing as the deadline allows. Lastly, working as a cartoonist is also very labor intensive which doesn't give you a lot of down time, so a work/life balance can be very elusive at times.

Q:  You’ve drawn many Minneapolis buildings and locations as backgrounds in the Sally Forth strip – fun! Tell us more about why this is important to you.

A:  Being that Sally Forth is a homegrown original - launched in 1982 by Minnesotan Greg Howard - I like to use the Twin Cities' locales as a nod to its roots. I also think the reference shots I take around the Twin Cities helps ground the strip in reality. That suspension of belief that these are real characters living in a real place.

Above, Jim's father, Lt. Richard Keefe, in Nuremberg, Germany. Below, Jim's illustration of his father. Here is another family tribute unrelated to the Company I project. Beautiful!

Q:  I read about your Company I project – a tribute to your father Richard Keefe, and specifically his WWII service in Patton’s Third Army. What’s the current status of this project – I think it’s very interesting.

A:  That’s one of those projects I've had on the back burner for far too many years. I've been researching it literally for decades, which has included talking to veterans who served with my Dad, and a trip to the National Archives at College Park, Maryland. I also recently acquired a ton of letters my Dad sent home during his time in the Army in the 1940s that my aunt Pat had saved. With regard to the actual artwork, I’m using watercolor to do the illustrations and have a number of pages worked up.

Q:  How has your drawing style evolved over the years, and what influenced those changes?

A:  As with anyone in this field, I think it evolves with the work and influences you’re exposed to. I started out at The Kubert School surrounded by teachers and students with a wealth of knowledge and love for the art form. My first job in the field was at King Features as a colorist which opened up the world of comic strip art to me. Then there’s lettering manga for Viz Publications, teaching comic art at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, working as the writer/artist on Flash Gordon, then working as an assistant to Craig MacIntosh on Sally Forth until taking over the art chores when he decided to retire… Every knew experience you have you end up learning from and inspired by. I also keep up on my skill set with classes at The Atelier Studio Program of Fine Arts in Minneapolis.

Q:  You mentioned social posting during your work day. How do you think social media has altered the way cartoons are consumed and interpreted?

A:  For social media it's about simplification to get the message across quickly and simply. Generally, comics are published online so small that any detailed line work ends up being lost. For Sally Forth I work hard to create a drawing that gets the pertinent info across needed for the reader with an image that can survive the multiple formats that comic strip art is cut up and digested for.

Then you have the added headache of AI slop on social media platforms. I dislike AI photography and AI art immensely. It’s hack mimicry strip-mines the hard work of creatives with no compensation or acknowledgement, not to mention the endless copyright issues it tries to skirt with the legalese rhetoric its proponents vomit forth. Using Al to create drawings means never acquiring the skills to draw yourself - or recognizing what makes your Al drawing bad. Add to that you’re turning a blind eye to the swiping of an artist's signature style that he worked a lifetime to create, to vomit forth a third-rate facsimile. Just - say - no to AI slop.

Q:  What advice do you give to young artists at MCAD who want to pursue cartooning today?

A:  First off get a good education, the fundamentals of how to draw. For me, that involved trying out three different local art schools before picking up and moving out east to go to the Joe Kubert School. There's a number of schools out there that teach comic art, like the Minneapolis College of Art and Design for instance. On the flip side, whereas I went to an art school to get an education, you do not need a degree or diploma to get into this field. What you do need is the skill set, whether acquired online and/or by jobs working with professionals who can show you the ropes.

Second is networking. I found this to be the key to getting work in the art field. If you're just out of art school, you have teachers and peers to draw on. Social media can give you an online community.

After that it's getting your work out there. I know this seems basic, but if an employer is not familiar with you and your work, then they won’t hire you. You should have an online presence where your work can be seen and is easily accessible. Research what's needed with regard to the work you want to get. The Graphic Artists Guild Handbook is a good place to start. Then check out companies you're interested in to see if submission guidelines are available.

And when submitting work, make sure your samples suit the client's need. What I mean by that is if you're looking for comic book work, a bunch of pin-ups, no matter how good, are not going to show that you can do sequential art. You need to draw up some comic book pages showing you can tell a story effectively. Another example of suiting the client's need is if you wanted to work for DC Comics, you need to create pages showing that you know how to draw their characters.

Q:  How may we follow your news or attend a live lecture by you?

A:  Most lectures or interviews I give of late have been podcasts. If interested, I have a number of them posted for free on Patreon. Click on "Collections" and then go to the folder "Interviews & Lectures."

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If you're interested in purchasing original Jim Keefe art:

Jim has an original Sally Forth Sunday comic for sale on eBay. His wife Deb works for the Minneapolis school district, and all net proceeds of this sale will go to the following GoFundMe that the Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) in Minneapolis set up to aid families in crisis during the recent ICE surge: Aid for Families Facing Crisis. The original art for sale includes the drop panel, color guide, and the Sunday page clipped from the StarTibune. Artwork will be signed and can be personalized upon request.

Original Jim Keefe art is available for sale here: https://www.jimkeefe.com/archives/14642

2025 Recap from the February 25 Annual Meet Minneapolis Event

Credit: Coppersmith Photography

At its Annual Meeting on February 25, Meet Minneapolis reported 2025 performance results, significant progress on long-term strategy and major investments designed to strengthen the city’s visitor economy. Amid recent challenges that have required care and collective resolve, the organization emphasized its continued focus on securing future meetings, conventions and events which supports more than 31,000 tourism and hospitality workers and delivers meaningful economic impact for the city. 

Meet Minneapolis Key Performance Indicators for 2025*

Future Group Hotel Room Nights Booked: 532,100 

- Third consecutive year with more than 525,000 future rooms booked

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Minneapolis Lodging Taxes: $11.6 million 

- Second consecutive year with more than $11 million generated

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Minneapolis Convention Center Revenue Generated: $19.6 million 

- Third consecutive year with more than $18 million generated 

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Partnership Businesses: 493 

- 86 new partner businesses were added in 2025

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Tourism in Minneapolis directly supports hundreds of businesses and tens of thousands of workers – individuals whose livelihoods are built on the city’s ability to attract visitors and events. In 2025, Meet Minneapolis and its partners: 

• Brought more than 650 events to the city and region 
• Welcomed nearly 660,000 people to the Minneapolis Convention Center 
• Filled more than two million hotel rooms for the second consecutive year  

Per Melvin Tennant, President and CEO of Meet Minneapolis, “We are seeing the results of strong collaboration across our tourism and hospitality community. Tourism is an economic engine for Minneapolis. Every meeting we book, every convention we host and every event we attract sustains jobs and local businesses and generates critical tax revenue. Our focus is clear – increase visitation, support workers and keep Minneapolis competitive in an evolving meetings and travel landscape.”  

Launch of the Minneapolis Tourism Improvement District 

In June 2025, the local hotel community and city leadership, in partnership with Meet Minneapolis, established the Minneapolis Tourism Improvement District (MTID). The MTID is expected to generate approximately $7 million annually to support destination marketing, sales and event recruitment. In its first year, the MTID helped secure the Savannah Bananas for a high-profile Minneapolis stop and launched Winterapolis 2025-26, a targeted campaign designed to drive hotel room nights during the city’s slowest tourism season. This early momentum demonstrates how industry-led investment is strengthening the city’s ability to compete for meetings, conventions and major events while accelerating long-term growth. 

Destination Master Plan Momentum: Minneapolis as the #1 City for Women’s Sports 

Meet Minneapolis advanced a key priority from Destination Minneapolis: Charting the Future of Minneapolis Tourism, the city’s long-range tourism master plan aligning public, private and civic sectors around a shared vision. In October 2025, the organization launched Minneapolis: The #1 City for Women’s Sports, positioning the city as the leading U.S. destination for women’s sports based on decades of championship hosting, participation and competitive success. The initiative included a public announcement, a dedicated digital hub, a co-authored op-ed with Minnesota Sports & Events, and a stakeholder launch event. 

Key Future Bookings 

Meet Minneapolis secured more than 300 future events and conventions in 2025. Select future bookings: 

• American Choral Directors Association National Conference (March 2027) 
• United Methodist Church General Conference (May 2028) 
• Northern Lights Junior Volleyball Qualifier (March 2029 & 2030) 
• American Association of Immunologists Annual Meeting (May 2031) 
• American Political Science Association Annual Meeting & Exhibition (August 2031) 

Marketing Agency of Record Search 

Meet Minneapolis launched a Request for Proposals (RFP) to select a Marketing Agency of Record to lead a large-scale brand campaign launching in 2026. Supported by funding from the MTID, this effort represents a long-term investment in building a unified brand and demand marketing platform designed to inspire travel, attract meetings and conventions, and cultivate more ambassadors for Minneapolis. The RFP process is currently underway, with an agency partner expected to be selected later this spring.  

More 2025 Highlights 

• Best Week Ever for Minneapolis Hotels: On September 14-20, hotels in Minneapolis had their strongest week ever from a demand and room revenue standpoint, while also setting a new post-pandemic weekly occupancy record. The noteworthy hotel success was driven by many major events hosted throughout the city, including Farm Aid at Huntington Bank Stadium, and the North American Biochar Conference and World Workplace at the MCC.  
• Community Events Assistance Program: The Minneapolis Community Events Assistance Program launched in 2025. Minneapolis CEAP supports Minneapolis-based nonprofit organizations with financial assistance to help cover city-mandated service costs for community-driven events that support community engagement, cultural diversity, and the promotion of public events that enrich the lives of its residents and visitors. In 2025, 23 events were supported which attracted a combined one million attendees. 
• America’s Winter City: Winterapolis continued to serve as Meet Minneapolis’ signature winter leisure campaign in 2025, positioning Minneapolis as an inviting, active and culturally rich winter destination. The campaign was also adopted and amplified by a range of local partners, extending the reach of the messaging and reinforcing Winterapolis as a shared platform for celebrating and promoting winter experiences across the city. 
• Cultural Districts Tourism: To highlight the city’s designated Cultural Districts, Meet Minneapolis expanded this work through the Get Drawn In campaign, a multi-channel awareness effort designed to spotlight the businesses, culture and creative energy within each district. Across all tactics, the campaign delivered 3.2 million impressions and 27,600 clicks, reinforcing awareness of the districts and their role in strengthening Minneapolis neighborhoods. 
• Digital Engagement: The Meet Minneapolis website drew nearly three million sessions. There were also more than one million outbound clicks to partner websites. Social media channels generated more than 38 million impressions in 2025, and followers grew to more than 242,000 across all channels. 

To access the 2025 Meet Minneapolis Annual Impact Report, please go here.  

To address the challenges that Minneapolis has faced in the past few months, Meet Minneapolis launched the MPLS for MPLS marketing initiative to remind the local community and visitors of ways they can help support our local businesses and neighborhoods. More recently, the Go. Gift. Give. campaign was unveiled to encourage people outside Minneapolis (within driving distance) to support the city by coming in, buying gift cards and showing up for local businesses. 

*Regarding the audit line of our news release, CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen) performs “agreed upon procedures” in testing results for our KPIs in Future Room Nights and Partnership Retention concurrent with a financial audit. Results are released at the same time and are presented to the Meet Minneapolis board in April. MCC Revenue and Lodging taxes are not tested as those numbers are provided by the City.