Front Page - Spring into the arts - Spring into the arts

Photo by Duane Atter.

The Spring Art Party was held at Folwell Park on June 7 in keeping with a five year tradition to showcase the many great parks and neighborhoods across North Minneapolis – and we’ve only just begun! The Northside Arts Collective partnered with Folwell Neighborhood Association this year to present 40 booths filled with original artwork (created by your neighbors) and community groups sharing information and art-making. Live music, dancing, storytelling and spoken word artists kept the park alive all day from the stage on top of the hill. It was gorgeous all day long and we guess around 700 people came throughout the day.

    So much anticipation and planning. Details like porta-potties and generators to attend to. Musicians to round up. Artists to confirm. Marketing materials to design and order. And most importantly, funding to dig up. It’s nearly a year in the making and the event is over in eight hours! Thanks are due to a few dozen volunteers who gave time at the event and in planning and carrying out all these details. Because we move the event around, we have picked up a nice following of people discovering parts of the Northside they were completely unaware of. Some people live a few blocks from the parks we’ve used but had never been there and now vow to return often now that they’d discovered it! Three young people from Plymouth Youth Center polled 109 people and learned than 32 percent of them were from the 55412 zip code, 18 percent bought art, 49 percent bought food and 51 percent had an improved perception of North Minneapolis because of the event. Previous years revealed a 60 percent improved perception. We see that declining number as a good thing!

    The antique appraisers were busy, North Mpls. Meals on Wheels gave away 400 cookies, the Camden Lions sold 240 brats and hot dogs, and artists reported higher sales than in previous years. Most of these artists and musicians and all the food vendors live in North Minneapolis so the dollars you spent with your neighbors will stay in the neighborhood! Keep that in mind when you’re wondering what to do with your Economic Stimulus rebate — keep it local! Dine out locally, shop locally, buy art made here, see some theater, take in a concert or student performance! Not sure where these things are happening? Sign up for our monthly e-newsletter at info@nacarts.org or phone 612-643-2050.