The premiere edition of MN Original features Minneapolis photographer Alec Soth, metal sculptor Heather Doyle, the The Twilight Hours. Also in this episode: MacPhail Center for the Arts students Seiji and Kenji Cataldo and a visit with St. Paul-based Plein Air painter Joe Paquet.
This episode of MNO features talented visual artists who create large scale drawings and photographs intersecting technology and life. See the Ananya Dance Theater company in action and infuse some soul into your day with Cuban pianist Nachito Herrera.
We're going underwater with photographer Rhea Pappas, taking a close look at magical mechanical sculptures created by Ann Wood and Dean Lucker, and bobbing our heads to Minneapolis Hip Hop Artist P.O.S. Plus, a visit with glass blower David Royce.
Minnesota author Kao Kalia Yang reads from her latest novel, Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra violinist Ruggero Allifranchinni shows us his beautiful violins, and MNartists.org founder Scott Stulen shows us his own artwork. All this plus a performance from the Bryan Nichols Quartet.
This episode of Minnesota Original walks into the world of the MIA's Foot In the Door event. Try to keep up with Darin Back who shoots marvelous black and white photographs of Minnesotan artists. See painter Michael Schmidt's process up close, and finally hear the energetic and talented Maria Isa talk about her Puerto Rican heritage and how it inspires her music.
Duluth-born stand up comic Maria Bamford returns to her native Minnesota for live shows at the Acme Comedy Club. Scott McGlasson puts in a days work in his Northeast Minneapolis studio. Mararet Pazella-Granlund creates lunar landscapes out of paper. Jazz Trio The New Standards discuss their style, influences and musical background and perform.
Peek in the the workshop of the HighPoint Center for Printmaking, visit Martin Dosh's basement to hear how he assembles his unique layered songs, check out Central High School's "Central Touring Theater," and finally hear how the MN Philharmonic Orchestra came into existence and what motivates them to continue.
TU Dance performs Sense(ability) at the Southern Theater and Artistic Directors Toni Pierce- Sands and Uri Sands discuss making dance accessible. Jewelry makers Emily Johnson, Britta Kauppila, and Betty Jager and painter Rita Van Allen get community, friendship, and encouragement through their shared studio in the Northrup King Building. Peter Ostroushko performs live at the Cedar Cultural Center.
Maren Kloppmann creates work beyond the boundaries of traditional pottery. Students, parents, and alumni all attest to the benefits of being involved with Minnesota Youth Symphonies, led by Manny and Claudette Laureano. Red Pens rip it up at the Best New Band Showcase at First Avenue. Landscape painter Richard Abraham paints to cure a bad day.
With subject matter ranging from family dairy farms to the Minnesota Tibetan community, discover still photographer Keri Pickett's 25 year career. Calpurnia Peach create the look for local band Caroline Smith and the Goodnight Sleeps at the 2010 Voltage Fashion Amplified. Carei Thomas Neighborhood Ensemble perform Gi-Go. , Painter Matthew Rucker discusses the impact of colorblindness on his work.
Ride down University Avenue with photographer Wing Young Huie, follow two young Irish dancers as they compete in the world championships. and listen to Small Cities' catchy song "Is It Any Wonder."
Virgil Leih turns 2000 lb. rescued tree trunks into enormous, carved sculptures. We examine objects in the permanent Native American Art collection at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts with curator Joe Horse Capture. Plus: Mankwe Ndosi and friends combine theater, music and spoken word and create an original improvised performance.
We visit potter Warren Mackenzie in his Stillwater studio where he shapes clay into simple, functional pieces, as he's done for more than 60 years. Through an ancient southern Indian dance form, Ranee and Aparna Ramaswamy of Ragamala Dance, interpret worship of sacred waters.
Photographer Doug Beasley captures the sacred in the everyday in his images from around the world. Mixed media artist Andy Ducett hunts for lost treasures that may find their way into a future art installation. And, we remember Bruce Allen, the legendary guitar player from The Suburbs who passed away in December, 2009 and chat with Chan Poling and friends about the bands spirit and history.
Landscape Painter Richard Abraham examines light and proportion in his work. Dario and Giselle Meiji are brother/sister choreographers blending many forms to create Curio Dance. Kelly Marshall is a textile artist and weaver who designs using math and intuition. And, we chat with Jeremy Messersmith who performs at the Cedar Cultural Center.
Family inspires the work of visual artists Seitu Jones and his granddaughter Hunter Powell. We catch up with Emmy-Award winning composer Steve Heitzig at his home in St. Paul to learn the secrets of his songwriting process. There is a science to Marilyn Garber's watercolor botanical art. And Singer/Songwriter Peter Himmelman performs songs from his newest album.
David Goldes creates and then photographs striking still-lives of physical phenomena. Interact Center gives actors with disabilities the opportunity to express themselves creatively. And, Davina and the Vegabonds perform at the Dakota jazz club.
Long time Twin Cities actor Steven Epp has mastered the art of farce and quick-change. Brock Davis is a mixed media artist whose recent project was to make something cool everyday for one year. And, Douglas R. Ewart and Inventions perform.
Scott Lloyd Anderson is a plein air painter, known for his suburban scenes and powerful images of the 35W bridge reconstruction. Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra Cellist Josh Koestenbaum works hard to keep his body and his instrument in tune. And, soulful singer songwriter Alison Scott performs at the Dakota Jazz Club.
Public Artist Craig David created murals for the Twins stadium. His latest installation is a nine-ton sculpture at the University of Minnesota. Pulling hair, strand by strand, is an art form for Guthrie Theater Wig Master Ivy Loughborough. And the Hip Hop Artists of No Bird Sing perform.
Newbery award-winning children's author Kate DiCamillo shares her thoughts about childhood and what inspires her to write. Visual Artist Frank Big Bear tells stories with unusual shapes and a vivid palette. Finally, The Jayhawks perform at First Avenue to celebrate the re-release of their first album after 25 years.
Bianca Pettis and Jacob Aaron Roske are the Sonic explorers Beatrix* JAR, bending circuits of discarded toys to make music. John Largaespada manipulates photographs to create composite images, interpreting scenes from classic literature. Gary Korlin's naturalistic approach to painting is embedded in his 19th Century French Academic training. And, Mandragora Tango performs.
Keri Pickett connects with her subjects, capturing the essence of tradition and culture and in her photographs. 15 year old violin prodigy Sedra Bistodeau studies with renowned musician, Sally O'Reilly. The ethereal blue grass and gospel inspired group, Roma di Luna performs.
Dance, nature and the world around us inspire the musings of poet and dance critic Lightsey Darst. We see process behind the creation of Mike Wohnoutka's enchanting children's book illustrations. With the greatest of ease, youth soar during a performance of Circus Juventas. And, music from nationally-renowned folk band The Pines.
Calpurnia Peach is the fashion label run by local textile designers Ashley Wokasch and Luci Kandler, known for their colorful, original screen-prints. Jason Gerling plays the drums on a specialized kit he invented. David Lefkowitz explores our perception of natural and human-built environments in his work. And, the Twin Cities' "First Lady of Song," jazz singer Debbie Duncan performs.
We explore Michael Sommers' work as Artistic Director of Open Eye Theatre. Kinetic sculptor and jewelry maker Danny Saathoff deliberately chooses each component for its function in his finished pieces. Plus, music from Alison Scott and the Minneapolis Guitar Quartet performs.
Photographer Wing Young Huie celebrates a University Avenue neighborhood with hundreds of images in his public art installation. Tom Nechville's custom banjos are designed to improve tone and projection using fewer parts than traditional models. Plus, dancer Carl Flink and jazz singer Christine Rosholt performs.
On this special edition of Minnesota Original, we celebrate the art of craft with encore presentations of some of Minnesota's favorite artists. Warren Mackenzie shapes clay into simple, functional pieces in his Stillwater studio. Metal sculptor Heather Doyle finds inspiration in this machinery shop. And Virgil Leih turns 2 thousand pound tree trunks into works of art.
Photographer Alec Soth's first U.S. survey of his compelling images premieres at Walker Art Center. Bounxou Duoheuang, originally from Laos, preserves her culture's traditional art of weaving. In the late nineteen seventies, The Twin Cities' first punk rockers were also among the first on the on the national scene. The Suicide Commandos perform.
Director Ali Selim talks about his award-winning film, Sweet Land, set in Minnesota. Everyday Poems for City Sidewalks is a project created by Saint Paul's Public Artist in Residence Marcus Young and friends. Minnesota Orchestra trumpeter and composer Charles Lazarus performs with his ensemble. Plus: Artistic Director of Frank Theatre, Wendy Knox.
Terry Gydesen is a photographer whose images tell the personal stories of some of Minnesota's political figures & celebrities. Vietnamese-American spoken word artist and two-time champion of the Minnesota Grand Poetry Slam Bao Phi performs. The masters of old blues inspired legendary folk guitarist and songwriter, Spider John Koerner. Plus: "Mural of the Americas" and Jeremy Messersmith performs
Community activist and Representative Cy Thao takes us through his epic series of 50 paintings, documenting The Hmong Migration. Linda Christensen has been carving butter busts at the State Fair for over 30 years. Jack Pavlik makes moving sound sculptures with flexible steel, handmade parts, motors and technology. Finally, Minneapolis. Jazz singer Sophia Shorai performs.
Deserted strip malls and other neighborhood icons are subjects in Carolyn Swiszcz's paintings and videos. In his first memoir, fiction writer Alexs Pate anticipates reconnecting with his estranged son. Plus: Visual artist Amy Rice, and Red House Records' Folk Singer and Songwriter John Gorka performs.
Cartoonist Zak Sally writes, illustrates and publishes his own underground comics. As the Weisman Art Museum closes to complete its expansion project, Registrar Laura Muessig ensures precious works of art remain protected. Folk musician Peter Ostroushko performs "Maycomb Alabama" at the Cedar Cultural Center.
Painter and public artist Ta-coumba Aiken's work is inspired by African masks and dance. Multi media artist Laura Hallen's process involves arranging marshmallows and tu-tus under plexi-glass. World-renowned South Indian Classical musician Nirmala Rajasekar performs with her ensemble.
Painter Michael Kareken finds beauty in the organic chaos of discarded paper, bottles and junked cars. Tiny prints of invertebrates bound on tiny pages are part of the latest collection of work by Book Artist Jody Williams. Rogue Valley performs from their first in a series of 4 albums about changing seasons. Plus: The costumes of Ethnic Dance Theater and body percussion group Crash perform.
On this special edition of Minnesota Original...A collection of stories from several of Minnesota's visual artists who combine different materials to form Mixed and Multi Media. Featuring Brock Davis, Mary Griep, Slapping Purses, Andy Ducett, Laura Hallen, Amy Rice and Beatrix* JAR.
Award winning public artist and arts educator Kinji Akagawa shares the stories behind 3 of his sculptural constructions. Composer Mary Ellen Childs creates visual and body percussion pieces that unite music, dance and theater. Metalwork by Kristen Arden and music from country blues Charlie Parr.
The theater is where Photographer Michal Daniel performs to capture his spectacular images. Dance-maker Emily Johnson combines personal stories and powerful movement in her thought-provoking performances. Born and raised near Memphis, Chastity Brown is inspired by country, gospel and blues. She and her band perform in TPT's studio.
Rock stars give photographer Steve Cohen a backstage pass to capture them in concert and behind the scenes. Paintings conservator David Marquis painstakingly restores treasured works of art from all over the world at the Midwest Art Conservation Center. Plus: Fiber artist Nancy Mackenzie, and renowned vocal chamber ensemble Cantus performs.
Yugoslavian-born Zoran Mojsilov makes large-scale sculptures out of stone, steel and wood. Lisa Nankivil builds intricate layers of color and texture to create her luminous oil paintings. Plus: Heart of the Beast artistic director Sandy Spieler and music from Machinery Hill.
Scott West creates dramatic work alongside Cloud Cult on stage and in his studio. She has Bulgarian and Indian parents and was raised in Sweden. Playwright, actress and director Aditi Kapil's production about immigrant experience is based on her own. Plus: Brittany Foster, Lynn Speaker, and the often blogged-about alternative rockers Tapes 'n Tapes perform.
Ten Thousand Things brings compelling theater to audiences who have limited access to the arts. Custom font maker Chank Diesel spells out what it means to be an Alphabetician. World renowned jazz trio The Bad Plus performs at the Dakota Jazz Club. And, installation artist Sonja Peterson.
MN Original: A Legacy Celebration is a look back at the rich diversity of Minnesotas history, art and culture, made possible by the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.
The Minnesota Historical Society's Collection of more than 6000 paintings, prints, and drawings showcases the history of the state through its art. Sharra Frank creates a mosaic with thousands of pieces of hand-cut glass for Children's Hospital in Minneapolis. Together since the early 90s, The Honeydogs with lead singer/songwriter Adam Levy perform. Plus: Fiber artist Randy Walker.
Painter Leon Hushcha challenges artists to create collaborative works for his Guest Art Series. Metal artist Lisa Elias makes a public drinking fountain for Downtown Minneapolis. Caroline Smith and the Good Night Sleeps perform at First Avenue. Plus: Husband and wife vaudeville team Lloyd Brant and Rosie Cole.
David Rathman's work with water color and ink features masculine subjects like sports, cars and cowboys. Evan Baden's Illuminati series captures a generation bathed in light from laptops and smart-phones. Jazz vocalist Charmin Michelle performs. Plus knitter Annie Lee Larson, letterpress artist Robyn Stoller Awend and tile maker Josh Blanc.
Youth Performance Company has been empowering young people through the arts since 1989. YPC tackles bullying in an original drama. Noah Hoehn layers harmonica and marimba tracks on his live looping system. Willie Murphy performs. Plus: Video artist Scott Nedrelow and figurative artist J M Culver.
The Science Museum of Minnesota preserves cultural treasures in its Ethnology Collections. Robayat performs music indigenous to Persia, Turkey and central Asia. And Duluth natives Trampled By Turtles perform at First Avenue. Plus cartoonist Lars Martinson.
Grammy award-winning singer/songwriter & producer Dan Wilson creates a new song for his solo album. The infectious energy of Duniya Drum & Dance keep African traditions alive with their driving percussion & athletic dance moves. Nancy Carlson, internationally known children's book author and illustrator. Award winning choreographer, director & composer Joe Chvala founded The Flying Foot Forum.
Peter Rothstein directs The Children's Theatre Company's very first production of "Annie." Illustrator Adam Turman's work is bold, colorful and eye-catching. The vibraphone, lap steel guitar and upright bass make up the unique instrumentation of The Neighborhood Trio.
Two-time National Poetry Slam champions, members of Saint Paul's competitive spoken word team wax poetic. Renowned Soprano Maria Jette and Lyra Baroque Orchestra rehearse in Saint Paul's performance space for Early Music, The Baroque Room. And The Tex Pistols Band performs. Plus, Terry Gydesen and Brock Davis.
Dance visionary James Sewell's choreography of classical and contemporary ballet inspires. House of Balls has been an institution in Minneapolis twenty years. Sculptor Allen Christian opens up his quirky universe. Founding member of the Jayhawks, Mark Olson performs songs from his second solo album. Singer/Songwriter Haley Bonar performs a song inspired by time she spent in Portland, Oregon.
He founded Penumbra Theatre in 1976. Artistic Director Lou Bellamy celebrates Minnesota's most storied African American theater. Minnesota filmmaker Sarah Jean Kruchowski's shorts explore themes of disappointment and yearning. Todd Cameron fires unique glass and metal artworks. Inspired by their Midwest roots, Farewell Milwaukee performs.
Young singers learn language, style and movement in The Minnesota Opera's competitive Resident Artist Program. Featuring the late 101 year-old troupe member Ida Arbeit, Kairos Dance showcases the healing power of dance against the trials of aging. Jane Frees-Kluth plots a seat between two cities. Duluth indie-rock group Low performs at First Avenue.
Shá Cage and E.G. Bailey founded the Minnesota Spoken Word Association, dedicated to literacy and youth leadership. The Fitzgerald Theaters majestic Wurlitzer organ puts the power of 1600 pipes at Mike Grandchamp's fingertips. World class musicians Gao Hong and Butterfly combine African, Asian and Western influences. Pastel artist Cheryl LeClair-Sommer battles MN weather, bugs and moonlight.
Brady Kiernan directs his first feature "Stuck Between Stations," a love story set in Minneapolis with an impressive cast. Esteemed Music Director Osmo Vänskä conducts The Minnesota Orchestra. Twin Cities country musicians Trailer Trash have seven Minnesota Music Awards to their credit. Curator turned designer, Stephanie Lake takes an academic approach to creating jewelry.
This MN Original dance compilation episode celebrates a wide range of talented performers and choreographers throughout our dance community. Featuring Zenon Dance Company, the Ananya Dance Theater, the James Sewell Ballet, Duniya Drum and Dance, TU Dance, Emily Johnson and the Flying Foot Forum.
Animator Tom Schroeder tells real life stories with jazz-influenced pizzazz. Lighting designer Barry Browning brings to life the Jungle Theaters production of Next Fall. Teen idol from the early 1960s, Bobby Vee's pop stardom began the day the music died, when he performed in place of Buddy Holly. Zoo Animal performs Worker Bee in studio.
HUGE Improv Theater demonstrates classic techniques of long form improvisation. Davina and the Vagabonds perform at the Dakota Jazz Club. As part of the Minnesota Historical Society's exhibit on the year 1968, a group of veterans assemble a replica of a Huey Helicopter.
Dan Huiting is known for his inventive City of Music series and music videos for Bon Iver. Perpich Center Arts High School students create a performance inspired by a Minnesota short story. Andréa Stanislav deploys spinning rhinestone-encrusted headless horses. Saint Paul hip hop royalty Heiruspecs jam aboard the Jonathan Paddleford Riverboat.
Rising from the ashes of the Tony award-winning Theatre de la Jeune Lune, The MovingCompany presents its first show. Internationally revered photographer Stuart Klipper is one of a small number of people who have journeyed across the globe to both poles. Gretchen Seichrist shows why she's the creative force behind the rock band Patches & Gretchen.
Chaka Mkali educates youth through community mural projects. Duluth native bluegrass band Trampled by Turtles perform at First Avenue. Painter Gregory Euclide uses brushes and collected trash to create different planes of reality. Josie Lewis builds three-dimensional worlds she calls hyper-collages. The Folk duo Storyhill performs in the Wabasha Street Caves.
Painter Caitlin Karolczak is inspired by vintage medical photos and deathbed portraits. Fiber artist Erica Spitzer Rasmussen creates wearable art and sculptures using tomatoes, matchsticks and human hair. They started as a street band and over the years The Brass Messengers have added Dixie and Latin to their gypsy brass style.
Cartoonist Zak Sally writes, illustrates and publishes his own underground comics, including the series Sammy the Mouse. The Punk group Pink Mink performs in studio. Monica Reede layers etchings of everyday objects in plexi-glass, creating complexity in her mixed media sculptures. And Robert Robinson performs with the Twin Cities Community Gospel Choir.
Father and son actors Charles and Seth Numrich, Poet Ed Bok Lee, Woodcarver William Rowe, Photographer Rebecca McDonald + Bluegrass Band Monroe Crossing.
Twin Cities dancer and choreographer for more than 50 years, Myron Johnson acknowledges his career in a performance from Songs for a Swan. Traditional Swedish fiddlers ASI Spelmanslag. Painter Alex Kuno's characters are children exploring a grim, fairy tale world called Tiny Town. And Belfast-born front man Ben Kyle's Irish roots influence the Folk Americana band, Romantica.
Terry Gydesen is a documentary photographer whose images tell personal stories of some of Minnesota's political figures and celebrities. Christopher Poor and his artists at Arms and Armor handcraft historic replicas for museum, theatre and private collections around the world. And Folk singer and songwriter Mason Jennings performs.
Costume and set designer Mathew LeFebvre refreshes The Guthrie Theater's classic, A Christmas Carol. Gwen Hauser reveals stories within layers of paint, plaster, glaze and gold leaf. Author Said Sallah Ahmed reads from his Somali-English children's picture book The Lions Share. Janet Lofquist discusses her public art installations. Salsa ensemble Charanga Tropical performs.
Peter Rothstein, an acclaimed director of theater, musical theater and opera, evolves with each collaboration. Co-founders of Minnesota Spoken Word Association Shá Cage and E.G. Bailey collaborate as performers & teachers. Installation artist Harriet Bart transforms words & everyday objects into sculptural expressions of memory. The eclectic folk group Lucy Michelle & the Velvet Lapelles perform.
Funk legends of fDELUXE perform live at the Loring Theater in Minneapolis.
Pamela Sukhum's paintings are inspired by her connections with cultures around the world. Alt-country rockers The Jayhawks perform in honor of the re-issue of their debut album. Choreographer Amy Sackett explores the role of Muslim women in hip hop culture. Visual artist Terrance Payne uses colored pencils and oil pastels to create vibrant works. Cuban Son ensemble Malamanya perform.
Iris Shiraishi combines traditional Japanese rhythms with western influences in her taiko drum compositions for the Mu Daiko drum ensemble. Thomas Schrunk creates unexpected visual effects with lustrous materials like wood veneer, brushed aluminum and concrete. Barbara Kreft's intricate paintings offer a meditative respite. Paraguayan harpist Nicolas Carter performs Crossing the Isthmus.
Patrick's Cabaret founder Patrick Scully performs an excerpt from his one-man show, Thrive!. Russian contemporary artist Oleg Vassiliev explores memory and light in his work. Ceramic artist Maren Kloppmann reveals the complexities of minimalism in her porcelain designs. The gritty, urban hip hop duo Kill the Vultures performs Walk on Water.
Glass Artist Fred Kaemmer capitalizes on the interior of a freshly blown vessel as a decorative surface. Fashion designer Danielle Everine envisions what women would wear on an epic adventure. Painter Ta-coumba Aiken calls his work spirit writing. Noah Hoehn loops the sounds of harmonica, marimba, vocals and some percussion using a boutique looping device.
Guillermo Cuellar finds inspiration for his functional pottery in the artistically rich St. Croix River Valley. Artist Amanda Lovelee explores the value of touch through the form of the square dance. Shawn McNulty's painting techniques allow him to connect with his canvas in a variety of ways, creating multi-dimensional works. And celebrated one man rock band, Hastings 3000, does it all.
Landscape photographer Chris Faust processes night scenes using traditional techniques. The Willie Wisely Trio performs K"iss Her and Make it Right." Silvana LaCreta Ravena explores memory in encaustic paintings. Dancers Carl Flink and Emilie Plauch Flink depict the reunion of a long-separated couple in "A Duet for Wreck." And Philip Brunelle's renowned choral ensemble VocalEssence performs.
Since 1970, Charlie Hoffman has handcrafted more than 600 guitars. Abstract artist Christina Habibi uses house paint to create her swirling, colorful works. Spoken word artist Kyle Guante Myhre performs "Cartpusher." Sculptor Asia Ward welds and rivets sheets of metal into her aluminum dreamscapes. And The Cactus Blossoms, winners of City Pages Best Album of 2012, perform in TPT's Studio A.
Founders of TU Dance Center, Toni Pierce-Sands and Uri Sands embrace the connective power of dance. Inspired by antique toys, mixed media sculptor Kyle Fokken combines dogs with airplanes and churches with tanks. Native American tradition and innovation are celebrated in the exhibit Mni Sota: Reflections of Time and Place. And Joey Ryan and the Inks perform at the Varsity Theater.
Theater photographer Michal Daniel captures the wondrous world of the stage on film. Recipient of the 2009 Minnesota Book Award, Kao Kalia Yang reads from her memoir The Late Home Comer. A glimpse of work by bookplate artist Serik Kulmeshkenov featured in depth on mnoriginal.org. Paraguayan harpist Nicolas Carter performs Crossing the Isthmus, inspired by his bicycle trip through Central America.
Painter Caitlin Karolczak finds inspiration in vintage medical photos & deathbed portraits. Renowned choral ensemble VocalEssence performs. Landscape photographer Chris Faust processes his night scenes using traditional techniques. Twin Cities hip hop artists Heiruspecs perform. And Carl Flink and Emilie Plauche Flink explore the bittersweet reunion of a long-separated couple in A Duet for Wreck.
Brady Kiernan makes his feature film directorial debut with "Stuck Between Stations," a love story set in Minneapolis. Students from the Perpich Center Arts High School create a performance inspired by a Minnesota short story. Plus pop legend Bobby Vee talks about his storied career.
Art Historian Julie L'Enfant shares stories of Minnesota's pioneering women artists at the beginning of the 20th Century. Kent Aldrich brings old-world style to his contemporary print shop, the Nomadic Press. Inspired by science and nature, Karen Gustafson uses tiny hatch marks as the foundation for her intricate drawings. And Communist Daughter performs at the Varsity Theater in Minneapolis.
MN Original Music Compilation features some of our favorite musicians performing around town and in our tpt studio: Monroe Crossing, Charanga Tropical, Heiruspecs, Sophia Shorai, Robert Robinson, Storyhill, The Suburbs.
Kristen Lowe, Assistant Professor, Art and Art History at Gustavus, tells stories with shared pictorials in charcoal and film. Painter Michael Birawer captures iconic landmarks in his 3-dimensional artwork. Michael Thomsen creates intricate sculptures out of found objects, his own paintings and discarded antiques. Singer/songwriter Mason Jennings performs in Northeast Minneapolis.
Author Wang Ping's Kinship of Rivers project celebrates the universal experience. Renowned male vocal ensemble Cantus combines classical & contemporary chamber music in their performance. Emily Gray Koehler uses collographs to add dimension to reduction woodblock prints. Award-winning animator Tom Schroeder has been creating & directing films since 1990. Plus soul calypso band Socaholix performs.
Black Label Movements Artistic Director Carl Flink collaborates with biomedical engineer David Odde in The Moving Cell Project. Painter André Salvadore finds inspiration in childhood memories of coming to America from Italy. Laura Hallen arranges materials like tutus and painted marshmallows into Plexiglas box casings to create mixed-media sculptures. Indie rapper Astronautalis performs.
Artistic Director Philip Brunelle founded the acclaimed choral music ensemble VocalEssence in 1969. Figurative Painter Luke Hillestad, whose work is reminiscent of Italian masters, uses live models for his subjects. Composer Mary Ellen Childs incorporated clapping games and baseball coaching signals in the body percussion piece, Sight of Hand. fDELUXE performs at the Loring Theater.
Theatre in the Round Players has been presenting work on an arena stage since 1952. Correspondence from many of history's most notable composers fills The Gilman Ordway Manuscript Collection at The Schubert Club. Installation artist Harriet Bart transforms words and everyday objects into sculptural expressions of memory. Jeremy Ylvisaker, Michael Lewis and J.T. Bates of Alpha Consumer perform.
Frank Gaard has painted provocative & political themes since the 1960s. Creative nonfiction writer Barry Borich reads an excerpt from her book Apocalypse Darling. Bethany Larson and the Bees Knees perform at The Varsity Theater in Minneapolis. Amy Toscani's fanciful sculptures are reminiscent of arts and craft projects of childhood. Orkestar Bez Ime performs in the southeastern European tradition.
Dominique Serrand & Steven Epp from award-winning Theatre de la Jeune Lune present The MovingCompany's first show. Janani & Jeyani Narayan play Carnatic violin, a form of classical south Indian music. Fine art photographer Michael Crouser's work includes an ongoing series of timeless black and white images. The high-energy percussive dance and musical ensemble Rhythmic Circus performs "Circus."
Mixed Blood Theatre's artistic director, Jack Reuler, is revolutionizing theater in the Twin Cities. Visual artist and amateur ecologist Kate Casanova unearths unique intersections between art and the natural world. Russian contemporary artist Oleg Vassiliev explores memory and light in his paintings. Infusing modern pop with a retro 70s rock vibe, The Shiny Lights perform Heartbeat.
The Mill City Summer Opera stages its inaugural production of Leoncavallos Pagliacci. Nicholas Harper's portraits, many with exaggerated features, are inspired by Byzantine and Russian iconography. Originally from Tennessee, the soulful Chastity Brown performs Plans of Buildin'.
Italian-trained painter Mark Balma creates a fresco for the Minnetonka Center for the Arts. Toni Pierce-Sands & Uri Sands, founders of TU Dance Center in St. Paul, embrace the connective power of dance. Sculptor Liz Miller's colorful installations demand closer inspection. Making Minnesota music history since the early 1980s, Soul Asylum, with front man Dave Pirner, performs at First Avenue.
Peter Rothstein's musical theater production "All is Calm," tells the story of the 1914 Christmas truce. Indie rock band Communist Daughter performs at the Varsity Theater in Minneapolis. Franconia Sculpture Park's 2012 Artist in Residence, Bridget Beck, constructs interactive sculptures inspiring playfulness and nostalgia. And the hip hop collective Doomtree performs "Beacon" at Rock The Garden.
Costume & set designer Mathew LeFebvre creates nearly 200 new pieces for The Guthrie Theater's A Christmas Carol. Petronella Ytsma's photography illuminates the multi-generational effects of Agent Orange & Dioxin used during the Vietnam War. Chholing Taha's paintings use Native American imagery to tell a universal story about humanity. Alicia Wiley and her indie electronic band, All Eyes, perform.
Anthony Caponi, stone sculptor & retired chair of the Macalester College Art Department, developed Caponi Art Park & Learning Center. Soprano Maria Jette performs at The Lexington in St. Paul. The digital work of internationally known graphic designer & typographer Michael Cina is inspired by his paintings. John Hermanson & Chris Cunningham of Storyhill perform in St. Paul's Wabasha Street Caves.
Visual artist Dougie Padilla's work reflects his Norwegian Mexican heritage and the ideals of the 1960s. Hand carved wooden sculptures and moving parts come together in Cecilia Schiller's interactive automata. Native American bead artist Greg Bellanger is dedicated to keeping Native American craft alive. And the energetic gypsy rock band i like you. performs New Beginning.
Stuart Pimsler Dance and Theater integrates vocals with modern dance and is committed to community outreach. Environmentalism is a theme in Andrea Martin's hand cut paper art. Michael Berglund turned a childhood love of dinosaurs into a career creating lifelike, to-scale models for museums & collectors. Malamanya combines the traditional rhythms & melodies of salsa, samba and Afro-Cuban son.
JoAnn Verburg is an internationally known photographer whose large-scale work deals with concepts of time and perspective. Inspired by his experience as an immigrant, Chilean-born Alonso Sierralta combines natural and man-made materials in his sculptures. Four percussive dancers backed by a seven-piece band, Rhythmic Circus explores musical genres like Minneapolis funk, beat box and salsa.
Actor, playwright and Tony-nominated director Marion McClinton, protege to August Wilson, helped to define African American theater in the US. Folk musicians Brian Miller and Randy Gosa collaborate on MN Lumberjack Songs: Irish Music from the Lumber Camps. Complicated patterns and systems inspire Elizabeth Simonson's scientific sculptural installations. Electro glam rock band Solid Gold performs.
Musician and record label owner Tom Hazelmyer creates handmade linocuts for his album art and packaging designs. Deborah Jinza Thayer's curiosity of movement and study of the body is exemplified in her piece Diana Takes a Swim. Writer Ka Vang gives voice to Hmong immigrants by writing about the Hmong-American experience. And Lucy Michelle + the Velvet Lapelles perform Catacombs in tpt's Studio A.
Performer Regina Marie Williams prepares for a production at Mixed Blood Theatre with vocal coach Nancy Grauff. Glass artist Fred Kaemmer capitalizes on the interior of a freshly blown vessel as a decorative surface. Bridget O'Malley and Amanda Degener of Cave Paper share a passion for crafting paper. And bluesman Alex Crankshaft Larson and his band The Gear Grinders perform at First Avenue.
Heidi Hoy's bronze sculptures render women with a balance of strength and femininity. Mohamud Mumin's portraits of fellow Somali immigrants spark dialogue about the immigrant experience in Minnesota. The BodyCartography Project's newest work aims to impact audience members both physically and emotionally. With a distorted sound and influenced by heavy metal and 70s rock, Is/Is performs Wide Eyed.
Singer/actor Christina Baldwin prepares for a role in an original production by The Moving Company. Scott West's studio work embodies the energy of painting live on stage with his Cloud Cult bandmates. Repeated forms, limited color and strong contrast between solid and void epitomize Kim Matthewss post-minimalist sculptures. Plus Americana multi-instrumentalist Barbara Jean performs.
Minnesota Original music special featuring Rock the Garden 2012 with Howler, tUnE-yArDs, Doomtree, Trampled by Turtles and The Hold Steady.
Minnesota Opera's New Works Initiative production of Doubt, makes its world premiere. With fantasy and fluorescent colors, Melissa Loops landscape paintings explore what is idyllic and dark. Illustrator and printmaker Adam Turman is known for his art prints of iconic Twin City landmarks, cycling scenes and pinup girls. And Soul Asylum performs Just Like Anyone at First Avenue.
Trained in France, Matt Wehling designs masterful bows custom made for each musician. Marisa Martinez combines gemstones, hand-blown glass beads and precious metals in her jewelry. Painter Mike Weltons brightly colored works are inspired by turn-of-the-century architecture and are informed by his background in design. Plus R+B/pop artist Ashley Gold performs Heavy in tpts Studio A.
MU Performing Arts honors the Twin Cities Asian American community with Taiko drumming and other cultural productions. Season 10 American Idol competitor Sophia Shorai performs To Get By. As a penciller for DC comics, Doug Mahnke draws some of the most recognized comic book characters. And the philosophical chamber rock band Cloud Cult, led by Craig Minowa, releases their tenth album, Love.
Xavier Tavera photographs Minnesotas Latino and other minority communities. Fiber artist Erica Spitzer Rasmussen creates wearable art that speaks to the anxieties one might feel about their body. Greek immigrant Konstantinos Papadakis has been carving wood in the Byzantine style for fifty years. And Jack Klatt and the Cat Swingers perform Lifes a Drag (But Not Mine) in tpts studio A.
The Jungle Theater's founder and Artistic Director, Bain Boehlke, directs Samuel Becketts classic, Waiting for Godot. Mixed-media artist Hannah Albert believes in the healing power of art. Sculptor and public artist Peter Morales' zoomorphic work is influenced by the Mayan ruins of his native Guatemala. And Kevin Bowe + the Okemah Prophets perform at The Terrarium recording studio in Minneapolis.
Award-winning public artist and arts educator Kinji Akagawa shares the stories behind three of his sculptural constructions. Bill Cottman and his family pool their talents in photography, poetry, storytelling and dance for a project. Bryan Holland's layered paintings are inspired by vintage billboards and graphic design. Influenced by vintage soul, R&B and disco, Southside Desire performs.
Internationally renowned photographer Paul Shambroom uses found images to explore themes of memory and loss. Poet Ed Bok Lee reads his poem Ode to Bruce Lee from his 2011 collection, Whorled. Allen Brewer challenges ideas of perception, understanding and truth in a variety of mediums. And soulful singer/songwriter Alison Scott performs.
The large-scale work of internationally known photographer JoAnn Verburg deals with concepts of time and perspective. Actor, playwright and Tony-nominated director Marion McClinton, protege to Pulitzer Prize winner August Wilson, helped define African American theater. The philosophical chamber rock band Cloud Cult, led by Craig Minowa, releases their tenth album, Love.
Public artists Amy Baur and Brian Boldon incorporate digital images, glass & tile in their large-scale installations. Painter Gary Welton's study of movement is inspired by early stop motion photography. Fawzia Khan's former career and experience as an immigrant give rise to thoughtful sculptures & installations. Literature & mythology influences music by Anglo-rock quartet Greycoats.
Theater Latté Da's music director, Denise Prosek, explores the human condition through musical theater. Kurt Seaberg creates atmospheric lithographs. Jim Denomie's vibrant paintings depict sensitive, historical topics. Mixed-media artist Kristina Estell challenges viewers to question their understanding of nature. And original member of the legendary local rock band Husker Du, Grant Hart performs.
Poet Dobby Gibson releases a book with Graywolf Press, one of the nation's leading nonprofit publishers. Founder Susana Di Palma introduces the American-Spanish dance company & school Zorongo Flamenco. Gary Moss' love of Minnesota comes through in his photorealistic landscape and wildlife paintings. Spencer "Big Cats" Wirth-Davis honors his mother with his instrumental hip hop and R+B album.
Jon Reischl portrays the act of remembering in his paintings. Stone lithography gives Faye Passow's eclectic drawings texture & gradation. Expressionist Bettye Olson's 60-year career is represented internationally. Illustrator and collage artist Colin Johnson painstakingly assembles his mixed-media work. And Phil Mattson is recognized as one of the top vocal jazz arrangers in the country.
Dan Corrigan shares stories about his photographs from the legendary nightclub First Avenue. Wil Natzel uses his formal training in architecture to design and create installations that challenge the expected use of a space. Eleanor McGough mimics the effects of weather in her large-scale paintings. And City Pages' 2013 Hip Hop Artist of the Year, Greg Grease, performs.
David Bowen's installations examine the contrast between natural and mechanical systems. Liza Sylvestre paints detailed watercolor and ink abstracts that are informed by profound hearing loss. Drury Brennan draws upon graffiti and Asian calligraphy. Stuart Loughridge's paintings and intaglio etchings are inspired by his international travels. Soulful singer/songwriter Nicholas David performs.
Internationally acclaimed Artaria String Quartet preserves and performs classical chamber repertoire. Noted poet Robert Bly shares three of his poems from inside his private writing sanctuary. Judy Onofrio's latest work creating sculptures from animal bones is both a departure and a coming home. The 4ontheFloor along with Duluth singer Sarah Kruger perform "Enough" at Target Field.
Eric Rieger, who goes by the name HOTTEA, uses chain link fence as the backbone for his street art installations. Mary Mack, who has appeared on Minnesota Polka Spotlight and Comedy Central's "Live at Gotham," shares her comedic and quirky charm. A finalist on NBC's "The Voice," Twin Cities singer/songwriter Nicholas David recalls his musical history and performs at Mancini's.
A MN Original music compilation featuring many of our favorite musicians performing in the tpt studios and around town: Alpha Consumer, Solid Gold, Mayda, Astronautalis, Barbara Jean, The Shiny Lights and Cloud Cult.
"Allen Downs Life and Work: Winter Quarter in Mexico" commemorated the 40th anniversary of Downs art-based study abroad program. Lea Devon Sorrentino's conceptual installations push viewers to question consumerism and materialism in American culture. And preparations are underway for Wits, American Public Media's live comedy and music show recorded for public radio stations across the nation.
Guthrie Theater's Artistic Director Joe Dowling has built a world-class center for theater arts and theater education. Alchemy and tradition are reflected in photographer Andrew Moxom's timeless wet plate collodion portraits. Hip hop artist Brother Ali performs in TPT's studio.
GRAMMY Award-winning children's band The Okee Dokee Brothers writes bluegrass and folk songs for the whole family to enjoy. Muralist and mosaic artist Greta McLain uses her public artwork to bring communities together. B-Boy J-Sun is committed to teaching younger generations both the cultural history of, and the techniques behind, hip hop dancing.
Soprano Maria Jette performs in every style, from early music with full orchestras to singing on A Prairie Home Companion. Brian Hart's innovative technique of light drawing results in unique images that are part photograph, part drawing. The Brave New Workshop has been performing satire, original sketch comedy and improv longer than any theater in the country.
Acclaimed author, playwright and storyteller Kevin Kling collaborates with some of Minnesota's most talented performers. Painter Eddie Hamilton's Shadows Project brings awareness to the challenges disabled people face within their communities. Folk music record label Red House Records has been representing local and national artists since the early 1980s.
Actress and playwright Sun Mee Chomet searches for her identity both onstage and off. Kurt Seaberg depicts the indigenous Sami people of Northern Europe in his intricate drawings. Inside The Walker Art Center's 2013 Artist-Designed Mini Golf. Instrumental alchemist Paul Metzger improvises hauntingly beautiful music on his modified 23-string banjo.
Fascinated by the tradition of metal casting, Wayne Potratz has made it his life's work to study and teach sculpture. Jan Estep's conceptual art pieces are embodied by the experiential approach she takes with her art. Minneapolis band Run Westy Run plays First Avenue after a 15-year hiatus.
MN Original music special featuring electronic musician Dan Deacon, Duluth indie rockers Low, former Husker Du frontman Bob Mould, indie rock quartet Silversun Pickups and electro-pop band Metric at Rock The Garden 2013, presented by Walker Art Center and 89.3 The Current.
The resident acting company of Children's Theatre Company, along with Artistic Director Peter Brosius, mentors young actors and inspires young audiences. Julia Strand breathes new life into books that would otherwise be discarded. Secret Stash Records maintains its groove-based sound, whether its with a vinyl re-release, or new music like Sonny Knight and the Lakers.
Lise Houlton carries on the legacy of Minnesota Dance Theatre, reinforcing tradition and encouraging collaboration. Art plays a crucial role in the healing process for patients and families at the Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota. The work of longtime singer, songwriter and music producer Kevin Bowe has appeared on double-platinum and Grammy Award-winning albums.
Visual artist Carolyn Halliday pairs traditional fiber techniques with nontraditional materials to create unique sculptures. Dancers from Carl Flink's Black Label Movement perform "HIT," an intensely physical piece inspired by the chaos of cell movement. Rapper Slug of Atmosphere talks about his song writing process, beginnings with Producer Ant and Rhymesayers.
Lise Houlton carries on the legacy of Minnesota Dance Theatre, reinforcing tradition and encouraging collaboration. Drury Brennan draws upon graffiti and Asian calligraphy in his typographical improvisations. Poet Robert Bly shares a poem from his private writing sanctuary. A finalist from the television singing competition series,The Voice, Nicholas David writes and performs soulful music.
Hend Al-Mansour questions the role of women in Saudi Arabian society and puts women's rights at the forefront of her work. Deaf writer Raymond Luczak performs his poem "Birthright" in American Sign Language. Asia Ward sculpts and suspends sculptures she calls "aluminum dreamscapes." Composer Chan Poling's classical and contemporary jazz training inspires his songwriting.
Using a combination of screen-printing, collage and painting, Greg Gossel builds his mixed-media pieces layer by layer. An artist in her own right, Laura Zabel has become a champion for the Twin Cities artistic community in her work as Executive Director of Springboard for the Arts. Self-taught bluesman Samuel James "Cornbread" Harris Sr. reflects on a lifetime of piano gigs in the Twin Cities.
Tish Jones' passion for language is evident in her poetry and in her work as a community organizer and educator. Tattoo artist Kurt Melancon works in a variety of other mediums including oil paint, scratch board, metal and wood. Chris Mars, former drummer for iconic Minneapolis rock band The Replacements, eventually left the music scene to pursue a career in visual arts.
Phil Daniel's stained glass art mixes innovative techniques with centuries-old practices, resulting in modern works that are built to last. Inspired by and fascinated by nature, Moira Bateman abandoned a career in landscape architecture to pursue mixed-media art full time. Longtime Twin Cities musician Adam Levy's recent solo work reflects losing his young adult son, Daniel, to mental illness.
Visual artist Shana Kaplow contrasts stark, photo-real depictions with abstract, disjointed panels to explore the notion of identity. Self-taught jeweler Gallen Benson has earned an international reputation with his intricate cloisonne work. Jim Sannerud's turned wooden bowls are distinct in their oblong shapes and hand-carved details. Musician Haley Bonar performs on The Lowertown Line.
Local writer and filmmaker Shelli Ainsworth premieres her first independent feature film, "Stay Then Go." Painter Dan Bruggeman's work examines landscapes where humans have altered the natural environment for entertainment purposes. Tucker Hollingsworth challenges the expected with his conceptual photography, which is both technical and ethereal.
MN Original celebrates printmaking with Highpoint Center for Printmaking, Lunalux letterpress studio, bookplate artist Serik Kulmeshkenov, multidisciplinary artist Amanda Lovelee and record label owner and printmaker Thomas Hazelmyer, aka HAZE XXL.
Known for portrait work, photographer Katherine Turczan focuses on landscapes with her project, Line. Designer Tim Harding makes large-scale textiles works out of colorful silks. Public artist Emily Stover's interactive installation encourages viewers to think about mail in a new way. A chart-topping soul singer/songwriter in the U.K., Timotha Lanae still calls Minnesota home.
Multidisciplinary artist Alexa Horochowski creates work that speaks to globalization and environmental decline. Clarence Morgans art reflects an interest in geometry and line. Gabriel Douglas from The 4ontheFloor performs "Toast to the Land of 10,000." Contemporary performance company Off-Leash Area creates original performances in locations varying from proscenium stages to garages.
Literary arts organization Revolver push the envelope with their offbeat writing endeavors. Milliner Karen Morris makes beautifully intricate hats. Sarah Beth Ernhart's portraits capture the personalities of her clients four-legged friends. Chuck Olsen and Taylor Carik created Futurekave--an interactive video-game-art-piece hybrid that bridges virtual and physical space.
Playwright and screenwriter Jeffrey Hatcher discusses the art and craft of writing for the stage and screen. Adam Levy's band, And the Professors, performs "Turn of the Century Recycling Blues." Alexa Horochowski creates work that speaks to globalization and environmental decline. In a search for the headwaters of Lake Superior, photographer David Bowman connects with his family roots.
Known for her robust laugh and exuberance for the Twin Cities theater community, Sally Wingert has captivated audiences for over 30 years. MacPhail Center for Music brings classical musical education to diverse communities throughout the state. And in a search for the headwaters of Lake Superior, award-winning photographer David Bowman further connects with his family roots.
Using innumerable vintage beads, artist Gail Be fashions intricate womens clothing, including a wedding gown with an 18.5 foot train. Home improvement projects were the impetus for Patrick Pryors experimental painting techniques in his latest body of work. Siblings J.D., Fred, Jearlyn, Jevetta and Billy Steele have been entertaining audiences around the world for decades.
Mosaic artist Michael Sweere transforms discarded tins, tiles and plates into colorful works of art. Singer/songwriter Jayanthi Kyle performs "Thats How the River Flows" with guitarist Wes Burdine. Angel Sarkela-Suar and Andrew Saur create art using a unique medium - coffee. And Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies provide rigorous orchestra experiences for young musicians.
The Jerome Foundation supports the creation, development and production of new works by emerging and established artists in MN and NYC. In her abstract paintings, Valerie Jenkins uses color and shape to challenge what is real and what is an illusion. The SpotLight Musical Theatre Program serves more than 60 Minnesota high schools through workshops and an annual award program.
Jan Elftmann's penchant for collecting objects shines through in her sculptural work and art cars. Up-and-coming musicians perform at 318 Cafe's Open Mic in Excelsior. Chuck U's childhood dream of illustrating comic books led to a career as a painter and drawer. Born and raised in inner-city Minneapolis, Tall Paul connects to his Ojibwe heritage in his clever and poignant rap music.
Playwright and screenwriter Jeffrey Hatcher discusses the art and craft of writing for the stage and screen. Adam Levy's band, And the Professors, performs "Turn of the Century Recycling Blues." Alexa Horochowski creates work that speaks to globalization and environmental decline. In a search for the headwaters of Lake Superior, photographer David Bowman connects with his family roots.
Photographer Xavier Tavera's portraits tell stories of Minnesota's minority communities. Harriet Bart transforms everyday objects into sculptural expressions of memory. A group of veterans assemble a replica of a Huey Helicopter. Petronella Ytsma's photography illuminates the effects of Agent Orange. And "All is Calm" is Peter Rothstein's evocative retelling of the 1914 Christmas Truce.
Matt Thompson has perfected the centuries-old craft of neon sign making. The LEAV iPhone app allows people to unlock art experiences. Sheila Smith, Executive Director of Minnesota Citizens for the Arts, shares accomplishments from its 40-year history. And Adam Turman creates the 2015 Minnesota State Fair Commemorative Art inspired by the Fairs beloved landmarks and attractions.
Christopher Atkins, Coordinator of the Minnesota Artists Exhibition Program, curates contemporary work for Mia. Bookmaker Caitlin Warner distributes her work to the public with her Unvending Machines. Pulitzer Prize-winning composer and librettist Dominick Argento is a founding member of the Minnesota Opera. And Gadu Doushin practices butoh, an avant-garde Japanese performance art.
The Arts Partners lead the organizations that share the stages of the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts. The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestras Bruce Coppock, The Schubert Clubs Barry Kempton, the Minnesota Operas Nina Archabal, and Ordways Patricia Mitchell talk about the unique partnership formed to build the new Concert Hall, welcoming new audiences to an array of world-class performances.
The new Concert Hall at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts is home to The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. The SPCO's President Bruce Coppock, Senior Director of Artistic Planning and Second Violin Kyu Young-Kim, Concertmaster Steve Copes and others discuss their musician-led philosophy, artistic partners, education initiatives, affordable community concerts and the Liquid Music series.
Marlon James' latest novel, rooted in his native Jamaica, earned him critical praise and one of the worlds biggest literary prizes. James Brenner likes to engage the community with his work, whether creating large public art pieces or hosting a neighborhood iron pour. Sisters Bethany Valentini and Jenny Kapernick of The Ericksons began their musical careers as a way to cope with personal tragedy.
Joanie Smith of Shapiro & Smith Dance couples text and movement to envisage relationships in her choreography. Yudong Shen infuses his Asian brush paintings with color and contrast to create landscapes that reflect both China and Minnesota. Perci Chester creates larger-than-life metal sculptures. The acclaimed band, Gear Daddies, celebrates the 25th anniversary of their album "Billy's Life Bait."
Sign painter Phil Vandervaart's work can be found throughout the Twin Cities. Kristi Abbott depicts beloved icons and landscapes in her vivid collages. Multimedia artist Philip Noyed’s abstract paintings have evolved into eye-catching illuminated sculptures. Performers from the Twin Cities theater scene sing at Musical Mondays, the monthly cabaret series at Hell's Kitchen.
Actor Tyler Michaels, known for his physical, scene-stealing roles, has graced many Twin Cities stages. Rooted in the traditions of basket making, Mary Giles work evolved into sculptural pieces inspired by nature. William Souder is a renowned writer whose biography of John James Audubon was a finalist for a Pulitzer Prize. Neo-soul singer/songwriter Mayyadda performs Black is Beautiful.
History Theatres production of Glensheen examines the story of the 1977 Duluth murders. Greta Claire is an abstract painter obsessed with color and texture and the need to create. Cartoonist Tom Richmond is a regular contributor to MAD Magazine and recipient of the Reuben Award for Outstanding Cartoonist of the Year. Pianist Zhen Tu performs Etude No. 3 Un sospiro, arranged by Franz Liszt.
A graffiti artist since high school, Peyton Scott Russell uses his art to educate young people. Lisa Friedrich uses fire, gunpowder and smoke to create cityscapes. Ernest Miller hand alters his ceramic vessels, creating signature pieces that bridge modern and traditional design. Singer, composer and teacher Dr. Pooja Goswami Pavan specializes in classical and semi-classical Indian music.
Peter Haakon Thompson engages audiences through participation, interaction and conversation. Keren Kroul's watercolors are inspired by her memories growing up in Mexico, Israel and Costa Rica. Urban planner Weiming Lu integrates technology in his traditional Chinese calligraphy. Cantus performs Mu isamaa on minu arm (Land of my Fathers) from A Singing Revolution.
Ceramic Artist and Carleton College Professor, Kelly Connole uses clay as her language of storytelling and to express beauty. Actor Pearce Bunting portrays the acclaimed host in Garrison Keillor's play "Radio Man." Giving Voice Chorus is the unique chorale ensemble for people living with Alzheimers disease and their care partners.
Oil painter Leslie Barlow explores multiculturalism and identity through portraiture. Chai Lee performs and teaches about the Qeej, an instrument known as a cultural symbol of Hmong identity. Amara Hark-Weber creates handmade custom shoes in traditional and conceptual designs. Musician Eric Mayson accompanies a modern dance class and performs "Skyline" from his debut solo album Detail.
Alyssa Baguss creates her own intricate landscapes, both real and imagined. Aziz Osman paints his prewar memories of Somalia and remembrances of his decades living in Italy. Minnesota Center for Book Arts celebrates paper, printing, bings and broadsides with their annual Winter Book. Rooted in tradition and ceremony, tribal regalia and dance are important to Native American culture.
Maggie Thompson uses textiles to create knitwear and fine art projects exploring themes of identity and grief. Eric Pollard performs as Actual Wolf. As a founding member of the Rogue Taxidermy movement Sarina Brewer's animal sculptures come from ethically sourced materials. The Minnesota Fringe Festival gives performers of all abilities the chance to produce and stage their own work.
Syrian photographer Osama Esid documents his varied communities. Made Here fills empty windows with local art in downtown Minneapolis. Born in Columbia and adopted by a Minnesota family, painter Paul Peterson is creating a series to help his recently found biological family. The acting program at Washburn High School empowers students to give voice to issues that impact them.
Since 1974 Michael Robins and Bonnie Morris have developed new work at Illusion Theater to catalyze personal and social change. Heid Erdrich's impactful work in poetry and film is often inspired by her Native American ancestry. Surrounded by legendary musicians from his childhood, Solomon Parham is now making a name for himself in the Twin Cities jazz community.
Instagram helped photographer Eric Mueller fuel his creative side and in turn find a community of peers and tens of thousands of followers. Poet and LGBT activist Andrea Jenkins explains how her work informs and activates communities surrounding LGBT equality issues. Go behind the scenes with legendary rapper Prof as he begins work on a new album and performs at his annual event Prof Outdoors.
Eric William Carroll tests the limits of photography, creating work without the use of a camera. Musician Aby Wolf performs an acoustic version of Alone. Author/illustrator Michael Hall’s work is known for its bright, expressive imagery and clever word play. The Hmong Breakers Leadership Council is an organization focused on bringing diverse communities together through the art of break dancing.
Tia and Souliyahn Keobounpheng’s love of modern design can be seen in her jewelry, his architectural elements and their combined projects. Artist Dyani White Hawk uses mixed media to explore the intersection of traditional indigenous art and modern contemporary art.Improvisational drummer Davu Seru is well known in the Twin Cities jazz community. He’s now making a name for himself as a composer.
Through the power of personal stories and theatrical performance, The Telling Project narrows the veteran-civilian divide. Mark Rivard has garnered attention for his work in an unusual medium, skateboard art, which he now uses to educate and inspire youth. Desdamona is a hip-hop MC, a spoken word artist, poet and teacher who has been a pillar of the Twin Cities hip-hop scene for decades.
Paranormal artist Brandon Kuehn travels around Minnesota gathering stories that inspire his artwork. When she emigrated from Japan, Chiaki O’Brien brought her knowledge of Saori weaving to Minnesota. Sally Power specializes in the centuries-old art of paper marbling. Combing his American roots and Eastern European heritage, guitarist Sam Miltich found a home in jazz manouche.
American Composer and advocate for contemporary composers and musicians, Libby Larsen began writing music in first grade. David Coggins preserves memories of his travels in his writing, photographs and other works of art. Get an inside look at the recording and performing process of Hippo Campus ahead of the release of their first full length album, Landmark.
Born in Egypt & growing up in in the Midwest, Moheb Soliman's interdisciplinary poetry is inspired by nature, the Great Lakes and ideas of belonging. Working with large-scale installations, intimate oil paintings, Sharon Louden also advocates for artists. Benjamin Percy, who writes stories for DC Comics, best-selling novels and essays about the craft of writing, seeks to thrill his readers.
Writer, actor and director Shanan Custer creates new work with heart and comedic flare. Shawn Carling is known the world over for his custom-crafted machine age lamps. Before she found Hollywood success, Lea Thompson began her artistic career in Minnesota. Lindsay Locatelli creates jewelry pieces that resonate with her as an artist, often flying in the face of the mainstream jewelry market.
Rita Mustaphi performs and choreographs kathak dance, a classical North Indian dance form. Nigerian painter and sculptor Òmó Oba (Prince) Adetomiwa A. Gbadebo’s work is large, bold and inspired by his personal journey. Melissa Cooke creates her hyper-realistic drawings by subtracting from the page, not adding to it. DJ and artist Booka B throws down new beats, prints and paintings.
Ifrah Mansour performs her play “How to Grow Up in a Civil War.” Sculptor Jennifer Helberg creates ice lanterns. Musician Eric Mayson performs Aces. Jane Wunrow discovers new mediums after becoming a parent. Shapiro and Smith Dance perform The Gist.
Fine art and world-traveled editorial photographer Layne Kennedy shares his passion for capturing images at a dog sledding photo workshop. Guitarist Jeremy Ylvisaker throws a dizzying Guitar Party. Color is the driving force behind Native American painter Dakota Hoska’s work. Electric Machete Studios creates a space for Latinx artists to thrive on Saint Paul’s Westside.
Designer Kate Sutton-Johnson creates imaginary worlds for theater and museums. Chef Erick Harcey’s Swedish heritage inspires his nationally-recognized artful cuisine. Hip hop and classical music unite when writer and musician Dessa collaborates with the Minnesota Orchestra.
A poetry competition gives an inside look at what it is to be young in America. Bill Phelps work ranges from celebrity portraits to food and travel photography. Principal players from The SPCO & Minnesota Orchestra are the string ensemble Accordo.
Trained at the Atelier Studio Program of Fine Art, Lynn Maderich examines light and form in her equine paintings. Indigo and Snow’s Annabella Sardelis demonstrates a snow-dying technique. Vietnam veteran and assemblage artist Paul J. Flick collects and displays disparate objects. Neo-soul band Nooky Jones performs at the Palace Theatre in Saint Paul.
Writer Nora McInerny unabashedly addresses stories of pain with humor and heart. Photographer Amy Ballinger manufactures a fantastical world to create a single image. TU Dance and Bon Iver collaborate through the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra’s Liquid Music series and develop the new work, “Come Through.”
Karen L. Charles had the courage to quit her day job and start a dance company. Educator Dr. Carter Meland explores his Anishinaabe heritage. Artist Tara Sweeney encourages American Swedish Institute-goers to share stories about artifacts from their families. Longtime Mint Condition frontman Stokley Williams debuts his new solo album in a hometown show at The Ordway.
Dance maker Laurie Van Wieren creates site-specific solo and ensemble improvisation-based work. William Berloni has trained some of the most famous animals in Hollywood and on Broadway, prepares for "Annie" at the Ordway. Designer Joy Teiken's signature clothing line, Joynoelle, is one of the premiere special occasion and bridal lines in the Twin Cities. Doomtree CEO Lazerbeak, a.k.a. Aaron Mader, puts the finishing touches on solo record.
Jovan Speller composes and curates stories through photography. Alison Hiltner examines the intersection of art and science for a Northern Spark festival installation. “Women Outward Bound” filmmaker Maxine Davis is among the first females accepted into the rigorous wilderness education program. Writer Saymoukda Vongsay puts her Lao refugee experience center stage.
University of Minnesota Film Society founder Al Milgrom continues to work at 95. Multimedia artist Ifrah Mansour’s poem explores what it means to be a refugee. Being an artist gives painter Devin Wildes the freedom to thrive while living with autism. Jocephus Lomax, also known as Music Man Joe, busks on the streets of Minneapolis.
Star Tribune photographer Carlos Gonzalez documents sports, politics and daily life in the Twin Cities, Painter Alison Price captures the majesty of trees in vivid color, Sieng Lee's site-specific art installations are inspired by his refugee experience. Brownbody Performance Company examines history through modern dance, theater and figure skating.
This one-hour special follows the Minnesota Orchestra on its historic tour through South Africa. The musical and cultural exchange honors the centenary year of Nelson Mandela’s birth through community engagements and concerts. More than 300 Minnesotans traveled to South Africa for the occasion. The Minnesota Orchestra is the first major US orchestra to ever tour the continent of Africa.
Chef Ann Kim infuses traditional Korean flavors into her modern cuisine. Kombucha and a story about Pineapple Plantations of Hawaii. Sameh Wadi creates cravable food inspired by flavors from around the world Frances Olson explains processing sorghum syrup in the depression era. Chef Shige Furukawa brings the traditional Japanese kaiseki meal to Minneapolis.
Rapper deM Atlas rides the Green Line before his performance at the Palace Theatre. In collaboration with the SPCO, PaviElle French writes her first symphony. The Minnesota Museum of American Art (the M) celebrates what it means to be an American artist.
Chanhassen Dinner Theatres’ creative team celebrates 50 years. Proof Public brings the art of letterpress printing to a mass audience. The Minneapolis Art Lending Library (MALL) welcomes borrowers to check out works of art by local artists. Joy and looking good is at the heart for comedian and entertainer Fancy Ray McCloney.
Artistic partnership Free Black Dirt voices narratives often erased or ignored. Larsen Husby walked every street in Minneapolis for his project Long Trace of Minneapolis. Ricardo Levins Morales is an artist with a message and a mission. Two high schoolers explore the history of Faribault, Minnesota in their show 1855.
Liz Gardner and Josef Harris aim to be a one stop creative shop for their clients. Aerospace Engineer turned artist Mary Jo Hoffman finds beauty in nature. Architect-turned-artist Daphne Lee creates intricate sculptures with paper. Writer and designer Kate Arends focuses on designing a life well lived. Wing Ho's minimalist photographs capture beautiful works by local designers and makers.
Sarah Bellamy puts her own stamp on Penumbra Theatre, founded by her father. Bee Yang is a respected traditional Hmong song poet of kwv txhiaj and a refugee of war. Author, poet and playwright Marcie Rendon is a citizen of White Earth Nation. Giving Voice Chorus commissions new work inspired by its members' experiences with Alzheimer's disease.