Arts | Southwest Connector

Over the past two years, we have all been dreaming of something. Southwest resident Anna Bonavita has been dreaming of Italy. She’s the founder of Esperienza, a local nonprofit organization … more

By Suzie Marty | 4/20/22

Little Sock’s adventures resonate in pandemic

Like everyone else, a sock needs a friend. And with that in mind, Kia Heise and Chris D. Park wrote their second children’s book “Little Sock Makes a Friend.” The book by the … more

By Jan Willms | 3/23/22

View of Katherine Kierland Herberger Gallery / Community Commons / Gallery 110 with objects installed for the exhibition "Racism as a Public Health Crisis: Youth and Professional Artists Respond" at Minneapolis Institute of Art.

Exploring ‘Racism as a Public Health Crisis’

As an art teacher at St. Paul’s Como Park High School, Sydney Willcox seeks to connect student creations with their own lived experiences. A recent collaboration with local artists allowed that … more

By Eric Erickson | 3/17/22

Q&A with Kristi Abbott

Was there a defining moment when in your life when you knew you wanted to be an artist?Kristi Abbott: If you’ve ever met me, you’ll know that I talk with a funny accent. I was born in … more

By Suzie Marty | 3/6/22

Artist Jill Waterhouse performs as the Goddess of the Glaciers during the Ice Shanty event on Sunday, Jan. 16, 2022. She wove her story with song, blessed seekers of wisdom with her ice wand, and granted wishes to the young at heart. (Photo by Susan Schaefer)

ART ON THE LAKE [Photo gallery]

This year’s Ice Shanty program adjusted to become an exterior-only experience for visitors with a greater emphasis on the social aspect of the outdoor village life. “Art Shanty Projects … more

2/3/22

Nan Marie Zosel of Kingfield is energized by dancing with others at the corner of Bde Maka Ska Boulevard and Lake Street.

DANCING IN THE STREETS

When the world shut down in March 2020, Kingfield resident Nan Marie Zosel knew she couldn’t just stay home. So she headed out to the corner of 40th and Nicollet and began to dance. She was … more

By Tesha M. Christensen | 2/3/22

Art is never giving up on your dream

Courtney Yasmineh is a singer and songwriter here in the Twin Cities. She’s written and recorded eight albums of original songs that fall into the categories of folk or rock or Americana. … more

By Suzie Marty | 2/3/22

The rockin’-est fundraiser in town

As I noted in my first column, I love it when people join to together to do good things. I also mentioned that I love live music, so today I want to tell you about one of Southwest’s coolest … more

By Larry LaVercombe | 2/3/22

MSP Film reimagines St. Anthony Main Theater

A long-time dream of the Minneapolis-St. Paul Film Society (MSP Film) is about to come to fruition. The site of the MSP Film Society at St. Anthony Main Theatre, 115 SE Main in Minneapolis, has … more

By Jan Willms | 1/25/22

#1) “Garden of Iron Mirrors” installation by Andrea Stanislav

AN EDUCATED TWIST TO WINTER FITNESS:

By SUSAN SCHAEFER Much has been written about the benefits of exercise and being outdoors to beat the blues. According to a recent report from the American Psychological Association, “There … more

By Susan Schaefer | 1/8/22 | 1 comment

A bowl of gratitude to start a new year

Minneapolis artist Lynn Sarnoff–Christensen has been a potter for over 30 years. She is continuously reinventing her focuses with new creative directions. The path of growth, if you will. Her … more

by Suzie Marty | 1/8/22

Living in Gratitude

As we begin 2022 many of us take time to reflect on the ups and downs, disappointments and joys, beginnings and endings of the previous year. We set intentions for the new year. How can you make … more

By Michele Rae | 1/8/22

NEW SCULPTURE COMING

The Lake Street Council has unveiled sneak peek images of a new outdoor art installation coming to Lake Street. A heart-shaped “We Love Lake Street” sculpture designed by the Chicago … more

1/1/22

Linden Hills artist, Edward Bock

Mixed-media artist and photographer Edward Bock uses unexpected textures, colors and mediums to create abstract paintings and fine art photography. After earning a degree in mass communications from … more

By SUZIE MARTY, artist and business owner, ads@swconnector.com | 12/1/21 | 2 comments

RETHINK owner Kristen McCoy in an upcycled denim blazer. She explained, “To upcycle is to add value to something in the processing. We’re able to take a worn garment and turn it into something new. We take jeans that are no longer wearable and cut them into denim squares. The result is a reversible blazer that still has a lot of wear. It’s on sale at the shop, and is size fluid (small to large).” (Photos by Margie O’Loughlin)

RETHINK upcycles old clothes with style

Artist and business founder Kristen McCoy has been rethinking the future of fashion for years. Along with her staff at RETHINK Tailoring & Sewing Lounge (3449 Bloomington Ave. S.), she offers an … more

By Margie O’Loughlin | 11/30/21

Jennie Leenay, GFS community member and caretaker of The People’s Closet, with their pup Joyoncé. It's important to Leenay that fashion reaches everyday people, and that people feel connected to themselves and their community. (Photo by Jill Boogren)

The People's Closet makes fashion, political statement

Sometimes a revolutionary act is quiet, unseen. Sometimes it’s loud and worn on a shirtsleeve. At The People’s Closet at George Floyd Square, it’s a little bit of both.Born out of … more

By JILL BOOGREN | 11/30/21

"You really put yourself out there when you make public art," remarked Lomgfellow resident Taylor Tinkham. "Mostly people are great, but I’ve been hassled by the police. I’ve been yelled at by passersby, I’ve had people comment on my body when I’m drawing. As I approach a space where I’m going to chalk, I’m anxious – but as soon as I start chalking, I feel good.”(Photo by Margie O’Loughlin)

Longfellow chalk artist creates mindfulness messages on pavement

Taylor Tinkham has been chalking on neighborhood sidewalks for the last two and a half years. She said, “The idea came out of a mindfulness meditation class I was taking as part of my masters … more

By MARGIE O’LOUGHLIN | 10/1/21

Film maker Paul Irmiter in his Longfellow studio, surrounded by photos and news clips of John Wesley Donaldson. Irmiter said, “From the outset, I knew this story had to be told. I was fortunate to be able to partner with some of the Twin Cities’ most experienced Black actors, producers, and crew. I got to be the director, but I couldn’t have done any part of the film without our team. One of the best things that came out of this project was these new, strong relationships.” (Photo by Margie O’Loughlin)

Local pride surrounds release of documentary

John Wesley Donaldson may be the greatest American baseball player you’ve never heard of. Born in 1892 in the tiny town of Glasgow, Mo., the young African American ball player went on to become … more

By MARGIE O’LOUGHLIN | 10/1/21

BareBones Extravaganza 2021 Co-Directors (left to right) Xochi de la Luna, Adriana Cerrillo and Mina Leierwood at Powderhorn Park in September. (Photo by Jill Boogren)

BareBones Extravaganza 2021 returns Oct. 31

Shaped from sticks, torn pieces of brown paper bags, newspaper, and paste, bones were in the making at Powderhorn Park in September as artists and community members gathered to prepare for BareBones … more

By JILL BOOGREN | 10/1/21

Dancing together through a pandemic

On Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021, Ballare Teatro dance instructor Molly Breen (at left) and her Cardio Funk dancers gave a live performance every 15 minutes through the early evening.They danced against a … more

by Margie O'Loughlin | 10/1/21