Insider’s guide to the St. Paul Fall Art Crawl
Lowertown Lofts Artist Cooperative will have vocal, guitar, dance and other performances in the third-floor atrium throughout the weekend.
Jake Spitzack
Staff Writer
With more than 30 participating venues across 10 districts, it can be overwhelming to try to make the most of St. Paul’s biannual art crawls, which have been known to attract about 20,000 visitors during just one weekend. Lately, the Crawls have been held over the course of a month or even longer, which has allowed people the chance to visit more sites, but this fall things are throwing back to pre-pandemic years as all venues will participate the same weekend: October 4-6. So, whether you’re a first-timer or expert crawler, and are looking to see it all or simply get a taste, our insider’s guide can help you discover which venues best fit your needs.
All sites were given multiple chances to provide details, and information was accurate as of press time. For more information, visit stpaulartcollective.org/spac-fall-art-crawl-2024.
The Old
Lowertown as we know it today began taking shape in the 1970s when artists started flocking to the neighborhood for affordable housing in its refurbished warehouses. By 1977, a handful of artists living there founded the St. Paul Art Collective (SPAC) with the goal of arranging shows and promoting art. They held their first exhibition at Union Depot and branched out from there, eventually going on to operate the Wall Street fine art gallery from 1981-1985. The first official art crawl was held in 1991, featuring the Jax, 262 Studios, Lowertown Lofts Artist Cooperative, Tilsner Artists Cooperative and the Northern Warehouse Artists Cooperative.
Visiting these venues in 2024 can help you get a sense of the earliest Art Crawls. The historic buildings feature dozens of artist studios, as well as stunning atriums, skylight windows and more. They are all located within a few blocks of each other so you can easily stroll through the district within a single evening.
The New
Starting in the early 2000s, artists living along University and Grand avenues and in the East Side and West Side neighborhoods began participating in the Crawls, bringing the number of creators to about 400. Some of the most recent additions active for at least two full years are Calendula Gallery, Friedli Gallery and XIA Gallery & Café. Journeying through these spaces can give you a better understanding of how art has found a foothold in the city due to the commitment of those who came before.
Music and Food
While the St. Paul Art Collective promotes the Crawl, each venue is responsible for recruiting its own artists and planning its own attractions. If you’re most interested in a pottery wheel demonstration, musical performance, dance lessons, or a lineup of food trucks then check out the venues listed below that offer demonstrations and entertainment. Some are located near parks, theaters and other entertainment venues, making it easy to sprinkle the Crawl into your weekend itinerary. Of course, each site also features artists displaying their work.
General tips
- Cost for artwork varies widely, but many artists create pieces for the Crawl that are $100 or less. Some have products closer to $20. Haggling for a better price is frowned upon.
- Artists may want to hear your interpretation of their art before revealing their inspiration behind it. Likewise, they may provide glimpses into their personal lives, but most conversation should be focused on their art.
- Many artists open their studios to display art. Do not intrude into spaces that don’t have artwork.
- Do not touch any pieces of artwork on display unless given permission by the artist. Do not bring any beverages unless they can be closed with a cap.
- In general, photography is prohibited. Get permission from the artist if you want to post a photograph of their work to social media.
- While artists hope to get a few sales during the Crawl, they appreciate having people come through to admire their artwork.
- If you want to purchase artwork, simply tell the artist. Some will put a red dot on the tag, indicating it’s purchased. Artwork can be taken that day or picked up or delivered at the end of the Crawl. Most artists will hold a piece of artwork and let you purchase it at the end of the Crawl.
- Consider going with a group to have more fun.
West Side
F-O-K Studios, floors 3-5 of Warehouse 2 at 106 W. Water St., will be open Friday, 4-9 p.m.; Saturday, noon-8 p.m.; and Sunday, noon-5 p.m. More than 50 resident and guest artists and musicians will showcase their work from studios and gallery space. Works include paintings, jewelry, sculptures, mixed media, photography and more. “All Art Tells a Story: messages hidden or overt” is the featured exhibit in the third floor gallery and its opening reception is 4-5 p.m. on Friday. Music takes place throughout the weekend including Bellow/Pemberton Duo, 4-5:30 p.m., and Irie Sol, 7-8:30 p.m., Oct. 4; Alex Tulp, 12:30-2 p.m., Oct. 5; and Ken Takata Ensemble, 3:30-5 p.m., Oct. 5. Free parking is available in the lot in front of the building and the lot on the building’s east side. Complimentary beverages will be available, and chips, salsa and guacamole will be provided Saturday.
Lowertown
Lowertown Lofts Artist Cooperative, on the top three floors of the building, 255 E. Kellogg Blvd., will be open Friday, 6-10 p.m.; Saturday, noon-8 p.m.; and Sunday, noon-5 p.m. About 30 resident artists will be selling work in the hallways and from studios, and nine guest artists will also be featured. Works include weavings, book art, paintings, handmade jewelry, photography, drawings, ceramics and sculptures, collages, prints, fiber art, greeting cards, artisan hot sauce, clothing and more. Vocal, guitar, dance and other performances will take place in the third-floor atrium throughout the weekend. The site has been part of the Crawl since it began in 1991. The door is at the back of the building in a well-marked alley entrance. The Kellogg Boulevard bridge is closed, and the Twin Cities Marathon will be taking place the same weekend, so the site recommends using public transportation if possible.
Lowertown Underground Artists, 308 Prince St., is open Friday, 6-10 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; and Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Union Depot, 214 4th St. E, will host artists Friday, 5-9 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; and Sunday, noon-6 p.m. More than 30 artists will sell paintings, photography, ceramics, jewelry, mixed media, wood works, quilts and more. The site is home to several businesses including a restaurant and coffee station, and was home to the first St. Paul Art Crawl in 1977. Four onsite parking lots are available, and the Green Line makes a stop outside the site’s front doors.
Calendula Gallery, 275 4th St. E., Suite #130 in the Northwestern building, will be open Friday, 6-9 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; and Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thirty-five artists will sell paintings and drawings, prints and photos, ceramics and copper etchings, Dungeons and Dragons dice, glass work, beaded jewelry and more. The gallery has participated in the Crawl for three years. Enter at the 4th Street side of the Northwestern Building. Not all floors of the historic building are easily accessible for those with mobility challenges. Those needing help with accessibility should call Helene at 612-849-8083. The site will also feature an artist reception with live music and artists’ pop ups, 6-8 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 5, in the Poppy Room. The featured exhibit is “Everything Everything Everything,” by Stuart Raymond.
Northern Warehouse, 308 Prince St. E., will be open Friday, 5-9 p.m.; Saturday, noon-8 p.m.; and Sunday, noon-6 p.m. More than 40 artists will sell paintings, pottery, photography, woodworks and more, in studios and hallways. The site is hosting live music under the nearby St. Paul Farmers Market awning throughout the weekend. It has participated in the Crawl since the beginning, in 1991. Two public parking lots are available on Prince Street, and more parking is available at Union Depot and on streets.
Erta Ale Ethiopian, 308 Prince St., is open Friday, 6-10 p.m., Saturday, noon-8 p.m., and Sunday, noon-5 p.m.
Lost Fox, 2132 4th St. E., is open Friday and Saturday, 8 a.m.-1 a.m., and Sunday, 8 a.m.-11 p.m. Two artists will showcase paintings. The Joseph Walker Band will perform 11 p.m.-1 a.m., Saturday. Live music will also be held Friday night. The restaurant has participated in the Crawl for two years.
Minnesota Museum of American Art, 350 Robert St. N., is open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Fifteen artists are featured in its exhibit “Hilo de la Sangre” and 10 artist families are featured in “Together.” Mediums include paintings, photography, sculpture, drawings, mixed media and textiles.
Gambit Brewing Co., 141 4th St. E., will showcase seven artists 1-6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday. Works will be in booths and exhibitions in the taproom. They include paintings, retro pop art, photography, embroidery, drawings, mixed media, candles and more. Ken Takata will perform music Friday, 5:30-7:30 p.m., and stand-up comedy is held 8-9:30 p.m. Tommy Bentz Band will perform Saturday, 7-10 p.m. This is the brewery’s first time participating in the Crawl. Paid parking is available in the nearby Jackson Street ramp.
Master Framers, 262 4th St. E., will be open Friday, 6-10 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; and Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. About 10 artists will be selling a wide array of media including paintings, prints, ceramics and textiles. Light refreshments will be provided. The lobby entrance is on 4th Street next door to Lowertown Wine and Spirits. The site has participated in every Crawl for the last 30 years.
Tilsner Artist Lofts, 300 Broadway St. N., will be open Friday, 5-10 p.m., Saturday, noon-8 p.m., and Sunday, noon-5 p.m. Artists will display mixed media visual art and wearable arts.
Northern Light Art Studio, 218 7th St. E., will be open Saturday, noon-6 p.m., and Sunday, noon-5 p.m. Approximately 12 artists will display and sell their paintings, ceramics, hand-blown glass and more. The Studio’s featured exhibit “Micros and Mondos” showcases a range of large and small works. Live art demonstrations and $10 drop-in Ceramic Trinket Mini-Workshops for beginners will take place throughout the weekend. This is the studio’s first year in the Crawl, however the gallery space – formerly home to Creator’s Space – had been involved for five years. Street parking and paid lots are available nearby.
West Seventh
Schmidt Artists Lofts, 900 W. 7th Pl., will be open Friday, 6-9 p.m.; Saturday, noon-7 p.m.; and Sunday, noon-5 p.m. More than 80 artists will showcase paintings, ceramics, mixed media, jewelry, photography, woodwork, leatherwork, fabric, and performing arts in gallery spaces and lofts. Three food trucks will be present. Additionally, “Open Palette” live painting and art demonstrations will occur hourly on the rooftop. Nearby street parking is available. Enter at Door 1 on the north side of the building by the tall smokestack. This is the 10th year the site has participated in the Crawl.
Art From the Inside Minnesota, second floor of the Schmidt Artists’ Lofts, will feature paintings from six incarcerated artists. This is the nonprofit organization’s first year participating in the Crawl.
Friedli Gallery, 973 W. 7th St., is open Saturday, noon-7 p.m., and Sunday, noon-5 p.m. Five artists will showcase their works in an ongoing old school collodion (wet plate) photography exhibit by Kary Janousek. Mediums include ink, digital, acrylic paint, paperclay, textiles and photography. Fresh-made waffles will be available. Street parking is available. The site has participated in the Crawl for four years.
Great River Gallery, 1163 7th St. W., is open Friday, 6-10 p.m.; Saturday, noon-8 p.m.; and Sunday, noon-5 p.m.
Raymond Station
Dow Art Gallery & Framing, 2242 University Ave. W., will be open Friday, 5-9 p.m., and Saturday, noon-8 p.m. Approximately 50 artists will exhibit their work, some of which are featured in the gallery’s “Cabin Art” show. Mediums include painting, photography, ceramics, mixed media, wood carving and sculpture. Free parking is available on the street or across University Avenue in the Wright Building parking lot. The gallery has participated in the Crawl since opening in 2015.
Cathedral Hill
The Milligan Studio, 459 Selby Ave., will be open Friday, 5-9 p.m.; Saturday, noon-8 p.m.; and Sunday, noon-5 p.m. It will feature glass and bronze sculptures and woodblock tea towels created by Alan and Dr. Nicole Milligan. Food will be available and music is scheduled for the weekend. The studio has participated in the Crawl for five years.
Virginia Street Church, 170 Virginia St., will be open Friday, 5-10 p.m.; Saturday, noon-8 p.m.; and Sunday, noon-5 p.m. It will feature nine artists displaying paintings, quilt art, mosaics and more. Live performances will be held throughout the weekend. Performers include Jon Elconin, David Evens, Jeremy Rose, Liz Zeno, Gordon Meyer and the band Blus Stratum, and Susan Zeni. The church has hosted artists for the Crawl for six years.
Little Mekong Cultural District
825 Arts, 825 University Ave. W., is open Friday, 6-10 p.m.; Saturday, noon-8 p.m.; and Sunday, noon-5 p.m. Zamya Theatre Project will perform Friday at 6:30 p.m., and Saturday at 4 p.m. Other artists may be featured in the community space. The theater opened in August, and this is its first time in the Crawl. Parking is available on side streets, or on University Avenue after 6 p.m.
XIA Gallery & Café, 422 University Ave. W., is open Friday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. The gallery features works of BIPOC artists, including glass art, jewelry, wood, ceramics, mixed media, paintings, photography, candles, textiles, kawaii crochet plushies and more. An open mic event is held Friday, 7-9 p.m. This is the gallery’s third year of operation and second in the Crawl. Parking is available behind the yellow building or along streets.
Merriam Park
Spatial Effects Gallery, 1759 Selby Ave., will be open Friday, 6-8 p.m.; Saturday, noon-6 p.m.; and Sunday noon-5 p.m. It will feature 28 artists showcasing furniture, sculpture, metal work, painting, drawings, photography, glassworks, carved gourds and more. Parking is available and refreshments will be served. The site has participated in the Crawl for nine years.
Hamline Midway Coalition
Knox International building, 1536 W. Minnehaha Ave., will present visual artists Friday, 5:30-8 p.m.
Zion Community Commons, 1697 Lafond Ave., will present nine acoustic musicians, Saturday, 4-7 p.m.
Hive Collaborative, 677 Hamline Ave. N., will present a ticketed performance of “Moderation,” Friday at 7:30 p.m. This spring was the site’s first time participating in the Crawl.
Little Brick Box, 809 Carleton St., will be open Friday 6-9 p.m.; Saturday, noon-7 p.m.; and Sunday, noon-5 p.m. Jana Rose will be selling mixed media taxidermy, spooky greeting cards, heart geode ornaments, diffuser necklaces filled with essential oils, sculpture, and fine art prints. Art will be in three small rooms of the “Enchanted Forest Gallery.” An automatic writing demonstration will be held Saturday at 6 p.m. This is the site’s Crawl debut. Water and light refreshments will be available. Visitors may use the reserved parking spaces in front of the building.
Como
Of Ink + Insight, 1410 Pascal St. N., will host “Art on the Porch” noon-5 p.m., October 5-6. Cynthia Berg will showcase Scandinavian mixed media and collage art with abstract and botanical themes. All art will be in the enclosed front porch of the studio, which has participated in the Crawl for two years.
Chelsea Heights Elementary, 1557 Huron St., will be open Friday, 5-8 p.m. Up to 15 artists will display a variety of artworks alongside an art fair featuring works by students from the school. The school’s art and music programs were recently cut, and this is an effort to fill the gap. Food trucks and craft activities may be available, but details were not available as of press time. Enter from Door 1 or 20. Plenty of street parking is available.
Payne-Phalen
ArT @ 967, 967 Payne Ave., will be open Friday, 5-9 p.m.; Saturday, noon-9 p.m.; and Sunday, noon-5 p.m. More than 25 artists will be in the indoor gallery and 30 in a street gallery. Artworks include paintings, mixed media, films, drawings and sculptures. Music and poetry readings will take place throughout the weekend, and about 20 other nearby galleries and businesses will feature other works. Free street parking is available around Payne Avenue.