South St. Paul artist featured
in St. Paul Spring Art Crawl

By Jake Spitzack | Staff Writer | April 2025

One of South St. Paul’s own will be featured in the St. Paul Spring Art Crawl, which kicks off April 25-27. Sara Tibbetts will showcase more than a dozen oil and acrylic paintings at the Tilsner Artist Lofts in Lowertown. The venue is open Friday, 6-10 p.m.; Saturday, noon-8 p.m.; and Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. The art crawl allows people to view locally made art and meet the artists who created it. You may also purchase a piece that catches your eye.

Tibbetts uses bright colors and varied brushstrokes to illustrate layers within her pieces. While earning a bachelor’s degree in art from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, she was an abstract artist working with sculptural assemblage paintings – some six-by-six-feet in size – but those days are behind her. Now most of her work is about one-square-foot in size or slightly larger. She tries to complete one painting a week in addition to working full-time at an insurance company.

“I try to stay pretty versatile,” she said. “I do still life, landscapes, interiors and occasionally figures.”
Interestingly, Tibbetts has a connection to Grant Wood, one of the most well-known painters of the 1930s. Her grandmother’s uncle, Arnold Pyle, was Grant’s protégé and went on to become an acclaimed painter himself, winning numerous awards throughout Iowa and being commissioned for private collections across the country. Wood is known for his paintings of farm landscapes – his most famous work is “American Gothic” – and Pyle was the subject of one of his portraits dubbed, “Arnold Comes of Age.”

“My grandma had one of his [Pyle’s] still life paintings in her dining room, which I now have in my house,” said Tibbetts. “I don’t think I knew really who he was when I was young… but now it’s a little more important to me and it has really encouraged me to keep on with painting.”

Tibbetts dabbles with watercolor paint and pencil drawings, and in the past has even created dollhouses from scratch, including an Irish cottage which is used for an Irish festival in Wisconsin. She said creating dollhouses, which started as a hobby, refined her ability to capture small details and be patient with her creative processes.

“I also have one of the 19 free little art galleries in South St. Paul and sometimes I like to set up little miniature scenes in the gallery,” she said. “Mine is the Squirrel and Sparrow behind town hall. All community members are welcome to take art, leave art, create art.”

Tibbetts joined the St. Paul Art Collective last year and participated in her first art crawl last fall. Overall, she enjoyed the experience and said she learned a lot.

“It was a lot of fun talking to the other artists and the visitors,” she said. “We had some really great conversations with some people…. As someone who has lived in three Midwest states throughout my art journey, I appreciate how active, diverse and welcoming the art community is here in the St Paul area.”

Art Crawl venues

Here is a list of all participating sites. All venues were given multiple chances to provide details, and information was accurate as of press time. The art crawl has been organized by the St. Paul Art Collective since 1977. For more information, visit stpaulartcollective.org.

Art Crawl: Ward 2
Art of Counseling, 275 4th St. E.; April 25, 5-10 p.m., and April 26, noon-8 p.m. Twelve artists displaying paintings, photography, chalk pastel, ink, encaustic art, fiber arts, wall hangings, sculpture, assemblage and more. “Reflections of the Self: Art and Inner Harmony” art show in Suite #301. The site also features a rummage sale by artists, featuring artwork, handmade goods, art supplies, used studio gear, books and more.

Burl Gallery, 308 E. Prince St.; April 25, 6-10 p.m.; April 26, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; and April 27, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. “KALEIDOSCOPE II” exhibit featuring 70 pieces of art created by 70 local artists. Free admission. Artist celebration reception held 5-8 p.m., April 26.

Calendula Gallery, 275 E. 4th St.; April 25, 6-9 p.m.; April 26, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; and April 27, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Discover the work of 23 artists displaying paintings, pottery, mixed media, woodwork, photography and digital art in the gallery and neighboring dining hall.

Erta Ale, 308 E. Prince St.; April 25, 6-9 p.m.; April 26, noon-9 p.m.; and April 27, noon-6 p.m. This Ethiopian restaurant will display paintings by two Ethiopian born artists.

F-O-K Studios, 106 W. Water St.; April 25, 5-9 p.m.; April 26, noon-8 p.m.; and April 27, noon-5 p.m. More than 50 artists showcasing paintings, jewelry, sculptures, mixed media, photography and more, from open studios and gallery space. Live entertainment all three days. Free chips, salsa and guacamole from Boca Chica starting at noon on Saturday, and Egg Roll Queen food truck onsite all weekend. Complimentary refreshments also provided. Free parking available in F-O-K Studios lot and adjacent All Inc. lot. 

Friedli Gallery, 943 W. 7th St.; April 26, noon-7 p.m., and April 27, noon-5 p.m. Five local artists selling paintings, ceramics, textiles, book arts and more. Also includes the gallery’s 4th Annual Book Arts Exhibition. Located one block West of the Schmidt Artist Lofts.

Lost Fox, 213 4th St. E.; April 25-26, 8 a.m.-1 a.m., and April 27, 8 a.m.-11 p.m. This coffee shop, restaurant and bar will feature works of two artists, and possibly live music.

Lowertown Lofts Artists Cooperative, floors 3-5, 255 E. Kellogg Blvd.; April 25, 6-10 p.m.; April 26, noon-8 p.m.; and April 27, noon-5 p.m. Celebrating its 40th anniversary, approximately 35 artists will display paintings, ceramics, mixed media, textiles, jewelry, home goods and more from galleries and artist studios. Music and performances will take place. Enter through the alley connecting Wall and Wacouta.

Nine Lives Thrift, 1165 7th St. W.; April 25-26, 10 a.m.-8 p.m., and April 27, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. This thrift shop will display work from two photographers, and offer a live photo shoot 6-8 p.m. on Saturday. Wine available all weekend.

Owl’s Eye Art Collective, 340 N. Sibley St.; April 25, 6-10 p.m.; April 26, noon-8 p.m.; and April 27, noon-5 p.m. Eight artists will showcase printmaking, painting, photography, ceramics and jewelry. Includes opportunities to make your own intaglio print and create a personalized gemstone bracelet. Wine and appetizers on Friday. Entrance is behind the Sibley/4th Street Gold Line Bus stop.

Pig’s Eye Pottery, 1163 7th St. W.; April 25, 5-8 p.m.; April 26, noon-8 p.m.; and April 27, noon-4 p.m. Five artists will show ceramics, painting and jewelry in a gallery. Complimentary refreshments and free street parking.

Schmidt Artist Lofts, 900 7th St. W.; April 25, 6-9 p.m.; April 26, noon-7 p.m.; and April 27, noon-5 p.m. More than 80 artists will show paintings, illustrations, graphic design, collages, printmaking, photography, ceramics, fiber art, jewelry, comic books, children’s books, wood furniture, handmade brooms, botanical displays, dried floral wall art, shadow boxes, suncatchers, candles, magnet art, sand art and more. Art will be across five floors in common areas, galleries and studios, as well as in the tap room and the rooftop atrium. Open Palette live art demonstrations will happen on the rooftop and walk-in dance lessons are offered 1-3 p.m., Saturday. Food trucks will be onsite. Free street parking. Enter at Door 1.

Tilsner Artists Lofts, 300 Broadway St.; April 25, 6-10 p.m.; April 26, noon-8 p.m.; and April 27, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Twenty artists will showcase mixed media, draping and fashion, paintings and more, from artist studios and hallway spaces. Pop-ups in the back lot of the building, weather permitting. Will host performance artists and offer opportunities for karaoke and open mic sessions throughout the weekend.

Union Depot, 214 4th St. E., April 25, 5-9 p.m.; April 26; 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; and April 27, noon-6 p.m. Shop local artists including painters, photographers, mixed media artists, jewelry designers and apothecary creators.

Art Crawl: Wards 1, 3 and 4
E&L Bindery Building, 708 Vandalia St.; May 9, 6-10 p.m., and May 10, noon-8 p.m. Ten artists will display paintings, drawings, photography, bookbindings and stone carvings. E & L Bindery will be open on the first floor with artists, and open studios will be on the third floor. Snacks and beverages available, and a tarot card reader onsite. Park in the lot or on Vandalia Street and enter next to the loading dock.

DOW Gallery, 2242 University Ave. W.; May 9, 5-9 p.m., and May 10, noon-8 p.m. Forty artists will showcase painting, sculpture, photography, mixed media, wood working, notecards, and jewelry. Complimentary refreshments. Free parking on the street and in the Wright Building lot. Not handicap accessible.

House of heART 2, 763 Holly Ave.; May 9, 4-9 p.m.; May 10, noon-8 p.m.; and May 11, noon-5 p.m. Find 28 artists displaying paintings, photography, ceramics and mixed media across three floors of an Airbnb home, and outside, weather permitting. Complimentary refreshments and solo music performances throughout the weekend.

Midway Clay, 1708 University Ave. W.; May 9, 4-8 p.m.; May 10, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; and May 11, noon-5 p.m. More than a dozen artists will showcase ceramics as well as some 2D art from a gallery and studio space. Light refreshments available. Street parking.

Open Art Space, 2147 University Ave. W.; May 9, 6-9 p.m.; May 10, noon-8 p.m.; and May 11, noon-5 p.m. Ten artists in gallery, hallway and studio spaces will showcase wax paintings, photography, collage and mixed media, ceramics, pastel drawing, greeting cards and more. Light refreshments available and a family friendly art activity will be held Saturday and Sunday. Parking in the lot behind the building.

Spatial Effects, 1759 Selby Ave.; May 9, 4-6 p.m.; May 10, noon-6 p.m.; and May 11, noon-5 p.m. Nearly 30 artists in two gallery spaces will display paintings, drawings, photography, stone and metal sculpture, ceramics, glass paintings, mixed media, carved gourds and more. Also showing furniture by Third Street Studios. Refreshments available all days and live music by the Joel Shapira Jazz Trio 2-4 p.m., Saturday.

Springboard for the Arts, 262 University Ave. W.; May 10, noon-4 p.m. More than 40 artists with prints and printmaking art in the first floor community hall and on the front lawn. OG Za Za Pizza Trailer will be onsite and interactive artist led activities from Street Corner Letterpress will take place. Free street parking.

St. Paul Neighborhood Network, 550 Vandalia St.; May 9, 6-8 p.m.; May 10, noon-4 p.m.; and May 11, 1-5 p.m. Short documentary screening from first-time filmmakers on Friday, with food available. Photography, art and storytelling exhibits, including works by 10 youth, on Saturday and Sunday. Park in the lot.

University of Minnesota Goldstein Museum of Design, level 2 of McNeal Hall (room #241), 1985 Buford Ave.; May 9-10, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and May 11, noon- 5 p.m. An exhibit featuring historical and contemporary letterpress prints, advertising posters, wood type artifacts and graphic design pieces created using traditional printing techniques. Includes an interactive 2-color block printing installation. The site also has a window exhibit featuring clothing and textiles that use letters and numbers as design elements, reflecting their evolution from rare decorative motifs to bold statements in fashion and branding.

Virginia St. Church, 170 Virginia St., May 9-11. More than 20 artists will exhibit paintings, mosaics, quilting, ceramics, art glass, collages and drawings during the art crawl. Live music by Blues Stratum and other bands, and Liz Zini will play waltzes, tangoes and the chicken dance on her accordion. Food available.

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