The First Friday Art Walk supports both the artists and businesses of Bemidji’s downtown community by providing a festive self-guided walking tour featuring an average of 8 artist receptions each month throughout downtown Bemidji’s restaurants, libraries, schools, and businesses. Watermark Art Center is the anchor exhibitor of the First Friday Art Walk, as well as its media liaison.

An estimated 100 people are out each month during the First Friday Art Walk to attend art openings, visit with artists, and listen to artist talks, live music, readings, or demonstrations. The fun continues into the evening as attendees visit area restaurants and bars for musical entertainment, food, and drink.

View the interactive map for this month here!

Bemidji First Friday Art Walk
April 6, 2018

Dunn Bros Coffee will feature artwork created by Bemidji High School students. The Intro to Color and Design class, taught by Nina Lubarski, will display portraits which were painted with a monochromatic color scheme. Students chose their color and subject matter. The students range from 9-12th grade with varying art abilities and experience. Dunn Bros is located at 501 Paul Bunyan Dr SE and is open 6 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Neilson Place continues “Drawn to Nature” by Jeff Kitterman. Kitterman is an award winning Midwest regional artist with a passion for pen and ink biological illustration. He has enjoyed his avocation since the late 70’s when he initially studied biological illustration at the University of Northern Iowa. In the years that followed, he used drawing as a teaching tool as a high school biology teacher. In addition to being an artist, Kitterman is also an avid conservationist, bow hunter and nature observer. At Neilson Place, Kitterman’s artwork will include original pen and ink illustrations along with prints of his work and greeting cards. Neilson Place is open 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. and is located on the Sanford WoodsEdge campus, 1000 Anne Street NW.

Bemidji State University continues the 2018 Midwinter Interlude Faculty and Staff Arts and Craft Exhibit. This exhibit offers a “break from the midwinter blahs” and features the artistic and creative work of BSU staff and faculty. Works on display have included photography, stained glass, sculpture, jewelry, quilting, knitting, drawing and painting, fishing tackle, and other forms of arts and crafts. The Midwinter Interlude will run through April 19^th in the Ramsey Gallery in the Bangsberg Fine Arts Complex at BSU. Hours are Monday-Sunday, 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.

The Bemidji Library art wall will feature the drawings of Wally Falk. Falk was illustrator of an accentuated comic strip called “The Country Parson” which ran in the Bemidji Pioneer in the 1950s. Falk also wrote other comics, including “The Family Car.” His strips were published in 100 newspapers throughout the U.S. Bemidji Library is open 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. at 509 America Ave NW.

Gallery North will host a First Friday reception on April 6th from 2-6 p.m. for Showcase Artist Dawn Tracy. Tracy started sketching in her teens, beginning with charcoal and ultimately using watercolor, acrylic and oil mediums. Featured Artist during the Open House will be Gallery member and painter Maureen O’Brien. O’Brien is an acrylic painter with 40 years of experience. Featured Author will be Joanna Dymond, author of Howling, Yowling, Growling with the Lost River Wolf Pack and Crazy as a Loon, a mystery. Stop by Gallery North’s Gallery North is located at 310 4^th St.

Wild Hare Bistro & Coffeehouse presents the Pine to Prairie Fiber Arts Trail Member Exhibit, April 6^th through May 1^st.  In anticipation for the 3^rd Annual Fiber Arts Weekend (April 27-28), members of the Pine to Prairie Fiber Arts Trail will showcase both traditional and contemporary textile art forms, including tapestry, basketry, bead and felt work, as well as textile design and production. Trail members are linked by traditions such as connection to the land, self-reliance, and intentional sustainability, while also fueling innovation and the resurgence of textile arts in northern Minnesota. Meet Trail Members on Friday, April 6^th, from 3-5 p.m. during the First Friday Art Walk. Learn more about the Trail at midwestfiberartstrails.org/pine-prairie-2018/.  Wild Hare is located at 523 Minnesota Ave.

Watermark Art Center will host their annual Spring High School Exhibit, April 6-28. Enjoy artwork created by area High School students featuring photography, painting, mixed media and more. Reception will be held April 6, 4-6 p.m. Voting for “People’s Choice Award” will take place during the reception from 4-5:30, with the winner announced at 6. The winner will receive a gift card for art supplies. Watermark is located at 505 Bemidji Ave N.

Butch Holden Studio – Local ceramic artist Butch Holden will host “Looking Different Directions” in his home studio. This father/son show features ceramics by Holden and printmaking by his son, Luke. The show will take place April 6 from 5-7 p.m. Some of the work will be for sale. Holden’s studio is located at 1104 Minnesota Ave. Entrance is in the back alley.

Headwaters Music & Arts will host the exhibit Oil Landscapes by Kathleen Jones, opening April 6 with a reception from 4-6 p.m. Jones is an oil painter who works mainly with water-based oils. She attempts to capture the spirit and beauty of nature using rich color, texture and form. Relying on memory and intuition, she recreates experiences on the canvas, exploring the mystery of what lies in the shadows, through the mist, beyond the trees, or just below the water’s surface. Following the reception, Headwaters’ Open Mic Coffee-House will begin at 7 p.m. with theater artist, poet and teacher Cate Belleveau hosting. Belleveau will combine music and poetry and will share works regarding the environment, in celebration of Earth Day, as well as honoring the upcoming birthday of Shakespeare. The CoffeeHouse is $3/person and $7/family. Headwaters is located at 519 Minnesota Ave NW.