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
May 3, 2019

Continuing Exhibits
available general operating hours

Wild Hare Bistro and Coffeehouse – Wild Hare Bistro & Coffeehouse continues the Pine to Prairie Fiber Arts Trail Member Exhibit, April 5 – May 28. This popular exhibit returns for its third year and showcases basketry, handwoven tapestry art, knitting, hand-dyed yarn, linen wovens, wool blankets, wool applique quilting, hand embroidery, sculptural basketry, mixed media, knotting, needle-felting, wet felting & more. Participating members include Stephanie Showalter, Carrie Jessen, Kristin Majkrzak, Eve Sumsky, Shannon Lucas-Westrum, Karen-lisa Forbes, Patty Lovegreen and Bonnie Lundorff. Wild Hare is open 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. and is located at 523 Minnesota Ave.

Neilson Place continues their exhibit featuring the photography of Bob Panther. View the work from 8 am – 8 pm. Neilson Place is located on the Sanford WoodsEdge campus, 1000 Anne Street NW.

New Exhibits
reception times vary

Dunn Brothers Coffee – The featured artist at Dunn Bros will be Kierlyn Ward.  Ward uses acrylic and watercolor paints in her artwork, as well as occasionally including metallic leafing. Her paintings have a whimsical feel inspired by trees, plants, flowers or feminine hair. The Dunn Bros exhibit will be a watercolor set of various hair styles in a pseudo-mosaic fashion. Dunn Bros is open 6 a.m. – 7 p.m. and is located at 501 Paul Bunyan Dr SE.

Bemidji Library – The Bemidji Library wall will feature a new exhibit with work by Grace Garland. Garland is the president of the Northern Artists Association. See her oil and watercolor paintings on display at the library. No reception. The library is open 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. and is located at 509 America Ave NW.

Gallery North – Stop by Gallery North’s First Friday open house on May 3rd from 2-6 pm and visit with Showcase Artist Charles Alberti. Alberti will be displaying 50 paintings of his heart design collection called “All You Need Is Love.” A member of Gallery North and the Northern Artist’s Association, Alberti earned a BFA from the School of Art Institute of Chicago in painting, drawing and art history and an M.Ed. and Ph.D. at Loyola University of Chicago. In 1988 he began teaching at BSU and retired as Emeritus Professor of Professional Education and the Honors Program. He has had shows in New York, Chicago, California, Connecticut, Texas and Minnesota. His artwork is in private, corporate and museum collections in the states and abroad. Gallery North is located at 310 4^th St NW.

NWICDC – On May 3, the Northwest Indian Community Development Center will host nine local vendors from 3-7 p.m. during the First Friday Art Walk. Come see a variety of art mediums created by local artisans. NWICDC is located at 1819 Bemidji Ave N.

Watermark Art Center will be hosting their event on First Saturday this month! Come support your local youth during the opening reception of the 5^th Grade Invitational on Saturday, May 4 from 12:00 – 3:00 p.m. See multi-media work by area 5th grade students! Participating schools include Kelliher, LaPorte, Apple Blossom, St. Philips and Schoolcraft. Watermark is located at 505 Bemidji Ave N.