Northfield Arts Guild

Calling All Creatives Workshops
2019-02-26 08:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | MN
Calling All Northfield Creatives!
Seeking local talent to develop creative ideas:
*Represent ALL cultures
*Showcase our riverfront
* Build community
Bring your vision and voice to Downtown Northfield – all cultures, ages, and styles of creativity are welcome!
~10-15 Artists will be chosen & project support funds to use for their project. By attending the meeting, this is the first step to receive funding to support your project this upcoming summer and fall.
LEARN MORE at a FREE WORKSHOP: (If you are interested in receiving project support ~ you MUST attend one of the FREE informational meetings)
ARTISTS WORKSHOPS:
March 8
5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Northfield Arts Guild
light snacks & drinks provided
(bilingual Spanish interpreter available)
-OR-
March 9
9 a.m. – noon
Northfield Public Library Minnesota
light snacks & beverages provided
(bilingual Spanish interpreter available)
This activity is part of Artists on Main Street, a partnership between NDDC, the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota and Springboard for the Arts, with support from the Bush Foundation.
Learn MORE:
Northfield Artists on Main Street
Connection/Conexión
Calling all Creatives to Build Connections/Conexiónes in Downtown Northfield
Artists, makers, and creatives of all types are invited to participate in one of two free upcoming Creative Placemaking workshops as part of the Artists on Main Street Initiative here in Northfield.
Attending the workshops is the first step for creatives to apply for and potentially receive funding to support projects this upcoming summer and fall.
The workshop will be facilitated by Michele Anderson, Northfield native and current Rural Program Director for Springboard for the Arts, and Sarina Otaibi, Rural Program Manager for the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota. Attendees will learn more about creative placemaking in general, the Artists on Main Street Initiative, examples of projects funded in other MN communities, and the project parameters specific to Northfield.
The name of Northfield’s initiative is “Connection/Conexión.” Project funding will be available to any artist, creative, or maker living or working within the Northfield Public School district boundary. Projects will use art, creativity, events or performances to help to draw people from across Highway 3 to downtown and create connections between people and places within our downtown.
Projects should occur within the boundaries of 2nd street on the north, 5th street on the south, the railroad tracks on the west side of Highway 3 and the East Riverwalk/backs of Division St. buildings on the east. All cultures, ages, and styles of creativity are welcome! A full call for proposals will be distributed at the workshops. The project’s fund of $15,000 will support 10-15 projects that will be selected by a Public Art Review Committee, a process facilitated by the City of Northfield’s Arts and Culture Commission. Projects must be implemented between May-October 2019.
Funding applicants must have attended a creative placemaking workshop in order to be considered for funding. Light snacks and beverages will be provided, and a bilingual Spanish interpreter will be available as well.
The Creative Placemaking workshops will take place on Friday, March 8 from 5:30-8:30 pm at the Northfield Arts Guild, and Saturday, March 9 from 9 am-12 pm at the Northfield Public Library. Registration for the workshops is free, but attendees should RSVP at http://downtownnorthfield.org if they plan to attend.
About the Artists on Main Street Initiative and Partners
The Northfield Downtown Development Corporation was awarded a $30,000 grant through the Artists on Main Street community development initiative in Fall 2018. The
program is a partnership between the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota (PAM) and Springboard for the Arts, with support from the Bush Foundation. The program explores the intersection of arts and culture, downtown revitalization, and historic preservation in eleven Minnesota Main Street communities over a four year period.
Minnesota Main Street is an economic development program of PAM that uses a historic preservation based strategy to revitalize downtown districts in Greater Minnesota communities. The program works with communities long-term and provides training and resources, including a Main Street Project Fund; to help community members revitalize their downtown.
Springboard for the Arts is a national leader in creative community development. Their approach is rooted in the principles of community organizing and focuses on a “lots of little” strategy that surfaces unrecognized leaders in communities, builds public narratives from a multiplicity of perspectives and voices; and creates low-risk opportunities for collaboration. This equity-based model centers on the lives and experiences of the people in and of the place; values the relationships, partnerships, and creative capacity that artists and communities build together; and aims to build power and agency for individuals, neighborhoods and communities.
About the Northfield Downtown Development Corporation
The Northfield Downtown Development Corporation (NDDC) is a nonprofit organization founded in 2000 to support, strengthen, and grow Northfield’s unique downtown district. It is made up of business owners, buildings owners, and engaged residents who value the role downtown plays in Northfield’s vibrancy.
Northfield, Minnesota, is a picturesque river town with a walkable downtown district along the scenic Cannon River. Northfield is home to St Olaf and Carleton Colleges, and so is one of the upper Midwest’s best college towns. It is home to historic buildings, a swirl of art and cultural activities, state-of-the-art businesses, a rich offering of hotels and restaurants, and a sophisticated retail environment.
The program will help the NDDC to sustain a vibrant downtown by providing art and creative placemaking experiences that draw people to shop, dine and connect in Downtown Northfield; enhancing the downtown’s aesthetics through the creativity of our local artists; and utilizing the arts as a springboard for improving diversity and inclusiveness in Downtown Northfield across all cultures. As the Designated MN Main Street organization, the NDDC will coordinate the Artists on Main Street program in collaboration with the City of Northfield’s Arts & Culture Commission and the Northfield Arts Guild.

Grand Opening Celebration
2019-06-29 10:00 - 14:00 | MN
Grand Opening Celebration for We Are Water: Watershed
June 14 – July 27, 2019

A community-wide exhibition examining the central nature of water in our daily lives featuring artists who live and work within the Cannon River Watershed: Allison Albright, Toni Easterson, Gail Gates, Jay Johnson, David Killen, Matt Klooster, Sharol Nau, Meg Ojala, Cheryl Ramette, Rebecca Tolle and Gregory Wilkins. This exhibition runs concurrently with We Are Water Museum Exhibit.
Grand Opening Party for We Are Water: Watershed and We Are Water Museum Exhibit
June 29, 10:00 am-2:00 pm
Northfield Arts Guild & Perlman Teaching Museum, Braucher Gallery
Weitz Center for Creativity, Carleton College
Please join us for an Artist Reception at Northfield Arts Guild from 10-11 am, immediately followed by an art walk to the Weitz Center. Reception, guided tours of exhibit, music, presentation by MN State Agency staff, local officials, Water Bar, and family-friendly, water-themed art making activities at the Weitz Center from 10 am-2 pm.
www.crwp.net/events
https://mnhum.org/we-are-water-mn/

Coming in July

Artist Receptions & Outdoor Short Films
July 12, 7:30-10:30 pm
On Friday, July 12, please join us in our Main Gallery for a Reception for the 11 artists featured in We Are Water: Watershed, from 7:30-9:30 pm (Artist Remarks at 8:30 pm), and in our Up Gallery, for a SEMAC Capstone Event and Reception for Mary Ellen Frame’s Seeing Our Cannon River exhibition from 7:30-9:30 pm (remarks at 7:30 pm). These receptions immediately followed by an outdoor screening by Cannon River Watershed Partnership (CRWP) of water-themed short films projected onto the Guild building. Refreshments will be served.
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts & cultural heritage fund.
2018-19 Gallery Season sponsored by:

We Are Water: Watershed supported by:
Professional Drive Dental Group

We Are Water: Watershed collaborators:

Artist Receptions & Outdoor Short Films
2019-07-12 19:30 - 22:30 | Center for the Arts, 304 Division Street, Northfield, MN, 55057, United States
Artist Receptions & Outdoor Short Films
July 12, 7:30-10:30 pm
On Friday, July 12, please join us in our Main Gallery from 7:30-9:30 pm (Artist Remarks at 8:30 pm) for a Reception for the 11 artists featured in our exhibition We Are Water: Watershed: Allison Albright, Toni Easterson, Gail Gates, Jay Johnson, David Killen, Matt Klooster, Sharol Nau, Meg Ojala, Cheryl Ramette, Rebecca Tolle, & Gregory Wilkins.
And in our Up Gallery, please join us for a SEMAC Capstone Event and Reception for Mary Ellen Frame’s Seeing Our Cannon River Watershed exhibition from 7:30-9:30 pm (remarks at 7:30 pm).
Short Films
These receptions immediately followed by an outdoor screening by Cannon River Watershed Partnership (CRWP) of water-themed short films projected onto the Guild building from the Contented Cow patio.
Migrate by Areca Roe, Waterway Jay by Brenda Piekarski (featuring Jay Gustafson), Alice’s Garden by Jenny Plevin, Terrarium by Brian Yulo Ng, Through the Storm: Waves for Water and the Caribbean Hurricane Relief Initiative by Greg McKillop, and Downstream by Casey Beck.

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts & cultural heritage fund.
2018-19 Gallery Season sponsored by:

We Are Water: Watershed supported by:
Professional Drive Dental Group

We Are Water: Watershed collaborators:

Monster Drawing Rally
2019-07-23 17:30 - 20:30 | Imminent Brewing, 519 Division Street S. #2, Northfield, MN, 55057, United States
Monster Drawing Rally
Tuesday, July 23 5:30 – 8:30 pm
Imminent Brewing, 519 Division Street S. #2
Join us for the Guild’s first annual live drawing event and fundraiser!
Come see live art making, collect art and enjoy the night accompanied by live music and Imminent Brewing’s beer selection (cash bar) and Food Truck!
The event will feature leading regional artists making artworks side-by-side. During the evening, nearly 30 area artists will continually create works in a variety of scale, complexity and subject matter. Once an artist completes a drawing, it is then hung on the wall for viewing, and visitors can then purchase completed works of art for just $30 each. All proceeds directly support the Northfield Arts Guild.
This is a fantastic opportunity to collect a piece of art by your favorite artist!
Special thanks to Imminent Brewing for supporting this event.
$5 admission
Every drawing is $30

No paper tickets are needed for this event; all attendees will be put on a Welcome List at the door.
The artists generously donating their time and talents include:

Ann Beimers
Matt Bowers
Dan Bruggeman
Toni Easterson
Jill Ewald
Julie Fakler
Leander Fried
Madeline Garcia
Maurice Gibbs
Mary Griep
David Huyck
Lilla Johnson
Marsha Kitchel
David Lefkowitz
Glynnis Lessing
Liz Miller
Mary Malone
Laura Nakasaka
Katherine Norrie
Clara Peterson
Julia Radtke
Noah Schomburg
Fred Somers
Laura Stack
Mar Valdecantos
Michon Weeks
Evan Weselmann

AND MORE!

Crazy Daze at the Guild!
2019-07-25 07:00 - 15:00 | Northfield Arts Guild, 304 Division St., Northfield, MN, 55057, United States
The Guild will join the fun once again this year during Northfield’s Crazy Daze on Thursday, July 25, with free Inspiration Station art making from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm, and Crazy Daze pricing on selected fine art, art supplies, costumes and theater season tickets throughout the day.

Riverfront Fine Arts Festival
2019-09-07 - 2019-09-08 | Northfield Arts Guild, 304 Division St., Northfield, MN, 55057, United States
Riverfront Fine Arts Festival
The Riverfront Fine Arts Festival began in the 1970s! Currently, it takes place on the second weekend of September and runs in conjunction with the Defeat of Jesse James Days. Set along the idyllic Cannon River walkway, over 65 fine artists and craftspersons sell their work – ceramics, jewelry, paintings, fiber, wood and steel – there is something for everyone!
September 7 & 8, 2019
Time: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm both days
Rain or shine!

Volunteer Opportunity: Help the artists at Riverfront Fine Arts Festival!

During the weekend of September 7 & 8, 2019 you can help the exhibiting artists make this event a success! Help direct artist traffic, unload vehicles, make coffee, deliver water and snacks to artists, hand out fliers, lead an art demo, and more!

We’d love your help! Email Volunteer Manager, Megan Proft: megan@northfieldartsguild.org
2019 Exhibiting Artists

Artist Name | Business Name | Medium
Northfield Arts Guild Artist / Info Tent
Northfield Arts Guild’s Inspiration Station
Indicates new artist

Michelle Ahlers, Demichellah, Jewelry
Dave Angell, Angell’s Images, Photography
Selena Bergstrom, Bergstrom Studios, Painting, printmaking
Amy Brown, Sweet Creek Originals, Jewelry
Bud Bullivant, Wired by Bud, Sculpture
Bob Carter, BC Stonewear, Jewelry
Cathy Collison, Cathy Collison Ornaments, Glass
Carla Cooper, CeeCee Designs, Jewelry
Tom Cornish, Tom Cornish LLC, Fused Glass
Creating Community Club, Painting, Jewelry, Ceramics
Terri Crandall, Crandall Glass Crafts, Stained Glass
Robert Dammer, Wood Art By Bob, Wood
Michelle Danielson, Red Tent Henna, Henna
Dawnette Davis, A Fanciful Vision, Fiber Arts
Ryan Dawald, RD Jewelry, Jewelry
Mike Denney, Good Wolf Bowls, Turned Wood
Patsy Dew, Patsy Dew Pix, Photography
Solveig Dittmann, Solveig Dittmann Designs, Jewelry
Gretchen Fierke, Seams Knotty, Textiles
Sarah Flicek, Felixery LLC, Jewelry
Robin Flint, Robin’sBest – Artwork by Flint, Drawing, Painting
Jesse and Angela Fredrickson, Mousework Glass, Blown Glass
M. Kelly Frost, Frost Custom Jewelry, Jewelry
Gail Gates, Aging Schmaging, Photography
Melissa Henning, Melissa Henning, Ceramics
LuAnn Heyer, Annabelle Creations, Textiles
Lori Hungerholt, Roots River Baskets, Baskets
Dawn Hutton, DMaliaDesigns, Jewelry
Rose-Marie James, Dream in Glass Studio, Glass
Marla Juhl, DAriann’s Girls, Inc., Clothing
Michaelene Karlen, Ballerina Botanicals, Organic Skincare
Carla Kennedy, KlayPotz, Ceramics
Becky Korbel, Red Sky Beads, Jewelry
Andrew Kringen, Andrew Kringen, Wood
Kari Kruempel, Kari K Art, Mixed Media
Heather Lawrenz, Lawrenz Jewelry, Jewelry
Lynn Lentz, Stella Sparrow, Jewelry
Melissa Manley, Just for Fun Jewelry, Jewelry
Dennis McClintock, Dennis McClintock PhotoGraphics, Photography
Layl McDill, Clay Squared to Infinity, Sculpture
Meghan Nelson, Dottir, Jewelry
Erica Ness, Wool-EN-Design, Fiber arts
Kathy Nickell, Designed By Kat, Glass
David Nyssen, Davey’s Art Studio, Printmaking, Painting
Sue Pariseau, Sue Pariseau Pottery, Ceramics
Andrea Pesses, Groveland Confections, Chocolate
David Peterson, Turned Wood Bowls, Wood
Louisa Podlich, A MANO, Ceramics
Jessica Prill, Jessica Leigh Designs, Jewelry
Wanda Scanlan, Wanda Scanlan Ceramics, Ceramics
Deborah Stevens, Deborah Stevens Author.com, Author
Nancy Stroessner, Prairie Sun Design, Textiles
Candace Sykora, Candy Made, Candles, soap
Katie Teesdale, Teesdale Studios, Ceramics
Geralyn Thelen, Just Me Geralyn and Glass, Glass
Jim Thurs, Perennial Steel LLC, Steel
Dave & Kathy Towley, David Towley Woodworking, Wood
Barbara Troje, Prairie Harvest, Naturals/Beeswax
Nick & Dan Varner, Nuttin Like It!, Artisan Nuts
Kara Verhage & Alison Bettin, Tiny Spoons, Artisan Desserts
Dennis & Karen Vinar, How Did You Find Me…After All These Years , Authors
Kristin Vogel, K Vogel Art, Mixed Media
Meigan Westermann, Meigan Westermann, Jewelry
Hannah Winter, Coin Gypsy, Clothing, wood
Craig Wojciechowski, Ledge Wood Creations, Wood
Jennifer Wolcott, Wolcott Art, Steel

An Evening with the Founders
2019-11-07 18:00 - 19:00 | Armory Square, 519 Division Street, Northfield, MN, 55057, United States
Join us for a wonderful evening of interviews with founders of several of our programs celebrating a benchmark anniversary! This event is free but please reserve your spot so we know that you’re coming. Check out who will be interviewed.
Northfield Arts Guild (celebrating 60 years)
Myrna Johnson, interviewed by Paula Granquist
Cannon Valley Regional Orchestra (celebrating 40 years)
Paul Niemisto, interviewed by Paula Granquist
Young People’s Theater Workshops (celebrating 30 years)
Patsy Dew and Bob Gregory-Bjorklund, interviewed by Paula Granquist
Theater in the Park (celebrating 20 years)
Susan Carlson and Ann Etter, interviewed by Paula Granquist

Winter Walk at the Guild
2019-12-12 17:00 - 21:00 | Northfield Arts Guild, 304 Division St., Northfield, MN, 55057, United States
Stop in the Guild during Winter Walk for a variety of art making, shopping, performances and more throughout our entire building. Check out all that we have happening! This schedule is tentative and subject to change.
Downstairs:
5-8 pm – Open Art for All Ages in Art Studio
Main Level:
5-9 pm – Fine Craft Collective in Gallery
5-9 pm – Holiday Shopping in Gift Shop
Upstairs:
5:30-6:15 pm – Northfield Troubadours Musical Performance
7:30-8 pm – NAGCracker Dance Performance
Also during Winter Walk: Cannon Valley Regional Orchestra will be performing from 6-7 pm at Armory Square!

E-magination Celebration
2020-04-04 | Northfield Arts Guild, 304 Division St., Northfield, MN, 55057, United States
E-MAGINATION CELEBRATION
THE NORTHFIELD ARTS GUILD INVITES OUR COMMUNITY NEAR AND FAR TO ATTEND E-MAGINATION CELEBRATION, A FREE DAY OF ONLINE PROGRAMMING INCLUDING GALLERY TOURS, ART MAKING, AND PERFORMANCES FROM 10 A.M. TO 2 P.M. ON SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2020. THIS FAMILY-FRIENDLY ONLINE EVENT IS A VIRTUAL RE-IMAGINING OF THE GUILD’S ANNUAL IMAGINATION CELEBRATION THAT CAN BE ENJOYED FROM HOME.
The Guild is thrilled to continue this annual tradition in a new, virtual setting. Follow along on the Guild’s Facebook and YouTube pages with new content added regularly throughout the celebration, or watch later as all of the videos will remain online.

PERFORMANCES Watch dances from Folklórico and Dance Theater Company, highlights from the Guild’s production of Lend Me a Tenor and behind the scenes footage of the Purple Door Youth Theater production of The Prince and the Pauper.

GALLERY TOURS A highlight of E-magination Celebration will be a series of teacher-led video tours on YouTube of their students’ artwork in 20/20 VISION, this year’s All School Art Show installed in our Main Gallery. This popular annual exhibition features 2-D and 3-D artworks by nearly 1,000 students from Northfield K-12 schools.

ART MAKING Make your own art at home throughout the day! Guided arts activities will be released throughout the day to paint, draw and create your own art using everyday household items.

Even in this time of social distancing, the Guild embraces our mission to serve our community with a rich array of arts opportunities and experiences. We hope you will join us for E-magination Celebration, and also follow us on social media to enjoy arts learning and arts engagement activities.

20/20 VISION is supported by Northfield Yarn and The Sketchy Artist.
The Guild’s 2019-2020 Education programming is sponsored by Northfield News.
The Guild’s 2019-2020 Theater season is sponsored by Neuger Communications Group and Engage Print.
Purple Door Youth Theater is sponsored by Schieck Orthodontics.

Virtual Riverfront Fine Arts Festival
2020-09-12 00:00 - 2020-09-13 23:59 | MN
VIRTUAL RIVERFRONT FINE ARTS FESTIVAL
The artist shops on the Virtual Festival page will go live on Saturday, September 12. From this page, visitors and shoppers will be directed to the participating artists’ websites.

Every year, the Northfield Arts Guild presents the Riverfront Fine Arts Festival on the weekend after Labor Day along the idyllic banks of the Cannon River in downtown Northfield. In 2020, we are excited to host this year’s festival online for the first time in our history. We recognize the importance of keeping this economic opportunity active for artists during a year where large, in-person gatherings aren’t possible.
The Guild’s 2020 Virtual Riverfront Fine Arts Festival features a tremendous variety of local and regional artists offering their works for sale, accompanied by online artist interviews, art making demonstrations and studio tours.

Riverfront Fine Art Festival
2024-09-07 10:00 - 17:00, 2024-09-08 10:00 - 17:00 | Northfield Arts Guild, 304 Division St., Northfield, MN, 55057, United States

Pride Activities with Artmakers at Water Street Studios
2026-06-06 12:00 - 16:00 | Water Street Studios (411 Water St.), 411 Water St. S, Northfield, 55057, United States
Swing by Water Street Studios between Noon–4PM for family-friendly activities and the chance to check out Artmakers’ tubulum!

Riverfront Fine Arts Festival 2026
2026-09-12 10:00 - 17:00, 2026-09-13 10:00 - 17:00 | Northfield Arts Guild, 304 Division St., Northfield, MN, 55057, United States
2026 Riverfront Fine Arts Festival
September 12 & 13, 10 AM – 5 PM Both Days
Our Riverfront Fine Arts Festival began in the 1970’s! Currently, it takes place in September and runs in conjunction with the Defeat of Jesse James Days, which brings thousands of people to Northfield for the weekend. Set along the idyllic Cannon River walkway, dozens of fine artists and craftspeople sell their work – ceramics, jewelry, paintings, fiber, wood and steel – there is something for everyone!
For artists interested in having a booth at the 2026 Riverfront Fine Arts Festival, please note that applications will open in mid-March via Zapplication.
