Art-A-Whirl 2024

YALL, hi!

Fast approaching is one of the busiest times of the year for me in terms of rapid productivity. It also happens to be the season I get most excited about making new things and remember that it’s nice to have an array of things for folks to look through. Last year I toted some paintings along, and as the deadline quickly approaches I deliberate whether or not that’ll be the case this year. As my personal art practice in oil painting has lumbered along I’ve taken a step back to zero in on what it means to practice and not produce something that needs to look a certain way. Which has been so good and essential to getting better, however might mean that finished paintings aren’t in my bandwidth at the moment.

My goal for Viska is to repurpose as much of the material going into these bags as possible. Organic is better than conventionally farmed cotton but reusing fabrics that have been discarded for one reason or another is where I’m headed. And repair repair repair! Don’t forget that I have a lifetime warranty on these bags. I love getting a bag back into the shop after years and years of use to patch a hole or two. Let's make a life shift together and keep our stuff alive and out of landfills as long as we can.

The selection of bags I will have with me at art-a-whirl will be made from repurposed painters drop cloth, so made from a conventional cotton. They’ve been laundered, painted, waxed, and set for a new life as backpacks. For the rest of the items you’ll see at my table will be the last of my organic cotton canvas journey. If you’re hoping for a solid in one of these styles now is your time! I’ll be looking to do nature dyes and paints going forward.

It’ll be a wild, whirlwind of a weekend and i’d love to see you there! So much good art to see and merriment to be had. Best experienced on a bike or public transit, but if you decide to drive get parked somewhere and bee bop from studio to studio. WORKSHOP on Quincy will have live music all weekend, too, so grab a drink and be ready to have a good time.

WORKSHOP

1300 Quincy St NE

Minneapolis

Fri 5-10p

Sat 12-8p

Sun 12-5p

Ashley