Black Friday Sales

Think art as an alternative to the big-box store razzle-dazzle-frazzle. Early-bird culture vultures can swoop in to the Minneapolis Institute of Arts from 6 to 10 a.m. Friday and get a treat, with free coffee, from the new on-site Dogwood cafe. The museum shop will have special deals from 6 to 7 a.m. Friday and plans to give away note sets, posters and other surprises all weekend while supplies last. The museum itself opens at 10 a.m. so there's time to check out the new African galleries or the special Japanese display before heading to Groveland Gallery's Black Friday (and Saturday) sale, which runs from noon to 5 p.m. both days. Groveland, which specializes in landscapes, abstractions and urban vistas by mostly Midwestern artists, is offering 15 percent discounts on certain items, a special sale of artists' sketchbooks, and more than 100 small paintings, prints and drawings each priced at $300 or less. Fans of ace printmaker Ellen Heck will want to watch for "Girl and Garland II," the sweet little woodcut and drypoint shown here. (Minneapolis Institute of Arts, 2400 3rd Av. S., 612-870-3131 or www.artsmia.org. Groveland Gallery, 25 Groveland Terrace, Mpls. 612-377-7800 or www.grovelandgallery.com)

Mary Abbe