As per the usual, there's plenty of art exhibitions and events happening around the Twin Cities' this weekend. Here's my roundup. Hope to see you out there this weekend!

Above: Aliza Nisenbaum teaches a portrait drawing class at Centro Tyrone Guzman. Image courtesy of the Minneapolis Institute of Art."A Place We Share"

New work by Aliza Nisenbaum

Minneapolis Institute of Art

On view through Feb 4

New York-based, Mexico City-born painter Aliza Nisenbaum had never been in Minneapolis. But this summer it became her second home. The Minneapolis Institute of Art brought Nisenbaum to town to paint portraits representing the diverse communities around the museum. Three large-scale paintings were the result — a trio of Somali women at the Hope Community Garden, Latino elders taking a drawing class at Centro Tyrone Guzman, and even a group of guards at the institute. Nisenbaum paints in a realism style, carefully rendering each person with the utmost sensitivity. Bright, bold colors end up in the backgrounds of the groups she arranges. But rather than have everyone there at once, she has each person sit for her individually. The process is like putting together a puzzle. "A Place We Share," on display through Feb. 4, is her first solo museum show, but she's worked in this style for several years. The 2017 Whitney Biennial included several of her painted-from-life portraits of undocumented immigrants. Read more about the exhibition here: http://www.startribune.com/what-does-community-look-like-that-challenge-brought-a-n-y-artist-to-minnesota/449608023/

"Collect Call 3: Exploring Art Patronage"

Runs through Oct 21

Soo Visual Arts center

Wanted to know about collecting art but didn't have time or energy or money to really think more about that? Check out this new exhibition at SooVac, where the system is gracefully explained to you, and you can check out artworks from various private collections. Participating collectors include: Lori Barbero, Chris Barfield and Benjamin Brown, Connee and Fuller Cowles, Marc Davis, Kathryn Hanna, Jason Howard, Masami Kawazato and Aaron Merrill, Justin and Susan Kelly, Herman J. Milligan, Jr. Ph.D., Robyne Robinson, and Tom Siler and Joan Vorderbruggen.

Check out more info here: http://www.soovac.org/index.php/shows/view/collect_call_3_exploring_art_patronage/

Controlled Burn 2017: queer performance for a world on fire

Patrick's Cabaret at Intermedia Arts (2822 Lyndale Ave S., Mpls. 55408)

Oct 5-7 at 7:30 p.m.

The future of Intermedia is facing uncertainty, but until then the show goes on. This three-night cabaret mini-festival hosted by Patrick's Cabaret and curated by Nicole M. Smith, Rosa Garcia and Dua Saleh, offers an intersectional space for queer performers, especially those who are POC and/or disabled. Over the course of three nights, there will be 18 acts.

THURSDAY, OCT. 5: Kyra Crawford Calvert, Mina Hollander, Mei, Jonah Jamison Sandy, Anisa, Seng Xiong

FRIDAY, OCT. 6: Serita Colette, Joey Schad, Khadija Siddiqui, Jayden Apollo, Vanessa Taylor, Wolf
SATURDAY, OCT. 7: Atlese, Sayge Morgan & Ego Ahaiwe Sowinski with Keegan Xavi, Renée Copeland, Yoni Light
Nekessa, BLAQ: root. Lindsey
Tickets: $10 from participating artists; $10 (+ service charge) online; 3-night pass $20 (online only); sliding scale $12-15 at the door. Advanced tickets online at http://controlledburn2017.bpt.me/ or 1-800-838-3006More info here: https://www.facebook.com/events/117797745524991/

Native Skywatchers

All My Relations Gallery (1414 E Franklin Ave, Mpls, 55404)

Opening: Fri, Oct 6, 6-8 p.m.

Run dates: Oct 6 - Nov 28, 2017

The work in this exhibition brings together art, science and culture with a focus on revitalizing Ojibwe and D(L)akota earth and sky knowledge, emphazising our human connection to the elements through art. Featuring work by artists Annette S. Lee, William Wilson, Carl Gawboy, Jeff Tibbetts and Anne Meyer. The Native Skywatchers initiative was founded in 2007 by mixed race Native astronoer aritst Annette Lee, and for six years this initiative was funded by NASA. More here, including info about Indigenous Peoples Day Festival on Oct 9: https://www.facebook.com/events/2019245294979379/

Jerome Fellowship Exhibition 2016/17

MCAD (2501 Stevens Ave., Mpls 55404)

Exhibition dates: Fri., Sept 29–Tues., Nov 7, 2017

Opening: Fri, Oct 6, 6-8 p.m.

The next generation of Minnesota's Jerome fellows, Edie Overturf, Nikki J. McComb, Amanda Wirig (Mankato, MN) , Kelsey Olson and Jovan C. Speller, who is also this year's breakout artist, present their work this evening at MCAD.

More info here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1409791809140756/