Art-A-Whirl 2015: 6 best bets in visual arts

Jaime Carrera

Since its humble beginnings as an open studio crawl of Northeast Minneapolis' many artist buildings in 1996, Art-A-Whirl has grown exponentially--and its slew of block parties sometimes threaten to take over the art. But for many northeast Minneapolis artists, studios and galleries, the annual art crawl is still a great way to get people seeing art. Here are our top picks for art events happening Friday through Sunday around this year's 20th-annual Whirl. As for the "party" side of Art-A-Whirl, see music, food and drink highlights here.

'Wed'

For a third year in a row, multi-disciplinary artist Jaime Carrera and figurative painter Caitlin Karolczak are collaborating on a durational performance piece. Dubbed a "wedding reception like no other," the performance explores ritual, gender and marriage's complexities as the pair switch gender roles. (2 p.m. Sat. & Sun. Solar Arts Building, 2nd floor, 711 15th Av. N.E., Mpls.)

'The Cut of Your Jib'

While Rosalux Gallery typically reserves its exhibitions for its member artists, it's inviting the Scottish Society of Artists for a group show just in time for Art-A-Whirl. The works, including painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture and installation, have been selected from the annual exhibition at the Royal Scottish Academy in Edinburgh, Scotland. The opening reception is preceded by a film screening and artist talk at 6 p.m. (Free opening reception 7-10 p.m. Fri. On view noon-4 p.m. Sat. & Sun. Ends May 31. Rosalux Gallery, 1400 Van Buren St. N.E. #195, Mpls. rosaluxgallery.com)

'Portraits of Hospital Workers'

'Re.nas.cence'

Audience participation is at the heart of "Re.nas.cence," an interactive art-and-music experience and "living art project" put on by artists Serene Supreme, Danny Sigelman and Sarah Stanley-Ayre. Its centerpiece consists of a collaborative installation piece of recycled pieces that invites attendees to add their own contributions. The weekend also includes performances by Fancy Ray McCloney, Mayda, Black Market Brass and the Playful Peacock Showgirl Academy; visit nemaa.org/art-a-whirl for the full lineup. (5-10 p.m. Fri., noon-10 p.m. Sat., noon-5 p.m. Sun. GT Artistry, 2433 N.E. Grand St., Mpls.)

'The Subversives'

In "The Subversives," a quartet of Minneapolis artists exhibit artwork rooted in graffiti art, punk rock and hip hop. L.A.-born artist Danny Holden explores his half-Mexican heritage with drawings inspired by Chicano gangster art, while collage artist Colin Leo incorporates iconic hip-hop imagery with an ironic bent. Also showing: Keith Holmes' black and white photos of San Francisco's '80s punk rock scene and Kate Iverson's colorful mixed-media paintings. (5–10 p.m. Fri., noon–8 p.m. Sat., noon–5 p.m. Sun. Studio A, 607 22nd Av. N.E., Studio A, Mpls.)

'Photography'

Open Studios

At its core, Art-A-Whirl is a giant gallery and studio crawl across the art spaces and warehouses of northeast Minneapolis. Key locations include:

Architectural Antiques Building: 1330 NE. Quincy St., Mpls. 612-332-8344.

California Building: 2205 NE. California St., Mpls. www.californiabuilding.com.

Casket Arts Building: 1700 NE. Madison St, Mpls. www.casket­arts.com.

Northrup King Building: 1500 NE. Jackson St., Mpls. www.northrupkingbuilding.com

Thorp Building & Central Business Center: 1618 & 1620 Central Av. NE., Mpls.

Q.arma Building: 1224 Quincy St. NE., Mpls. www.qarmabuilding.com.

Van Buren Building: 1400 NE. Van Buren St., Mpls.www.vanburenbuilding.com.

Solar Arts Building: 711 15th Av. NE., Mpls. www.solarartsbuilding.com.

What: Open studio and gallery crawl across northeast Minneapolis, plus parties.

When: 5-10 p.m. Fri., noon-8 p.m. Sat., noon-5 p.m. Sun.