photos: downtown minneapolis street art festival on aug. 15-17

The Minneapolis Downtown Improvement District and the Hennepin Theatre Trust launched the inaugural Downtown Minneapolis Street Art Festival on Aug. 15-17 on Hennepin Avenue and Nicollet.

It brought together artists from the worlds of visual, performing, craft and food arts and unleashes them together for the first time onto the streets of downtown for all to enjoy.

The free event featured the likes of chalk art installation, a short film showcase, live performances, an outdoor craft market, and no shortage of food and drink vendors on site.

“This event is for everyone,” said Joan Vorderbruggen, Hennepin Theatre Trust’s Director of Engagement in the Hennepin Theatre District.

“From the Bob Dylan mural on 5 and Hennepin to street music shows and 5 to 10 on Hennepin, we are always looking for exciting new ways to help make downtown Minneapolis a vibrant and welcoming place.”

It started with a preview at the Downtown Farmers Market during Thursday daytime on the rooftop of the Hennepin Theatre Trust event center at 900 Hennepin Avenue.

On the Friday and Saturday, Nicollet hosted a Chalk Art Festival, the centerpiece of the whole weekend, as amateur and professional artists transform sidewalks of Nicollet between 6th and 8th Streets, while 3D chalk installations were found in plazas outside Westminster Presbyterian Church, the IDS Center and Hennepin Theatre Trust.

Live spray paint demonstrations, a celebration of the Bauhaus movement, and late afternoon musical concerts were also featured on Nicollet on Friday and Saturday.

You can learn more at MplsStreetArtFest.com.

More Insights