The Twin Cities art scene this weekend invites you to rediscover the historic Cedar-Riverside neighborhood through film screenings and student projects, while also rallying support for an initiative combating food insecurity in north Minneapolis’ Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) communities.
Additionally, don’t miss two exhibits hosted in an apartment gallery exploring migration and the cultural significance of passports within Latine communities.
Mobile museum and film screening honors Cedar-Riverside’s history
The Cedar Cultural Center is presenting “Cedar-Riverside Time Machine Part 1,” a variety show and film screening that explores the rich history of the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood near downtown Minneapolis, a hub for many East African communities and University of Minnesota students.
Inspired by research from the University of Minnesota’s Heritage Studies and Public History Program and Our Streets Minneapolis, the event aims to shed light on the neighborhood’s past, uncovering narratives of displacement, gentrification, and resistance through a fusion of research, art, and community engagement.
“We thought it could be a cool opportunity to combine history of urban renewal and history of the university with artistic expression,” said Jessie Merriam, research coordinator of Our Streets Minneapolis.
The event features a mobile museum showcasing artifacts, photographs, and historical documents that highlight Cedar-Riverside’s heritage. Student projects and presentations from the University of Minnesota and Our Streets Minneapolis offer diverse perspectives on the neighborhood’s history, including visual archives depicting the neighborhood before and after the university’s presence, as well as examining policing and safety perceptions of the East and West Bank campuses.
“Over the decades, it’s been played up that Cedar-Riverside is, you know, a sketchy neighborhood,” Merriam said. “That was a narrative that the city had that kind of justified urban renewal highways, West Bank expansion, and cleanup efforts.”
Other projects analyze the impact of urban renewal projects like the Riverside Plaza towers, and conduct oral histories with elders and longtime residents to explore the neighborhood’s evolution.
The theater program begins at 7 p.m. with a “A Brief History in Shadow Puppets,” a live interpretation of Cedar-Riverside’s past through puppetry, making history more accessible and engaging, Merriam said.
The featured films include Morgan Adamson’s “Brutal Utopias” and Kelly Rogers’ “Our Living Future,” exploring the resilience, cultural identity, and urban development of the neighborhood through archival material and participant interviews.
“I think Cedar-Riverside is a magical place,” Merriam said. “I hope that folks will have a deeper sense of the fascinating history of the neighborhood and how it has always been a radically open place that people from so many different places have called home.”
Date: Friday, March 15
Time: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Location: The Cedar Cultural Center, 416 Cedar Ave., Minneapolis
Cost: Free
For more information: Visit thecedar.org.
Artist benefit combats food insecurity in north Minneapolis
Modus Locus Expansion, a community art space showcasing the works of BIPOC and LGBTQ+ artists, in collaboration with the Food Trap Project, is presenting a benefit arts show to promote access to healthy food and educational resources in north Minneapolis.
The show will spotlight the works of six Black artists, including Venus X’s surreal, anime-inspired art, NOI’s exploration of their Buddhist upbringing, philosophy, and life experiences, Miku’s prints, Tyler Jackson’s street digital art, Jordan Malcolm Hamilton’s abstract and surrealist paintings, and Patience Lekien’s illustrations depicting African culture, spirituality, and symbolism. Additionally, the event will feature live performances by DJ Yonci and the band Soul Flower. Vegan soul food will also be available.
Led by artist and chef Mykela Jackson, the Food Trap Project initiative is set to launch a community bodega at Sanctuary Church in north Minneapolis in April, addressing food insecurity in BIPOC communities. The bodega will offer plant-based foods and educational materials, facilitated by BIPOC farmers, local businesses, grocers, and nonprofits specializing in food redistribution. All proceeds from ticket sales will contribute directly to this initiative.
Date: Sunday, March 17
Time: 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: Modus Locus Expansion, 3338 University Ave., S.E., Minneapolis
Cost: $20 for general admission. $10-$20 sliding scale for Black attendees. Free for youth under 18. Each ticket includes two raffle tickets for a chance to win a $100 gift card from Seward Community Co-op. Buy tickets at the door or online.
For more information: Visit instagram.com/keikosx.
Dual art shows explore identity, migration and Latine heritage
Semillas Galeria, an artist-run apartment gallery, will host two exhibitions: “Presencia a Distancia, y Otras Maneras de Soltar, (Presence at a Distance and Other Ways of Letting Go” a solo show by Costa Rican artist Lauren Nicole and “Pasaporte de los Sueños (Passport of Dreams),” a group exhibit showcasing the video, photography, and paintings of five Latine artists.
In her debut solo show, Nicole explores the impact of migration and documentation, drawing inspiration from her own bicultural background. Influenced by her mother who was a seamstress, Nicole uses fabric as her medium to weave together her life experiences.
Simultaneously, “Pasaporte de los Sueños,” curated by documentary photographer Drew Arrieta, showcases the dreams, memories and traditions of five Latine artists. Through video, photography, and paintings, the exhibit examines colonization, migration, displacement and the significance of the passport within Latine communities. Featured artists include videographers Francisco Sánchez, Gisell Calderón, Tahiel Jimenez Medina, photographer Jessica Carolina Gonzalez, and multimedia artist Malflor.
Date: Opening reception for both exhibits on Saturday, March 16. “Presencia a Distancia y Otras Maneras De Soltar” runs until May 16. “Pasaporte de los Sueños” runs until May 26.
Time: Opening reception from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Regular gallery hours are 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays or by appointment. Contact semillasgaleria@gmail.com at least two days in advance to schedule.
Location: Semillas Galeria, 1909 1st Ave. S., Minneapolis
Cost: Free
For more information: Visit semillasgaleria.com.
