Arts | Midway Como Frogtown Monitor

Djenna Saint-Juste was part of the 10th annual Little Africa Festival at Hamline Park on Aug. 4, 2024. Saint-Juste is a Haitian teacher who decided to write her own novels after being inspired by her grandmother and schooling. Books are written in Creole, English, French, and Spanish, and they help children grasp what the book is about if they do not speak the language. The African Economic Development Solutions hosts the annual festival to bring together diverse African immigrant communities. The event celebrates African Minnesotan culture, heritage and community and features live music performances, art shows, and vendors. (Photo by Terbuto Ochothow)

2004 Little Africa Festival

Music, vendors, a parade and more were part of this year’s Little Africa Festival at Hamline Park on Aug. 4. The African Economic Development Solutions hosts the annual festival to bring … more

8/8/24

The mission of the organization is to create a vibrant neighborhood where the arts welcome, heal, transform and build power for the pople of Frogtown and Rondo.

Victoria Theater reopens as 825 Arts

Since it first opened nearly 110 years ago, a space on University Avenue has captured the spirit and history of Saint Paul. The building at 825 University Avenue was first opened as Victoria Theater, … more

By Joseph Palumbo | 8/7/24

Local artist Bri Harrington holds “Forest Child,” an exploration of the relationship with “the parts of ourselves that are unknown even to us.” (Photo by Lucia Bodling)

How the art from one reaches the hearts of many

Bri Harrington always wanted to paint, but never thought it was practical, so she put it off until she couldn’t any longer. “I feel like it just bubbled out of me, and I just had to … more

By Lucia Bodling | 8/7/24

Polish poster art exhibit at Vandalia tower

Minnesota residents Brian and Teresa McMahon assembled a collection of Polish art in the 1980s while living in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, N.Y. They also got to know and work with others who had emigrated … more

6/12/24

Reilly Tillman (at right) started filming over 18 years ago for his recently released film on Laurel Massé (at left). The documentary will be shown during this year's Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival April 11-25. (Photos submitted)

Musician focus of local filmmaker’s MSPIFF film fest entry

A film that has been long in the making will premiere during the Minneapolis Saint Paul International Film Festival (MSPIFF) running April 11-25 at the Main Cinema, 115 SE Main in Minneapolis. … more

By Jan Willms | 4/10/24

Film festival April 11-25

The 43rd annual Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival (MSPIFF) at the Main Cinema, 115 SE Main in Minneapolis will include 140 feature films from more than 100 countries and cultures, … more

By Jan Willms | 4/10/24

Minnesota comedian and activist Lizz Winstead is the subject of the documentary "No One Asked You."

‘No One Asked You’ mixes abortion and comedy

Award-winning documentary filmmaker Ruth Leitman calls her latest film “The Lovely Beast.” “It was a beast and a bear to make,” she reflected. Her film, “No … more

By Jan Willms | 4/10/24

Midway resident DJ Traudt said,“We have talked about stopping, but then we never do. We just enjoy it too much. These guys are like my brothers.”

After 50 years, they’re like brothers

“The longevity of a band is really contingent on loving the people that you’re making music with and being able to get along in the long run. It’s just like being married, except … more

By Jan Willms | 3/13/24

Meet potter of Front Avenue Pottery & Tile

Drawing inspiration from Como Park wild life and her Wadena childhood lake country, Mary Jo Schmith creates unique, stoneware dinner, serving ware and commissioned tile installations at Front Avenue … more

By Sonjie Johnson | 3/13/24

Winter carnival buttons designed by local artist

Kao Lee (at right with Lisa Sanderson) is a Frogtown native and the first member of the Hmong community to design the Winter Carnival buttons. “The Winter Carnival is a fond memory from my … more

1/10/24 | 1 comment

Loon sculpture to land soon

A massive loon taking flight – the emblem of the Minnesota United soccer team – will soon land at the corner of University and Snelling avenues in St. Paul. The loon statue, a … more

By Jane McClure | 1/10/24 | 1 comment

Artists respond: people, place, prosperity

Springboard for the Arts is proud to welcome the 2024 cohort to Artists Respond: People, Place, Prosperity. The selected artists will create public projects that demonstrate the root causes that lead … more

1/10/24

This Hamline graduate has used music to explore what is happening in life around him. Next up is a new stage name for Terrell Woods.

Carnage the Executioner transitioning to Terrell X

Terrell Woods, who goes by the stage name of Carnage the Executioner, took some time recently to reflect on his career as a beat box artist and rapper. The Saint Paul musician has built a … more

By Jan Willms | 12/7/23

New owner of Rince Na Chroi Irish Dancers

Siobhan George is the new owner and director of the Saint Paul-based Rince na Chroi Irish Dancers (312 Hamline Ave. N). George had served as the school’s interim director since February after … more

12/7/23

Arnée Martin credits the guranteed income program for giving her more confidence to pursue her art.

Guaranteed income for artists

Arnée Martin wanted 100 rejections. “The worst they can say is no,” Martin said. As an artist applying for grants and scholarships, the TikTok trend of … more

By Talia McWright | 11/26/23

Over 70 cast members perform in "Acceptance, Kindness, Support" at the Cowles Center as part of a production by the South Asian Arts & Theater House.

Acceptance, kindness and support

With a whirlwind of color, choreography and music, the South Asian Arts & Theater House (SAATH) brought the stage to life with a recent performance at the Cowles Center (528 Hennepin Ave.) to … more

By Jan Willms | 11/26/23

These small lightboxes made by Longfellow artist Chris Miller can brighten tables and shelves. Other larger ones function as furniture. (Photo submitted)

How to add art to your home

Longfellow mosaic artist Chris Miller believes that art is like jewelry for your home. “I made this piece in glass a few years ago and I display it each September during LoLa Art Crawl. It … more

By Tesha M. Christensen | 10/12/23

In Progress

A brick building sits sedately along a quiet street in Saint Paul. Along the side of the building, plants are growing in small garden beds. Lawn chairs rest on the patio and there is a table with … more

By Jan Willms | 9/15/23

On Sunday, July 2, 2023, community members explored the area of Little Mekong along University with artist Katie Ka Vang. The walking tour was part of Mixed Blood Theater’s 12x12 series.

Little Mekong through eyes of artist Katie Ka Vang

Community members smiled as they tasted different dishes and snacks from local businesses of the Little Mekong cultural district on University Avenue on Sunday, July 2, 2023. The event was artist … more

By Talia McWright | 9/15/23

St. Paul author’s book helps children process grief

St. Paul author Jean Havlina-Madsen has devoted her life to helping and educating others. After years of working in pediatrics, she entered the hospice field and became involved in grief education … more

9/15/23