Coastal hot spots like New York City, Miami and Los Angeles reign supreme in the world of fine art, but exceptional creative talent is fostered in cities all around the world. And while Minneapolis is home to the largest open studio tour in the country and the nation’s first-ever sculpture garden, its vibrant art scene tends to fly under the radar. In celebration of the remarkable talent that makes up the vibrant Twin Cities creative community, here are 10 local artists that we’re loving right now.
Photography provided by Philipo Dyauli
Philipo Dyauli
A part of the Public Functionary Studios program, Philipo Dyauli is a self-taught artist that embraces scale in a fearless way. His paintings and murals use bold color palettes to capture the simple joys of everyday life and tell stories, specifically elevating the representation of Black and Brown people and their lived experiences. Dyauli’s impressive murals can be found decorating the exteriors of Arbeiter Brewing Company and Podium Wear.
Photography provided by Rachel Collier
Rachel Collier
Interdisciplinary artist Rachel Collier uses a combination of neon hues and textural form to create her signature eye-catching and uplifting imagery. Taking inspiration from the sweeping skies and vibrant sunsets of the Midwest, Collier’s art feel both familiar and mysterious while inviting curiosity. Her creativity is driven by her process of embracing a diverse range of materials in each of her works, including acrylic paint and wool.
Photography provided by Mitch Iburg
Mitch Iburg
With custom pieces featured at the Walker Art Center’s Idea House 3, artist Mitch Iburg creates his distinct ceramic forms through labor-intensive and carefully researched practices. Iburg’s work celebrates Minnesota’s rich geological history using clay and minerals foraged locally near Studio Alluvium, the St. Paul workspace and showroom he co-owns with fellow artist and partner Zoë Powell.
Photography provided by Nell Pierce
Nell Pierce
Nell Pierce is a Minneapolis-based artist and organizer elevating collage art far beyond the chaotic magazine cutout mash-ups of our youth. Their work meticulously layers together colorful paper scraps cultivating into intricate large-scale scenes and portraits. Pierce’s recent Q’llage project explores how the resilience of queer communities is mirrored in the natural world in a series of astounding life-like works.
Photography provided by Ruben Nusz
Ruben Nusz
When it comes to abstract art, we’re simply dazzled by the talents of painter Ruben Nusz. Represented by Weinstein Hammons Gallery, Nusz’s latest collection explores color theory and geometry in unexpected ways. And while the technicolor works are small in size, don’t let the scale fool you — the paintings pack a colorful punch with hypnotizing layers of geometric shapes.
Russ White
Artist and writer Russ White’s creativity cannot be contained by a singular medium or style. Working in everything from painting and drawing to collage and screenprinting, his saturated work playfully combines photorealism and abstraction in dynamic portraits that are rich with emotion. Catch White’s upcoming exhibit Somebodies at the Phipps Center for the Arts in Hudson, Wisconsin, starting February 16.
Photography provided by Sarah Nicole Knutson
Sarah Nicole Knutson
Moody, effervescent or dreamlike are terms one would use to describe Minneapolis-based artist Sarah Nicole Knutson’s soft abstractions. Inspired by florals, she aims to capture things that are unseen by exploring spiritual and emotional experiences in her large almost aura-like compositions. Knutson’s intuitive process helps create the rich atmospheric quality that makes her work so inviting.
Photography provided by Dinosaur Hampton
Dinosaur Hampton
Wearable art is very much in and Renaissance man Benjamin Kelly is ahead of the trend. Under his studio name, Dinosaur Hampton, Kelly creates high-quality artisan threads that ooze character. But he goes beyond sewing with his talent for intricate and whimsical detailing, as seen in his cheeky new Valentines collection. With custom projects for HBO’s The Righteous Gemstones and Bush’s Baked Beans under his belt, we’re excited to see what Kelly does next.
Photography provided by Three Circle Shop
Three Circle Shop
Three Circle Shop is where form and function meet fine art. Created by artistic trio Tyler Hoffart, Marah Harings and Nick Smith, the Northeast Minneapolis–based sculpture studio creates one-of-a-kind artwork using everything from found objects and wool to local wood and steel. Their creations include furniture, outerwear and a myriad of sculptural art objects. A striking collection of their sculptures can be seen at Moth Oddities until March 5.
Photography provided by Tim Tozer
Tim Tozer
Tim Tozer has a talent for bringing you into intimate everyday moments with his lively brushstrokes and bold color choices. Recently showcased by Groveland Gallery in Minneapolis, the UK-born artist’s latest body of work is a collection of dynamic still life paintings that capture snapshots of vibrant plants and dancing light in his home. Each piece is like a slice of a quiet Sunday morning, offering a fleeting glimpse into the small corners of Tozer’s life.
