Art Attack: Experiencing Art at Its Most Personal

The Northrup King Building opens its doors to connect Twin Cities’ artists with their community

By Ian Knoll

I often find art museums to be intimidating. Wandering white-washed halls and wide-open rooms where every work is spaced at perfect intervals often feels cold, detached, and demanding of a critical eye that my inexperienced self can never hope to give. If you’re like me and want something more personal, or you’re just looking to sample some of the Twin Cities’ finest artists, Art Attack might just be your best opportunity.

Presented at the Northrup King Building, a former seed distribution plant turned Minnesota’s largest art complex, Art Attack is a yearly event that gives the over 300 artists who work in the building (and many more who don’t) a chance to display their works together. While my three hours were nowhere near enough time to see everything, works like Susan Voight’s vibrant alcohol ink floral studies, Kevin Komandina’s subdued architectural paintings, Mike Behr’s stunningly crisp landscape photography, and Alexandria Jones’s firework art (yes, literally shooting fireworks at canvas) all struck me as more compelling and masterful than my tight word limit could possibly express. 

Throughout the weekend event, there were also many opportunities to watch demonstrations or take classes from artists in the building. For those more monetarily inclined, the building is also home to a variety of shops that (alongside often also displaying great art) sell anything from hand-crafted jewelry to custom built furniture.

There’s something special about seeing art presented from the very studios they were brought to fruition in; the half-finished paintings still resting on easels in backrooms and the artists close by to discuss their works were the perfect backdrop to fully appreciate the art on display. Seeing patrons drift from room to room and artists take a break from the busy presentations to catch up really gives the feeling that this is a place not for the solemn reflection of art, but the chance to celebrate its beauty as a community. It’s a unique feeling, and one I think nobody should miss.

The Northrup King Building is frequently open for other shows and events, which you can learn more about (along with the artists I’ve discussed) at northrupkingbuilding.com.