Northrup King Building, Minneapolis

The Northeast Minneapolis Arts District boasts a treasure trove of artist studios, and no visit would be complete without venturing into its flagship creative hubs—Casket Arts and Northrup King Building.

At Northrup King, you’ll stumble across vibrant paintings and stained glass by the mural-savvy Ashley Mary (you’ve likely seen her work brightening up juice bars and coffee shops across the Twin Cities), plus sleek modern collages by Ashtyn Sibinski and uplifting illustrations by Jena Holliday (whose joyful depictions of Black women have earned her not one, but two prestigious Minnesota arts grants).

The building itself is a blend of nostalgia and mystery—like an old maze that somehow always guides you to something remarkable. Northrup King isn’t just big—it’s enormous, a labyrinthine space where wandering feels more like an adventure than a chore. It’s the birthplace of Art-A-Whirl, a humble art crawl of the ’90s that grew into today’s sprawling event, drawing thousands of art lovers to its many studios.

Pro tip: Don’t forget to hunt down the hidden passages and bridges that connect the two main buildings; these tucked-away gems add an extra dash of intrigue to your artsy expedition.