Interactive Lake Street Art Drop series to return in April with expanded season
Beginning April 4, local artists will hide free art pieces along the Lake Street corridor for a creative scavenger hunt open to everyone
Inquiries: press@lakestreetcouncil.org
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. [March 28, 2024] – The Lake Street Council is bringing back its popular Lake Street Art Drop series that encourages visitors to explore Lake Street, discover local artists and support small businesses along the commercial corridor. Following the program’s 2023 launch, the monthly event will return on Thursday, April 4, to kick off another interactive season filled with fun and local art.
On the first Thursday of each month, photo clues for the creative scavenger hunt are released through the Lake Street Council’s social media channels to lead participants to the hidden locations of local art pieces. While the amount and type of artwork hidden will change each month, there will typically be up to a dozen pieces to find. The first individuals to locate each art treasure gets to take it home at no cost, along with a gift card to a local Lake Street business that will be included in each drop bag.
“Lake Street is home to hundreds of local businesses and organizations that represent a variety of cultures, specialties and services – and talented local artists play a critical role in cultivating our community,” said Charise Canales, manager of placemaking and activation at the Lake Street Council. “Returning for a second year, the Lake Street Art Drop is a fun, accessible way to support both local artists and our small business community by building connections to the corridor. We encourage everyone who comes for the hunt to stay for dinner, drinks or shopping at a local business!”
Informed by feedback and high interest in the 2023 series, this year’s season has been expanded to begin in April and last through October at rotating locations along the corridor . To participate, follow @VisitLakeStreet on Facebook or Instagram for updates on the photo clues needed to successfully locate the hidden art. Artists will change each month, with each varying in specialties from photo prints and paintings to pottery, jewelry and creative accessories.
There will be two featured local artists for the April 4 drop at 6 p.m. in the Midtown Global Market: Laura Korynta, a multimedia artist specializing in eco-arts, puppetry, and comics/zines, and Benja Wuest, a Minneapolis-based artist specializing in sculpture and installation. Wuest’s mural, “Native Lands: Green Before the Greenway,” received a 2023 placemaking grant from the Lake Street Council.
The Lake Street Art Drop series is made possible by the Minnesota State Arts Board and the Graves Foundation. Artists interested in participating in future Lake Street Council placemaking can join our Artist Directory.
About Lake Street Council
Lake Street Council is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization which engages, serves, and advocates for the Lake Street community in Minneapolis to ensure the vitality and prosperity of the commercial corridor. Its work includes research and strategic planning, business recruitment, safety and security; branding, marketing and public relations; community events, online and door-to-door communications; commercial energy retrofits and energy savings; small business advocacy; and management of Lake Street capital and natural resources. Its programs are intended to uplift the existing business community while raising awareness among potential shoppers and new business investors.