Get ready for Posters & Pints to support Art Buddies on May 30!

The Second Annual Posters & Pints is scheduled for Saturday, May 30 at Uppercut Boxing Gym in NE Minneapolis! Tickets go on sale April 1.

Posters & Pints is an annual art show+beer tasting+benefit created by a team of independent designers to celebrate local artisans and support Art Buddies by donating proceeds from the event.

In 2014, over 700 people attended for the chance to purchase limited-edition posters from forty artists, taste craft brews from a dozen local breweries, and socialize with fellow lovers and influencers of the local arts and culture scene. In addition, several popular food trucks provided delicious on-site food service.

Join us to celebrate the season and local artisans, and support Art Buddies in the Twin Cities!

Learn more at www.postersandpints.com

Art Buddy Spotlight: Doug Knutson, Photographer

Doug Knutson is the owner of Knutson Photography, LLC, and he has generously donated his time and talents as an Art Buddies photographer since we opened our creative doors 20 years ago. Every season, Doug is there to capture memories of children building dreams during Art Buddies creating sessions, and takes special care during our mentor and mentee photo shoots on the last day of each program. He attends all of our volunteer networking and fundraising events, contributing to the energy and excitement as an active attendee and event photographer. You'll see many of Doug's photos on our website, Facebook page, and Buddy Blog. It is truly the creative spirit of people like Doug who have helped Art Buddies last and make such a meaningful difference in the lives of kids and mentors for 20 years. (Thanks Doug!)

How would you describe Art Buddies to someone who has never heard of the program?
Art Buddies is a one-on-one creative mentoring program.

What has been your most memorable experience as an Art Buddies volunteer?
A student asked to take my picture. A short time later a magazine I photographed an assignment for asked for a portrait of me for their contributor’s page, so I cropped the photo he took and submitted it to the magazine. He got credit in the magazine and I made sure he received a copy of the magazine. He was an Art Buddy the next session and took more pictures with my camera of the other participants.

Why did you decide to become active with Art Buddies?
As a way to give back to the community.

What advice would you give to rookie Art Buddies?
Just jump in and be yourself!

Have you gained new friendships or expanded your network with adult Art Buddies during the program?
I have gained many new friendships and clients. I recently worked with Art Buddies volunteer and Advisory Board member Gerry Yumul on a project for the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation.


Art Buddies accepts mentor applications every fall and spring. Learn how you can volunteer with Art Buddies at http://www.artbuddies.org/volunteer/.

Art Buddies kicks off 2015 with advances toward expansion!

Scott Mikesh, President/Executive Director

As we gear up to start recruiting mentors for spring Art Buddies in Minneapolis, we're excited to report great strides toward expanding Art Buddies to St. Paul this year. Prospective schools are now being vetted to identify the most suitable St. Paul program partner for our fall 2015 season, to be announced this spring. Special thanks to Program Director, Stephanie Vagle, and members of our Advisory Board for researching and working with those in the St. Paul school district who helped us identify potential program partners.

While there is no shortage of children who could benefit from Art Buddies, our charitable mission is to provide an empowering arts learning and creative enrichment experience for kids who might not otherwise have the means or access to art programs.

Art Buddies activities also require sufficient space to host our large creating sessions that involve up to 80 people (up to 40 children working one-on-one with up to 40 creative adults). Long-term storage for our large collection of art supplies and creative works is also required. Fortunately, we have identified schools that could be a great fit, and are equally excited to offer Art Buddies after school for their 3rd-5th grade students next fall!

We are truly grateful for the hundreds of individuals, businesses and organizations that support Art Buddies each year, especially the many wonderful creative volunteers who provide the magic of mentoring by sharing their time and talents with kids who need them. Here's to another great year of empowering more underprivileged children to discover their creative potential!

Please join our mailing list to receive the latest Art Buddies updates and volunteer opportunities: http://www.artbuddies.org/join-our-email-list