CityArt in the Alley

PRESENTED BY GENE BIEWEN AND NOEL VAN TOL

Due to the summer 2026 closure of Belgrade Avenue and Veterans Memorial Bridge, North Mankato is unable to host sculptures as part of the 2026–27 CityArt Walking Sculpture Tour.

To continue our commitment to annual public art experiences in North Mankato, CityArt—an initiative of Twin Rivers Council for the Arts—is launching Art in the Alley, a vibrant, creative placemaking series. This summer-long activation will transform the underutilized alley on the south side of Belgrade Avenue into a welcoming public space filled with art, activities and community connections.

What is Art in the Alley?

Art in the Alley is a four-weekend series of themed creative activations designed to enliven Belgrade Avenue during a disruptive construction season. Through temporary artworks, hands-on experiences and artist-led engagements, the alley becomes a hub of vibrancy—reinforcing that Lower North Mankato remains open, accessible and full of creativity

Join Us in the Alley behind NaKato!

Creating Art: Saturday, 5.30.26, 10 am-2 pm

• Mexican Folk Art Exploration with Cartonería-Style Cardboard Sculpting and Creations Stations by Justin Ek + The Minnesota Latino Museum
• Live Painting by Noel Van Tol
• Sculpture Make and Take + Community Sculpture Build by Sidetracked
• Spin & Sculpt Creation Station
• Live Music by Indigo Moon – 11 am to 2 pm
• Onsite Alleyway Enhancement Paintings by Tice VanderHeiden + Melanie Klimpel
• CityArt in the Alley Community Mural Artist Reveal – 10:45 am
• Beans Coffee House Creation Station

Art & Play: Thursday, 6.18.26, 4-7 pm

Interactive and artist-designed elements invite visitors to explore, move and engage with art in a whole new way.

• Music Creation Station​ – Instrument Building Crafts and Music Jams for Kids, Babies/Toddlers and Adults by St. Paul’s and Jesus Loves Me Learning Center.
• Antique Printing Press Demonstrations and Make + Take by Craig Kotasek of Tin Can Valley Printing Co​. – Attendees will be able to make a letterpress print on an antique printing press, and learn how prints were made in the pre-digital era.
• Live Painting by Noel Van Tol – Enjoy the art of our presenting sponsor. Plus you can try watercolor painting too.
• Kool-Aid Spin Fiber Art by Pam Becker – Try your hand at weaving plus yarn dying with supplied looms and materials.
• Not-A-Box Arty Fort Building Station – Inspired by the book Not-A-Box by Antoinette Portis, ​T​he Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota will be building a box fort for children and families to add to and decorate throughout the event. Guests will also be able to create recycled art to take home using our cardboard tools, glue, tape and a variety of paper materials!
• Sunnyside Puppeteers and Puppet Make + Take​ by Sidetracked​ – Alongside the Sunnyside Puppeteers, participants can experience and try their hands at a variety of puppet making styles, including felt, paper mache, and fabric. Materials for all styles will be provided and participants can bring their own puppet home.
• Build, Bend and Sculpt Station – Create a sculpture you can take home. Plus, we’ll be constructing our Spin & Sculpt community sculpture that began at May’s event with the painting of slumped records.
• CityArt in the Alley Community Mural Live Painting​ – Watch artists, Dana Sikkila and Dinah Langsjoen​, begin their large-scale mural on the side of the NaKato Bar & Grill. Plus, youth can try their hand at mural painting on an adjacent panel.
• North Mankato Taylor Library – The North Mankato Taylor Library Bookmobile will be onsite, offering books, resources and activities for children and families.

Learn Art: Saturday, 7.18.26, 10 am-1 pm

From hands-on lessons to live demonstrations, visitors can experience a broad range of artistic mediums and techniques led by local and regional artists.

Ever wondered how a print is made? Wanted to try leather stamping? Curious about watercolor painting, music, sculpture or collaborative public art? Learn Art is your opportunity to meet local artists, discover new creative techniques and experience the artistic process firsthand through interactive demonstrations and hands-on activities for all ages.

Join us in the alley behind NaKato Bar & Grill for a morning of creativity where artists invite you to learn, ask questions and create alongside them.

• Jam Session with Liz Draper – Bring your favorite instrument and join accomplished musician Liz Draper for an informal community jam session. Whether you’re an experienced musician or simply enjoy playing for fun, this welcoming session is all about making music together, trying new songs and celebrating the joy of creating with others.
• Antique Printing Press Demonstrations and Make + Take – Step back in time with Craig Kotasek of Tin Can Valley Printing Co. as he demonstrates an authentic antique letterpress printing press. Learn how books, posters and artwork were printed before the digital age, then create your own letterpress print to take home as a unique keepsake.
• Live Painting by Noel Van Tol – Watch watercolor artist Noel Van Tol transform a blank canvas into a beautiful work of art while sharing her creative process throughout the event. Plus you can try watercolor painting too. Noel and her husband, Gene Biewen, are also the presenting sponsors of the CityArt in the Alley series, helping make these free community art experiences possible throughout the summer.
• Leather Art by Pegeen Rozeske – Discover the timeless craft of leather stamping with artist Pegeen Rozeske. Learn basic leatherworking techniques, create your own stamped design and leave with a handcrafted leather keepsake that’s both beautiful and functional.
• Mural Along with Addison Maxfield – Join local youth artist Addison Maxfield in creating a collaborative mini mural. Participants of all ages are invited to pick up a brush, add their own creative touch and experience the excitement of painting as part of a shared work of art.
• Build, Bend and Sculpt Station – Create your own mini sculpture using everyday materials like aluminum foil, craft sticks, clay and more. Experiment with shape, balance and form while discovering how sculptors transform simple materials into imaginative three-dimensional works of art.
• Record Cover Mosaic Mural with Jean Mannion – Help artist Jean Mannion transform recycled record album covers into a one-of-a-kind collaborative mosaic mural. Every participant will add pieces to this community artwork, which will be auctioned during Twin Rivers Council for the Arts’ Art in the Garden fundraiser on August 2 to support future arts programming.

Celebrating Us in Art: Saturday, 9.19.26, 11 am-2 pm

On the newly rehabbed Belgrade Avenue | Lower North Mankato
FREE + All Ages Welcome

We’re wrapping up an incredible summer of CityArt in the Alley by bringing the celebration out of the alley and onto the newly rehabbed Belgrade Avenue!

Celebrating Us in Art is the fourth and final event in our summer series—and a chance to celebrate not only the artists and creativity that make our region special, but the return of activity to Belgrade Avenue following this summer’s reconstruction.

What began as a creative response to construction became a summer filled with art, music, hands-on experiences and community connection. Now we’re bringing that creative energy back to Belgrade Avenue for one final celebration!

This special finale takes place in conjunction with Blues on Belgrade, with CityArt hosting a secondary live music stage from 12–2 p.m.

Come explore:

Live Music – Enjoy a secondary Blues on Belgrade music stage from 12–2 p.m.

Mini Art Fair – Meet local artists, explore their work and shop original art.

Artist Demonstrations – See artists at work and get a closer look at their techniques and creative processes.

Leather Art with Pegeen Rozeske – Learn the art of leather stamping and create something of your own to take home.

Mankato Makerspace T-Shirt Creation Station

Children’s Art Activities – Young artists can get creative with free hands-on art activities.

FREE Youth Art Apron Giveaway – Young artists can take home their very own art apron so the creativity can continue long after the event. Available while supplies last.

Admission is FREE, and everyone is welcome.

Presented by Gene Biewen and Noel Van Tol, CityArt in the Alley was created in response to the Belgrade Avenue reconstruction project as a way to keep art visible, support Lower North Mankato and bring people together throughout the summer.

We created in the alley. We played in the alley. We learned in the alley. Now we’re heading back to Belgrade Avenue to celebrate!

Join us for one final afternoon of art, music and community.