Minneapolis Bicycle Coalition was thrilled to work with All My Relations Gallery, Native American Community Development Institute, and SPOKES to organize Native Art and Bikes, a fun gallery hop ride this past weekend.
All photos by Sheldon Mains for Spokes
About 25 people came to All My Relations Gallery's "Fertile Ground" exhibit, and we benefited from staff member Gracie's tour. She guided us through paintings, installations, and jewelry. Among other things, the beadwork and horse regalia from James Star Comes Out totally blew me away. I was really impressed with the exhibit and will definitely be back when the next cycle of fifteen juried artist submissions and two invited artists begins in December. All of the artists will again be from South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin.
The group ride was not uneventful, but luckily we were supported by the excellent mechanics at SPOKES. And we really had to work as a team to navigate Franklin Avenue, even on what should have been a laid-back Sunday. But as a group, we conquered those wide lanes under Hiawatha and the busy intersection at Cedar!
The Weisman Museum's "Anishinaabensag Biimskowebshkigewag (Native Kids Ride Bikes)" exhibit was also a lot of fun. My favorite details were the handlebar end caps that read, "Live to ride, ride to live, Eagle Spirit," and the dream catcher integrated into one of the bikes. The exhibit made me want to ride in a scraper bike gang with the youths involved with the project! If you didn't make it to the Weisman Museum the exhibit will be up until January 4th.
Thanks to everyone that came out for the fun ride, and I hope to ride with you soon.
