On the Radar host Damenica Ellis sits down with Minneapolis artivist and curator Esther Callahan, who built the BLK Collectors to ensure Black artists are seen, supported and paid, and who distributed handmade art kits to families during Operation Metro Surge.
Black artists
Posted inOn the Radar
On the Radar: Kprecia Ambers, Visual Artist and Digital Creator
On the Radar host Damenica Ellis sits down with Minneapolis visual artist Kprecia Ambers, whose vibrant figurative work centers Black beauty, self-love and representation with a simple intention: putting love into the world.
Posted inOn the Radar
Kprecia Ambers uses digital art to foster representation and connection
North Minneapolis native Kprecia Ambers is transforming the world of digital illustration. Through her brand, KP Inspires, she creates soulful artwork designed to foster representation, celebrate Black beauty, and bring warmth into everyday home spaces.
Posted inOn the Radar
Potter, Sound Artist and Co-Founder Sayge Carroll Is Building a Sanctuary for Creatives at Mudluk Pottery
Sage Carroll Mudluk Pottery co-founder joins MSR On the Radar to discuss her journey through photography and ceramics, the philosophy behind the South Minneapolis studio and what is coming next including a mobile ceramics van at Juneteenth.
Posted inOn the Radar
From Coon Rapids to the Twin Cities’ Biggest Walls: Antione Jenkins Is Letting the World Be His Canvas
Antione Jenkins On the Radar covers the Coon Rapids muralist and artist’s journey from custom sneakers to Target Field and his vision for showcasing Black excellence on walls across the Twin Cities.
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Antione Jenkins: Making a mark from sneakers to stadiums
Native Coon Rapids artist Antione Jenkins discusses his transition from doodling on desks to painting the “Truck Angel” mural and collaborating with the Minnesota Twins and UFC.
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On the Radar Podcast Launches with Michelle Perdue as Inaugural Guest
The Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder launches On the Radar, a new podcast spotlighting changemakers, with artist Michelle Perdue as its first guest.
Posted inNational
Black America’s Cultural Giants Lost in 2025
The losses came steadily in 2025 as Black America mourned artists, activists, athletes, and cultural leaders whose work shaped history and community across generations.
Posted inEvents
Art, Activism, and Appreciation: Blackbird Revolt Announces Two November Events
Resist & Reclaim brings together 20 Black and Indigenous women and femme artists who transformed second-hand denim into stories of identity and liberation.
Posted inEvents
The Black Excellence Experience Spotlights Artist Debra Michelle
The Black Excellence Experience will feature artist Debra Michelle in a free August 16 showcase at Sabathani Community Center’s BEE Gallery.
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Memorialize the Movement finds ‘radical joy’ in protest
Now in its fifth year, Memorialize the Movement celebrates “radical joy” with mural exhibits, live art, and healing events to honor George Floyd’s legacy.
Posted inEvents
Mamas Ignite Collective creative circles foster art, healing, and sisterhood
The Mamas Ignite Collective hosts monthly gatherings for Black and POC mama artists, offering live performances, shared meals, mini-workshops, and discussions on motherhood, artistry, and identity, ensuring a safe and inspiring space for women to be creative and connected.
Posted inArts + Culture
‘Giants’ exhibit leaves lingering sense of awe
The Dean Collection, curated by Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys, is a living testament to the power of art, featuring works by artists such as Amy Sherald, Ebony G. Patterson, Nick Cave, Titus Kaphar, and Derrick Adams, who challenge viewers to think critically about systemic violence and injustice while celebrating Black joy, leisure, and community.
Posted inEvents
Southside Sessions brings open mic, live music, and art to The Legacy Building
Southside Sessions, presented by Soul of the Southside in partnership with KRSM Radio, will take place on March 21 at The Legacy Building in South Minneapolis, offering a night of Black art, music, and community.
Posted inArtists
Mudluk Pottery Studio: Crafting Safe Spaces and Lasting Stories in Minneapolis
Mudluk Pottery Studio is a creative hub in Minneapolis that provides classes and a gallery showcasing diverse artistic mediums, while fostering a safe and welcoming environment for artists of all levels and backgrounds.
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For the Love of Blaq Art: A Celebration of Black Creativity in the Twin Cities
For the Love of Blaq Art, a three-day event in Minneapolis from February 27 to March 1, will showcase the works of five local artists and feature a poetry session with four talented poets, celebrating the power and resilience of Black artists in the Twin Cities.
Posted inArtists
Art Meets Energy: “Everyone’s a Critic” Brings Live Art to Life
Everyone’s a Critic, the first live art critique event in Minneapolis, challenges artists and audiences alike to engage in a dynamic, interactive experience, redefining how we think about art.
Posted inArts + Culture
Casey Riley on GIANTS: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys
The Minneapolis Institute of Art is set to host GIANTS: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys, a groundbreaking exhibition featuring nearly 100 significant works by Black diasporic artists.
Posted inMusic
Black Artistry Dominates The 67th GRAMMYs In An Evening Of Groundbreaking Wins
Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, Doechii, SZA, Tems, Muni Long, CeCe Winans, and Diana Ross were among the winners at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards, which celebrated Black excellence in music and culture.
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A Night of Creativity and Connection: The Legacy Building Open House
The Legacy Building, a vibrant hub for local Black creatives in South Minneapolis, is hosting its highly anticipated Open House on February 19, 2025, featuring a live jam session, creative activities, and the launch of the Creative Freedom Fund, an initiative designed to empower local creatives.