ARTCRANK MSP will feature hand-made, bike-inspired posters created by 40 Twin Cities artists. Limited edition, signed and numbered copies of all posters will be available for $40 each. Admission is free.
UPDATE: Thanks to everyone who came our for our opening night party at Traffic Zone Center for Visual Art. ARTCRANK MSP will continue at One On One Bike from Saturday, April 21 to Saturday, May 12.
Copies of most posters are still available, but we’re down to a handful of copies on some of the favorites, so don’t miss your chance to get the ones you want. And when you do, take them down the block to Mitrebox Framing Studio — they’re offering 20% off custom framing and a specially priced standard frame for all ARTCRANK MSP 2012 posters.
While we’re still running the numbers and trying to get an accurate reckoning of how many people showed up for the opening night party (estimates range from “several thousand” to “everyone who bikes in the Twin Cities”), it was most certainly our largest event ever. Perhaps the Minneapolis Police Officer who was working security for us summed it up best when he said: “95% of these people have never even been in jail.” We’re almost certain he meant it as a compliment.
Events like this don’t just happen, and there’s a lot of thanks to go around:
First and foremost, thanks to all of our volunteers who kept every facet of the operation running smoothly despite the overwhelming crowds. And thanks to Arthouse for decking ‘em all out in the swanky red shirts.
Speaking of crowds, this was a thirsty one: We went through 22 kegs and 26 cases of ARTCRANK glasses in less than four hours. Thanks to the generosity of Widmer Brothers Brewing, we raised more than $3,000 for Springboard for the Arts.
Hundreds of people arrived at the show by bike, and Clif Bar and One On One Bike teamed up to provide free valet bike parking for all comers.
We also unveiled the amazing Neenah Paper Paper Bike, built by Big Table Studio. A silent auction for the bike netted $500 for the American Cancer Society on behalf of ARTCRANK artist Aaron Purmort.
Metro Magazine provided the hit of the night, with small army of food trucks including Hola Arepa, World Street Kitchen, Gastrotruck, Fork in the Road, Chef Shack and the Spyhouse Coffee Cart. We even had the flower-bearing Bastian+Skoog Peanut Cart.
Clockwork got the day started by hosting the second annual ARTCRANK Family Party.
The Current provided our soundtrack, and Mayda delivered a blistering acoustic set that blew away all in attendance.
Please check back for updates, and follow ARTCRANK on Twitter and Facebook for the latest news.
Map: One On One Bike
Just finished printing this year’s ARTCRANK poster. It’s called “Proud Papa” in honor of our newborn son Griffin Eames who joined us durring the process. Despite dragging junior along in a Burley bike trailer Dad wins the race with the a surge of pride and the energy that brings.
My buddy Charles runs this shindig and it’s always a really good time. This year they’re having it back downtown at Traffic Zone Center for Visual Art right over by the Bev’s Wine Bar. I was lucky enough to be selected to participate for a third year. Out of all my projects all year long, I really look forward to this one. It’s a chance to make art about bikes with no real rules or clients.