A red carpet welcomed guests at Juxtaposition Arts’ 3rd annual Sneaker Ball in North Minneapolis on August 23 while an aerialist performed against the backdrop of a brightly colored “North Minneapolis” mural. Flowers, disco balls and balloons filled JXTA’s courtyard and buildings, and a grooving violinist performed in front of a floral “X” sign.

The festivities celebrated the center’s 30th year in the city, where it has served as a beating heart of the North Side’s art community.

As I explored the event, I wandered into the gallery building, designed by Minneapolis design firm 4RM+ULA (pronounced “formula”) and completed in 2023 as part of JXTA’s major campus renovation. I marveled at an exhibition of black and white self-portraits by young people in JXTA’s Visual Arts Literacy Training

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