2025-12-15 09:39:29
Between their backgrounds in textile weaving and craft beer, Chereen and her husband Rob know exactly how creativity intersects with a highly sought-after sense of community. Or as Chereen said towards the end of the Colorado-based couple’s first Minnesota trip: “We have found our people.”
FROM LOCAL GALLERIES TO WORLD-CLASS INSTITUTIONS
After perusing the incredible art workshops and galleries housed in northeast Minneapolis’ Northrup King Building, Chereen and Rob took in portions of the Minneapolis Institute of Art's nearly 100,000 piece collection. It features works by Raffaelo Monti (“Veiled Lady”), Vincent van Gogh (“Olive Trees”), Claude Monet (“Grainstack”), Chuck Close (“Frank”), Kehinde Wiley (“Santos Dumont — The Father of Aviation II”) and Francis Bacon (“Study for Portrait VI”). As Chereen said with a smile during her visit, “I can’t believe how much art this city has; it’s everywhere.”
DULUTH & THE NORTH SHORE
“Where are the seals?” Rob joked when first setting sights on the expansive ocean-like horizon across Lake Superior. Visitors never forget their first drive up to Duluth, the lakeside city that serves as the stunning gateway to such North Shore essentials as Gooseberry Falls, Split Rock Lighthouse and Tettegouche State Park. Be sure to swing by Northern Waters Smokehaus for a Guy Fieri-approved Cajun Finn sandwich (house-smoked salmon, green onion cream cheese, roasted red peppers, pepperoncini, and lettuce, stuffed into a sturdy stirato roll). Afterwards, head north for the ultimate glamping experience at North Shore Camping Co.
GET CRAFTY
In America’s most charming small town, Grand Marais, you’ll find the North House Folk School where every season, eager adult students escape to learn tactile lessons in basketry, woodworking, rya weaving, blacksmithing, yurt building and baking. There’s no better way to understand the historic northern crafts of the Scandinavians that call Minnesota home or the Tribal Nations that share geography with Minnesota. And while you’re in Grand Marais, be sure to grab a bite at The Fisherman’s Daughter, offering dock-to-table smoked and fried catch(es) of the day.
Don’t miss other stops on Rob and Chereen’s journey north. Their jam-packed tour also includes a stop at Centro in northeast Minneapolis for stiff margaritas and the Taco Bell-inspired Centro crunch; an afternoon of sipping on Duluth’s Vikre Distilling’s assortment of cocktails infused with hand-foraged botanicals; and dabbling in glass blowing at Lake Superior Art Glass.
“I can’t believe how much art this city has; it’s everywhere.”
©Explore Minnesota. View All Articles.