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It’s an arty party in Saint Paul! From Grand Ave to Lowertown to Midway, our fair city has lots to look at and appreciate this weekend. Want to make an evening of it? Check out our handy-dandy itineraries below!

Friday, August 27th

Beneath the Surface Closing Party

7-10pm / Free

Rhea Pappas Photo Studio / Northern Warehouse, 308 Prince St., Studio #411

The photography of one Rhea Pappas always takes our breath away – and not just because her subjects are submerged under water. The young shutterbug has made major “waves” in the art scene this year, showing her work in multiple locales and being accepted to the State Fair’s Fine Arts Competition. Her current body of work Beneath the Surface was displayed at the Icebox Gallery in Northeast Minneapolis over Art-A-Whirl. And for those of you who didn’t have the chance to cross the river this May, Pappas is offering a chance for you to peep the goods at her Lowertown studio this Friday – an unofficial “closing” party, if you will. Check out Pappas’ ethereally submerged lovelies and her ghostly, abstract light-play, meet the artist herself, sip some refreshments, nibble some apps and even tap your toes to live music a la Sarah Cotner. Click HERE to read an interview we did with Rhea earlier this year.

What to do after: After checkin’ out the art, pop into the Black Dog Cafe for a glass of vino and live music from the Fantastic Merlins. Or stroll a couple blocks down to Barrio and try one of their awesome margaritas and perhaps a couple happy hour tacos!

Friday, August 27th

Well Done Closing Party

7-11pm / Free

Nicademus Art / 225 N. Snelling Avenue

Burlesque of North America’s small but famed group of collaborators have whipped up beautifully designed posters for cool bands the world over and have sold their limited edition art prints far and wide. And what’s that you say? They’re based out of the Twin Cities? Yep, it’s true. And even if you didn’t make it to last month’s opening reception and BBQ, you’ve been granted one last chance tonight. Well Done is a collection of the collective’s favorite pieces, many of them in alternate color palettes than their original designs — making the prints on display truly one-of-a-kind. What’s more, is that the group has created a huge wallpaper installation in the gallery and will be selling off “wallpaper packets” to those interested in jazzing up their own abode.

What to do after: Jaunt on over to the nearby Turf Club to take in live tunes from Vaz (comprised of founding members of legendary local noise rock group, Hammerhead). Or for something less loud, make your way to the Blue Door Pub on Selby, a joint widely heralded for its perfect Juicy Lucy burger.

Friday, August 27th-Saturday, August 28th

Tri-Art Acrylic Event

10am-8pm Fri / 10am-6pm Sat / Free

Wet Paint / 1684 Grand Avenue

Okay, so this isn’t an art opening, but hey, we figure after all the above shenanigans you might be inspired to create art yourself! Head down to Grand Avenue’s staple art supply store, Wet Paint, for a weekend sale and some fun art-play! The shop will be offering a whopping 60% discount on Canadian-made, high-pigment acrylic paint line, Tri-Art. And Reps from the Jack Richeson Company (US distributor for Tri-Art) will demo the Tri-Art range and answer any questions you have about the line. They will also have samples of each of the Tri-Art paint lines found at Wet Paint on hand so you can test them out yourself – and you can forget doodling on little sheets of paper – this weekend’s even invites you to try out the wide range of products on a huge 5′x’10 canvas easel. Painters of all ages and skill levels are welcome. So, get inspired, grab some heavily-discounted supplies from Wet Paint and put your creativity to work!

What to do after: Since you’ll likely need some replenishing after a day of artsy shopping, stroll up the block to the Coffee News Cafe, a cozy spot that offers a great menu of sandwiches and soups…and yes, coffee. Or check out the Shish Cafe, where you can snack on Mediterranean delights and baked goods. Don’t forget to stop into some of the cute boutiques in the area while you’re at it!

No, these boys don’t wear pasties and tassels — they are the nationally renowned screen print collective more formally known as Burlesque of North America! The small but famed group of collaborators have whipped up beautifully designed posters for cool bands the world over and have sold their limited edition art prints far and wide. And what’s that you say? They’re based out of the Twin Cities? Yep, it’s true. And this Saturday, St. Paul’s Nicademus Art and Framing is letting the group loose on their gallery walls for a new exhibit entitled Well Done.

But before you pigeon hole Burlesque as simply a talented group of “artists” think again. They have their fingers in just about every creative facet of the local arts community from music to art curating to event production. The arty smarties are the masters of their own space over in ye olde Northeast Minneapolis, with a full on screen printing empire as well as a brand spankin’ new gallery space entitled CO Exhibitions. They also regularly engage local music aficionados with hot n’ heavy DJ nights all over the cities, even putting out their own mix CDs and vinyl from time to time. How cool is that?

The show at Nicademus, which opens this Saturday and runs through August 28th, is a collection of the collective’s favorite pieces, many of them in alternate color palettes than their original designs — making the prints on display truly one-of-a-kind. Also on task for Saturday’s opening party is a BBQ behind the gallery for the first couple hours as well as fresh beats doled out by BRLSQOTHEQUE DJs. Art, food, music: the trifecta of awesomeness.

The opening reception for Well Done happens on Saturday, July 24th from 7-11pm and is free and open to the public. The exhibit runs through August 28th. For more information visit www.nicademusart.com. For more info on Burlesque of North America visit www.burlesquedesign.com.