DAI Free
Free ArtDAI February 2025 Valentine project
Art experiences, free of charge
These exhibitions, classes, events, and programs have no cost to participate.
Keep an eye out for our repeating free programs:
Free Exhibitions
August 3, 2026 October 2, 2026 America/Chicago Ish Meets a Mermaid Register for the reception & artist talk, August 27 Ish Meets a Mermaid is a short film based on a reimagined Ojibwe story, directed by Jonathan Thunder, produced by Vera Bianchini, co-written by Tashia Hart, with cinematography by Jeff Saunders. This exhibition reveals the artistry of the cast and crew who brought Ish Meets a Mermaid to life. As viewers enter the exhibition, they are guided through the journey of the film’s creation with behind-the-scenes moments from production, original props, storyboards, costumes, and stories shared by the cast and crew, finishing with an in-gallery viewing of the film itself. By expanding our view outward from the finished product, the exhibition reveals the many layers of artistry, collaboration, vision, and labor required to produce a project like Ish Meets a Mermaid. This exhibition encourages the viewer to follow their curiosity about the process of filmmaking, and recognize the invisible creative work that goes into an art form as accessible as film. Artists Jonathan Thunder director, co-writer, and co-star Vera Bianchini producer Tashia Hart co-writer Read more about the artists in the sidebar Explore the audio tour, extended content, and ongoing virtual exhibition on Bloomberg Connects, the free arts and culture app. Part of our 2026 "We Hold These Truths" programming. Funding for this program provided by the National Endowment for the Arts. Duluth Art Institute
August 3, 2026 October 2, 2026 America/Chicago Send Flowers Send Flowers takes the postcard as its medium. A postcard, often overlooked as ephemera, becomes a centerpiece in the language of care and human relationship. This exhibition asks the viewers to notice visual language in their day to day—the billboard we pass by, or the digital consumption of art on our personal devices. Art surrounds us—let’s slow down and smell the flowers. Mailable postcards fill the gallery walls with an illustrated garden, each adorned with unique, hand-designed flowers, inviting viewers to pause, pluck their floral of choice, write a note on the back, and mail it off, sending a little piece of the exhibition to someone they love—all from within the gallery. The gesture recalls the universal symbolism of flowers and the lost art of hand-written mail. Transforming a small act of connection into a lasting, collaborative art experience. Explore the audio tour, extended content, and ongoing virtual exhibition on Bloomberg Connects, the free arts and culture app. Part of our 2026 "We Hold These Truths" programming. Funding for this program provided by the National Endowment for the Arts Send Flowers is made possible in part by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund. Duluth Art Institute
Free Events and Classes
2 events found.
Events
Art Night Out: Ish Meets a Mermaid
Meet the minds behind the mermaid at this Art Night Out celebrating not only the short film itself, but also the full breadth of artistry required in the production of a project like Ish Meets…
October Free ArtDAI
A beloved tradition. Stop in for a FREE, casual, creative art-making afternoon and learn to make simple, fun crafts that can be customized for artists of all ages. Craft handmade make-and-take essentials for an evening…