Urban Art Village launches on Lake St.

With Urban Art Village, I aim to continue this work by creating a space where art and communitycan come together.”

Luis Fitch

Audio

Urban Art Village Launches on Lake St.mp3

The heart of East Lake Street will come alive this summer with the launch of Urban Art Village, a groundbreaking, artist-led outdoor marketplace and cultural gathering space. Kicking off on Saturday, June 14, and running through Oct.18, 2025, the Urban Art Village will transform the lot at 730 East Lake Street into a vibrant creative hub showcasing BIPOC, Latinx, Indigenous, LGBTQ+, immigrant, disabled, and emerging artists.
The Urban Art Village was supported by Lake Street Lift, an initiative made possible through funding from DEED and the City of Minneapolis, in partnership with the Lake Street Council and the Graves Foundation.
As part of this initiative, the Urban Art Village will host 10 unique art market events on select Saturdays, celebrating local creativity, culture, and community. Participation is completely free for artists, and they keep 100% of their sales. The event is also free and open to the public, welcoming everyone to experience local art, culture, and creativity in an inclusive and family-friendly environment.
This immersive experience centers around five custom-painted shipping containers, used as pop-up galleries, creative workshop spaces, and vendor stalls – creating an engaging, low-impact outdoor community space.
Check it out on June 28, July 12 and 26, Aug. 9 and 23, Sept. 6 and 20, and Oct. 4 and 18, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. it is free for artists to participate, and free for the public to attend.
“I have a deep and personal connection to Lake Street as an artist whose vibrant culture and diverse community have long inspired me,” says Mexican artist Luis Fitch. “I started my first studio at Mercado Central 25 years ago, and ever since, I’ve created public art installations in the area that celebrate its identity and bring beauty to its public spaces. With Urban Art Village, I aim to continue this work by creating a space where art and community can come together – a place rooted in accessibility, cultural heritage, and shared creativity.”
Urban Art Village is a community-based art activation created to uplift and support BIPOC, Latinx, Indigenous, LGBTQ+, immigrant, disabled, and emerging artists in Minneapolis. With a focus on equity, accessibility, and cultural celebration, the Village provides a platform for artists to exhibit, sell, and connect—all in an inclusive, outdoor environment that’s free for both creators and the community.