In MSP, we certainly know how to keep busy, stay intellectually and creatively stimulated, and promote community growth—whatever the weather. In arts and culture this month, we kick off the New Year with a furry feminist art takeover, Joseph Haj’s directorial debut at the Guthrie, the Creative Enterprise Zone’s new “We Make It Here” series and SooVAC’s annual art sale. Bundle up and go!
 
 
Guerrilla Girls Twin Cities Takeover
Begins January 21-22
Various prices and venues
Minneapolis and St. Paul
ggtakeover.com
 
The art world’s masked avengers—the New York-based Guerrilla Girls—take over the Twin Cities beginning in January and intend to seriously shake up the local arts scene. Famously (and infamously) anonymous artists and activists, the Guerrilla Girls don gorilla masks and adopt the names of famous women artists in order to lead interventions focused on exposing sexism and racism in the art world, politics and pop culture. In fact, their posters, billboards, books, videos, lectures and events have been turning patriarchy on its head for more than 30 years.
 
The Guerrilla Girls Twin Cities Takeover launches January 21-22 with events at Minneapolis College of Art and Design, the Minneapolis Institute of Art and the Walker Art Center. Hopping on the takeover bandwagon are more than 30 arts and cultural organizations in the Twin Cities, which are hosting satellite exhibitions. In Minneapolis, Kolman & Pryor Gallery transformed part of its gallery space for the exhibition “No Boys Allowed” and Highpoint Center for Printmaking hosts a collection of work by women printmakers from Mexico.
 
In St. Paul, the Minnesota Museum of American Art has assembled pieces by five American female artists working at the interstices of craft and sculpture. The takeover culminates in a talk and performance with the Guerrilla Girls at the State Theatre in downtown Minneapolis on March 5. For more information, visit Guerrilla Girls Twin Cities Takeover.
 
 
Pericles
Begins January 16
$15-$29
Guthrie Theater, Minneapolis
612-377-2224, guthrietheater.org
 
The Guthrie’s new artistic director, Joseph Haj, makes his much-anticipated directorial debut with this production of Shakespeare’s action-packed romance. Widely hailed as a refreshing and intelligent take on the timeless play, Haj’s version reportedly charts the hero’s voyage through time and place, tragedy and triumph, youth and maturity in a way that resonates with the world’s current refugee crisis.
 
 
Get Lucky 2016
January 23, 7-11 p.m.
$35-$55
SooVAC, Minneapolis
612-871-2263, soovac.org
 
SooVAC’s annual gala art sale (which raises funds for the gallery) is a stellar way to bring art, conviviality and community into your New Year. Naturally, food and beverages are provided by such local food startups as 2 Gingers Whiskey, Chowgirls Killer Catering and The Third Bird to keep you fueled and on your feet while perusing paintings, sculpture and mixed-media work by SooVAC artists.
Among those artists are Chris Larson, Kate Iverson, Areca Roe, Paula McCartney, David Rathman, Tara Costello and dozens more. A richer array of media, style and perspective can’t be found elsewhere.
 
 
Creative Enterprise Zone “We Make It Here” Mixer
January 28, 5-8 p.m.
Free
Collective Spaces, St. Paul
cspaces.org
 
This month, the Creative Enterprise Zone, in the St. Anthony Park Neighborhood of St. Paul, launches a series of meet-and-greet events celebrating creativity in the area. The kick-off event is a mixer in the Midway Commercial Building, which is home to a vibrant community of textile artists, makers and businesses. Who knew? Now you do! MSP’ers are well aware of the Textile Center down the street, of course. But just east down University Avenue a growing group of costume makers, textile artisans, couture designers, creators of fantastical outfits for cosplay and Comic Con, and industrial sewing students have been hard at work creating a community. You’re invited to see what they do.