Past Events with ESAC

Featured Artist, Robyn Beth Priestley

East Side Arts Council presents Stitched Nature: Ecology in Cloth by Robyn Beth Priestley. She holds a B.S. in Biology/Art from Carroll University and an MFA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is an arts professional, a member of Project Art for Nature and the Lowertown Underground Artists Coop.

Opening Reception

Location: East Side Arts Council
Date: Thursday, May 1 from 6-7:30PM

Click here to view Robyn’s website

We hosted a Poetry Reading at the Dragon Garden located at Phalen Poetry Park, in memory of Kitty Anderson, one of the founding members of East Side Arts Council. There was poetry reading and music, along with some light refreshments.

Date & Time: July 31, 2025 from 6-7:30pm
Location: 1000 Wheelock Parkway, St. Paul, MN 55106
(Parking at Phalen Rec Center)

There were poetry readings by interested individuals who signed up with Mem Lloyd, who is a teaching artist, board member, active member of the garden and poetry readings for East Side Arts Council.

We thank her for her hard work!

East Side Arts Council had their Artmobile at Art in the Hollow and offered free youth art projects with Artist Janet Giles and ESAC staff Ida Streeto and Skyler Grubbs.

Art In The Hollow is an East Side Hidden Gem. Every first Saturday of summer, the woods and trails of Swede Hollow Park come alive with art, music, and community for one glorious day before returning to their natural beauty for the rest of the year.

The day included live performances, kids activities, food trucks and plein air painting. The event is always free to attend and open to the public!

ESAC exhibited the “Celebrating Creative Connections 2025” artwork from the Creative Connections for seniors 65+ program. This group exhibition featured a variety of handbuilt clay art, watercolor painting, and drawing. The classes are taught by artists: Mem Lloyd, Tamina Muhammad, and Sue Costello Sepulveda.

Abstract painter L’Andrae’ Bradley art exhibit was on view from December 5, 2024-February 28, 2025.

Bradley is a resident artist with Art@967 Payne — a studio space where he creates his work among other artists. He uses iconography referencing themes revolving around mortality, social justice, and impermanence.

Yang Yang is a Special Education teacher and photographer.

Yang’s exhibit revolves around the Hmong word “uv” which describes an emotion that one must persist through tough moments.

East Side Arts Council partnered with Art@967 for the past Solidarity 2024 Street Gallery.

This year’s theme was ‘MIGRATION & MEMORIES,’ acknowledging and celebrating that we all came from somewhere. About 60-70 visual artists, musicians, dancers, and poets shared their migration stories and cultural memories, weaving together a one-of-a-kind multi-cultural tapestry of all the people and communities who come together every day to live, work, shop and play in our neighborhood.

POETRY READING AT DRAGON GARDEN’S POETRY PARK

Join us for poetry reading in Poetry Park at Phalen.

Sunday, September 25, 2022 at 4:00PM that evening.

We’re looking for local poems to be added to our Dragon Garden poetry display. Submit your poems by emailing Camille at esac@eastsideartscouncil.org or calling (651) 774-5422.

Goolge Map location click here

We were a partner in the planning of SSG2022,

focused on the Southeast Asian community and the diaspora of culture and tradition.
ESAC was present on Saturday, Sept 10th from 12:00PM-5PM. Our Artmobile artist, Yang Mee-Moua Yang led art activities in the children's section from 1:00-4:00PM. We also handed out artboxes for kids ages 4-12.

ARTMOBILE 2022 has ended!

CHECK OUT OUR PHOTOS FROM THIS YEAR’S ARTMOBILE PROGRAM BELOW AND LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PROGRAM HERE! See you next year!

Art @ Home

Learn how to make your own Pikachu Fairy Garden with artist Yang Moua Yang! See the video on our Arts at Home Page.

Solidarity Street Gallery 2021

East Side Arts Council participated in Solidarity Street Gallery 2021 - a three-day art and cultural festival along Payne Avenue, held September 23-25. The event brought together artists, performers, poets, entrepreneurs, civic leaders, and the local community for important conversations about justice and equity.

ESAC had an art table at the event for youth to create their own art project and take it home. Check out the photos below!