NORTH MANKATO — Families, children and community members of all ages are invited to experience an evening of creativity, imagination and hands-on fun during Art + Play, the second event in the CityArt in the Alley summer series.

Taking place Thursday, June 18, from 4 to 7 p.m. in the alley behind NaKato Bar & Grill, the free event features interactive art activities, live demonstrations, music, creative play opportunities and public art experiences designed to engage participants of all ages.

Presented by Gene Biewen and Noel Van Tol, CityArt in the Alley was created by Twin Rivers Council for the Arts and its CityArt program to activate the Belgrade Avenue corridor during the 2026 reconstruction project. The four-event series transforms the alleyway into a vibrant public gathering space filled with art, experiences and community connection throughout the summer.

“Art + Play is all about encouraging creativity, exploration and imagination,” said Stacey Straka, CityArt Committee Chair. “Whether you’re building a puppet, making a print, helping paint a mural or simply watching artists at work, we want families to experience the joy of creating together.”

Featured activities include:

Music Creation Station — Instrument-building crafts and music jams for kids, babies, toddlers and adults hosted by St. Paul’s and Jesus Loves Me Learning Center.

• Antique Printing Press Demonstrations and Make + Take — Craig Kotasek of Tin Can Valley Printing Co. will demonstrate an antique letterpress printing press and guide participants through creating their own print while learning how printing was done before the digital era.
• Live Painting by Noel Van Tol — Watch one of the series’ presenting sponsors create artwork live throughout the event.
• Not-A-Box Arty Fort Building Station — Inspired by the beloved children’s book Not A Box by Antoinette Portis, the Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota will lead the creation of a large cardboard fort that families can build, decorate and expand throughout the evening. Guests can also create recycled art projects to take home.
• Sunnyside Puppeteers and Puppet Make + Take — Presented by Sidetracked, participants can explore a variety of puppet-making techniques, including felt, papier-mâché and fabric construction. All materials are provided and participants can take their creations home.
• Build, Bend and Sculpt Station — Create a sculpture using everyday materials and take it home. Participants will also help continue construction of the community Spin & Sculpt sculpture project that began during the inaugural CityArt in the Alley event in May with the painting of slumped records.
• CityArt in the Alley Community Mural Live Painting — Artists Dana Sikkila and Dinah Langsjoen will begin work on the large-scale CityArt in the Alley Community Mural on the exterior wall of NaKato Bar & Grill. Visitors will have the opportunity to observe the creative process and youth participants can try their hand at mural painting on an adjacent practice panel. The CityArt in the Alley Community Mural is underwritten by The Marian Anderson Fund of the Mankato Area Foundation.
• North Mankato Taylor Library Bookmobile — The North Mankato Taylor Library Bookmobile will be onsite, offering books, resources and activities for children and families.

Art + Play is free and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to park nearby and explore the alleyway as it continues to evolve throughout the summer with new artwork, installations and community-created projects.

More information and the full summer schedule can be found at https://cityartmankato.com/cityart-in-the-alley-2026/.