Original art (and prints!) for sale

Paintings…drawings…ceramics…sculpture…original pieces and prints…we’ll have it all at Alight-A-Whirl.

With 100% of all sales benefiting the displaced families Alight works with, your art purchase will change lives.

Participating Artists

Come check-out artwork from local artists in Minnesota as well as refugee artists from Rwanda, Uganda and Ukraine! It’s an incredible opportunity to discover new artists and, at the same time help displaced families build a future after displacement. All proceeds from the sale of donated art will fund Alight’s work with refugee and displaced families around the world and in Minnesota.

Alight-A-Whirl: the process

Alight believes that a fulfilling life calls for the care of body, mind, and spirit, the experience of being and feeling safe, the peace of house and home, the pursuit of education, the dignity of work and financial security, and the experience of loving human connection. And this is what we aim to provide.

Get involved

You can make a difference for refugees and displaced people at Alight-A-Whirl 2026!

Submission Process

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Thank you to everyone who submitted! The 2026 submission process is now closed.

  • Original art (or prints of original art!) to be showcased and sold during Art-A-Whirl (May 15 – 17) were donated by artists between Feb 23 - May 1. We gladly accepted donations of artists' existing art pieces but extra appreciated art based on our theme - A shared future with safety, peace and dignity for all.  
  • The artists filled out this submission form for each original artwork piece they donated. This information will be provided to the collector at the time of purchase, giving them an opportunity to learn more about artist's work.
  • All submissions to be placed in the art sale, auction, or marketplace and sales are final
  • For questions, please contact Art@WeAreAlight.org

Submission Guidelines

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Thank you to everyone who submitted! The 2026 submission process is now closed.

  • Must be original art but can be in any format (Paintings, drawings, photography, handmade prints, pottery and ceramics, jewelry, fiber, wood art etc.)
  • Ideally ranging from 5”x7” to 24”x36”. Other pieces are not much bigger than a breadbox. Art pieces buyers can easily envision and fit in their homes and lives
  • Submissions were accepted between Feb 23rd and May 1st. All submissions are final.
  • For questions, please contact Art@WeAreAlight.org

Sponsorship

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Thousands of people visit Alight’s Minneapolis Hub in NE Minneapolis during Art-A-Whirl – it’s a great time for us to spotlight your support and generosity for the displaced. Sponsorship opportunities available. Contact Chris Kindler at chrisk@wearealight.org or 651 428 5955 to learn more.

For other general questions, please contact Art@WeAreAlight.org

Participating Artists

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Aahanaa Tibrewa | Adam Cox | Adam Turman | Alec Soth and Brad Zellar | Amanda Wirig | Amy Lange | Andrea Canter | Andrea Jankowski | Ann Gallick | Anna Palmquist / Star Girl Art | Araya Jensen | Arsene | Ashley Mary Art | Becky Jokela | Bekah Worley | Benchpressed Letterpress + Design| Beth Elliott | Beth Schmieg | Betty Tisel | Bigirimana Samuel | Binyam Raba |  Burlesque of North America | Caitlin Lempia-Bradford | Carolyn Kalter | Catherine L. Johnson | Cathlin McKenzie Larsen | Cathy Spengler | Chelsae Biggs | Clay Kalter | Denise Clemen | Ella Shillcox | Emma Irwin | Emer Griffin | Emily Percy | Erika Small | Florence Taitel | Francesca Miguieles | Hanyurwimfura Musafiri | Gayle Zoffer | Iradukunda Patrick | Jacquelyn Fay | Jacques Cyubahiro | Jennifer Davis | Jim Musil | Josie Winship | Kami Ink | Kaido Clay | Kathy Johnston | Kathy Louden | Kay Marcotte | Kevin Devine | Khal Makhoul | Kristen Sevig | Kristi EllisonKordula Coleman | Larissa Loden| Leanna Kemp Kristoff | Leslie Boyle-Milfoy | Lisa Congdon | Lisa Yednorowicz / Daughters & Suns | Lori Nyberg | Lori Radecki | Macumu Brume | Mariel Artworks | Merveil Bamungu | Mike Klein | Minha Ali | Munezero Innocent | Nanci Yermakoff | Nasrin Darwishi | Nataliia Koppes | Nazeefa Nezami | Ndungutse Alexies | NIYINZIGAMA Gabriel | Nyandja Arts | Nyiramahirwe Chantal | Olya Gaidamaka | Pam Mitman | Patrick Farrell | Patrick Riley | Paul Chaple | Priya ThoresenRachel Madden / Urban Crow Studio| Ramona Johnson | Rana Abdelshahed | Rebecca Thvedt | Rene Bille | Rick Baker | Rusaliya Abo | Sarah Edwards | Sarah Ivers | Sarah Sannes | Sarah Stevenson | Seamus Liam OBrien | Sheila Rabideaux | Stacy Barnes | Susan Taitel | Tia Keobounpheng | Tom Tyler | Usagi Kumihimo | Uwayisaba Sadiki | Vanessa Lucius Art | Vicki Hooper | Wendy Ezekiel |

Alight-A-Whirl Creator Toolkit: This toolkit is designed to help you share your participation in Alight–A–Whirl 2026 and invite your community into something meaningful.

For questions, please contact Art@WeAreAlight.org

Alight in action

in Jordan

6,000

young people enrolled in alternative education programs

70,000

Syrian refugees helped to recover from trauma

1,000

Syrian families supported through livelihoods activities

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