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Alight-A-Whirl 2026 – supporting refugee communities through creativity

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Date
May 18, 2026
Alight-A-Whirl turned creativity into action, connecting artists and community members in support of displaced families worldwide.
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This past weekend, something beautiful happened at the Alight Minneapolis Hub.

Artists, neighbors, longtime supporters, and first-time visitors came together for Alight-A-Whirl – an amazing celebration of creativity, generosity and community, grounded in a simple belief: every person has a gift, and sharing those gifts can help build a better future for all of us. Alight-A-Whirl was part of Art-A-Whirl – the largest annual open studio art tour in the United States and a major event in Minnesota’s cultural calendar.

For three amazing days, our Minneapolis Hub became an art gallery, filled with paintings, ceramics, textiles, photography, sculpture, and mixed media art pieces donated by artists from Minnesota and around the world. Between May 15-17 we welcomed thousands of visitors, who came to admire (and purchase) the art, and to hear the stories behind it.  

As much as we would love to keep the art in our space for longer, we were also happy to see it find a new home, as every piece sold will help support displaced families — from neighbors rebuilding their lives in Minnesota to communities around the world navigating displacement with extraordinary courage and resilience.

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Stories from many places

Art lined the walls. Conversations stretched across cultures and experiences. Visitors wandered through stories told in paint, fabric, photography, sculpture, and mixed media — each piece reflecting a shared vision of safety, peace, and dignity for all.

Some of the contributed work came from far beyond Minneapolis. Powerful artwork from the Nyandja Arts Collective in Nakivale Refugee Settlement in Uganda has been delivered just in time for the event. Each item carried its own story of resilience, belonging, and possibility – a reminder that creativity transcends borders and connects us in deeply human ways.

“Our humanity is so interconnected. If we aren't lifting each other up whenever we have the chance, what are we doing here?” shared artist Bekah Worley, in response to the question that we asked each contributing artist: "What does supporting refugee communities mean to you?". Bekah’s words echoed throughout the weekend.  

That interconnectedness could be felt everywhere.

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Sharing the gifts

Artist Araya Jensen, who has supported Alight’s work for years, reflected on what continues to inspire her: “Every human is special and deserves to share their unique gifts with the world.”

At Alight, we often say that every person has a gift. Alight-A-Whirl brought that belief to life. Artists shared their talents. Volunteers gave their time. Community members showed up with generosity and curiosity. Some came because they’ve long believed in standing with displaced communities. Others wandered in during Art-A-Whirl and discovered a new way to be part of something bigger.

“It is a privilege to build genuine human connection – especially through the arts, where the shared value of beauty bridges cultures and tells stories beyond language – and to offer both compassionate presence and a commitment to justice so people locally and around the world can truly thrive” shared contributing artist Vanessa Lucius.  

Building forward

For many participating artists, supporting refugee communities felt deeply personal – grounded in shared humanity, lived experience, and the belief that safety and belonging should not depend on where someone was born.

“Refugees are our classmates, our coworkers, our neighbors. We take care of each other and build a stronger community together,” shared artist Leanna Kemp Kristoff.

This is what made Alight-A-Whirl feel so meaningful: it wasn’t just about art on walls. It was about people showing up for one another.

Across Minnesota, refugee and immigrant communities help shape neighborhoods, schools, businesses, culture, and everyday life. Across the globe, displaced families continue to rebuild amid immense uncertainty. Alight-A-Whirl created a small but powerful bridge between those realities, reminding us that solidarity can be local and global at the same time.

“Supporting refugee communities means making sure 'everyone' actually means everyone. Fleeing from violence, danger, hardship and everything they've ever known... these communities are fighting to survive every single day. Art doesn't fix everything, but it can help fund the people who do.” shared contributing artist Ali Spagnola. This weekend helped make it happen: translating creativity into compassionate care.

We did it together

To every artist who donated work: thank you for sharing your gifts.

To the global artists and artisans who trusted us with pieces carrying stories of resilience, dignity, and possibility: thank you.

To our volunteers, supporters, and neighbors who helped transform the Minneapolis Hub into a place of welcome all weekend long: thank you.

And to everyone who stopped in: whether you purchased a piece, shared a conversation, or simply came curious – thank you for being part of this community.

Because of you, Alight-A-Whirl became more than a fundraiser. It became a reminder of who we can be for one another: people willing to create, celebrate, and act together for a shared future with safety, peace, and dignity for all.

The gallery lives on

If you didn’t get a chance to join us for Alight-A-Whirl, there’s still time to be part of it. Many incredible pieces of art are still available for purchase, and every sale will support displaced families locally and around the world. Visit our online gallery to explore the collection, discover the stories behind the work, and bring home a piece of art that helps build a shared future rooted in safety, peace, and dignity for all. Browse the gallery here: Alight-A-Whirl Art Market & Alight-A-Whirl Art Market #2.

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