Breaking New Ground: Minneapolis' First-Ever Live Art Critique
- Kasey Robinson
- Mar 18
- 2 min read
Updated: Apr 4
On March 6, 2025, Studio 42 Events (Mpls) hosted the first-ever live art critique in Minneapolis at Driven Dreams Studios, bringing together artists, judges, and the community for a night of bold discussions and artistic discovery.
History Made: Minneapolis' First Live Art Critique
The room buzzed with raw, bold conversations and unfiltered interactions. Some critiques and reactions to the art were so powerful they left the space in complete silence—forcing everyone to sit with the moment, absorb the words, and reflect on the deeper meaning behind the work.
Meet the Judges
This event featured a powerhouse panel of judges, each bringing their own unique flair. Jandeltha Rae, a gifted lyricist, poet, and spoken word artist, uses her voice to amplify the Black experience, advocate for social justice, and celebrate womanhood and love. Joseph "Juice" Sutton, a comedian and the in-game host for both the Minnesota Wild and Minnesota Twins, kept the energy high with his quick wit and infectious charisma. Rounding out the panel was Sophia S., a local social media influencer and community relations manager who excels at telling compelling stories and elevating Minneapolis brands. With this dynamic trio at the helm, and hosted by Ramsey Sorrells, the event was nothing short of unforgettable!
The Artists and the Winner...
The art line-up was nothing less than impressive. Artists included Flahn Manly, Adrian Lowe (theloweend), Laura Marie, Jaali Griffin (JIGzArt), and Aleya Berry. Each artist brought one painting to display. Our host for the evening, Ramsey Sorrells, revealed one painting at a time, and the crowd had the opportunity to rate the art that was revealed to them. After collecting the judges scores, and the audiences scores, the winning artist of the first-ever, Everyone's a Critic, was the talented oil painter, Laura Marie. (If you have Instagram, please be sure to give her a follow).
As the night came to a close, one thing was clear—art isn’t just something we see; it’s something we feel, debate, and experience together. Everyone's a Critic wasn’t just about critiquing art; it was about conversation, connection, and pushing creative boundaries. Whether you were a judge, an artist, or part of the audience, you left with a new perspective and maybe even a little inspiration to see art—and criticism—in a whole new light.
Until next time, keep the conversations going, keep questioning, and remember—Everyone’s a Critic, and that’s what keeps art alive! We want to extend a thank you to Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder as well for their lovely article supporting our event before we ever took flight. Their news article prior to the event can be found here.
