MacRostie Art Center’s History
1950's - Itasca Art Association
IAA was founded in the early 1950's as an informal painter’s club, made up of local artists from the Grand Rapid’s community.
1966 - IAA becomes a nonprofit
As more local artists became members of the IAA, the need for workshops and programming for artists became apparent. The group became a non-profit with the goal of supporting visual artists living and working in the Itasca area.
1991 - Ruth MacRostie’s Influence
Despite not being an artist herself, Ruth MacRostie was a huge supporter of the IAA and was a local community leader. She and her husband also owned a local jewelry store in Grand Rapids. In 1991, she generously bought and donated the old Grand Rapids Theater building (which has been many businesses over the years) to the IAA to house their operations. In her honor, the building and non-profit became the “MacRostie Art Center.” The change to an “Art Center” was reflective of the evolving group and enabled the non-profit to grow in more diverse ways.
Ruth MacRostie with Edna Schwartz speaking on equal rights for women. Grand Rapids Herald Review. November 29, 1971.
MAC Today
Regional Art Center
The MAC today is known for being a regional art center, featuring works from artists across northern Minnesota and beyond. MAC strives to feature both local and diverse artists. It is the only organization solely dedicated to the visual arts in the Itasca area - a distance that spans over a sixty-mile radius.
The MAC hosts over 20 exhibitions each year, both in its downtown location and in satellite galleries throughout the area. Artists are chosen in a collaborative process based on their submissions, written artist statement, and their work’s ability to challenge, inspire, and engage a broad audience.
As part of its mission to foster the development of the arts community, the MAC offers a variety of classes to help people from all levels of experience learn new techniques, promote connections amongst artists, and provide a space to create and connect in coursework led by talented local artists.
Art Shop
The art shop at MacRostie Art Center features work from over one hundred local artists. In addition to the three galleries in the building, the shop space allows local artists to display their work on consignment; creating opportunities for artists to have their work be seen and purchased.
Giinawind Space
The MAC acquired another gallery space in 2022 that is within the same building and has been named the Giinawind Creative Space. In the Ojibwe language, Giinawind is an inclusive pronoun that means “we/us together” The name was chosen to signify the vision for the space as a place where community can gather in a creative environment.
In addition to a gathering space, Giinawind highlights the work of Indigenous artists on its gallery walls and displays.
The space welcomes people from all walks of life, and includes a library, seating area, and a flexible space for everything from live music and artist talks to yoga and hands-on art workshops.
