The Grand Rapids Area Community Foundation (GRACF) invites the community to its second First Friday event this year, part of the annual Seeds of Change campaign. Join them on Friday, June 6, 2025, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Community Foundation office, 350 NW 1st Avenue, Suite E, Grand Rapids, Minnesota, for a special First Friday Art Walk gathering.
The event will feature a Retrospective Exhibit by area artist Susan Clandon. “’Every child is an artist,’ said Picasso. For me, as a “grown up,” painting is a path of curiosity, discovery and wonder to share with others. This show includes a wide range of landscapes and figures, mostly acrylic paintings, large and small, all at very accessible prices, and also cards. My sincere thanks to GRACF for hosting me at the June 6 First Friday Art Walk reception,” says Susan Clandon.
Susan’s paintings will be on show and on sale throughout the month of June.
Guests can also enjoy live music by Dan Rigoni of Rapids Radio from 4:30-6:30 p.m., along with beverages and appetizers from Triple C Company.
Bouquets of spring flowers from North in Bloom will also be available again for purchase, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Seeds of Change campaign.
This year, GRACF is highlighting four Field of Interest Funds: Fund for Animals – Supporting animal welfare initiatives; Katherine T. Dodge Fund for the Arts – Enhancing arts and culture opportunities; Fund for the Environment – Protecting and preserving local natural resources; and the Fund for Women – Empowering women and girls in the community.
These endowed funds offer long-term, sustainable support to local nonprofits through GRACF’s annual grant cycle. By contributing to these funds, you help grow their impact, ensuring more dollars are available year after year to support vital programs in our community.
Once again, GRACF has received a generous $1,000 matching gift for the Seeds of Change campaign. Donations made between June 6 and the next First Friday event in August will be matched, dollar for dollar, up to $1,000! (The first $1,000 match was met at the April First Friday event—thank you to everyone who gave!)
For more information about the Seeds of Change campaign and to donate, go to the Grand Rapids Area Community Foundation website gracf.org and click on the Seeds of Change page.
