One of the country’s most respected screen printing and design studios, Burlesque of North America, also runs an art gallery one floor above its offices in Northeast Minneapolis.⁣ Co-founders Mike Davis and Wes Winship (the latter of whom is pictured below, working on a David Bowie painting during the final day of Art-A-Whirl 2019) opened CO Exhibitions in the summer of 2010 with the help of Joseph Belk’s Permanent Art & Design Group.

True to its roots in graffiti writing and underground hip-hop, the 2,500-square-foot space has blurred the lines between art and music since its debut show: a survey of Doomtree visuals, including concert flyers, stage props, and photography. Other exhibitions have featured the influential work of heavy-metal frontmen (Converge’s Jacob Bannon and Baroness’ John Baizley) and the many potent artists who made Speedboat Gallery St. Paul’s most beloved punk venue from 1988 to 1994. ⁣

The opening night of spring 2019’s ARTSET show doubled as the kickoff party for Rhymesayers‘ massive Soundset festival, which celebrated its 12th anniversary over Memorial Day weekend. More than 20 members of the gallery’s extended family—including Votan, Caves, Ryoe, PrettyHard, and Andrew Broder—will remain on view through June 14, every weekday from 12 to 5 p.m.

CO Exhibitions
1101 NE Stinson Blvd., Minneapolis, MN; 612-379-4151.