This weekend downtown will be crawling with artists, art lovers, probably a few artists’ lovers and maybe even several love artists. Okay, I’ve carried this far enough…

…but seriously, there’s a lot going on.

First, let me avoid last week’s mistake by saying if you havent seen Jill Enesvedt’s latest show at Art-On-Water (217 South Water Street), check it and dont be stopped by a little construction signage on the 3rd/4th Street Bridge.

Friday, May 12th, NORTHFIELD READS! Meet Minnesota author Lorna Landvik Friday, May 12 at 7 p.m. downtown at the Northfield Arts Guild (304 Division Street). The featured title will be her new paperback Oh My Stars. I met Lorna at a barbecue at Wendy Smith’s house one time and she was a real kick. (You can see how I make my decisions about artists.) This event is an exciting partnership sponsored by the Northfield Public Library, Carleton Bookstore, River City Books & St. Olaf Bookstore, be sure not to miss it. For more information, see Kathy Ness’ entry on northfield.org.

Also continuing at the Northfield Arts Guild is the Karl Malone Slam Dunk Challenge, a show by St. Olaf Apprentices and Carleton Interns. It is an exciting sampling of the work of emerging professional artists.

Saturday, May 13th, at ArtOrg, it’s Broadsides, a two-week exhibit of poetry and prose letterpress-printed by Scott King, (200 Division Street). Scott is an artist from Red Wing with a reputation for illustrating poetry using centuries-old processes.

Up on the hills, there are the Seniors Exhibit at both colleges. At St. Olaf, it’s the Flaten Art Museum, located in Dittmann Center. At Carleton, it’s spread throughout the College Art Gallery, Hulings and Boliou Hall. I might check that out just to get a better look at Rob Oden with art in his pocket.

Finally, again on Saturday, in the flowering of another exhibition space in Northfield, local notables Mary Rossing and Leanne Stremcha strut their stuff at Swag (423 Division Street). Mary is showing colorful acrylic paintings of land and seascapes inspired by the history and culture of Mexico. Leanne is offering wearable art that explores the connections of cultures through old and new iconography. This show is sure to be the destination for Northfield’s smart set.

So, westside, northside, southside, or central, (or up on the surrounding hills), Downtown Northfield is where the art is happening.