Art Gallery
Art Gallery

Need to get warmed up from the inside out this weekend? Check out the latest installment of the OmniMatter Pop-Up art show at the Mankato Makerspace, Sunday, January 13th from 1-4 pm.

A Dream Becomes Reality

Photo by Abby Daleki. Art by Cassandra Labairon on display at the first official OmniMatter pop-up event at Mogwai Collaborative.
Photo by Abby Daleki – Art by Cassandra Labairon on display at the first official OmniMatter pop-up event at Mogwai Collaborative.

Artist Abby Daleki is passionate about growing and supporting artists in the Mankato region. “This past February, I was living on the East Coast dreaming about what types of things I could stir up when I moved back to Mankato,” she said. “I had the idea of having pop-up art shows.”

“I tend to get excited about social events, especially involving art,” Daleki said. “So, when I brought my idea to my friends on social media, a lot of them were ecstatic! I was thrilled to find out that what I was pushing for was needed — space for artists to show their work!”

As Daleki continued to share her idea with fellow artists, it gained traction. Mankato artist, Melissa Ketchum, founder of Twin Rivers Movers + Shakers, caught the vision. The two collaborated on weaving the pop-up show into a larger idea. The first Sunday Art Social, a collaborative event to bring artists together, was held in October at Red Rocks.

I want to provide a platform to any and all artists who feel they don’t show their work enough, who don’t have access to a gallery or museum, or who have never shown before and want to start


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What is the OmniMatter Pop-Up Show?

Daleki explained, “OmniMatter pop-up events are run by and for artists. Each artist who is a part of the event must provide the means to display their own work. If it’s a painting, they could use an easel, table, or some apparatus to hang it from. If the lighting at the location isn’t good, they provide a light source.

“Everyone brings food or drink to share,” she said. “The events end up being a potluck because we all know that free food and drink bring in the crowds!”

Monthly Events

Photo Courtesy of OmniMattter Pop-Up Shows - Group of artists from the Mogwai Collaborative pop-up even in November, 2018.
Photo Courtesy of OmniMattter Pop-Up Shows – Group of artists from the Mogwai Collaborative pop-up event in November, 2018.

Daleki is planning a monthly pop-up event in different locations.

“November was our first official, stand-alone, pop-up event at Mogwai Collaborative,” she explained. “Due to a snow storm, the December show at The Mankato Makerspace was canceled. The January location fell through, however, so we’ll do the January pop-up event at the Makerspace. The artists that were to be in December’s show will team up with the artists for the January show to have a mega pop-up event!”

The February event will be at ARTifact on Sunday the 10th from noon to 4 pm. March’s event is still to be determined.

I never thought my dream would be relevant, but it seems as though it is!

A Heart for Art

Daleki explained her desire for the shows, “I want to provide a platform to any and all artists who feel they don’t show their work enough, who don’t have access to a gallery or museum, or who have never shown before and want to start. Mankato has an excellent community of artists that I am so lucky to be a part of. I never thought my dream would be relevant, but it seems as though it is!”

All pop-up events are free to attend!

You can register for future shows or read more about OmniMatter here.

Additional Links

Melissa Ketchum and the Twin Rivers Movers + Shakers
ARTifact on MankatoLIFE
Red Rocks on MankatoLIFE