Minneapolis gallerist David Petersen and Brooklyn-based painter Jesse Willenbring are transforming the David Petersen Gallery into DPG Rec, a pop-up recreation center inspired by childhood summers. The space will feature artworks by Marcus Jahmal, Natalie Mazzaral, Wing Young Huie, KingDemetrius Pendleton, and Char Jeré, alongside activities like a 5K run, cribbage tournament, and dice games. The opening day on Saturday includes a 10 a.m. run and a 2–4 p.m. party with grilled hot dogs.
The project matters because it reimagines the gallery as a community meeting place, directly responding to the neighborhood's recent trauma—including the murder of George Floyd blocks away and heightened ICE activity on Cedar Avenue. By blending art with recreation and communal gathering, Petersen and Willenbring aim to create a space for connection and healing, addressing the challenge of how art can engage with politics and cultural moments without being insensitive.