Waterstop is an infoshop and creative community space in downtown Duluth, Minnesota offering free/low-cost classes in the creative arts, family and popular education events, and a place for people of all ages and backgrounds to begin, belong, become, beautify, believe: BE.

 

Address

20 North 2nd Avenue East
Duluth, MN 55802

Follow Waterstop
socials for updates

Help sustain free/low-cost community offerings through our parent org Emergent Seas

Waterstop is Looking for Artist Members!

Waterstop Artist Members (WAM) have free access to WAM Jams (open studio time) and storage space in exchange for offering community events, work-trade, or other in-kind donations.

Ongoing 2025 Events

  • AlleyCraft Community Art Session

    Wednesdays, 3:30-5:30pm

    An all-ages community art session with upcycled supplies. Come make different crafts from journals and jackets to jazzcrafts and junkart. Local artists guide you from trash to treasure. Pay-what-you-can (suggested donation $5).

  • Open Dojo

    Sundays, 9am-12pm & Fridays, 6-9pm

    Community martial arts practice (no instruction included). Come practice forms, one-steps, and light sparring in a supportive environment. Pay-what-you-can (suggested donation $5). Youth under 15 must be accompanied by an adult.

  • Paint 'n' Slurp Community Art Session

    Second & Fourth Thursdays, 3:30-5:30pm

    An all-ages community art session with cup noodles! Come fill your stomach while you fill your canvas. Bring your own toppings. Cup noodles and paint supplies provided. Pay-what-you-can (suggested donation $5).

  • Midnight Mayhem Community Art Session

    First Saturdays, 8pm-2am

    Late night community art session for those looking to burn the midnight oil. Bring your burning project and best art supplies. Free and open to all mischief-makers over 18.

  • Art Salon

    Third Tuesdays, 3-6pm

    Come give and receive supportive feedback on creative works-in-progress. Art salons are great ways to deepen your creative practice, whether you’re an emerging artist, professional artist, or you don’t even identify as an artist! All mediums are welcome—painting, drawing, writing, ceramics, sculpture, music, photography, collage, dance, theater, education, fiber arts, fashion, food art, etc. Bring a piece of your work to share or come to create community. For access and/or set up needs, contact Angel at angelinapeluso@gmail.com.

  • Community Sharing Circle

    Fourth Sundays, 1-3pm

    Facilitated gatherings where participants sit in a circle and take turns sharing what’s on their heart. Community Sharing Circles provide a safe space for people to share their stories in a non-judgmental and supportive environment. Free and open to all.

  • Food Not Bombs

    Fourth Sundays, 4-6pm

    Free mutual aid potluck at the Clayton Jackson McGhee Memorial (East 1st St & North 2nd Ave). Bring food, clothing, and hygiene items to share. Volunteers and donations welcome. For more info email fnbduluth@gmail.com.

Other Upcoming Events

  • "Where is my mind?" Emergent Seas Film Club

    Second & Fourth Saturdays, February 8 – July 26 | 7-9pm

    An Emergent Seas research series that unravels the madness of our time. “Where is my mind?” takes place on the second and fourth Saturday of each month, and includes a film screening followed by a critical conversation. Pay-what-you-can (suggested $5-20) –no one turned away for lack of funds. Open to all curious minds (recommended ages 15+). Kids activities and popcorn provided.

  • Authentic Movement Workshop

    Mondays, April 7 – May 12 | 5:30-7:30pm

    Discover a form of expressive movement therapy that provides an inner self-directed approach to unpremeditated, genuine, or "authentic" movement. Learn more and register here.

  • Deep Listening Sessions

    Wednesdays, February 5 – March 26 | 6:30-7:30pm

    A modality that includes “bodywork, sonic meditations, and interactive performance, as well as listening to the sounds of daily life, nature, one’s own thoughts, imagination, and dreams.” Attendees are welcome to bring along a preferred instrument or notebook to sessions, which are facilitated by Jess Morgan. Contact jesscribe.the.vibe@gmail.com for more information.

    Jess Morgan is a fiscal year 2024 recipient of a Creative Individuals grant from the Minnesota State Arts  Board. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the  Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

  • Via Negativa: Physical Theatre & The Bare Soul

    Every Other Friday, March 21–May 30, 2025 | 3-5pm

    A 6-week physical theatre course introducing participants to a range of Grotowski-inspired movement techniques aimed to liberate us from self-limiting thoughts and behaviors. Spilling beyond the boundaries of ourselves, we will develop tools for improvisation, dip into character play, and explore entire worlds lying beneath the surface. Learn more and register here.

  • Media And Its Discontents: A Carnival Course on Art, Power, and Popular Resistance

    Thursdays, September 18 – November 6 | 6-9pm

    An 8-week carnival symposium on the post-history of art in the electric age, an emergency roadmap for liberation from our technological masters, and an introductory course to a post-internet studies curriculum. Learn more and register here.

Make Waterstop Your Space

Hold your meeting, class, private session, or community event at Waterstop! Rates range from $0 (with work trade) to $40/hr. Inquire at waterstopspace@gmail.com.

Waterstop is Always Looking for Material Donations:

  • Cardboard (tubes/rolls, boxes)

  • Clean Plastic (containers, bottles, bags, straws, hangers)

  • Clothing (new, used, worn) & Fabric Scraps

  • Odds & Ends (buttons, ribbon, string, shoelaces, single socks/gloves)

  • Shelf-Stable Food

    Donations can be dropped anytime by the front entrance.

Page Art Credits:

Waterstop logo by Josif Nieto