Celebrate ‘Holidays on Nicollet’ with the U of M Libraries!

Take in the magic of the holidays downtown by browsing and shopping at locally owned small businesses. While you’re there, take in 10 window storefronts transformed into holiday displays created by Minneapolis-based artists — including an exhibit of four windows showcasing Dayton’s historic holiday displays, created using materials from the University Libraries’ Performing Arts Archives.

As part of the mpls downtown council’s “Holidays on Nicollet,” 10 artists have transformed 10 downtown window storefronts into holiday displays using figurines from the old Dayton’s 8th floor. Darren Terpstra, an artist and the Libraries Exhibit Designer, is one of the 10, and he also used materials from the Libraries’ Jack Edwards Collection to create four historic displays — all located in the Dayton’s skyway. Edwards was a costumer at the Guthrie Theater for many years, who in 1991 began creating the costumes for the animatronic characters in the Dayton’s Holiday Display.

“Holidays on Nicollet” is an effort to provide an enjoyable downtown shopping and dining experience for people over the holidays. It runs from Nov. 24 through Jan. 5, 2024.

Photos by Tim Carroll

About Darren Terpstra

Darren Terpstra is an artist/designer whose work comprises graphic art, painting, sculpting, photography, and exhibit curation. He is a native of Minnesota where he also received his formal education in visual communication. Darren has been working professionally in the corporate and academic world of art, theater, and design for over 30 years.

His current work with the University of Minnesota Libraries Archives and Special Collections gives him the ability to elevate educational exhibits and outreach with the creative energy and verve of an artist.

• Meet all 10 artists

Where and when to go

“Holidays on Nicollet” includes shopping locations at 50 South 6th Street, City Center, IDS Center, and U.S. Bancorp Center. About 70 vendors will offer a variety of products including clothing, jewelry, gifts, and more beginning Nov. 24. Plus, browse and shop at all of the Chameleon Shoppes locations. Pop-Up Holiday Store hours are Tuesdays through Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., from Nov. 24 – Jan. 5.

Locations for the “Holidays on Nicollet” storefront window displays include:

• 60 South 6th Street, City Center (2 locations)
• Gaviidae Common
• IDS Center
• Meet Minneapolis Visitor Information
• The Dayton’s Project
• U.S. Bancorp Center
• Young Quinlan (Strive Bookstore)

Sponsors of ‘Holidays on Nicollet’

“Holidays on Nicollet” is produced by the mpls downtown council in partnership with Hennepin Theatre Trust and the City Arts & Cultural Affairs Department, with support from Meet Minneapolis, the Minnesota Orchestra, The Dayton’s Project, Ryan Companies, and the University of Minnesota Libraries’ Archives and Special Collections.

More about “Holidays on Nicollet”