Art Adventures in Minneapolis

Posted on by The Wandering Art Historian

One of the things I love most about exploring a new city is when it surprises you with ART and Minneapolis, MN had something astounding and new around every corner.

Of course, in every major city there are the tried and true art institutions that beckon all travelers, art enthusiasts, and museum nerds. The Walker Art Center has a grand selection of modern and contemporary artworks and routinely showcases rising artists that challenge viewers’ perception of what art can be.

The Ways of Knowing exhibition included multiple large scale installations that welcomed visitors into the art space and included them in the artists’ stories.

This Must Be the Place explored the theme of “home” through a survey of pieces from the permanent collection. I saw a few works by some of the artists I regularly discuss in my lectures. Do you recognize any of these artists?

Edward Hopper

Franz Marc

Alice Neel

Ana Mendieta

I especially loved this stand-alone mirrored sculpture by Yayoi Kusama titled “Passing Winter.” Special thanks to my lovely husband for helping demonstrate Kusama’s Infinity Room effect.

The Minneapolis Sculpture Garden is home to iconic pieces like Claes Oldenburg’s and Coosje van Bruggen’s “Spoonbridge and Cherry” and the “Hahn/Cock” by Katharina Fritsch.

There are 60+ artworks on view to the public by a variety of artists, some better-known than others, but all of them superb.

Whenever I’m wandering a big city (or even a small town) I am always on the lookout for murals and Minneapolis did not disappoint!

Minneapolis really kept this wandering art historian on her toes because art kept popping up in unexpected places!

“Luminous Current” at the Guthrie Theater

Bronze sculptures along the riverfront.

Recognition of artistic contributions to the educational displays at the Mill City Museum. I’ve never seen artists celebrated quite like this by a museum/historical site and it made me so, so happy!

A collection of sculptures outside city hall.

At the Minnesota Center for Book Arts I discovered a fantastic combination of sculpture and literature.

I also stumbled upon fun and quirky art experiences, like this penny press…

Not to be outdone by the city itself, the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport has a program called Arts@MSP that celebrates creativity and imagination with artworks and live performances throughout the airport. This ensures that whether you are flying into or out of Minneapolis, ART will always be there to send you on your way and welcome you back home.

To learn more about the places mentioned in this post, please visit…

The Walker Art Center

https://walkerart.org/

Minneapolis Sculpture Garden

https://walkerart.org/visit/garden/

Minnesota Center for Book Arts

https://mnbookarts.org/

Arts@MSP

Arts@MSP

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The Wandering Art Historian's avatar
I am writer and artist with a degree in art history who loves to talk to people about art. I have spent the last seven years building up The Wandering Art Historian “brand” as a way to connect with people who want to learn more about art. I give lectures and presentations and teach classes and host book club discussions with a creative or artistic connection. I also write about local artists, events, museums, and exhibitions to promote the arts in Central Florida. In 2021, I had a creative crisis. I struggled with authenticity in the art making process. I decided to make myself vulnerable and find out what a real, genuine Adrienne H. Lee artwork would look like. The process was challenging and emotional and revelatory. I learned that if necessity is the mother of invention, then authenticity is the mother of reinvention. I reinvented myself and learned an entirely new medium. The resulting artwork surprised me, and it will surprise you, too. Some people wish for a fairytale ending. For me, the fairy tale is only the beginning.