Fine-art galleries and museum exhibitions are thinking big
Across St. Paul and the Twin Cities, fine-art curators and gallerists are living large.
Sometimes this is literal: At The Museum of Russian Art, an exhibition aims to showcase the largest canvases curators could track down. The Minneapolis Institute of Art's major exhibition, showcasing art owned by musicians Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz, is titled 'Giants.'
But the focus on going big is figurative, too. A cool show at the Minnesota Museum of American Art explores portraits as mirror-reflections of our emotions and relationships more broadly; at Calendula Gallery, photographer Jared Arvin explores the expansiveness of St. Paul at night.
And speaking of growing — or thinking small? — conceptual art gallery Night Club, which for a while was downtown thanks to a program offering free rent for vacant storefronts, is moving to a pocket-sized spot in the North End. Less square-footage, more ambition; look for a late summer or fall opening.
This guide is organized as follows: Shows for your spring calendar (openings and closings), shows for your summer calendar (openings and closings) and shows that remain on view throughout the spring and summer months.
April 4, Book Arts Exhibition — Friedli Gallery: This is the fourth annual exhibition of artist books, paper sculptures, boxes, letterpress, and other printed works curated by local artist Erin Maurelli. The opening reception (free) is from 6 to 8 p.m. April 4, and the show runs through May 31; 943 W. Seventh St.
April 12, 'Monumental Soviet Paintings' — The Museum of Russian Art: If there's one thing you probably know about Russia or the former U.S.S.R., it's that it's a big place. Turns out, Soviet artists created big paintings to match. This exhibition showcases 'some of the largest paintings from the Soviet era that TMORA could unearth in private American collections,' the museum says. So as not to overwhelm you, though, don't worry: 'A few smaller canvases are also on view.' Museum entrance is $14 for adults, $12 for seniors, $5 for students, free for kids and members; 5500 Stevens Ave., Minneapolis.
April 12, The Plywood Quilt — St. Catherine University: In the West Gallery from April 12 to May 17, the Plywood Quilt project consists of 12-inch-by-12-inch plywood panels painted by community members between 2022 and 2025, particularly in response to racial justice movements. From 5 to 7 p.m. on April 12, the public is invited to add to the installation by painting their own small murals (free); Catherine G. Murphy Gallery, 2004 Randolph Ave.
April 22, 'Stitching Black Legacy: The Quilts of Carolyn Mazloomi' — Textile Center: Carolyn Mazloomi is not just a renowned historian and curator of African American quilts; she is a quilting artist in her own right, and this show at the Textile Center is the largest-ever exhibition of her work. Her quilts are all black-and-white, a stark and bold style inspired by woodblock prints and newspaper images. On view through July 12 (free) during open hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday (till 7 p.m. Thursdays) at the Textile Center; 3000 University Ave S.E., Minneapolis.
April 25: 'Saint Paul After Dark' — Calendula Gallery: Photographer (and gallery co-owner) Jared Arvin estimates he walks about 30 miles a week photographing the city at night, capturing buildings, streets and landscapes in moody darkness. On view 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekends (and select Friday evenings) at Calendula Gallery; 275 E. Fourth St., Suite 110.
May 3, 'In Memoriam: William Murray' — Groveland Gallery: St. Paul painter and longtime Minnesota Correctional Facility-Stillwater fine arts instructor William Murray experienced a burst of creativity throughout 2024 and was planning a solo gallery show, but unfortunately died in November 2024, before the show was set to open. In his memory, his family and Groveland Gallery are mounting an exhibition of Murray's new watercolor paintings, most of which are inspired by the Boundary Waters. Opening reception 2–5 p.m. May 3; show runs through May 24. Free during gallery hours, 12–5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays at Groveland Gallery; 25 Groveland Terrace, Minneapolis.
Go before April 27, 'When You're In The Mirror…' — The Minnesota Museum of American Art: Don't miss this cool show exploring portraiture and the ways our feelings about and relationships with people (and ourselves!) shape the very literal ways we perceive them. Featuring well-known local and national artists including Wanda Gág, Leslie Barlow, Frances Cranmer Greenman, Beatrice Wood and others. Entry is free; 350 N. Robert St.
Go before May 1 — 'April Fools,' Grand Hand Gallery: Two pairs of married artists — noted sculptor and printmaker Kinji Akagawa and textile artist Nancy Gipple of Afton, and potters Randy Johnston and Jan McKeachie Johnston of River Falls, Wisc. — are showing work in an exhibition the artists themselves wanted to title 'April Fools.' On view during gallery hours (10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays to Wednesdays and Fridays and Saturdays; 10 to 7 p.m. Thursdays; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays) at the Grand Hand Gallery; 619 Grand Ave.
Go before May 10, 'Mental Health, finding creative solace' — ArtReach St. Croix and Washington County Courthouse: More than 100 works, ranging from sculpture to painting to bookmaking, by more than 60 artists from Minnesota and Wisconsin will be on display in this show, which focuses on themes of mental well-being, stigma and strength. The free show is split across two venues: ArtReach St. Croix (224 N. Fourth St., Stillwater), open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday to Friday and noon to 4 p.m. Saturday; Washington County Courthouse (101 W. Pine St., Stillwater), open 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekends.
Go before May 18, 'Seen' — Weisman Art Museum: Artists in this exhibition are currently incarcerated and, along with other artists and activists, their seven installations explore the inside/outside distinction, processes of healing and community-building and the impacts of the criminal legal system. Free; 333 E. River Pkwy., Minneapolis.
Go before May 31, 'Artistic Kaleidoscope II' — Burl Gallery: This Lowertown art space (formerly known as Argyle Zebra Community Gallery) has a cool curatorial model: All their shows in a year focus on one specific metaphor. Last year was alchemy as transformation; this year, they're using the kaleidoscope to discuss perspective, turning brokenness into beauty and diverse complexity. Very cool stuff. Specifically, this show includes original art by 69 artists on that theme. Free during gallery hours (10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekends), with a community reception from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, April 26; 308 E. Prince St.
June 5, 'Queering Indigeneity' — the M: This exhibition at the Minnesota Museum of American Art showcases a multiyear project led by artist Penny Kagigebi to amplify Indigenous culture bearers and the artistic voices of queer or 2-Spirit Native artists.
June 21, 'Salad Hilowle: Inscriptions' — American Swedish Institute: This is the first major solo exhibition outside Sweden for artist Salad Hilowle, who was born in Somalia and grew up in the Swedish city of Gävle. His work encompasses video, sculpture, textile, photography and other sound/performative installations that address the complexity of the Afro-Swedish experience. Entrance to the American Swedish Institute is $15 for adults, $13 for seniors, $8 for youth and college students; it's free for members all the time and for the public after 3 p.m. Thursdays; 2600 Park Ave., Minneapolis.
June 26, 'Trisha Brown and Robert Rauschenberg: Glacial Decoy' — Walker Art Center: The now-iconic dance piece 'Glacial Decoy' debuted at the Walker in 1979, created by postmodern dancer Brown and early pop artist Rauschenberg. This exhibition honors the work — and what would be Rauschenberg's 100th birthday — with photo, lithographic prints, original costumes, video installations, and more. Live performances will also be scheduled. Included with required timed-entry museum ticket: $18 for general admission; $16 for seniors; $12 for students; free for kids, teens and Walker members. 725 Vineland Place, Minneapolis.
June 13, 'The Medium is the Message: Three Voices in Clay' — Friedli Gallery: This show highlights three artists using similar mediums but conveying unique stories and emotional themes.
Go before July 13, 'Giants: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys' — Minneapolis Institute of Art: The Mia's blockbuster summer show, visiting from the Brooklyn Museum, highlights nearly 100 works by Black artists including Gordon Parks, Jean-Michel Basquiat and Amy Sherald. The collection is owned by married musicians Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz, who were in town for the show's opening this spring. Timed tickets to this special exhibition ($20) are required for visitors over 17 years old at new.artsmia.org/exhibition/giants, but museum admission is otherwise free; 2400 Third Ave. S., Minneapolis.
Go before Aug. 10, 'Hokusai | Monet' — the Mia: While you're there for the Giants show — or on another visit — check out this cool exhibition of floral paintings by painter Claude Monet and printmaker Katsushika Hokusai, bringing mid-1800s French and Japanese art into conversation. This exhibit is free.
'Ways of Knowing' — Walker: Eleven artists, many of whose works in this show are being displayed in the U.S. for the first time here, explore how we know what we know and how we find truth in history and in the physical world. How do we come to know information? How do we know what's real and what's imagined? Exhibition is included with museum entry ticket.
'Echoes of Life: Paintings from the Collection' — Cafesjian Art Trust: Since the Shoreview modern art museum opened a few years ago, its exhibitions have focused on displaying various aspects of philanthropist Gerard Cafesjian's extensive personal collection. This show is focused on paintings that highlight small moments of the human existence. (This is the last show programmed by the museum's previous curator focusing solely on the Cafesjian collection, at least for now; upcoming shows by a new curatorial team will feature more traveling work and a broader modern and contemporary focus.) Free admission; museum is open Thursdays and Fridays by timed reservations only and Saturdays general admission; 4600 Churchill St, Shoreview.
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