Latest news with #MinneapolisInstituteofArt
Axios
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
Twin Cities weekend: Art in Bloom, Indie Bookstore Day, craft beer fest
April showers bring spring flowers — and a host of free, art-themed things to do around the Cities. Here are three different places to find local art this week: Art in Bloom is back at Minneapolis Institute of Art now through Sunday, with over 150 floral installations inspired by pieces in the museum's permanent collection. Free This spring's St. Paul Art Crawl kicks off Friday through Sunday with 22 venues across Lowertown, West 7th and West Side hosting local artisans and activities. Nicollet Island Spring Market returns for the season Sunday with over 50 local vendors selling handmade wares, including art, jewelry, food and crafts. More things to do ... 📚 Celebrate your favorite local bookshop on Independent Bookstore Day this Saturday. Literary organization Rain Taxi has once again created a passport for Twin Cities bookstores — pick one up now and get it stamped at a participating shop through Saturday for future discounts. Free In search of a pre-loved read? Norway House in Minneapolis is hosting its first used book sale on Friday afternoon; proceeds benefit Franklin Library and its literacy program, which provides free, in-person reading support for students. Free entry 🏎️ Cars and Caves returns to Chanhassen for the 2025 season this Saturday morning with hundreds of classic, muscle, antique, street rod and exotic cars and motorcycles. It's free to all and family-friendly, though patrons can donate to this month's nonprofit beneficiary Wishes & More at the event. 🎭 Try your hand at puppetry (with help from the pros) at Heart of the Beast's spring pop-up and fundraiser in Powderhorn Park on Sunday afternoon.
CBS News
16-04-2025
- CBS News
Acclaimed photographer details decline of Manitoba's polar bear population
In 1993, Don Shelby and a crew from WCCO embarked on a journey to Churchill, Manitoba in Canada The trip was sparked by this curiosity: How do people and polar bears live side by side in the same town? Thirty years later, WCCO reporter Erin Hassanzadeh and photojournalist Tom Aviles returned to Churchill , enamored by the same thing. But the story has shifted. Acclaimed photographer Dan Cox, a Minnesota native, has been trekking to Churchill nearly every year since 1987. "It's a rough-around-the-edges community that has these amazing animals that move through once a year," Cox said. "Because of that, it is the place to go to see these animals." The pursuit of polar bears led to captivating footage, and it built a relationship with the town and its prized possessions. "There's something about these big white bears. They're powerful. It's that opportunity to relate and get a little more connected to a true wild experience," he said. From certain vantage points, Churchill today can look like the Churchill of the '90s. Though the stars of the show haven't changed, the way visitors view the bears has evolved a bit from the rugged buggies of the past to the fleet of EV tundra buggies we spotted on our trip. The way the town patrols and pushes out bears even has a similar feel, but one change is unmistakable. Since Shelby's visit, the polar bear population here has been cut in half, according to estimates shared by Polar Bears International, down from 1,200 to roughly 620. Scientists say it's because of warming that's melting the arctic sea ice bears depend on for hunting and habitat. "There's been these kinds of notable changes that become obvious that things are much different than they were back in the '80s and '90s," Cox said. "Definitely much warmer temperatures. It's hard to believe it's not easy to find winter anymore." Despite the changes, the bears and people of Churchill are still captivating visitors from far corners of the globe. And those who know the town dearly hope that won't fade away "It would just would be a major loss and there's just not that many places left in the world that you can replace it with. In fact, I don't know of any," Cox said. "I'm just hopeful the polar bear will always be around to excite people and encourage people to maybe think a little more about what it is we're all doing to the planet, and the animals and the places we love on this planet." There's a lot to love in Churchill, but as Hassanzadeh and her crew discovered, we may lose those polar bears in our lifetime if we don't do something about it. It's something we explore in our WCCO Original documentary "On The Edge," streaming online right now . You can also join us to watch in person for free this Friday at the Minneapolis Institute of Art , and on Earth Day at the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory in St. Paul.
Yahoo
06-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
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 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.
Yahoo
30-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Fun activities to keep kids occupied during spring break
Spring break has arrived for many parents in the Twin Cities. For families staying in town, there are plenty of activities that will make the week fly by, whether you're looking for a staycation or just need to keep kids occupied for a few hours. Force the issue and put thoughts of summer in your life by heading to a conservatory. The mossy, earthy-smelling Marjorie McNeely Conservatory is a reliable bet for a pleasant afternoon at the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory. Plus, it's a great chance to check out the recently revamped Sunken Garden and its spring flower show. There's also the Meyer-Deats Conservatory over at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. The Walker has programming geared toward younger audiences during spring break. It's not a bad spot to go under any circumstances — it's always free for people 18 and under — but here are the special events you'll find at the museum this week. April 2: Teen Maker Break, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. April 3: Woven Textiles with Andy Jacobs (during free Thursday nights), 5–8 p.m. April 3: Art & Sound Lounge (during free Thursday nights), 5–8 p.m. April 5: Free First Saturdays: Earth Elements, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. The Twin Cities is packed with museums, some of which offer free admission. The Minnesota Children's Museum will be open on Monday during spring break (it's normally closed on Mondays), and there's plenty to see at the Science Museum of Minnesota, Minneapolis Institute of Art, Bakken Museum, Weisman Art Museum, Mill City Museum, and American Swedish Institute, among other places. Here are a few special events taking place during the week. April 1: Makers Mornings (virtual) with American Swedish Institute April 2: Open Studio: Visual Verses at Weisman Art Museum April 3: "On the Shoulders of Giants" w/ films, DJs, and food trucks at Minneapolis Institute of Art April 4: Preschool Program: Easter Witches, Feathers, and Fun at American Swedish Institute April 4: Museum Nights at Science Museum of Minnesota April 5: Art Play! at Minneapolis Institute of Art Any clear night is an opportunity to stargaze with kids. However, if stargazing feels daunting and unfamiliar, join the Bell Museum for one of its free star parties, which will take place at 9 p.m. on April 4. Inside the museum, there are hands-on activities that will illuminate the night sky. Outside, experts have telescopes ready for young eyes and can help kids spot planets and other exciting night sky objects. Here's an easy one: Catch a movie. There are plenty of family movies in theaters right now (Dog Man, Paddington in Peru, A Minecraft Movie, The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie), but some theaters are hosting special screenings that will entertain younger audiences. March 29: Barbie (2023) at Minneapolis Institute of Art (free) Mar. 29–30: Flow (2024) at Riverview Theater March 30: The Mummy (1999) at Emagine Willow Creek Mar. 30–31: Grease (1978) at Oakdale Cinema, Parkwood Cinema, Rosemount Cinema, and West End Cinema March 31–April 3: Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (2024) at Cinema Grill April 3: Hoosiers (1995) at Emagine Willow Creek April 3: Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) at The Parkway Theater April 4: Dune (1984) at Alamo Drafthouse April 5: Spirited Away (2001) at The Parkway Theater April 6: Empire Records (1995) at Audrey Rose Vintage April 6: Little Big League (1994) at Niccolet Island Pavilion (free) Sandbox VR, with locations in Eden Prairie and Roseville, offers a unique virtual reality gaming experience. It doesn't last hours, if you're looking to occupy kids for any length of time, but it will delight. Adventurers don a headset and, for some games, weapons to dive into a fully immersive VR world with multiple adventures available, including a zombie wasteland, a pirate ship, a dragon attack, and a Squid Games-themed experience. It'll pull you into its world as your group follows instructions to complete quests inside each game. The St. Paul arcade and mini golf course — recently named one of the best mini golf courses in the country — is operating with extended hours during spring break, opening at 11 a.m. daily. (And don't forget admission is just $10 on Tuesdays and kids 5 and under are free every day.) There are dozens of arcade games to keep kids entertained for hours. Additionally, it's hosting a skateboard art workshop on always, there are storytimes for kids of all ages all around the Twin Cities. That includes community gathering places like Wild Rumpus bookstore, as well as libraries. (There are multiple storytimes over the week at Hennepin County Libraries and Ramsey County Libraries.) While there are plenty of other activities around the Twin Cities like zoos and indoor adventure parks (see Bring Me the News' list of winter activities for kids for more details on some of those), it's also nice enough to get outside. Go to a park, take a hike, or explore a state park. (And don't forget, many libraries will let you check out a free pass to Minnesota's state parks!)
South China Morning Post
22-03-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
How celebrity collectors are shaking up the art world, from Swizz Beatz and his wife Alicia Keys, to Leonardo DiCaprio, Jay-Z and Madonna
In the late 90s, when rapper and record producer Kasseem Dean, aka Swizz Beatz, was still a teenager, he tried to buy an artwork from a gallery. 'But they didn't take him seriously,' says Kimberli Gant, curator of modern and contemporary art at the Brooklyn Museum in New York. 'He wasn't a typical collector – he was this young man who they didn't really know.' But that didn't deter Dean. He kept attending openings and museum shows, demonstrating a serious interest to gallerists who eventually ushered him into their inner circle. His first major acquisition was a photograph by legendary American artist Ansel Adams. Fast-forward to the present, and Dean – alongside his wife, Grammy Award-winning Alicia Keys – are among the most prominent celebrity collectors in the US. In 2019, the power couple made it onto the esteemed art publication ARTnews' Top 200 Collectors list. Alicia Keys at the 'Giants' exhibition, which featured about 100 works and attracted more than 125,000 visitors. Advertisement Last year, the Brooklyn Museum staged 'Giants: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys', a sprawling exhibition of about 100 artworks, which is travelling to the Minneapolis Institute of Art this month. The show features just a fraction of their expansive collection. The Deans are among a growing number of celebrities who are gravitating towards collecting contemporary art. Stars such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Jay-Z, Madonna, Pharrell Williams and Steve Martin are all known to share a similar passion for collecting. 'They have homes, boats, exotic cars, staff, clothing and jewellery … once they have everything, they often add the art,' says New York-based art adviser Maria Brito, who has worked with the likes of Gwyneth Paltrow, Diddy and celebrity trainer Tracy Anderson Leonardo DiCaprio is another avid art collector. He's pictured here with Amazonian artists Nixiwaka Yawanawá, and Isku Kua Yawanawá at the Re:wild's 'Art of Nature Basel' event in Miami, in 2023. Celebrity collecting isn't a new phenomenon but what has changed is that it's now becoming much more visible. Stars are getting involved in exhibitions, posting more on social media and making appearances at major art fairs. 'What is happening is that the worlds are merging,' says Gant. 'I think we're going to see more exhibitions like 'Giants', as celebrities who are serious collectors decide to put their collections out there.' Museums and other art world institutions have become increasingly interested in collaborating with celebrities to attract a broader audience. The 'Giants' show pulled in more than 125,000 visitors, including people who travelled from California, Georgia and Maryland. Gant explains that the exhibition injected new life into the museum, offering a non-traditional experience: 'The art world has cultivated an expectation of what museum shows should look or feel like, with purely white walls and silence, but this was different.' The 'Giants' exhibits included Arthur Jafa's sculpture made of monster truck tyres shrouded in iron chains evoking a giant gong. Photo: Handout The exhibition featured several mini living room vignettes with sofas where visitors could lounge and browse through catalogues of artists' work. Swizz Beatz also created a soundtrack for the show, which was playing in the background: 'So there was a lot of Marvin Gaye and smooth music, which creates a beautiful energy when you walk through … and people could get the idea of what it could be like to live with art in their own home,' says Gant.
