2025-01-02 05:58:09
THE VISUAL ARTS
From rare artifacts to modernist masterpieces and contemporary works, Minnesota’s museums are a sight to see.
MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL
The Minneapolis Institute of Art is often ranked among the country’s most comprehensive art museums. It houses more than 80,000 objects and spans 5,000 years, with free general admission to the permanent collection.
The Walker Art Center is world-renowned for its contemporary art collection and exceptional programming. Don’t miss the sprawling, free-to-roam Minneapolis Sculpture Garden across the street.
The Weisman Art Museum is known for its grandiose Frank Gehry building on the University of Minnesota campus and special exhibits ranging from modernist paintings to photography. The Goldstein Museum of Design also features rotating exhibits and an extensive permanent collection.
Housed in a refurbished church, The Museum of Russian Art is the only North American museum dedicated to the preservation of Russian artifacts.
SOUTHERN MINNESOTA
The Minnesota Marine Art Museum in Winona features fine art exhibitions inspired by water-centric landscapes and themes.
The Wanda Gag House in New Ulm is the childhood home of the children’s author best known for “Millions of Cats.” It features her lithographs, illustrations and books.
The Rochester Art Center presents contemporary exhibitions of international artists in an architecturally stunning building downtown.
NORTHEAST MINNESOTA
The Tweed Museum of Art at the University of Minnesota-Duluth is home to a unique collection of commissions by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Force and special temporary exhibitions.
Photography buffs can head to Brandenburg Gallery in Ely, which houses stunning images by Minnesota native and National Geographic photographer Jim Brandenburg. Find a second Brandenburg Gallery in the opposite corner of the state, in the town of Luverne.
CENTRAL MINNESOTA
While the large-scale landscapes of Francis Lee Jaques grace dioramas at several natural history museums – including Minneapolis’s own Bell Museum – his original work can be found at the Jaques Art Center in Aitkin.
Visitors to St. John’s University in Collegeville can view selected folios of The Saint John’s Bible and other rare exhibits at the Hill Museum & Manuscript Library. Beyond the beautifully illustrated manuscripts, the museum displays prints, drawings and ceramics from the ancient world.
NORTHWEST MINNESOTA
Rourke Art Gallery + Museum in Moorhead has a collection of more than 3,000 contemporary paintings, drawings, sculptures and photographs, including work by African, Native American, pre-Columbian and Hispanic artists, and such internationally known icons as Joan Miro, Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein.
The Nemeth Art Center in Park Rapids features works from Gabor Nemeth’s private collection. The Hungarian art restorer brought the European paintings to the United States after World War II and offered them to his adopted home in the ’70s.
Admire art outdoors with eye-catching murals and eclectic sculpture parks.
MURALS
Minneapolis | A tribute to one of the state’s most famous sons, this mural by Eduardo Kobra depicts three stages of the singer’s life.
Perham | Cindee Lundin’s 70-foot-long mural features a family of loons plus 50 hidden homages to the area.
Duluth | Paul LaJeunesse’s mural depicts Duluth’s blue collar past and culinary-driven present.
Mankato | Local residents helped artist Michael Cimino paint this new mural in Old Town Mankato.
SCULPTURE PARKS
• Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
Minneapolis | See more than 40 works from the Walker Art Center’s collections, including the iconic Spoonbridge and Cherry by Claes Oldenberg and Coosje van Bruggen.
Shafer | Discover a mix of contemporary sculptures at this sprawling, family-friendly attraction featuring up to 70 pieces on display.
Vining | See a collection of huge, whimsical scrap metal creations from celebrated local artist Ken Nyberg.
Bemidji | The self-guided downtown walking tour features 25 sculptures and murals and counting.
#ONLYINMN | 39
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