In the Land of 10,000 Lakes, the fine arts thrive in both large cities and rural areas. A few of the state's most prominent artists include cartoonist Charles Schulz, famous for the Peanuts comic strips; Mary GrandPré, best known for illustrating the Harry Potter book covers; and nature photographer Jim Brandenburg. Top-notch museums, numerous galleries, artists' studios, and art festivals provide travelers with many ways to see and buy art work that resonates.
Museums
Not surprisingly, Minnesota's best-known museums reside in the Twin Cities. One of the most critically acclaimed is the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. Founded in 1883 as the Minneapolis Society of Fine Arts, it now boasts a collection of approximately 100,000 works. Art in the collection spans the globe from Asia to the Americas, and includes a wide variety of artistic disciplines. In addition to exhibits drawn from its own collection, it also showcases touring exhibits, such as 2007's Nordic Landscape Painting, 1840-1910. Every day, admission to the museum is free.
The Walker Art Center is another renowned museum, which concentrates on modern art. With paintings by artists like Frida Kahlo and Andy Warhol, plus video and Internet art, the Walker has built a reputation as a cutting-edge museum. The museum's Minneapolis Sculpture Garden covers 11 acres, making it one of the country's largest sculpture gardens in an urban setting. The garden's signature piece, Spoonbridge and Cherry by Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen, has become an icon of the city.
The Frederick R. Weisman Art Museum occupies a stunning, modern building designed by Frank Gehry. Its collection features early 20th century American art and contemporary work. As a museum of the University of Minnesota, the Weisman is one of many college -sponsored art venues in the Twin Cities. Others include the College of Visual Arts Gallery, Bethel University Galleries, and the Coffman Art Gallery (also at the University of Minnesota). Travelers with more specialized interests may enjoy the Minnesota Museum of American Art or the Museum of Russian Art.
Art museums can be found in other areas of Minnesota as well. In St. Peter, Gustavus Adolphus College maintains the Hillstrom Museum of Art. Its permanent collection was amassed by Rev. Richard L. Hillstrom, with significant holdings of Swedish American art works. However, the collection also features works by leading American artists like Grant Wood, Edward Hopper, and Winslow Homer, plus such European masters as Albrecht Dürer. Special exhibits of regional, national, and international artists also appear, as well as student and faculty shows. The Minnesota Marine Art Museum in Winona, Tweed Museum of Art at the University of Minnesota Duluth, and Rourke Art Museum in Moorhead are more museums throughout the state.
Art Centers, Galleries, and Studios
As with museums, the Twin Cities offer the largest number of other fine art venues. Several of them specialize in a certain artistic discipline, such as the Highpoint Center for Printmaking and the Minnesota Center for Photography. Both offer classes and workspace in addition to exhibits. Then there's the Daley Illustration Gallery, which heralds illustration paintings, with subjects ranging from Americana and religious themes to sci-fi and pulp fiction.
For visitors who'd like to visit a number of galleries and studios all under one roof, the Northrup King Building is the perfect destination. Photography, prints, mixed media, paintings, sculpture, and collage can all be found here, as well as many fine crafts. While many of the building's artistic residents are open to the public during regular hours, others use their space primarily to create their works and only open for special events. A great time to see all the building's galleries and studios is during First Thursdays in the Arts District, a monthly open house during the evening. If you're in town at the right time, you may also be able to attend the annual Art Attack weekend in November.
Other urban areas in Minnesota support arts communities as well. In Duluth, you'll find the Duluth Art Institute and the Art Dock, a gallery featuring fine art and handcrafts made by local artisans. Rochester has an art center, plus several galleries and studios. The Rourke Art Gallery in Moorhead inhabits a historic 1880s home, and several higher education institutions in the city host galleries as well. Moorhead also sits right across the Red River from Fargo, North Dakota, with the downtown areas of both cities converging along the riverbanks. Visitors who cross the river will find plenty more artistic offerings in Fargo.
Even smaller communities boast their fair share of the arts. The New York Mills Regional Cultural Center is one of the state's most vibrant small town art centers. Its main floor gallery hosts nine exhibits each year, as well as regional shows of work by both children and adults. Outdoors, a sculpture garden features diverse pieces, from abstract metalworks to a giant, stylized tractor. The center also runs artist retreats, where selected artists from across the country spend two to four weeks developing their works and teaching their skills to the community. Similar art centers around the state include Minnetonka Center for the Arts in Wayzata, Cornucopia Art Center in Lanesboro, and the Center for the Arts in Fergus Falls.
Besides the town of New York Mills, Bemidji is a good arts destination. Places to browse include the Bemidji Community Art Center and several galleries. In public spaces, the town displays sculptures from across the country, changing them each year. Murals adorn some buildings, adding a lively splash of color. Visitors may also find kiosks on some street corners with artists showing their works. The first Friday of each month is designated as the Art Walk, an afternoon and evening of art, literature, music, and food.
Galleries dot Lake Superior's north shore, with the Grand Marais area being especially notable for its art scene. Red Wing, Battle Lake, and Willmar are among other towns with art galleries and studios. Photography fans should stop in at either Brandenburg Gallery location, one in Ely and one in Luverne. These galleries showcase the work of award-winning National Geographic photographer Jim Brandenburg, known for his gorgeous Minnesota nature and wildlife images.
A fun way to experience a diverse array of Minnesotan art is by attending a festival or studio tour. Northfield holds its 10-day arts extravaganza, ArtSwirl, in early August. Gallery exhibits, studio tours, performances, and film screenings make up the festival's roster. In Red Wing, visitors can peruse juried art at the Fall Festival of Arts or take part in the popular Studio Ramble in September. The Festival of Fine Art at Glensheen in Duluth showcases the region's best artists, drawing thousands of attendees each year. One of the state's biggest studio tours, Meander, occurs in early October at studios in the Upper Minnesota River area. In 2007, 33 studios and 45 artists participated in the self-guided tour, with a wide variety of fine arts and crafts represented. A similar, though smaller, event is the Moose Lake area's Autumn Winds Studio Tour.
With the vibrant art communities in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, travelers interested in the visual arts will find many wonderful places to enjoy them. From browsing museums and galleries to immersing yourself in an artist's retreat, Minnesota offers artsy travelers all they could want.
