Today I visited the Walker Art Center, located at 1750 Hennepin Ave (map), just southwest of downtown Minneapolis. Unlike the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, whose collection features works of art hundreds to thousands of years old, the Walker Art Center showcases contemporary art. I guess it’s only fitting that a building full of modern contemporary art would look like this: 

The one-of-a-kind Walker Art Center. Note: this photo is a few years old and the construction area and dirt hill in the foreground are now a beautiful grassy knoll. (Photo courtesy of Matt Desmond).

The Experience

The most striking aspect of the Walker Art Center is the building itself. The spaces inside are every bit as dynamic, unique, and surprising as the exterior of the building (maybe more so). Hallways with walls of windows, uniquely angled walls, columns, stairs, doorways, and nooks all add to the stunning environment. 

The main hall just inside the entry. You might even see hair that is a work of art at the Walker Art Center. (Photo courtesy of Peter Fleck)

The Walker Art Center somehow manages to fit a seemingly impossible amount of gallery space into what appears to be a fairly small building, despite the fact that there is only one gallery in the entire large silver cube section (A.K.A. the “Theater Tower”)! The galleries house a large collection of modern artwork, from minimalist art to abstract art to photography to sculpture. The center also currently co-hosts an exhibit on the design and architecture of Eero Saarinen (he designed the St. Louis Arch and TWA terminal at JFK airport in New York). Part of that exhibit is displayed at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts (the airports and other large buildings). The rest is at the Walker Art Center (residential and smaller buildings, and furniture and industrial designs). I was quite impressed with the Saarinen Exhibition and would highly recommend to anyone with an interest in Architecture.

In addition to the seemingly endless gallery space, the Walker also houses restaurants and cafes, (featuring Wolfgang Puck cuisine) a cinema, a performance hall, classrooms and workshops, and a store that sells numerous art books, art-related t-shirts and other unique artsy gifts for folks of all ages. For more info, check out the Walker’s website.

The “Great Ones” (Highlights) of the Walker Art Center:

1. The building itself – It is a wonderfully unique building that surprised and amazed me throughout. 
2. Free for all (sometimes) - Kids 12 and under always get in free, and the Walker Art Center offers free admission for all every Thursday night from 5pm – 9pm and all day on the first Saturday of each month. Many fun family programs are offered on these days, the Walker can be a very affordable and fun family outing on those days.
3. The “Grassy Knoll” – That is my own term for the grassy hill on the west side of the building (the side shown in the first picture in the post). It is a good romantic spot and offers my favorite scenic view in Minneapolis, featuring three beautiful churches, the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden (more in a future post), Loring Park, and a spectacular view of the downtown skyline. The view is gorgeous daytime and nighttime, and the knoll is always open to the public (four people were grilling out there this afternoon). Towards the top of the knoll, near the building (and the gorilla sculpture) is an underground room with an open roof that is one of my favorite hidden gems in the city. If you’re at the Walker, be sure to check it out.
4. Interactive Stations - The Walker has several unique interactive stations and activities. Just off the main lobby there is a listening station that allows users to hear selections from upcoming performances that will be held in the performance arena and a viewing station that allows users to view videos about current art topics. Directly across from the viewing station was one of the most fun interactive information stations I have seen:

Tiny virtual people meander amongst works of art. For more info, simply grab a person by pinching them between your thumb and fingers (as in the picture) and then drop them on a work of art by releasing them. For extra fun, try picking a person up, shaking them around a little, and then drop them back down anywhere. More detailed information is here. (Photo courtesy of Eric) 

Here is another great interactive station for kids:

Kids ask this dolphin questions by typing on a cordless keyboard, and the dolphin squeaks answers. Don’t worry – there are subtitles so you will know what the dolphin is saying. (Photo courtesy of Peter Fleck)

The “Not-so-Great Ones” (Lowlights) of the Walker Art Center:

1. Where am I? – I found the museum’s layout to be somewhat confusing and disorienting, and the museum map that was available was kind of vague and confusing and only actually showed one floor.
2. Slow Elevators - I know that’s a really minor inconvenience, but I was unable to visit several galleries, because I spent about 5 minutes waiting for an elevator that never came and by the time I got up to the galleries via the stairs the galleries were closed (it was 5 o’clock).
3. Stairs Everywhere – There are stairs seemingly everywhere in the Walker Art Center. Everything is wheelchair accessible, but some long detours may be required in order to get from one gallery to another.
4. What is art? - I found myself asking that question many times at the Walker Center today. I don’t profess to be an expert or lover of modern art, but I couldn’t for the life of me figure out what qualified some of the pieces at the Walker as art. Some examples: a piece consisting of a long lit fluorescent light tube with a short unlit fluorescent tube directly on top of it, a small child’s chair with a box of kleenex on it, or this bizarre piece by none other than Yoko Ono (yes that Yoko Ono):

Ono’s piece is entitled, “Painting to Hammer a Nail in”. The photographer’s reflection is not part of the piece. (Photo courtesy of ThunderChild tm)

If you go:

The Walker Art Center is open Tuesday – Sunday 11am – 5pm (9pm on Thurs). Admission is always free for children 12 and under, and is is free for all on Thursdays from 5 – 9pm and all day the first Saturday of each month. Otherwise admission is $10 for adults, $8 seniors 65 and up, and $6 dollars for teens and students with IDs. There are also a few other ways to get free admission to the Walker Art Center.

The Walker Art Center is located at 1750 Hennepin Ave (map). There is ample parking in the attached City of Minneapolis underground parking ramp (On Vineland Place near Bryant Ave) and in the Parade Grounds parking lot adjacent to the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. Both of those are pay lots, but free street parking is often available (especially on Mount Curve Ave at the top of the hill). The Walker is also accessible by bus, and is only a few blocks off of the Cedar Lake Bike Trail.

…And now I am going to go stretch out on the “grassy knoll” and enjoy the beautiful views. Stay tuned for the next installment: Farmers Markets in St. Paul… coming soon!

Minneapolis and St. Paul have a vibrant and thriving arts community that celebrates talented local artists as well as nationally and internationally reknowned artists. One of the largest organizations within the Twin Cities arts community is the Minneapolis Institute of the Arts, located at 2400 3rd Ave. S. just a mile south of downtown (map). The M.I.A., which is free and open to the public six days a week, is housed in a sprawling building which combines beautiful classical features with streamlined modern elements: 

The classically styled central building (1915) is flanked modern additions in 1974 (left) and 2006 (right). (Photo courtesy of MeetMinneapolis)

Behold… the Amazing Technicolor Art Museum (Photo courtesy of LeAnn Crowe)

This M.I.A. has a collection of over 80,000 pieces including paintings, sculptures, artifacts, and some things you might not normally think of as art:

Very few museums allow you to actually park in the galleries. The M.I.A. is not one of them. This 1948 Tatra T87 Sedan is actually part of the M.I.A.’s entertaining collection of modern and contemporary artifacts. (Photo courtesy of Honey Bunny)

The Experience

I have visited the M.I.A. four times in the last two years. Somehow, even though I know the M.I.A. is an enormous place, every time I’ve gone there I’ve found myself thinking that the museum was bigger than I remembered it. Upon entering the lobby, a long, tall, and narrow space with walls of windows on either end, it impossible to tell just how large the M.I.A. actually is:

The M.I.A.’s small, modern lobby belies the vast, classically inspired gallery spaces within the museum. (Photo courtesy of Trista B.)

I always grab a map at the desk in the lobby before I head into the galleries. This is especially important if there is a specific exhibit or gallery you want to see (you may even need to ask for directions to a gallery). The galleries are on the second and third floors.

The second floor features galleries housing art and artifacts from the following geographic regions/historical eras:

• Asia – emphasis on China and Japan, also includes Himalayan kingdoms, Southeast Asia & Islamic art.
• Americas
• Pacific Islands
• Africa
• Ancient Art – emphasis on classical Greece and Rome
• Textiles
• Modern and Contemporary – The Tatra Sedan (take note car buffs), unique furniture and household accessories (Art Deco Etc.). Half of this fun gallery is on the third floor).
• Special Exhibitions – Currently on the groundbreaking architecture of Eero Saarinen, who designed the Gateway Arch in St. Louis and TWA terminal in New York among other notable buildings.

The Doryphoros is one of the highlights of the Ancient Art gallery. (Photo courtesy of Jerry)

The M.I.A. has an extensive collection of Asian art, sculptures and textiles. (Photo courtesy of Jerry)

The third floor features art and artifacts from these geographic regions/historical regions:

• Modern and Contemporary – If you bring kids to the M.I.A. make sure to check out this gallery.
• Photographs
• Europe 1200 – 1600 A.D.
• Europe and America 1600 – 1900 A.D. – impressionism, folk art, decorative arts and period rooms (read “Masterpieces” section for more), Prairie School design and architecture, prints and drawings.

Family Fun

The Minneapolis Institute of Arts offers an array of fun, educational programs for adults and children, giving participants the opportunity to learn about, experience, and create art in a variety of media.

The “Masterpieces” (Highlights) of the Minneapolis Institute of the Arts:

1. The Price is Right – Museum admission (and parking) is FREE for everyone … always!
2. Huge Collections - There is sure to be art that will appeal to everyone in the M.I.A.’s vast collection.
3. Not Just Paintings - In addition to typical art museum fare of paintings and sculpture, the M.I.A. is full of textiles, artifacts (suits of armor, Native American shields, etc), and even furniture, household objects, and of course cars. These other artifacts inspire me to see the art all around me in my everyday life.
4. Period Rooms - Don’t miss the recreated/restored period rooms on the second and third floors. Walk through a recreated Charleston, SC drawing room circa 1792, or the Grand Salon of a French luxury hotel circa 1735, among many, many others. These are a must for anyone with an interest in design, architecture, or history. Here’s some more info.

The elegant Grand Salon from the Hôtel Gaillard de La Bouëxière c. 1735. (Photo Courtesy of Lori Erickson)

The “Eyesores” (Lowlights of the Minneapolis Institute of the Arts):

1. Lost in the Laybrinth – The museum is an extensive maze of galleries, most of which do not have windows. This means it can be very easy to lose track of yourself (and the time). Make sure you take a map, a timepiece, and don’t be afraid to ask a museum employee for directions within the galleries.
2. Secret Service? - The countless museum guards made me a little uneasy as they eyed my every movement and sometimes followed me from one gallery to another. It’s good to have security, but several of the M.I.A.’s guards, clad in suits, and equipped with walkie-talkies and stern faces, seemed unapproachable and suspicious of everyone in the galleries. 
3. Look Ma, No Hands! - Very few things in the museum are hands-on, meaning that many kids, and even some adults, may get bored long before they have seen all there is to see (I bet the M.I.A.. could single- handedly keep the that company makes those “Please do not touch” signs in the black). There are interactive computer stations throughout the museum which are kind of fun, but other than that, there’s not much to do with your hands.
4. Small Special Exhibits Gallery – I was really excited to see the Eero Saarinen exhibit, but was disappointed by how small the special exhibit gallery containing it was. It was still neat to see, I just wish there had been more room for more models, blueprints, etc.

Just ‘Cause it’s Art Doesn’t Mean You Have to Be Starving:

There is food available at several venues in and around the M.I.A.

Don’t forget about the Performing Arts:

Come visit the M.I.A. for free and take in a wonderful show at the adjacent Children’s Theater Company.

If You Go:

The museum is located 2400 3rd Ave S. (map). Hours are 10am – 5pm Tues. – Sat. (open until 9pm Thurs.), and 11am – 5pm Sunday. Closed Mondays. There is a free parking ramp adjacent to the museum. Here is some info on parking and driving directions to the M.I.A.

The museum is also accessible by bus.

And now its time to put the finishing touches on this artistic post. See you next time! Thanks for reading!

Coming Soon… the Walker Art Center!