First Phase of Graco Park Opens on Northeast Minneapolis Riverfront

Graco Park from the Plymouth Avenue Bridge shortly before it opened to the public on September 25, 2024

Now open: New trails, river landing, public art, picnic tables, and gathering spaces surrounded by hundreds of new trees and native plants

Next phases include The River Hub at Graco Park, a new 4,000-square-foot park building opening in 2025, and a future trail connection to Boom Island Park under Plymouth Avenue Bridge

Graco Park is now open along the Northeast Minneapolis riverfront! The new nine-acre park is located just north of the Plymouth Avenue Bridge, between Boom Island Park and Graco Inc. headquarters. It includes Hall’s Island, which was restored in 2018, plus new trails and walkways, a river landing, public art, picnic tables, and gathering spaces surrounded by hundreds of new trees and native plants.

“If we’re going to have a truly equitable park system, residents of Northeast and North Minneapolis must be able to enjoy thoughtfully designed access to the Mississippi Riverfront, like residents in South and Southwest enjoy the riverfront, creek and lakes in their neighborhoods,” said Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) Superintendent Al Bangoura. “This is something that we’ve advocated for and worked on for decades, and now these parks are no longer just ideas, plans, or illustrations; they’re real. We’re in the middle of a golden era of riverfront park development in Minneapolis.”

Two other new riverfront parks – Water Works and the 26th Avenue North Overlook – opened on the Minneapolis riverfront in 2021. In 2023, the MPRB completed an extensive renovation at Father Hennepin Bluff Park and restored 4.5 acres of oak savannah habitat at Bohemian Flats Park. Earlier in 2024, the MPRB broke ground on a new 20-acre park at the Upper Harbor redevelopment and a new trail connection between the 26th Avenue North Overlook and Ole Olson Park.

“Opening Graco Park is a monumental milestone in our ongoing, decades-long mission to transition Minneapolis’ northern riverfront to a world-class attraction that’s more welcoming to people and wildlife,” said MPRB President Meg Forney. “We’re incredibly grateful to have a network of partners and neighbors like Graco who believe in our park system and support ambitious plans to restore our natural resources and offer outstanding trails and recreation opportunities.”

Future phases planned at Graco Park include a new 4,000-square-foot park building called The River Hub at Graco Park scheduled to open in 2025 and a trail connection under Plymouth Avenue Bridge to Boom Island Park.

The River Hub at Graco Park is scheduled to open in 2025

Graco Contributions

In 2018, Graco Inc., a leading manufacturer of fluid handling equipment that is headquartered next to the park, and the MPRB reached a series of agreements that resulted in this new park. The contributions from Graco allowed the park to be constructed much earlier than it could have through traditional park funding mechanisms.

“Graco Park is a testament to Graco’s commitment to the communities where we operate,” said Mark Sheahan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Graco. “Graco Park is a gathering space where the Northeast community can come together, play and build lasting relationships. We are proud to contribute to Graco Park and to be part of a community that has supported us for nearly 100 years.”

Graco Park Features

The first phase of Graco Park now open to the public includes:

• Habitat-rich plantings to support the Mississippi Flyway, including 255 trees and an expansive Bee Lawn
• Segment of Mississippi East Bank Trail
• Expansive river promenade walkway with room to host events
• New public art, “Timber Markers” that pay homage to the site’s logging history
• Gravel river landing
• Outdoor stage with sloped, grassy seating area
• Improved stormwater management
• Picnic tables
• Accessible parking spaces

L to R: Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Superintendent Al Bangoura, Mississippi Watershed Management Organization Executive Director Kevin Reich, Jan and John Gray, representatives from the Gray family that founded Graco Inc., Graco President and CEO Mark Sheahan, Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board President Meg Forney

Mississippi Watershed Management Organization Contributions

The Mississippi Watershed Management Organization (MWMO) awarded a grant for native vegetation and habitat restoration, stormwater infiltration basins, a low-maintenance pollinator lawn, and a heated sidewalk and snowmelt system.

The restored habitat works hand-in-hand with the new green stormwater infrastructure at the park. A series of interconnected stormwater basins, planted with native vegetation and scattered throughout the site, form a stormwater treatment train to capture and clean runoff. These features are projected to capture 99 percent of the park’s stormwater runoff and remove up to 85 percent of sediment and phosphorus that otherwise would have entered the Mississippi River.

The heated sidewalk snowmelt system was installed in high foot-traffic areas around the new park building, reducing the need for salt and sand to keep paved areas safe for pedestrian traffic in the winter. The building will use geothermal heat for heating and cooling as part of the “Net Zero” building design.

Graco Park Agreements

On Oct. 17, 2018, the MPRB and Graco Inc. reached several agreements on the development of a riverfront park adjacent to Hall’s Island in Northeast Minneapolis.

Included in the agreements:

• The Graco Foundation donated more than $3 million to the MPRB to fund a new park named “Graco Park.”
• Graco gave an easement for the Mississippi East Bank Trail to the MPRB for free and the parties ended legal proceedings related to the easement.
• The MPRB sold 2.2 acres located next to Graco’s Riverside production facility to Graco at a fair market value of $1.1 million.
  • This land is part of a 3.55-acre section of the 11-acre site, dubbed “Parcel D,” which was purchased by the MPRB without state regional park funding.
  • When the site was acquired in 2010, the MPRB, City of Minneapolis and Metropolitan Council all agreed that Parcel D would not become parkland and planned to instead use Parcel D for a public-private partnership of some kind.
• Graco funded flood protection constructed on Parcel D and prepaid park dedication fees for Parcel D.

The site fall 2017, before Hall's Island was restored and Graco Park was built

Site History

2010: The MPRB purchased the 11-acre riverfront site from Scherer Bros Lumber Co. The former lumberyard was cleaned up and industrial buildings and asphalt were replaced with grass over the next few years.

2016: The Mississippi East Bank Trail was paved through the site. This riverfront trail extension connects Boom Island Park, Graco Park and Sheridan Memorial Park before terminating at the BNSF railroad bridge, in the 1600 block of Marshall Street NE.

2017-18: A project restored Hall's Island, which was eliminated by lumber yard expansion in the 1960s, and created a new gravel river beach.

2018: The MPRB and Graco Inc. reached several agreements that will result in this new park.

2021: MPRB staff collected feedback from the community, researched opportunities and constraints at the site and created a series of Graco Park design concepts for public feedback.

April 2022: The final park concept was approved by MPRB Commissioners after a public hearing.

September 2022: Grading and earthwork began to prepare site for park construction.

August 2023: Groundbreaking ceremony commemorates the beginning of park construction.

September 2024: The outdoor elements of the park open to the public.

Mpls Downtown Improvement District Announces 2024 Greening & Public Realm Award Winners

Photo credit - Kurt Moses Photography

The Mpls Downtown Improvement District (DID) has announced its Greening & Public Realm Award winners, a group decided by an interactive public vote that includes five first-time winners among the ten categories. The Greening & Public Realm Awards aim to showcase the greening efforts by local organizations and companies that help beautify downtown and its surrounding areas through enhancing our urban landscape.

This year’s awards included five new categories: Best Tree, Best Façade, Best Outdoor Café, Best Sustainable Greening and Best Adopted Garden. These categories highlight the continued expansion of greening and sustainability efforts in downtown Minneapolis.

First-time award winners include the Cottonwood Tree at Water Works Park (Best Tree), ‘Rockman’ by Tom Otterness (Best Public Art), The Monte Carlo (Best Outdoor Café), 3rd Avenue Bridge Renovation (Best Public Realm Improvement), and St. Olaf Boulevard Gardens (Best Adopted Garden).

Loring Greenway won a Greening & Public Realm Award for a record 13th straight year – including winning Best Large Green Space for the eighth year in a row. Peavey Plaza won its fourth straight Greening & Public Realm Award (Best Activated Space) and Minneapolis College took home the award for Best Small Green Space for the second year in a row.

“The Greening and Public Realm Award winners exemplify the commitment to sustainability and greening that is transforming our downtown,” said Adam Duininck, President & CEO of the Mpls Downtown Council and Mpls Downtown Improvement District. “Their efforts not only enhance our public spaces but also inspire the continued expansion of eco-friendly initiatives throughout our urban core. Congratulations to all the winners for their remarkable contributions to our community’s vibrancy.”

Greening & Public Realm Award winners will receive a commemorative plaque created by Wood from the Hood, a Minneapolis-based company that reclaims discarded trees from urban neighborhoods and creates high-quality wood products. Each award will display the year the award was issued and the category that was won. Winning locations will also receive a Greening & Public Realm Awards winner sign to designate their award-winning placemaking and greenery.

Finalists for the Greening & Public Realm Awards were announced on September 5th. Public voting for finalists remained open through September 20th. The finalists were selected and categorized by members of the Mpls DID staff based on criteria including overall year-over-year enhancements as well as continued excellence in their efforts to increase vibrancy in the public realm.

Shopping Basket from September 21 Mill City Farmers Market

Our shopping basket from the September 21 Mill City Farmers Market: 

Apples from Mary Dirty Face Farm, juice from Pure Ginger for You, eggs from Sunshine Harvest Farm, tomatoes from Mhonpaj’s Garden, Aleppo and Hidden Falls cheeses from Shepherd's Way, arugula from Burning River Farm, watermelon from Mom's Garden, harissa from Dervish Mazza, ornamental gourds from Green Earth Growers, ganache filled chocolate cake jar from Janna's Gluten Free, pie crust from Vikings and Goddesses Pie Company and chocolate hazelnut spread from Chocolate San Jose Minneapolis.

As always, we are very appreciative of all the growers and makers who bring their best to the MCFM every week!

Mill City Museum’s Courtyard Comes to Life for Projection Art Performance

History, art, and music come together during powerful show titled, “Rising from the Ruins”

Mill City Museum’s iconic Mill Ruins Courtyard is about to transform like never before. On three nights this October, the walls will be illuminated and bathed in color during a special projection performance titled Rising from the Ruins.

Blending art and music, Rising from the Ruins is an epic and imaginative journey that sets off from the banks of Owamniyomni, widely known today as St. Anthony Falls. It explores time, history, and space to tell the story of all who are affected by the falls’ and the river’s power.

Local artist Paul Herwig created the story that incorporates music from Ben Siems and graphic novel-style drawings from Dirk Opstaele. Herwig is one of the area’s sole practitioners of projection mapping and live animated projection events, and is a fiscal year 2024 recipient of a Creative Individuals grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board.

This event will take place on three consecutive nights, October 3-5. On each evening, there will be two performances at 7:30 pm and 9 pm. Doors will open at 7 pm for the first showing and 8:30 pm for the later showing.

Tickets can be purchased online for $15 in advance or at the door for $20. Minnesota Historical Society members save 20%. 20 Pay-What-You-Can tickets will be available at the door thirty minutes before each performance. If a performance is canceled due to poor weather, a make-up showing will be scheduled for October 7.

November 2024 General Election Registration and Voting Information

Are you registered to vote? If not, now is a great time to do so. Minnesota makes it easy to check your voter registration status, register to vote, and update your registration. Already registered to vote? It's still a good idea to confirm your registration is correct and up to date.  

Register to vote! Pre-registration for the November 2024 General Election ends October 15. If you plan to vote but miss this deadline, you can register at your polling place on Election Day.  

What to do before you vote:

• View your sample ballot 

• Learn about early voting options

Vote absentee:

• Fill out your absentee ballot application and email or mail it to Hennepin County Elections. You can also fill out the online application.

Vote early in-person: 

• Visit your local elections office (check with your city clerk for location and hours)  

• Minneapolis Early Vote Center (Minneapolis residents only) 

• Hennepin County Government Center will be open for early voting 

Have questions?  

For all your election-related questions, visit Hennepin County Elections or mnvotes.gov.  

Important election dates:

• September 20: Absentee voting begins for the general election
• October 15: General election deadline to pre-register to vote
• November 4: In-person absentee voting closes at 5pm 
• November 5: General Election Day (polls open 7am to 8pm)

Mia Unveils Historical Tibetan Shrine Room

Did you know Minneapolis is home to over 5,000 Tibetans, the second largest population in the United States, outside of New York City?

The Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) unveiled of a new fully installed historical Tibetan shrine room on Saturday, September 14. Located in the Himalayan Art Galleries, the historical Tibetan shrine is a multi-sensory experience featuring more than 200 new pieces of Buddhist art, generously donated by Alice Kandell, a New York collector who made a major gift of Tibetan Buddhist art to the museum. This is the second time Kandell has gifted a significant collection; The Tibetan Buddhist shrine room at The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art was also a gift from Kandell in 2010.

The historical Tibetan shrine room exists as it would have in an aristocratic family home or a small temple in Tibet. Guests will be transported hundreds of years in the past as they walk through the Shrine room and witness an ornate display of objects like gilt bronze Buddhist statuary, thangkas (paintings of spiritual realms), ritual implements, painted furniture and textiles such as carpets, wall hangings and canopies. 

More informatin on the shrine.

Shopping Basket From the September 14 Mill City Farmers Market

Our shopping basket from the September 14 Mill City Farmers Market: 

Boneless/skinless chicken thighs and eggs from Sunshine Harvest Farm, Skyr from Shepherd's Way, sweet red peppers from Mhonpaj’s Garden, cippolini onions from Burning River Farm, kale and green onions from Mom's Garden, pears from Ames Farm, purple sweet potatoes from Bean Market, hazelnuts from American Hazelnut Company, carmalized onion & gruyere sourdough foccaccia and banana bread from Zeytoon Bread & Co., and of course juice from Pure Juice For You and Krishna's Delight.

As always, we are very appreciative to all the growers and makers who bring their best to the MCFM every week!

Maintenance on 5 Bridges Along I-94 Begins This Fall

Beginning in fall 2024 through fall 2025, MnDOT crews will conduct bridge preservation and maintenance work on five bridges along I-94 in Minneapolis. These bridges include:

• I-94 bridge (Dartmouth Bridge) that spans the Mississippi River
• Riverside Ave. bridge over I-94
• I-94 over Cedar Ave.
• I-94 over the Light Rail Transit (Blue Line)
• I-94 over Hwy 55/Hiawatha Ave.

Summary of work

• Construct temporary crossovers
• Repair bridge decks
• Resurface bridge pavement
• Remove and replace bridge joints
• Update guardrails
• Upgrade drainage
• Repaint bridge steel

Information about upcoming traffic impacts will be posted as details become available. Motorists can expect overnight lane closures on I-94 between downtown Minneapolis and the Franklin Avenue Bridge over I-94 in fall 2024. During construction in 2025, motorists can expect I-94 to be reduced to two lanes in each direction between Hwy 55/Hiawatha Ave. and the Franklin Avenue Bridge over I-94.

Sign up to receive project email updates at mndot.gov/metro/projects/i94minneapolis. 

Mia Announces Latest Exhibition, O’ Powa O’ Meng: The Art and Legacy of Jody Folwell

Opening September 14, Mia's latest exhibition focuses on Jody Follwell's influential Native American art, which intersects with Contemporary and American art.

The Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia), in partnership with The Fralin Museum of Art at the University of Virginia, welcomes O’ Powa O’ Meng: The Art and Legacy of Jody Folwell as the museum’s latest exhibition, available for viewing from September 14, 2024 – January 26, 2025 in the Cargill Gallery. 

Jody Folwell is a contemporary potter from Kha’p’o Owingeh (Santa Clara Pueblo, New Mexico) who is widely considered among the most significant and influential clay artists of her generation. Folwell has revolutionized contemporary Pueblo pottery – and Native art more broadly – by pushing the boundaries of form, content and design. She is the first Pueblo artist to employ writing and designs as personal, political and social narratives on her pottery.

The iconic works showcased within “O’ Powa O’ Meng” (“I came here, I got here, I’m still going” in the artist’s Tewa language) span the breadth of Folwell’s groundbreaking career and demonstrate the arc of her artistic development. The exhibition centers Folwell’s practice and situates her within the intersecting artistic contexts of Kha’p’o Owingeh, Native American art, and Contemporary and American art more broadly. 

“Over the past five decades, Jody Folwell’s avant-garde innovations have inspired other artists and the public,” said Katie Luber, Nivin & Duncan MacMillan Director & President at Mia. “We are so excited to celebrate her career with the Twin Cities community through the opening of this latest exhibition.”

Water Works Park - Intersection of Yogis and Racers

Thank you to Doug Verdier for sharing these photos from Sunday, September 8th at Water Works Park, where a group was practicing yoga as runners participating in the Finish the Run race passed by. Planners did a fantastic job laying out this park - it's versatile, heavily used, beautiful and educational (have you taken some time to read all the signage explaining the native plants?)...love it!

Planting Volunteers Needed for September 10 Father Hennepin Bluff Lower Trail Installment of 75 Shrubs!

Tuesday, September 10, 5:30p-7:30p, is the Kick-off event for the new Natural Resource Management Plan for the next 10 years, with funding from the Mississippi Watershed Management Organization and the Marcy-Holmes Neighborhood Association (MHNA) Friends of the Mississippi River and Full Circle Indigenous Planning + Design were partners on this planning project, and Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board staff advised the team and MHNA volunteers.

Two hours, and 75 shrubs to plant! Hazelnut, nannyberry, plum, serviceberry, and red osier dogwood. Please sign up and encourage your friends to join, too!

Information and registration

Shopping Basket from the September 7 Mill City Farmers Market

Our shopping basket from the September 7 Mill City Farmers Market: 

White peaches (!) from Mary Dirty Face Farm, cod from Wild Run Salmon, juice from Pure Ginger for You, quark and blue cheese from Cosmic Wheel Creamery, eggs from Sunshine Harvest Farm, tomato salsa from Atacama, strawberries from Twin Cities Berry Company, Delicata and Honeynut squash from Clover Bee Farm. Skyr from Shepherd's Way, carrots from Mhonpaj’s Garden, garlic shallot oil from TonzKitchen, sweet onion from Burning River Farm.

As always, we are very appreciative to all the growers and makers who bring their best to the MCFM every week!

Bridgewater Neighbors and Friends of the Arts Invites Mill District Neighbors to Opening Reception for Water Elements, September 12

Bridgewater Neighbors and Friends of the Arts announces 27th art exhibit, Water Elements

Thursday, September 12, 6:00pm – 8:00pm, Bridgewater Community Room, 215 10th Avenue S

Mill District neighbors are welcome to attend! Wine and appetizers by Klassic Kitchen + Cocktails. RSVP to bnfacommittee@gmail.com. 

The Artists:

Megan Bell | Steve Brumbaugh | Lora Fandrey | Tracy Frizzell | Annie Hejny | Jeanne Lukas | Marla Mullaney | Katy Noun | Dan Petrov | Kimberly Tschida Petters | Lisa Roy

Take a virtual tour of the entire exhibit here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utWo7Mc9nsk.

Voting for 2024 DID Greening and Public Realm Awards Opens Today, September 5

The Mpls Downtown Improvement District (DID) has announced public voting for the 2024 Greening and Public Realm Awards is officially open!

The Greening and Public Realm Awards, a DID initiative since 2010, celebrates outstanding examples of greening and placemaking that improve public spaces in downtown Minneapolis. Winners will be selected by public vote. The public vote will be open September 5 through September 20.

Finalists were divided into eight categories based on project size and other characteristics. Among the finalists selected were 20 new nominees – a sign of continued growth in downtown greening efforts – as well as several past winners.

“Efforts to enhance our public greening are invaluable, as they elevate our urban spaces and improve the quality of life for everyone who lives, works and plays in downtown ,” said Adam Duininck, Mpls Downtown Improvement District President & CEO. “Our downtown community is grateful to all the finalists and their efforts to improve vibrancy and greening in the city’s core.”

Winners will receive a commemorative Greening and Public Realm Award created by Wood from the Hood, a Minneapolis-based company that reclaims discarded trees from urban neighborhoods and creates high-quality wood products. Each award will display the year the award was issued.

The Greening and Public Realm Awards were created to celebrate the outstanding examples of private and public greening and placemaking happening in downtown Minneapolis and are intended to inspire all to work towards making downtown a greener and more vibrant place.

The public is encouraged to vote by visiting mplsdid.com/greeningawards and using the interactive vote link. Each category will showcase the finalists along with a photo of each location for easy viewing and identification. This year’s eight categories include the following finalists  

• Activated Space: The Commons, North Loop Green, Peavey Plaza, Government Center South Plaza
• Façade: Café Bar & Lurcat, Gluek’s Bar and Restaurant, Strive Bookstore, Lenox Brownstones
• Large Green Space: Loring Greenway, Mpls Convention Center Plaza, Gold Medal Park, Water Works Park
• Small Green Space: Minneapolis College, Federal Reserve, Triangle Park, WCCO Plaza
• Best Adopt a Rain Garden: 4th Street Oasis, St. Olaf Boulevard Gardens, Skip & Michelle’s Rain Garden, 8th St. & Portland Community Garden
• Sustainable Greening: 8th St. Stormwater Planters, 4th St. Rain Gardens, Mpls Convention Center Plaza, Westminster Presbyterian 
• Public Realm Improvement: North Loop Green, Renovated 3rd Avenue Bridge, Reopened Cedar Lake Light Rail Trail, Elliot Park Tree Canopy Project, 2nd Street Protected Bikeway
• Outdoor Café/Patio: The Local, EaTo, Red Cow, The Monte Carlo 

The public is not only encouraged to vote for a winner in each category, but also to celebrate downtown greening year-long. Send your greening photos to @MplsDID on Facebook and/or Instagram using the hashtag #GreenAwardsMpls.

Imminent Change | Rising Potential by Annie Hejny Opens September 14 at Kolman & Reeb Gallery

Desire to Escape by Annie Hejny

Exhibition opens September 14 and runs through October 26. The gallery will host an artist reception on Saturday, September 21, 7:00-9:00p.

Kolman & Reeb Gallery is pleased to present Imminent Change | Rising Potential by Annie Hejny. A Minneapolis-based artist and environmental activist, Annie strives to celebrate nature’s beauty while simultaneously wrestling with humanity’s devastating impact on the environment.

Using resources provided by a Kolman & Reeb Project Space Grant, Annie continued her investigation of Lake Superior. The first step for her grant exhibition was a 24-day solo journey circumnavigating Lake Superior, a road trip known as The Circle Tour. During her journey, she collected water and sediment samples from the lake, took photos, and shot video footage. Inspired by this journey of discovery, with these water and sediment samples, she explored concepts directly influenced by the lake. Asking more profound questions about painting as a practice, Annie integrated these samples with manufactured pigments to delve into deeper questions about the lake's landscape and history.

Soft and Dangerous by Annie Hejny

Taking a step away from her familiar water painting style, Annie went in a fresh direction. The pieces created exclusively for this show rely on an acceptance of the unknown to impact the development of the expressions in her work. Using looser gestures and compositions that challenge the space of the canvas, these pieces not only incorporate water and sediment samples collected from Lake Superior but they are also an exciting departure from her previous work. Including acrylic paintings, mixed media wall sculpture, watercolor, and video installations, this exhibition offers a look at a completely new style for Annie.

Annie found the history, teachings, and current state of Lake Superior are more vast and powerful than she could ever hope to fully address in this first exhibition solely committed to Lake Superior. Yet, she believes any conversation we can engage in regarding the state of our freshwater sources is part of the progress toward the future health of fresh water for all. She believes this artwork is about being fully present to our personal changes as we witness the impact on our natural landscapes stemming from climate change.

Annie Irene Hejny is a Minneapolis-based artist and environmental activist. In her art, she explores personal and communal relationships with fresh water, acknowledging that all humans are bodies of water and are connected by water. She believes any conversation regarding the state of our freshwater sources is part of the progress toward the future health of fresh water for all. Annie has exhibited nationally, and her artwork is held in private collections in 30 states and internationally.

Kolman & Reeb Gallery is in Studio 395, Northrup King Building, 1500 Jackson Street NE.

612-385-4239 kolmanreebgallery.com

Shopping Basket from August 31 Mill City Farmers Market

Our shopping basket from the August 31 Mill City Farmers Market: 

Beets from GVY Fresh Produce, juice from Pure Ginger for You and Krishna’s Delight, MoonGlow cheese from Cosmic Wheel Creamery, eggs from Sunshine Harvest Farm, cilantro salsa from Atacama, Candle from Tare Market, rye bread from Baker's Field, currie ginger chili ferment from Kiss My Cabbage, fruit syrup from Twin Cities Berry Company. The cucumber, melon, peppers, garlic, tomatoes and butternut squash are from Clover Bee Farm.  

As always, we are very appreciative to all the growers and makers who bring their best to the MCFM every week!

2024 MCAD Faculty Biennial Opening Reception September 6, Open to the Public

2024 MCAD Faculty Biennial, Opening September 6 Free and Open to the Public

The Gallery at Minneapolis College of Art and Design will spotlight the art and research undertaken by faculty in the 2024 MCAD Faculty Biennial. Some fifty faculty members are participating in an exhibition in the Main and Concourse Galleries. The wide variety of media and formats will showcase the breadth of the faculty’s expertise and talents as working artists.

Per Keisha Williams, Director and Curator of MCAD Gallery, “It's been a privilege to collaborate with esteemed MCAD faculty every two years as they select what to show of their own personal works. This exhibition is a reminder of the vast talents that MCAD’s creative leaders and educators bring to the Twin Cities art scene.” 

Details:

• August 26–November 2, 2024
• Main Gallery and Concourse Galleries, 2501 Stevens Avenue
• Free and open to the public during the following hours:
  • Monday–Friday, 9:00am–7:00pm
  • Saturday, 10:00am–4:00pm
  • Opening Reception: Friday, September 6, 6:00–8:00pm  

Sneak Peak:

Howard Quednau - Shepards and Charlatans, 2023 - Wood, styrene, plaster, paper, acrylic

Michael Banning - Wallpaper and Tree, 2024 - Oil on linen over panel

Regan Golden-McNerney - Eden Climber, 2024 - Collage

Ric Rosow Photos from a Recent Twin Cities River Rats Show

Thank you to Ric Rosow for sharing these photos from a recent Twin Cities River Rats show. Their talent is unbelievable! :D

You only have a few more opportunities to see the River Rats this year, and it's a wonderful way to spend an evening on the banks of the Mississippi. (Be sure to bring a few bucks to hit the concession stand or drop in the tip buckets that get circulated - this is an all volunteer operation!)

Info Meeting August 26 at Riverplace to Learn About the Main Street SE Mural Project

Join your neighbors Monday, August 26, at Riverplace to learn about the Mural Project - meet the artists, hear their design ideas & provide feedback.

Nicollet Island-East Bank Neighborhood Association and Marcy Holmes Neighborhood Association are working Native American Community Development Institute (NACDI) to plan and design a painted mural along Main Street SE.

The meeting will take place at Riverplace (43 SE Main Street next to FRGMNT Coffee) in the Garamond Training Room on Monday, August 26 from 6:30-8:00pm to meet the artists creating the design, hear their ideas and provide your feedback. Due to the interactive nature of this conversation, Zoom will not be an option.

Funded by the St. Anthony Falls Heritage Board, this project intends to align with the Heritage Boards priority of developing an appropriate and meaningful presences for the Dakota and other Indigenous peoples in the area.

Theatre in the Round Players Announces 73rd Season

Theatre in the Round Players (TRP) will kick off their 73rd season with Shakespeare’s classic tragedy, King Lear, running weekends September 13 to October 6.

Declaring “I am going to divide my kingdom,” an aging king of Britain puts his daughters to the test – how much do they love him? Seduced by the flattery of his eldest daughters, King Lear banishes his youngest, Cordelia, and unknowingly sets in motion a plot of treachery and murder. This irresistible beginning starts a journey of madness, tyranny, loyalty, and love. Shakespeare’s tragedy about the fall and decay of the world, tells a tale of fathers and children, property, power, and possession.

Full of warring factions, family politics, and tested loyalties, this bold production features original music by composer Donald Sweet with local favorite Meri Golden playing the titular role. Presented on Theatre in the Round’s unique 360-degree stage, audiences will be close to the action.

George M. Roesler directs the fourteen-member cast with set design by Greg Vanselow, costumes by Bejou Leifeld, lighting by Mark Kieffer, props by Mark Steffer, fight choreography by Madeline Achen, and sound design by Robert Hoffman.

King Lear runs September 13 to October 6, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30pm, Sundays at 2pm.

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Tickets: $20-$29. Flexible Season Packages are available from $129-160.

Content Warning: Graphic stage violence, recommended for ages 13+

Post-Show Discussion: Sunday, September 22, immediately following the performance

More info & Tickets: https://www.theatreintheround.org/king-lear/

Box Office Phone:  612-333-3010

Theatre in the Round’s facilities are accessible for audience members using wheelchairs. An audio described performance is scheduled for Friday, October 4 at 7:30pm

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Complete 2024-2025 Season Programming:

King Lear - Sept 13-Oct 6, 2024

Ghost Tours - October 18 & 19, 2024

Reunion (After the End of the World) - November 1-10, 2024

The Unexpected Guest - Nov 22-Dec 22, 2024

Glory - Jan 17-Feb 9, 2025

Legacy of Light - Feb 21-March 16, 2025

Lettice & Lovage - April 4-27, 2025

Sanctuary City - May 9-June 1, 2025

Endometriosis: The Musical - June 20-July 13, 2025