The Minneapolis Industrial Exposition Building

Article by Michael Rainville, Jr.

Long before the Minneapolis Convention Center started hosting events, such as the American Legion’s 100th Anniversary convention, the Industrial Exposition Building was home to many events and fairs. Sitting on the east side of the Mississippi River, the building towered over the riverfront and added to the already impressive sights of St. Anthony Falls and the Stone Arch Bridge. While it may not be there today, it served as an important event center for the city for many decades.

1910 photo of the building through an arch of the Stone Arch Bridge. 

Planning for the Exposition Building started in 1885 to counteract an announcement made that same year by the Minnesota State Fair to call St. Paul their permanent home. Prominent Minneapolitans were upset with the decision, so they quickly came together and agreed to dedicate an impressive structure to host industrial expositions to compete with the yearly agricultural exposition held in the next city over. After passing on many architects, such as Leroy Buffington, who designed the Pillsbury A Mill and the second iteration of the State Capitol Building, the local firm of Isaac Hodgson & Son won the bid.

Photo of the celebration when the laid the cornerstone in 1886.

After acquiring land on 101 Central Avenue SE and considering the construction cost, the total amount it took to complete the building was roughly half a million dollars in 1886, or $13,400,000 in 2018. However, the 5.5-acre plot was donated by the city, and the $250,000 needed for construction was raised by the citizens of Minneapolis. Once the building would open, it would be free of debt. On April 29th, a ceremony was held to celebrate the laying of the cornerstone, and it was attended by over 5,000 people. Only taking three months to construct, the cream-colored brick and Mankato limestone building officially opened on August 3rd, 1886. The majority of the building consisted of a three-story hall that could be divided into smaller rooms, and the main feature of the building was an eight-story tower that was the tallest building in the city upon completion.

The building with the new 3rd Avenue bridge in the foreground, circa 1920's.

To celebrate this brand-new event center, they held their first exhibition on August 23rd. 50,000 people attended the first day of the exposition and saw guest speakers such as Archbishop John Ireland and Senator Cushman Kellogg Davis, who was also the state’s 7th governor. President Grover Cleveland and First Lady Frances Cleveland were also invited but could not make the event. Instead, he wrote a letter, which was read aloud to the many spectators.

“With many thanks for the kind message sent to us by the officers and directors of the Minneapolis Industrial Exposition, Mrs. Cleveland joins with me in tendering to them a hearty congratulations upon the auspicious inauguration of an exhibition which not only demonstrates the prosperity and progress of the great northwest, but also reflects credit upon a country whose greatest pride is the happiness and contentment of its people and their enjoyment of all the gifts of God. Mrs. Cleveland gladly complies with your request and will set in motion the machinery of the exposition. she now awaits your signal.”

— Grover Cleveland

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Standing by in New York, Mrs. Frances Cleveland flipped a switch and all of the machinery at the exposition turned on much to the excitement of the crowd. Running through October 3rd, the forty-day exposition attracted over 500,000 people.

The next significant event at the Industrial Exposition Building was the 1892 Republican National Convention. The ballot consisted of President Benjamin Harrison, who eventually won the nomination, James Blaine, William McKinley, Thomas Reed, and Robert Todd Lincoln, the first son of Abraham Lincoln. Harrison lost the presidential election to Grover Cleveland who then became the first president to serve two non-concurrent terms. Not only was this an important convention for Minneapolis, is was very important for the entire country as it was the first national convention where women could be delegates and vote. (They couldn't vote in the presidential election, however.)

Depiction of the inside of the building when the RNC was there.

The Minneapolis Industrial Exposition Building could never draw big crowds like they once did, and in 1896, it was sold to Thomas Janney for only $25,000. The few events that were held there for the next seven years were concerts, and in 1903, it was sold once again to Marion Savage, owner of the famous race horse Dan Patch, who turned it into the International Stock Food Company. In 1940, it was sold once again to Coca-Cola and torn down to make way for a new bottling plant. However, they did keep the eight-story tower to honor the history of the previous building. While it served an important role in the development of the Mississippi riverfront and was an attractive space to hold many different events that saw many visitors come to the city for the first time, the Minneapolis Industrial Exposition Building could never really compete with the Minnesota State Fair and eventually was lost to history. You win this time, St. Paul.

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About Michael Rainville, Jr.

A 6th generation Minneapolitan, Michael Rainville Jr. received his B.A. in History from the University of St. Thomas, and is currently enrolled in their M.A. in Art History and Certificate in Museum Studies programs.

Michael is also a lead guide at Mobile Entertainment LLC, giving Segway tours of the Minneapolis riverfront for 5+ years.

He can be reached at mrainvillejr@comcast.net.

Upper Father Hennepin Bluff Park Improvements Project Update

Via an August 30 e-announcement from Minneapolis Park and Rec Board:

A new performance stage and seasonal restroom building next to the Stone Arch Bridge is part of the project

Project includes new stage, seasonal restroom building and improvements to park entry, paths, lights, wayfinding, landscaping and stormwater management

Construction tentatively planned for 2022

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The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) is nearly complete with design plans for a number of improvements at Upper Father Hennepin Bluff Park. The project includes:

• A new performance stage and attached seasonal restroom facility
• New park entry plaza spaces
• Upgraded lights, path connections, wayfinding signage and trail markings
• Landscape and stormwater management improvements

Follow the link below to view the project design:

Father Hennepin Bluff Park Improvements Design

Please note some of these improvements have been shifted to avoid disturbing historic artifacts revealed by an archeological investigation in June

The design plans are scheduled to be finalized this fall, then bid for construction. If the MPRB receives an acceptable bid, construction of these park improvements would begin in spring 2022.

Project Page

Minneapolis Parks Foundation's 7th Annual Sunrise on Mississippi is Scheduled for September 9

Via a recent e-announcement from Minneapolis Parks Foundation:

Please join us for the 7th annual Sunrise on the Mississippi

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2021 7:30am- 9:00am Under the Big Tent at Boom Island Park – 724 Sibley St NE Sunrise on the Mississippi 2021 will bring us back together at Boom Island Park for an in-person celebration, with a virtual-event option. Virtual Keynote Presentation from Toni L. Griffin Professor in Practice in Urban Design at Harvard Graduate School of Design Founder of urbanAC LLC, Founder and Director of the Just City Lab  With additional in-person speakers   Please RSVP by Tuesday, August 31, to let us know if you plan to attend in-person or virtually CMoir@MplsParksFoundation.org

If you plan to join us in-person Please know that we’ve adapted this year’s event to remain safe and welcoming for all who attend. Here are a few ways things might look different this year. We've added 20 feet to the tent for a little more room to spread out. Breakfast, coffee, and other drinks will be pre-portioned in compostable packaging. Seating is flexible and with plenty of space to move chairs, plus standing areas at high top tables, as well as reserved tables and seating for guests who RSVP with a group. Read our additional COVID protocols here. If you plan to join us virtually The Zoom link will be sent to the email you register with prior to the event.    If you are unable to attend Please consider a donation to the Parks Foundation. Your donation helps ensure the parks in our city remain accessible and equitable for everyone. If you aren’t sure yet, or have additional questions, please contact Christine Moir at CMoir@MplsParksFoundation.org

RSVP to Sunrise on the Mississippi

At the Confluence of a River and a Creek: The Minnesota Soldier’s Home

Article by Michael Rainville, Jr.

Photo of the Minnesota Soldier’s Home taken in 1912 with the Mississippi on the right and Minnehaha on the left.

Caring for our wounded soldiers and veterans has been an ever-present need in our country. The first piece of legislation to help those soldiers passed in 1798, and it provided financial relief specifically for sick and disabled sailors. By the mid-1800s, both state and federal governments took responsibility for aiding those soldiers and veterans in need and constructed hospitals in suburban areas, surrounded by beautifully landscaped campuses that provided an attractive and comfortable experience.

The campus in 1900Once the Civil War subsided, the need for soldier and veteran care skyrocketed. Unfortunately, the only choices for Minnesota veterans were to receive financial donations from charities or stay in an almshouse, a house built by a charitable person or organization. This led to 30,000 Minnesota Civil War veterans signing a petition to the state in 1886 to help the many veterans who were in desperate need. A year later, the state legislature agreed to pass a bill that would provide “for the relief of honorably discharged indigent ex-soldiers, sailors and marines, and the widows, minor orphans and dependent parents of such deceased soldiers, sailors or marines, and for the making of an appropriation for the purchase of land and the construction of the necessary building or buildings thereon.” This was also the first bill in the country that gave money to the families of veterans.

A triangular property at the confluence of the Mississippi River and Minnehaha Creek that was donated for the cause was chosen to be the location of a soldier’s home. Tasked with turning this land into a beautifully scenic location was Horace Cleveland, a landscape architect best known for laying out the Grand Rounds parkway system and the Saint Paul neighborhood of Saint Anthony Park. Throughout his career, Cleveland made it a point to use the natural vegetation and landscape in his designs, and that’s exactly what he did for the soldier’s home. A winding avenue from the north leads to the campus where it meets a system of roads that give easy access to all corners of the property. The land was sectioned off into three terraces, with natural shrubbery and deciduous and coniferous trees being prominent features. A ten-acre vegetable garden was located on the upper terrace, most of the buildings were on the middle, and beautiful meadows were located on the lower terrace, near the creek.

The architect who won the bid to design the structures of the campus was Warren Dunnell, who previously worked with Cleveland designing the State Training School in Red Wing. Dunnell utilized the Richardsonian Romanesque style of architecture, known for its heavy appearance, large arches, and short towers, and constructed two soldier’s homes as well as a laundry facility and heating building.

Upon his visit to the Minnesota Soldier’s Home, the National Inspector of Soldier’s Homes noted that, “Minnesota has in many respects the finest home in all the twenty states. In point of location and construction it cannot be excelled.”

Photo of the bridge taken in 1908.

One of the more noteworthy structures at the Minnesota Soldier’s Home is the bridge across Minnehaha Creek that leads to the campus. The Minneapolis Park Board worked with the Soldier’s Home board of directors to provide another route for vehicles to take to the home, and in 1908, they chose the Minneapolis architect firm Bayne & Hewitt to construct the bridge and the Minneapolis Steel and Machinery Company to provide the materials. This 626-foot-long steel arch bridge sits 105 feet above the creek and consists of one three-hinged arch spanning 288 feet across the ravine, with seven approach spans leading to the main arch. The bridge was completed in September of 1908 and cost $40,000, or roughly $1.15 million after inflation. It was an immediate success and a favorite of residents and visitors alike. My own mother has fond memories of driving over the bridge with her family as a child to visit her grandfather at the Soldier’s Home. The bridge was deemed unsafe in 2014 and closed. Once repairs were complete, the bridge reopened in January of 2020.

1912 photo of the campus from the entrance to the bridge.

Photo of the campus taken in 1930

The Minnesota Soldier’s Home began providing medical assistance after World War I, and the board agreed to make medical care a priority in the 1960s. In 1972, a nursing care facility was constructed, bringing the total number of nursing care beds and domiciliary beds to 250 each. Since then, the state erected veteran’s homes in Fergus Falls, Hastings, Luverne, and Silver Bay, with the Minneapolis campus, now known as the Minnesota Veterans Home, currently housing 291 nursing care beds and fifty domiciliary beds.

Veteran feeding a cat at the Home.

Providing soldiers and veterans with beautiful, state-of-the-art spaces to heal and call home is the least we can do for those who put their lives on the line to protect our country, from the Civil War to now. The next time you visit Minnehaha Park, take a walk over the steel-arch bridge, enjoy the spectacular natural landscaping and views of the bluffs, and appreciate those who have come, gone, and still live at the historic Minnesota Soldier’s Home at the confluence of a mighty river and a lively creek.

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About Michael Rainville, Jr.

A 6th generation Minneapolitan, Michael Rainville, Jr. received his B.A. in History, Graduate Certificate in Museum Studies, and M.A. in Art History from the University of St. Thomas.

Michael is also a lead guide at Mobile Entertainment, LLC, giving Segway, biking, and walking tours of the riverfront for 9+ years.

He can be reached at mrainvillejr@comcast.net.

Modest Mouse at The Armory

Article and photos by Ryan Ojard

On August 22nd Modest Mouse returned to Minneapolis to play a show at The Armory. After almost two years of pandemic-driven shutdowns, you can imagine how eager fans were to see live music - the venue swelled up fast. 

Isaac BrockWhen the lights lowered there was a roar. The roar grew even louder as front man Isaac Brock and his bandmates took the stage. 

Then, it happened. For the initiated and utmost loyal of fans (myself included) they opened with Dramamine. Opening the show with that song set the tone for the rest of the night.  

Modest Mouse went deep on their set list grabbing from the best of their albums throughout the night.  As the evening came to a close, the highly engaged crowd chanted loud for an encore. As they took the stage the crowd got one of Modest Mouse’s most prolific songs ever, The World at Large.  I’m pretty sure everyone got goosebumps.

They ended the show coming full circle and back to their 1996 album, This Is a Long Drive for Someone with Nothing to Think About, playing Breakthrough. 

Fans left fulfilled. We got a little bit of everything from their 25+ years of making music, and that’s just fine in my book.

Opinion: Proposed City Charter Amendment: "Government Structure: Executive Mayor and Legislative Council" - What it's About and Why You Should Care

Submitted by Mary Moos, Resident Southeast Minneapolis

Minneapolis City Charter Amendment

GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE: 

EXECUTIVE MAYOR and LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

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WHAT IT’S ABOUT AND WHY YOU SHOULD CARE.

There is a very important city election on Tuesday, November 2, 2021. Minneapolis will choose its city officials. This is pretty simple to understand so far. Now for the seemingly confusing part. The ballot will also include three amendments to our City Charter. The City Charter is our constitution. Minneapolis is required by State law to have a City Charter.

One amendment recommends the city adopt a system of rent control.

Another amendment requires the disbanding of the Police Department along with the Police Chief and instead, instituting a new department…the Department of Public Safety. This new department would have police ‘only if necessary.’

I am most interested in this next amendment. And you should be too. The future quality of life in Minneapolis depends on it. The ability of our city to exercise its full potential and take it’s place as one of the great cities in the Upper Midwest. This cannot happen without your support. Officially it is called the Government Structure; Executive Mayor and Legislative Council Amendment. This amendment will be listed first on your ballot.

Yes, it’s a mouthful. It sounds more confusing than it is. In reality it is quite simple.

Our current city government is without a well defined organizational structure. There is no single source of accountability. No one to say the buck stops here. All thirteen Council People and the Mayor are able to give orders to each of the department heads with equal authority. They also have the ability to seek retribution if their orders are not carried out. Having fourteen bosses is at the least confusing and at the worst dysfunctional. As a result there is extraordinary turnover within each department. In the last year the city has lost over eight key positions. Recruiting new experienced and competent people is difficult under the circumstances. We need and deserve the best most experienced city employees available.

I can’t imagine any business operating this way.

Minneapolis must simplify and clarify its government structure. We don’t need to invent this from scratch. And we don’t need band aid solutions. There are effective models for Minneapolis to adopt and easily implement. The Federal and State Governments are perfect examples.

Executive and Legislative Branch.

Under this amendment the Mayor is the Chief Executive Officer and has the authority and accountability to propose the annual budget. The Mayor is accountable to ­all residents of the city for the day to day operations once the City Council approves the budget.

The Mayor also nominates the designated Department Heads who are responsible for the delivery of basic city services. The City Council must approve the Mayor’s recommendations. This amendment sets a clear path for Minneapolis to reform the police department and transform public safety. 

The City Council will be the Legislative Policy making body. It defines the level of city services within city ordinances and the Annual Operating and Capital Budgets. Council members will have the responsibility for advocating and ensuring equity in the delivery of services. They will have oversite to ensure the work is done according to the policies they have set and within the financial parameters via independent audits. The responsibilities of the Mayor and the City Council are clearly stated in this Amendment.

What this means to you, the voter, is that emergencies like the riots of last spring can and will be addressed sooner with speed and compassion and without petty turf arguments.

It means that whatever the outcome of the other amendments, there will be a clear common-sense road map for implementing police reform. Currently there is none. Each department head struggles with serving fourteen bosses.

It means that  the much needed police reforms can take place systematically without jeopardizing the safety of any resident. At a time when city-wide homicides are at and all time high, emotional knee-jerk reactions are not appropriate.

Yes, you will still have access to your city council person. That person will still have the responsibility to advocate for their ward. And you will have peace of mind knowing that Minneapolis city government is working equitably for you today and for the long-term future of our city.  

Vote YES on Tuesday, November 2, 2021 for: 

Minneapolis City Charter Amendment

GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE: 

EXECUTIVE MAYOR and LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

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Early voting begins September 17,2021 

FINNOVATION Fellowship Selects Nine For Social Entrepreneurship Program, Now in its Fourth Year

Via a recent e-announcment:

FINNOVATION Fellowship Selects Nine for Social Entrepreneurship Program

Diverse applicants and areas of impact ranging from environmental sustainability efforts to support and resources for the Black community attracted to the program, now in its fourth year.

FINNOVATION Institute, the newly established non-profit partner of FINNOVATION Lab, has selected nine early-stage entrepreneurs for the fourth cohort of its Fellowship Program, which aims to support and empower entrepreneurs who have bold ideas for sustainable, positive impact. The nine-month program, running September 2021 through May 2022, will push the fellows to solve social or environmental issues through innovative business models. 

Fellows will receive a $50,000 living stipend and $3,000 health care stipend and have access to dedicated workspace and an ecosystem of advisors and mentors. The group will work through a tailored curriculum designed to develop the leadership skills necessary to run a successful social enterprise. In addition to valuable resources and benefits, fellows gain support and critical feedback through working as part of a group with shared values.

“We are excited to support our fourth cohort’s efforts to develop mission-driven businesses with mindful leadership. Their personal and professional progress is important to the work we aim to accomplish through the FINNOVATION Institute,” said Connie Rutledge, CEO of FINNOVATION Institute. “Amidst all of the uncertainty in today’s world, we must remember that our communities are full of innovative ideas that need room to grow.”

The nine fellows were selected from a highly competitive pool of applicants. A group of community leaders and alumni of the Fellowship Program selected this year’s group. The FINNOVATION Fellowship continues to attract diverse applicants, reflected in the final selected fellows and the social issues their business ideas represent. Within this cohort, the majority of founders identify as women and/or people of color, continuing the program’s support for entrepreneurs with personal experience in the issues they aim to solve.

The selected fellows and their areas of impact include: 

• Fun Fun Cheng: Providing healthy and culturally nourishing food to the chronically ill in the Asian community. 
• Charie Gill-Baptist: Reducing disparities for young people aging out of foster care, providing resources for self-development, professional growth, and financial stability.
• Hannah Hendrix: Eliminating access barriers to food and the kitchen using consultation and food delivery services that center disabled people and their experiences.
• Monica Jones: Increasing awareness and understanding of maternal wellness and mortality in the Black, Indigenous, People of Color community.
• Chou Moua: Bringing cultural consciousness into healthcare and social services consulting starting with Adult Foster Care and branching into other service areas.
• Ashleyn Przedwiecki: Tackling waste and the environmental footprint of the events industry through a sustainable events academy and creative design agency.
• Ayanna Rakhu: Addressing drowning disparities among People of Color, developing a culturally relevant swim curriculum.
• Katelyn Retterath Martin: Balancing injustices in cataloging systems, creating a database that forges pathways for equity and inclusion in libraries.
• Brittany L. Wright: Reducing maternal mortality and morbidity through a holistic maternal care center.

“This is a promising group of entrepreneurs,” said Jacquie Berglund, FINNOVATION Lab and FINNEGANS Brew Co. Founder. “Starting a business, especially in the social impact space, is incredibly challenging. One of the primary prerequisites is to have passion for creating change, and that is evident within each of the selected fellows.”

This latest cohort brings the FINNOVATION Fellowship Program network to 32 entrepreneurs, expanding the social impact community and increasing positive social change for local communities. Alumni of the program have gone on to create revenue-building businesses, raise capital funding and serve as visible leaders in our entrepreneurial ecosystem.

The Fellowship Program is made possible through generous support from the Bush Foundation, known for its commitment to innovation and creative problem solving. Dedicated workspace and business resources are available to fellows in the FINNOVATION Lab space within the FINNEGANS House at 817 5th Ave South, Minneapolis 55404.

More information about the FINNOVATION Institute and the Fellowship Program is available at Finn-Lab.com.

Potential Concepts for Graco Park, New Riverfront Park Project in Northeast Minneapolis

A view of Hall's Island, Plymouth Avenue Bridge and East Bank Trail running through the future Graco Park. Image courtesy of Mississippi Watershed Management Organization.

Review and comment on three concepts created based on feedback received over the summer

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) is developing a new park along the Northeast Minneapolis riverfront called Graco Park! This summer MPRB staff collected initial feedback from the community and researched opportunities and constraints at the site, which is located just north of the Plymouth Avenue Bridge with Mississippi East Bank Trail currently running through it.

Now three distinct design concepts for Graco Park, created based on the initial feedback and research, are available for public comment. Use the link below to view each concept and comment on what you like or don't like about them. 

Graco Park Concepts

Feedback will be used to generate a refined concept that will incorporate elements from all three designs. The refined concept will be shared in late fall 2021.

Each concept is unique, but all include:

• A public multiuse building
• Access to the Mississippi East Bank Trail
• Improved landscaping and greenspace
• Improved stormwater treatment
• Improved intersection safety near 8th Avenue NE and Sibley Street NE

Get Involved

The MPRB invites anyone interested in the Graco Park project to give feedback on the three park concepts. There are multiple ways to get involved:

Online Survey: Visit the project engagement page to find images and information about the project and concepts, along with prompts to share your thoughts and opinions. All submitted ideas and comments will be documented and considered as designs for the project are developed. The survey will be open until Sept. 26, 2021.

In-Person Event: Share your thoughts in person at Graco Park on Sunday, Sept. 12, 3-5 pm. Look for the MPRB tent and table!

Virtual Conversation: Join MPRB staff and community members for an online open house on Tuesday, Sept. 14, 4:30-6 pm. Use the Zoom link below to join:

Graco Park Zoom Link Meeting ID: 883 7023 0432

Phase 1 Recap

The first round of community engagement occurred June 7-July 7, 2021. During the first round of engagement, MPRB staff met with more than 100 potential park users across several engagements and collected more than 170 comments through an online survey. Engagements included: Neighborhood meetings, Pop-Ups in Graco Park, a Project Advisory Committee (PAC) meeting, a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) meeting,  a virtual Public Open House, intercept interviews in the park, and a Youth Engagement Bus Tour with 60+ youth.

Visit the project engagement page for more details on the feedback received during the first phase over the summer.

Down the Road

A third round of engagement will occur this fall with another survey and additional in-person events to share a preferred park and building design concept for feedback. The final concept will have a public hearing before being considered by MPRB Commissioners for final approval. Contract bidding is scheduled spring 2022, with construction anticipated to begin in summer 2022.

Visit the Graco Park and Lot 2 project page and enter your email address into the box under "Subscribe to Email Updates" to stay informed about this project. 

Local Leader: Tucker Blythe, Superintendent, Mississippi National River and Recreation Area

Article by Becky Fillinger

Superintendent Blythe TuckerTucker Blythe will assume the role of Superintendent of the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area on September 12. We talked to him about his lifelong interest in parks and what drew him to Minnesota. 

Q:  Congratulations on your new role! Please tell us about your earliest memories and interest in pursuing a career in the parks.  

A:  As a kid, my family traveled to national and state parks and spent a lot of time outdoors and visiting historic sites. When I went to college, I knew I wanted to pursue something related to history and historic sites. I discovered historic preservation as a major and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Historic Preservation from Mary Washington College, in Fredericksburg, VA. It was really my undergraduate advisor who directed me to the National Park Service (NPS) and my first seasonal appointment. Once I was in the NPS, I knew it was work that filled my soul. I’ve been lucky to have several wonderful positions and posts in the National Park Service. 

Q: What drew you to pursue this Superintendent position? 

A: There are several reasons why I pursued this particular position. First, I love that this park is such a collaborative, relationship-based park. I felt that my experiences and skill sets could help the park grow and allow me to continue to develop as a servant leader. I grew up in Memphis, Tennessee and my formative years were connected to the Mississippi River. My wife Sandy is a Minnesota native, born in Coon Rapids, so the Mississippi River has connected us and been a theme in both our lives. We are really excited to again be close to family. Even though I’m not native to Minnesota, it’s my happy place, and I am looking forward to making it home.

Tucker with his wife Sandy at the headwaters of the Mississippi River.

Q:  You mention the GOAL Leadership Academy in your profiles. What is it? 

A:  GOAL Leadership Academy is a leadership development program for NPS employees. The program started in Grand Canyon National Park, but now it is a program for all mid-level NPS employees. I went through GOAL in 2011-12. The major emphasis in the program is growing self-awareness so that participants can be leaders wherever they happen to be situated in the organization. I know as I went through the program, I was able to see more clearly what I could contribute to the park service as a public servant.  

Q:  What innovative programs from your prior appointments will you consider for your new role? 

A:  This is a tough question for me. I don’t know that I have any set idea of something I want to bring to the park from my previous appointments. What I want is to be open to the strengths that my staff and our partners already have and figure out how to enhance their ability to use those strengths. I love collaborating and brainstorming, so who knows what kind of creative ideas and synergy we will create. I’m looking forward to that!

River Matters: Hidden Urban Waterways with Trinity Ek, U of M Student Researcher

Article by Becky Fillinger

Trinity EkThe history of local unnavigable waterways and natural wetlands, like Bassett Creek, is usually untold. We spoke to Trinity Ek, a senior at the University of Minnesota, who researches hidden urban waterways. She provides background on why it happens and how we can be more aware in our local communities – which can prevent soils unfit for building, sloped land, and landscapes prone to flooding.

Q:  In the U’s 2020 Fall Research Symposium, you presented your research on hidden urban waterways, specifically Bassett Creek. Can you please tell us how you came to learn about the local lost waterways?

A:  You’re right - I took part in the Fall 2020 Undergraduate Research Symposium as a third year undergraduate student (I am now a senior!). I came to learn about Bassett Creek through my mentor, Patrick Nunnally. We had previously worked on a project together at St. Anthony Falls on the St. Anthony Falls Heritage Trail and I expressed interest in continuing my exploration of water and waterways. He introduced me to the story of Bassett Creek and guided me through the project. 

Q:  What did you uncover in your Bassett Creek research?

A:  Bassett Creek is one example of many that illustrates the intersection of race, place, and hydrology. It illuminates how waterways have often been seen as nuisances in urban areas to build around, over or to bury. The ways we interact with the environment around us influence short-term and long-term social and physical outcomes. For example, Bassett Creek was essentially the local dump and its heavy pollution negatively impacted the health of the community around it, as well as devalued the adjacent land at that time. That devaluation led to the locating of the Sumner Field Homes, which were the first federally subsidized homes in Minnesota. They housed predominantly Asian and Black communities who went on to experience flooding and other impacts from the creek. It was later torn down and Heritage Park now stands there today.

Current day Heritage Park

Bassett Creek near the abandoned Fruen Mill, which dates back to 1894.

Q:  What can we as citizens do to help convert lost waterways to usable, beautiful community resources? Is it possible?  

A:  Well, it can be difficult to even know about lost waterways, as they may be obscured, buried, and hard to see or access. However, when we do know about them, we as citizens can voice our desires to daylight the waterways or restore the areas around them whether that be to planners or to a neighborhood association. 

Q:  Will you pursue a career in environmental architecture? Or environmental justice?

A:  I intend to integrate environmental, racial, and climate justice into my future career as an urban planner. I would like to take the learnings from my research and apply it to the practice of planning in ways that benefit historically disadvantaged and marginalized communities now and in the future. 

Q:  How may we follow or stay current in your research topic? 

A:  Follow the work of local organizations who are tackling these issues, such as MWMO and Friends of the Mississippi. To learn more about the intersection of race and hydrology, check out writers like Jason King who explores Hidden Hydrology.  

Bacon Social House Minneapolis Announces Grand Re-Opening Weekend September 10

August 28 UPDATE: The  grand re-opening weekend has been moved to the weekend of September 17.

Bacon Social House, an independently owned restaurant, is re-opening in the Thresher Square building at 700 S 3rd Street with reservations available now through Resy for the official grand re-opening weekend September 10, 2021.

This location is the company’s fourth location, which initially opened in 2019 and shut down due to COVID-19. It will be open Wednesday - Friday 11:00 am - 7:00 pm, Saturday 9:00 am - 8:00 pm, and Sunday 8:00 am - 6:00 pm serving weekend brunch, weekday lunch, dinner, and happy hour specials. The 4,200 square foot space is next door to the new Canopy by Hilton hotel, just two blocks from the U.S. Bank Stadium.

“We are THRILLED...our much-anticipated MSP location is ready to welcome guests back into the space! It has been a tough year for the restaurant industry as a whole, so this opening holds even more significance to us. We are honored to be part of the Minneapolis revitalization both downtown and in the U.S. Bank Stadium. We hope Bacon Social House will once again become a destination for both locals and visitors looking for delicious food and drinks in a place that’s all about bringing fun and good times. We are so grateful for an incredible team and community who have rallied behind us,” said owner David Dill.

Photo: Mill City TimesThe menu is bacon-forward, featuring the signature flight of 6 types of bacon: applewood, BBQ, chili lime, French toast, candied, and a bacon flavor of the month. Many popular items at the Colorado locations will be featured, including brunch favorites like bacon, shrimp & grits, and chicken & waffles with sausage gravy and applewood smoked bacon.

The menu will also feature some regional specialties like poutine with a choice of pork green chili or sausage gravy and melted cheddar, coffee from Spyhouse Coffee Roasters, spirits from Tattersall Distilling, Du Nord Craft Spirits, Prairie Organic Spirits, and RockFilter Distillery, and craft beer from Bauhaus Brew Labs, Lake Monster Brewing, Surly Brewing Co., and more.

MN Craft Brewers Guild's 20th Annual Autumn Brew Review Beer Festival Scheduled for October 16 at Boom Island

Via an August 20 e-announcement from the Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild:

On October 16, 2021, craft beer fans can celebrate the season with unlimited samples of Minnesota-made beer, cider, and more at Autumn Brew Review beer festival. The festival will feature special seasonal releases and classic favorites, non-alcoholic and gluten free options, food trucks, music, games, and more!

Autumn Brew Review is hosted by the Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild (MNCBG), the state’s nonprofit association for craft breweries and brewpubs. Like other MNCBG festivals, Autumn Brew Review will exclusively showcase the local talent of Minnesota’s breweries, brewpubs, and cideries. “We hear from attendees all the time that they love how they actually get to talk with the head brewers and owners of Minnesota’s breweries at our festivals. Our fests are a great way for craft beer fans to connect in a new way with some of their favorite local businesses, and discover new places they haven’t been able to try yet,” said Lauren Bennett McGinty, Executive Director of the MNCBG.

*  *  *  *  *  Autumn Brew Review Details  *  *  *  *  *

● October 16, 1:30-5:00p

● Boom Island Park, 724 Sibley Street NE

● Tickets On Sale Now

   ○ General Admission: $60

   ○ Sober/DD: $15

   ○ Early-entry available to members of the Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild MNthusiast program

● 80+ MN craft breweries, brewpubs, and cideries

● Food Trucks, local shopping, games, competitions, and music hosted by The Current

*  *  *  *  *  Vaccinations Required  *  *  *  *  *

The MNCBG is taking new precautions for the upcoming festival; proof of COVID-19 vaccination will be required for all attendees, workers, and volunteers.The nonprofit will also be releasing tickets in stages, and, in the unlikely case of a full cancellation due to COVID, will offer refunds to ticket holders.

“The health and wellness of craft beer employees and customers is extremely important to the Guild, and so is continuing to host the festivals that energize and connect the craft beer community. As COVID continues to be a concern throughout the state, we felt it was our responsibility to do what we could to support community and industry safety at ABR,” says Bennett McGinty. “We know not everyone will be happy with the vaccine requirement, but our goal is to limit the potential negative impact our festival could have on community health, and allow people to be more confident in working, attending, and volunteering at ABR.”

More information

About The Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild

The Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild is a not-for-profit organization that was founded in 2000 and is made up of more than 165 Minnesota brewery members. The Guild showcases the talent of Minnesota’s craft brewers and promotes Minnesota’s brewing industry by sponsoring festivals and special events, including Winterfest, the MN Brewers Cup, All Pints North, the State Fair’s Brewed in Minnesota exhibit, and Autumn Brew Review. The Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild’s mission is to promote, protect, and grow a robust Minnesota craft brewing industry by building a healthy beer culture and community that allows for independent brewers, industry stakeholders, and craft beer fans to thrive.

Small Business Spotlight: Farmers Kitchen + Bar

Article by Becky Fillinger

Minneapolis foodies rejoice – the Farmers Kitchen + Bar officially opens on August 25! Mill City Times dropped by the August 19 preview party to talk with Executive Chef Kris Koch, President of the Minnesota Farmers Union Gary Wertish, and several farmers. Our community has a terrific new spot open for dining – and supporting local food makers – in the former Spoonriver space at 750 South 2nd Street.

Executive Chef Kris Koch

Q:  You have 15 farmers and makers producing for the restaurant – will that number change over time?

A:  Chef Koch:  It probably will change seasonally. Some farmers have a ‘high tunnel’ where they can produce greens longer into the colder weather. I have one producer that grows greens throughout the winter in insulated shipping containers. We’ll definitely have great root vegetables, eggs, beef and pork year-round and we are working with three different artisanal cheese makers. 

Q:  With all of the relationships involved, do you have a farmer relations staff person?

A:  Chef Koch: No, I do all the farmer liaison work. It’s busy, but I do enjoy working directly with the farmers. There’s a lot of coordination but the result is worth it.

Cheers! Enjoy a State Fair Maple Cream NitroQ:  How is staffing going for the restaurant? 

A:  Chef Koch: I’m super blessed and enthusiastic to have the staff we have on board now. We may need a few more, but we have hired some really great people. Pat Weber assisted me in staffing up the restaurant. We think people will want to work here.

Q:  Tell us about the breakfast items you’ll offer.

A:  Chef Koch: Right out of the gate, we’ll have lattes and muffins - breakfast pastries. Over time we’ll add items like beef hash, corn cakes and fava bean toast with poached eggs.

Q:  How long did it take to pull the restaurant together?

A:  Gary Wertish:  Brenda Langton approached us 2018 – it’s been about three years from the time of the original concept to being ready to open our doors now.

Q:  You’ve helped procure a great set of 15 farmers to start. How will you manage the growth of farmers who wish to participate?

A:  Gary Wertish:  You’re right, we’re at 15 farmers right now. Our focus will be on providing a consistent product of excellent quality. We’ll always buy local from Minnesota Farmers Union members. Growth will happen around those parameters.

Q:  Immigrants are the backbone of the farm to table movement. Will your restaurant honor their contributions?

A:  Gary Wertish:  There is no doubt that immigrants perform the hard manual work of farming, especially on larger farms in places like California. We have Hmong community farmers here – they’re excellent farmers. None of us would have the abundance of food on our tables without immigrants to pick the product. At the restaurant and as farmers, we’re mindful of that fact every day.

Q:  What would you like Mill City Times readers to know about your restaurant?

A:  Gary Wertish:  We want them to know that we are here to serve them. The restaurant will be the first and only restaurant wholly-owned and operated by the Minnesota Farmers Union. We want to be a good community member, serving farm fresh food, directly from farmer to your plate. Unless you are growing it yourself, you won’t find fresher food than what we serve. Please come and visit us!

We spoke to several farmers and asked about their farms and what they’ll supply to the restaurant:

Jodi Ohlsen Read of Shepherd’s Way Farms – I’ve been making sheep milk cheese since 1998 in Nerstrand. I’ve been a vendor at the Mill City Farmers Market for many years. It’s exciting to have another way to bring farmers together with consumers. Our products - Big Woods Blue and Friesago will be featured on picnic platters and salads like the Big Woods Wedge Salad.

Todd Churchill of Churchill Reserve Premium Grass Fed Beef - We produce 100% grass fed beef in Cannon Falls. Consumer preferences for food are changing - they are interested in food origins. How was it raised? How were the animals treated? We have all of that information. We are providing beef for the Field Hand burger.

Katie Bonow of the Capra Nera Creamery – We make farmstead goat cheese in small batches in Altura. We say, "From grass to goat to cheese!" I’ve been making cheese at home since I was 15. You’ll find our cheese in the Fern + Dale turkey sandwich and the Porch Platter.

Walleye Tots

Bison Wild Rice Meatballs

By the way, the food and beverages we sampled were exemplary! Bison wild rice meatballs, walleye tots, baby beet salad, Fern + Dale turkey sandwich, wild rice Waldorf salad, combine cookies and State Fair maple cream nitro! Do yourself a favor, visit the restaurant and try as many of these foods as possible. 

The food is definitely the star of the show, but also check out the framed Minnesota Farmers Union memorabilia and the wall sized mosaic made of tiny photos of Minnesota farmers.  I want to be a Singing Farmer or at least hear their performances!

Small Business Spotlight: O’Shaughnessy Distilling Company (Opening August 19!)

Article by Becky Fillinger

The Prospect Park area welcomes another wonderful small business – the O'Shaughnessy Distilling Company! We talked to Halee Peterson, Digital Marketing Manager, about what we can expect when the doors officially open on Thursday, August 19!

Q:  O’Shaughnessy Distilling’s Facebook page states the company is first and foremost the story of family. Can you tell us more about that?

A:  O'Shaughnessy Distilling was started by cousins and lifelong friends, Patrick and Michael O’Shaughnessy, with a vision to make whiskeys worthy of our rich Irish American heritage, that bring people together and create a legacy for future generations. The spirit of family and friends, and our shared experiences together, provide us with deep connection and meaning in our lives.

Q:  What spirits will the distillery produce? 

A:  Our first whiskey release is Keeper's Heart - Irish whiskeys blended with American Rye whiskey. We combine the unique qualities of Irish grain and single pot still whiskeys with American Rye whiskey for a remarkable drinking experience. Please check out more info here.

Coming Fall 2021, we will release a 10 Year Single Malt Irish Whiskey. At the distillery we also produce Tower Hill Vodka and Guard and Gate Gin – they’re only available at the distillery.

Q:  I recently ate at The Market at Malcolm Yards. The new developments in the Prospect Park area, including O'Shaughnessy Distillery, are transformative. Why did O’Shaughnessy Distillery choose this location? 

A:  We think it’s a growing central area, with a lot of industrial development. The Market at Malcolm Yards, Surly Brewing Co. and lots of new residential buildings were all a draw for us. We're excited to be a part of the Prospect Park community and watch it grow!

Q:  Please tell us more about the company's partnership with local grain farmers. 

A:  We partner with local farmers to source our grain and we mill 100% of our cereal on site.

Q:  How may we follow your news?

A:  First, come and visit us! We’d be so pleased if you would follow O’Shaughnessy Distilling on Instagram, Facebook and subscribe to our newsletter on our website (coming soon!).

Keeper's Heart Whiskey: Follow us on Instagram and subscribe to our newsletter on our website.

Gamut Gallery Announces Annual Call 4 Work exhibition, C4W:2021

Via an August 16 e-announcement from Gamut Gallery:

 September 10 - October 9, 2021

C4W:2021 Elemental - a group exhibition that invites us to drop down from the chaos into the essential foundation of existence as life twists & changes around us.

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C4W:2021 Features: Aidan Dillon, Alexandra Beaumont, Alondra M. Garza, Atzín Rayas, Ayana Figueroa, Ben DiNino, Ben Hering, Benjamin Wuest, Bo Young An, Buddah Jankey, Caryn Ann Bendrick, Christopher Harrison, Christopher Palbicki, CL Martin, Corinne Teed, Daniel Allyn Lee, Derek Meier, Emily Forbes, Helene Woods, Human Shaped Animal, Ilya Natarius, Ivonne Yáñez, Jacob Docksey, Jessica Kitzman, Jes Lee, Jordan Wiebe, Jorie Kosel, Kat Moon, Katie Robinson, Kristine Fretheim, Laurie Borggreve, Liza Ferrari, Lucy Comer, Lynda Mullan, Madison Rubenstein, Maria Quinn, Margaret Vergara, Nate Woodard, Sarah M. Sosa, Tchana Pierre, & Tiffany Lange

Our annual Call-4-Work exhibition is not a show that influences what art should be. Instead, the chosen guest curator brings their unique perspective and interpretation of the submitted works ranging the full “Gamut” of visual media. When Cándida González accepted the invite to curate this year’s C4W:2021, they went in as a blank canvas and let the artwork choose them, empowering the 197 artists to lead the way through all 836 submissions.Through our guest curator’s lens and perspective, this body of work presented the theme Elemental.

“We are living in a portal moment in time, transporting between two worlds, strapped into a rollercoaster ride that we didn’t even know we were in line for. As everything twists and changes arounds us, we reach for the things that stay constant, the things that we know, the building blocks of life.” - Cándida González

This year’s group exhibit will feature 43 artworks that Cándida has chosen to represent one of the foundational blocks of life, from the classical elements and human connections to life and death. The roots of all existing matter – earth, air, water and fire – are essential principles of life, each possessing an energy that when summoned has the power to ground us and heal during times of turmoil. For Cándida, these selected works embody a form of elemental energy that invites us to drop down from the chaos into the essential foundation of existence as life twists & changes around us. These artworks all create roots in the state of being that we return to inorder to help us make sense of the confusion. - Join the FB Event: C4W:2021 - Elemental curated by Cándida González - Visit the exhibit online: GamutGalleryMpls.com

 *  *  *  * PUBLIC OPENING NIGHT: *  *  *  *

Friday, September 10 / 6-9pm • $7, FREE for members
Featuring 42 Artists, Icy Icy Baby Shaved Ice Truck & DJ FNK

• Pre-sales available and recommended
• Entry will be available at the door
• Masks required indoors

Returning this year, there will be two “Best in Show '' awards. One will be selected by the guest curator and the other by opening night attendees. Both winners will be awarded $100 cash and Platinum Memberships to Gamut Gallery ($400 value). You will not want to miss the opportunity to help one of these artists take the best in show.

 *  *  *  * C4W:2021 ELEMENTAL ARTIST TALK *  *  *  * 

Wednesday, September 22nd / 7pm • $5 pre-sales, $7 door, FREE for members
Featured Artists: Alondra M. Garza, Benjamin Wuest, Katie Robinson & Tchana Pierre
• Pre-sales available and recommended
• Entry will be available at the door
• Masks required indoors

C4W guest curator, Cándida González, and Gamut Gallery’s director, Cass Garner, sit down for a conversation with four C4W artists to share about their processes, ideations and perspectives on current events.

 *  *  *  *  ABOUT THE CURATOR  *  *  *  * 

Cándida González is a queer, non-binary Puerto Rican native of South Minneapolis, they studied Latin American Art and History at The Evergreen State College in Olympia, WA, and went on to get their M.Ed. at The University of Minnesota in 2003. In their 15 years of arts education work in Minneapolis they worked on building art programs that focused on equitable arts opportunities, inclusivity of underserved populations, and deeper, culturally relevant arts experiences for youth and communities of color. Through their work they have also focused on providing opportunities and development for emerging artists of color. They approach their work by centering at the intersection of art, activism, healing and personal/community empowerment. They are deeply invested in the concept of using art and community design as tools to wage love and healing. Currently Gonzalez facilitates nationwide the Making it Public workshop series for Forecast Public Art, participates in select local arts and healing initiatives and creates mixed-media jewelry under the name Las Ranas Jewelry.

 *  *  * *  GALLERY & GIFT SHOP OPEN HOURS  *  *  * * 

FREE open hours: Wednesday - Friday, 11am - 6pm; Saturday 11am - 4pm

Gamut Gallery is open without capacity restrictions for in-person viewing of the exhibition. We are available by appointment, please request an appointment 48 hours in advance.

Milling About: Elaine Evans of the University of Minnesota Bee Lab

Elaine Evans of the University of Minnesota Bee Lab joins Brianna Rose to discuss why bees are struggling, why we should care and what we can do to help them.

Martha Ripley and the Hospital Named in Her Honor

Article by Michael Rainville, Jr.

Martha George Rogers RipleyIn the land of 10,000 lakes, medical field advancements, promoting women’s rights, and helping charitable causes have been ever-present, and Martha George Rogers Ripley lived a full life that encompassed all three. From growing up on the East Coast to establishing one of the best maternity hospitals in the nation, this is a story of how one person positively impacted the lives of many.

Born in 1843 in the small town of Lowell, Vermont, Martha Rogers started her life’s journey as an elementary school teacher. Once she married William Ripley, they moved to Massachusetts where she worked in the textile milling industry. Here, she took note of the subpar working conditions for women in the mills, began a suffrage group in Middleton, MA, and eventually was elected to the executive committee of the Massachusetts Women Suffrage Association. In order to be of better assistance to the women working in the mills, she enrolled in the medical school at Boston University and received her medical doctorate in 1883. Shortly after, her husband was involved in a milling accident and could no longer work. The responsibility of supporting her family was now solely on Martha’s shoulders, so the family moved to a land of more opportunity, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Martha Ripley was one of the first women to receive their medical license in Minnesota, and she soon became a top obstetrician. That same year, 1883, she was elected president of the Minnesota Woman Suffrage Association and brought the yearly national convention of the American Woman Suffrage Association to Minneapolis just two years later. During her time as president, she worked to bring more attention to public health issues such as clean water, food availability for all, and proper city sanitation. She also unsuccessfully petitioned the state to grant women the right to vote and to raise the age of consent from ten to eighteen years old. The state would later raise the age to fourteen in 1891. Quite shocking to think this was only 130 years ago.

1909 photo of the Maternity Hospital

Martha Ripley opened her own hospital in 1886 for pregnant women and children at 316 East 15th Street, near the present-day Convention Center. They quickly outgrew their first location and moved to 2529 4th Avenue South, and even then, that location was too small. Ten years after Maternity Hospital opened their doors, they moved to five acres of land on the corner of Penn Avenue North and Western Avenue, now known as Glenwood Avenue. Martha employed an all-women staff and gave care to any woman, regardless of their marital and financial status. There was also room for unwed mothers and abandoned children to live and get back on their feet, similar to the services provided by Sharing & Caring Hands at Mary’s Place.

The new building, 1916

Nurses with babies, 1925

1925 photo of babies playing with a wheelbarrow - and a pitchfork (!?!) - at the hospital.

The first new building for the hospital on this site was the Marshall Stacy Nursery, completed in 1909. In 1910, an intensive care and isolation unit for infants was built, known as the Babies’ Bungalow. That same year, the Emily Paddock Cottage opened, a residential home for nurses. Maternity Hospital was a huge success, but it wasn’t expanding quick enough for the demand it had, so in 1911, Martha asked the State for funding in order to erect a proper hospital building. Unfortunately, Martha succumbed to a respiratory infection and heart failure in 1912. However, her new two-story hospital building was completed four years later and was renamed as the Ripley Memorial Hospital.

The hospital operated until 1957, and during its time, it had one of the best infant mortality rates in the United States. Their maternal death rate was also something to be proud of. During the 1930s when the state of Minnesota saw 4.5 maternal deaths for every 1,000 births, the Ripley Memorial Hospital had 1.35.

Martha's plaque in the MN State Capitol rotunda.The memory of Martha Ripley and the hospital named in her honor still remains, however. In 1939, twenty-seven years after her passing, a bronze plaque depicting her was installed in the Minnesota State Capitol rotunda. The hospital campus was sold to the Children’s Hospital of Minneapolis, and its remaining funds were used to start the Ripley Memorial Foundation. The hospital was included in the National Register of Historic Places in 1980 and was redeveloped into Ripley Gardens affordable housing in 2007 by Aeon, a Twin Cities organization dedicated to making quality housing available for those who may not be able to afford it otherwise. Martha Ripley may have left us over 100 years ago, but her passion to help those who need it the most continues to live on through her foundation and the housing that now occupies the old Ripley Memorial Hospital.

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About Michael Rainville, Jr.

A 6th generation Minneapolitan, Michael Rainville, Jr. received his B.A. in History, Graduate Certificate in Museum Studies, and M.A. in Art History from the University of St. Thomas.

Michael is also a lead guide at Mobile Entertainment, LLC, giving Segway, biking, and walking tours of the riverfront for 9+ years.

He can be reached at mrainvillejr@comcast.net.

Vote for the Northrup King Building!

Congratulations to the Northrup King Building on being nominated for a Reader's Choice Award for Best Art Gallery by Minnesota Monthly.

If you love the building and the artists, cast a vote by clicking this link to go to the survey. 

NOTE: Votes must be cast by August 16.

Stone Arch Reflections by Ric Rosow

Submitted by Mill District resident Ric Rosow

I stepped outside onto our patio in the morning just as the rain ended. I saw a wonderful reflection of the arches of the Stone Arch Bridge in the calm waters of the Mississippi River. Not trusting that the calm would last long, I took my camera just as it was set up on my tripod with a telephoto lens. I thought a wide angle lens might be better, but did not want to take the time to change lenses. As it turned out the telephoto lens delivered exactly what I wanted to capture.

The calm waters reflected well. When I processed the photograph I saw that there were several people on the bridge who I had not noticed. In particular there was a man and a women in the middle of the bridge with their backs to me as they stood at the railing on the falls side of the bridge. Each had an arm around the other. I thought it would be a nice touch to keep them in the picture. But that was not what attracted me to the scene in the first place. More important than that however, is that beyond them there were too many distracting elements on the other side of the bridge. Wires, fences, a road, electric transmission towers, as well as other people on the bridge would take the viewers eye away from the arches and the reflection in the water. I decided to crop the image to just the bridge arches and their reflection. In anticipation of printing the image I placed a 1/4 inch white border around the image and a black border around that. Both will be covered up when the image is displayed in mat inside a frame.  

I hope you enjoy viewing the image. See more of my work at www.ricrosowphotography.com.

The Cowles Center and the McKnight Fellowships for Dancers Announce SOLO: Six World-Premiere Dance Films

Via an August 12 e-announcement:

Yeniel ‘Chini’ Perez Domenech

 SOLO: Six World-Premiere Dance Films, presented by The Cowles Center and the McKnight Fellowships for Dancers

September 18, 7:30p; September 19-25 on demand

The McKnight Fellowships for Dancers’ biannual showcase event, SOLO, pairs six Minnesota dancers with renowned local, national, and international choreographers. This year, the pairings result in the creation of six new dance films, interspersed with artist interviews. The films will premiere with an on-site screening in the Cowles’ Goodale Theater on September 18. A livestream of the premiere (which includes a Meet the Artist Q&A) will be available, and SOLO will be available on demand from September 19 – 25. Tickets are $20 - $25; purchase at thecowlescenter.org/solo21.  SOLO will include some captioning in Spanish and English. Masks will be required in the theater.

The six dancers are Renée Copeland, Sharon Mansur, Yeniel "Chini" Perez Domenech, Erin Thompson, Joseph "MN Joe" Tran, and Elayna Waxse. Each are recipients of a McKnight Dancer Fellowship, an annual award given to three mid-career Minnesota dancers whose work demonstrates artistic excellence. In addition to a $25,000 unrestricted cash award, fellows received additional support and the commission of a new solo from a choreographer of their choosing. The 2021 collaborations range from innovative Hip Hop to contemporary Arab imaginings, to intimate site-specific explorations and more.

Dana K. Kassel, Program Director, shares: “The McKnight Fellowship for Dancers is awarded to applaud and support exceptional Minnesota-based dancers. While we have always had a national audience, including support from nationally known dance artists who have served on our application panel, this year’s performance is special because we’re able to offer a version of SOLO that’s readily available to our audience around the globe.”

The Cowles Center for Dance & the Performing Arts, 528 Hennepin Avenue