We are lucky to have so many wonderful arts opportunities in our Twin Cities community. One of the oldest is the Minneapolis Institute of Arts (MIA), a free museum operated for the benefit of the general public. It is Minnesota's largest art educator, and more than half a million people visit each year to see the more than 80,000 works of art in their permanent collection as well as special traveling exhibitions from around the world.
The museum had its beginnings in 1883, when a group of 25 citizens banded together to form the Minneapolis Society of Fine Arts. The original building, designed by McKim, Mead and White, opened its doors in 1915. It was expanded in 1974 along with a connection to the new Children's Theatre Company building, both designed by the late Japanese architect Kenzo Tange. A vibrant arts center that keeps growing, both the museum and children's theatre expanded again in 2006, this time designed by architect Michael Graves.
The stunning Chihuly Sunburst chandelier, made up of 1,000 pieces of glass, is visible from both MIA and the Children's Theatre…and the art institute offers beautiful views of the nearby Minneapolis skyline.
When I visited recently, I was struck with how topical is its current exhibition, Inda: Public Places, Private Spaces. A few weeks ago we saw the movie Slumdog Millionaire (just received 4 Golden Globe awards including Best Picture), which put the exhibit in more immediate context.
I have a couple of 'old friends' I always visit when I am at MIA…Rembrandt's painting of Lucretia and Degas' Portrait of Mlle. Hortense Valpinçon. It's interesting, because my first love is more modern art, but these two works really speak to me. I find that I especially love portraits. While visiting art galleries in Chelsea (NYC) last weekend, one artist reminded me a bit of Degas and his wonderful layers…Nikki S. Lee…alas, I didn't have a spare $30K to spend so although tempting there is no danger one of her lovely "Layers" series is coming home with me!
Click here to see properties currently for sale around MIA…not far Eat Street in Minneapolis, MN. (Please be patient while the link searches for the most current listings…pass your cursor over the dots on the map for property information.)
