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February 2024
Great Art Inspired by Water
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Freshwater New Look Weekend a Success | |
Over 800+ Attended New Look Weekend
The Freshwater New Look Weekend at MMAM on January 26 - 28 was a smashing success! The sell-out New Look Preview Party on Friday night offered a staged conversation with artists Mustafah Abdulaziz, Monique Verdin, and Karen Goulet, moderated by Dr. Mary Jo Klinker, a live gallery performance by Jada Brown and Willows, and a chance for attendees to explore four new exhibitions. On Saturday and Sunday visitors had the opportunity to meet Mustafah Abdulaziz, Monique Verdin, Karen Goulet on artist tours, watch a demonstration, participate in community painting with The Joy Labs, and attend a film screening. Hold the dates for our next New Look Weekend, July 12-14, 2024.
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Four New Exhibitions Open | |
Exploring the 2024 Annual Theme: Freshwater
In January, the Minnesota Marine Art Museum presented a year-long suite of exhibitions and programs under the theme Freshwater, and opened four new exhibitions that explore bold and often under-told narratives, examine fresh new perspectives of water, and feature game-changing artists who help us better understand our relationship to this precious resource.
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Mustafah Abdulaziz (American b. 1986), Woman Gathering Water, Benue, Nigeria, 2015, (detail), scanned color film negative, giclée print. Courtesy of the artist. | |
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Mustafah Abdulaziz | Water
On view January 13 - June 23, 2024
Photographer Mustafah Abdulaziz has dedicated more than a decade of his life to the compelling narrative of climate change's profound impact on humanity. Through his large-scale, expansive installations he has documented international issues of water access.
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Russ Kramer (American b. 1960), The Corinthians, 2021. Oil on panel. Private collection. | |
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Reflecting Impressions: The 19th National Exhibition of the American Society of Marine Artists
On view January 20 - May 5, 2024
Reflective Impressions is the 19th national member exhibition for the American Society of Marine Artists, featuring more than 100 of the best contemporary marine artists in the United States.
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Spring Dances in the North part of Unfinished Business, 2020-2022. Karen Goulet (White Earth Ojibwe and Métis, American b. 1959). Mixed media. Courtesy of the artist. | |
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Aabijijiwan / Ukeyat Yanalleh, It Flows Continuously | Karen Goulet and Monique Verdin
On view January 27 - July 7, 2024
A collaborative exhibition by multimedia artists Karen Goulet (Ojibwe) and Monique Verdin (Houma). These two artists are bound by a common river, united by the Mississippi or Misi-ziibi (“Big River” in Ojibwe).
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Nikkolas Smith (American, 1985), Legacy, 2021. Digital illustration. The 1619 Project: Born on the Water (Nikole Hannah-Jones and Renée Watson, authors), Kokila, an imprint of Penguin Random House. | |
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Across a Wide Ocean: Remarkable Stories about the Origins of Identity
On view January 27, 2024 - January 5, 2025
Water shapes our very existence. Combining personal, familial, and historical stories across cultures and time, Across a Wide Ocean reminds us of the many ways this comes about.
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Winter Seasonal Saturday:
The Most Beautiful Thing
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Saturday, February 10 | 10am - 5pm
$1 Admission | MMAM Members Free
Art is for everyone! Join us for MMAM’s signature community arts access day, Seasonal Saturdays. With $1 admission for all, this is a fun and lively day to visit the museum for first-time visitors and experienced museum-goers alike. Inspired by MMAM's current exhibition Across a Wide Ocean: Remarkable Stories about the Origins of Identity, the theme of this Seasonal Saturday is The Most Beautiful Thing. Enjoy wandering the galleries on your own, or join a tour, listen to live music, try your hand at art-making, or visit one of our community partners. Bingo Overboard, everyone’s favorite search-and-find game, is always available - just don’t forget to pick up your prize!
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Most Beautiful Thing: Kao Kalia Yang (2020). The Most Beautiful Thing. Khoa Le (illus.) Millbrook Press. | |
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Water Music: Reflections
on the Nature of Water
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Thursday, February 22 | 7pm - 8:30pm
Tickets: $25
MMAM and the Winona Symphony Orchestra present Water Music, an evening that marries two art forms and celebrates their shared inspiration. Praised for their "Emotionally raw performances" (-Chicago Tribune) F-PLUS Trio presents an evening of works written expressly for their ensemble, tied together with the theme of moving in and out of a storm at sea.
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Gallery Interactives Spark Wonder at MMAM | |
New Blog Post
MMAM has a number of inviting ‘discovery docks’ dotted throughout the museum. These hands-on interactive gallery stations offer visitors of all ages and abilities another way to connect with the exhibitions.“Months before an exhibit comes together we brainstorm what ‘discovery docks’ we can develop for the upcoming year. It’s absolutely one of my favorite meetings each year. We know we have great art to look at and we ask ourselves ‘How can we give visitors a chance to participate?’ The ideas are always exciting,” says Heather Casper, the Curator of Engagement, Impact and Learning.
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Connections in Reflective Impressions | |
Patrick O’Brien Inspires Young Artist
Errol and his family made their way to MMAM for the first time for the New Look Weekend, and more specifically to see ASMA exhibiting artist, Patrick O’Brien, do an artist demonstration on Saturday, January 27. Errol watched the entire demonstration, and was inspired by Patrick’s work, and his emphasis on history, science, and artistry. At the end of the demonstration, Patrick surprised Errol by gifting him the painting he created during the demonstration, surely making Errol’s day and inspiring a burgeoning young artist! Thank you to Patrick O’Brien for the amazing demonstration and creating a memorable event, and thank you to Errol’s family for allowing us to share this special moment in time.
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New Exhibitions at MMAM Receive Praise and Attention | |
MMAM featured in local and state-wide publications
From mentions on MPR Art Hounds “The light fabric flows and ripples as visitors walk by.” (-MPR), the Sahan Journal “...hosting three exhibitions highlighting the works of BIPOC artists examining the cultural significance of water..” (-Sahan Journal), and MinnPost Weekend Picks, “The Minnesota Marine Art Museum pushes forward with its bold new direction that re-envisions our relationship with water and highlights underrepresented voices.” (-MinnPost), to a live interviews on Midwest Access with artist Mustafah Abdulaziz, and Communications Director, Caitlin Crouchet, to articles in Winona Daily News, La Crosse Tribune, and the Winona Post, MMAM has received press both locally and across the state for the four new exhibitions and the Freshwater New Look Weekend.
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Great Events Inspired by Water | |
Events + Rentals at MMAM
Book your next event, photo shoot, private party, corporate retreat, workshop, or family celebration at one of the premier event locations in the region. Situated on seven acres on the Upper Mississippi River just outside downtown Winona, Minnesota, MMAM’s location, sophisticated ambiance, and family friendly atmosphere make it a must-see destination in the region.
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2024 Freshwater Merch Launch
Stop in to check out MMAM’s new Shoppe inventory, bringing you the most exciting and entertaining water-inspired products from some of today’s most brilliant artists, authors and creatives. Inspired by MMAM’s 2024 annual theme of Freshwater, local designer Peet Feetsch created the museums’ 2024 Freshwater logo. Check out the Freshwater merchandise from new t-shirts to water bottles.
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Help others stay in the know!
Share this newsletter with a friend for the latest updates from one of Minnesota's fastest growing museums!
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Mission
To create meaningful art experiences that explore our relationship with water.
Vision
To spark wonder, shift perspectives, and create a more compassionate and connected world for all, by boldly leveraging the generative capacities of great art inspired by water.
Values
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Center our work in Communities and Collaboration.
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Steward Sustainability, Equity and Hospitality.
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Operate with Honesty, Transparency and Trust.
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Be Bold and Brave.
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Always Enterprising, Always Outstanding.
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This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts & cultural heritage fund.
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