“Icebreaker” Welcome Party!

The “Icebreaker” Welcome Party will take place at the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Friday, March 25, immediately after the Convocation Ceremony at the Downtown Hilton Hotel. The Walker is located 4 minutes or 1.3 miles from the hotel.

The Walker Art Center is one of the most exciting contemporary visual, performing, and media arts venues in the United States. Established in 1927, the Walker Art Center began as the first public art gallery in the Upper Midwest. The museum’s focus on modern art began in the 1940s, when a gift from Mrs. Gilbert Walker made possible acquisition of works by important artists of the 20^th century, starting with the iconic Blue Horses by Franz Marc in 1942.  In 2005, the Walker nearly doubled in size, increasing both indoor and outdoor facilities to include new gallery spaces, a black box theater, and awarding winning restaurant 20.21. Today the Walker is recognized internationally as a singular model of a multidisciplinary arts organization and as a national leader for its innovative approaches to audience engagement.

Adjacent to the Walker is the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden (opened in 1988), one of the nation’s largest urban sculpture parks. The Garden’s centerpiece and most popular work is Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen’s Spoonbridge and Cherry, which has become a beloved symbol of the Twin Cities.

Attendees to the “Icebreaker” event can arrive at the Walker from 7:00 p.m. onward. Mix and mingle among the Walker’s lounges, enjoying hors d’eouvres and desserts, one complimentary drink ticket then cash bar, and conversation with colleagues.   Join us in the Cargill Lounge at 7:15 p.m. for a brief welcome to our members from the Walker’s director, Olga Viso.  Check out the galleries and take advantage of the opportunity to enjoy current exhibits including: “Event Horizon” with a continuous screening of Derek Jarman’s Blue; “Midnight Party;”  “The Spectacular of Vernacular;” “Sol LeWitt: 2D+3D,” showcasing a range of artwork from his drawings and prints to sculptures, maquettes, and wall drawings, among other items; and “50/50: Audience and Experts Curate the Paper Collection,” featuring some 200 works hung salon-style and addressing the dynamics between “audience” and “expert,” curatorial practice and so-called “mass taste.”  Be sure to save some time to explore the gift shop, open especially for our members during the evening.

Free shuttle provided from the hotel to the Walker Art Center and back. A free coat check will be available.

Christy Dent, Event Committee PR

cldent@stthomas.edu