Visit the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis

A prominent center for the display and promotion of the arts is the Walker Art Center, located at 1750 Hennepin Avenue in Minneapolis. My wife and I recently visited the center and were impressed by the remodeling that has nearly doubled the size of the center and increased the availability of the its resources and holdings to the public.

The Walker was established in 1927, a descendant of the Walker Art Institute, which was founded by Thomas Barlow Walker, a businessman who had tried his luck in the Twin Cities, but eventually ended up in the lumber business in California. The St. Louis Park Historical Society website is a good source for information on Walker and his business ventures. Walker set up the T. B. Walker Foundation which provided the money for the Walker Art Institute, a place to hold and display his own collection of art. In 1927, the first building of the Walker Art Gallery was opened. The eventual product of this process is today's Walker Art Center.

Walker's personal collection was described as "eclectic." The Walker has maintained that tradition throughout its existence. In 1940, a gift from a Mrs. Gilbert Walker allowed the Walker to shift to a focus on modern art, including pieces by Picasso and others.

Through the organization of exhibitions that have been sent to domestic and foreign museums, the Walker has gained a reputation for the quality and diversity of its collections. It has also been a venue for displaying exhibitions from other museums. A recent exhibit showed the influence of Picasso on American art. An exhibit, "Brave New World," based on Aldous Huxley's book of the same title, is currently at the Walker. Its stated purpose, according to the Walker website, is to consider "the present state of political consciousness, expressed through the questions of how to live, experience, and dream."

"Brave New World" is just one of several special exhibits currently running or scheduled to run at the Walker. Art lovers will find a variety of media and subjects to contemplate and enjoy. The Walker website is an invaluable tool through which to keep in touch with the latest exhibits at the center.