Exploring the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden

Seeing the iconic Spoonbridge and Cherry sculpture highlights a visit to the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden.

The sculpture garden has over 40 works from the Walker Art Center’s collections.

(This was our first stop on our family trip to explore part of the North Shore in Minnesota and the Apostle Islands.)

"Irene Hixon Whitney Bridge" with the "Spoonbridge and Cherry" bridge crosses the freeway and leads to Loring Park. — “*Irene Hixon Whitney Bridge” with the “Spoonbridge and Cherry”, bridge crosses the freeway and leads to Loring Park.*

East Side Walk

We first checked out the Spoonbridge and Cherry created by Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen. Many photos are taken of it with the Minneapolis skyline in the background.

Next, we captured a photo standing in front of the Love sculpture by Robert Indiana.

Then we checked out the blue rooster, the Hahn/Cock by Katharina Fritsch.

Swinging in a sculpture. — *Swinging in a sculpture*.

My son and our nephew enjoyed swinging in the metallic Arikidea by Mar di Suvero.

North Side

Next, we went westward on the north side of the garden.

Here, we found the black metal Dawn Tree by Louise Nevelson.

A pathway goes under a trellis of flowers through here.

We come to a bell held by metal poles titled For Whom… by Kris Martin.

Then we saw a rabbit on a bell titled Hare on Bell on Portland Stone Piers by Barry Flanagan.

West Side

Next, we came to a black tower with a saint inside titled Black Vessel for a Saint by Theaster Gates.

A set of columns titled X with Columns by Sal LeWitt can be seen on the grounds.

An animal sculpture made of wood is named Woodrow by Deborah Butterfield.

Then we came to a metallic structure with a mobile on top titled The Spinner, done by Alexander Calder.

South Side

Now, we walked through the south side of the garden.

Here, we found a metal sculpture titled Without Words by Judith Shea, which includes a jacket and part of a head.

Then, we came to a circular sculpture titled Reclining Mother and Child by Henry Moore.

A squishy metal sculpture by Tony Cragg is titled Level Head.

In front of bushes is the Hand for Minneapolis, created by Judith Hopf.

My son thought Hephaestus by Matthew Monahan was creepy.

Then we came to two figures titled September Room (Room with Two Reclining Figures and Composition with Long Verticals)by Mark Manders.

My son enjoyed walking around the Two-way Mirror Punched Steel Hedge Labyrinth by Dan Graham.

Then, we finished our tour of the sculpture garden.

Final Thoughts

The sculpture garden was worth checking out. It featured a wide variety of works created by many different sculptors. I liked how the sculptures were placed in different gardens, making it more of an adventure than just walking along a lawn.

DETAILS:

Restrooms are located near the 300 Kenwood Parkway parking area or on the lower level of the Walker Art Center Entrance facing Vineland Place.

Hours: 6 a.m., 12 midnight, 365 days a year

Admission: Free, but there is paid parking. Parking is available in the City of Minneapolis garage on the Walker site (entrance on Vineland Place at Bryant Avenue), in the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden pay lot, and on the street (hourly and metered).

Address: 725 Vineland Pl, Minneapolis, MN 55403

Next, we stayed outside Minneapolis and the St.Paul area in White Bear.

Best Western Plus White Bear Country Inn

This hotel had a decent pool, and the on-site restaurant, Rudy’s Redeye Grill, had excellent food. I liked my fish and chips.

Address: 4940 US-61, White Bear Lake, MN 55110

Cup and Cone

Down the main thoroughfare is a local ice cream shop with plenty of choices.

Hours: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m., Daily

Address: 2126 4th St, White Bear Lake, MN 55110

White Bear Lake County Park

Nearby is a park with a beach and playground.

Address: 5050 Lake Ave, White Bear Lake, MN 55110

MORE MIDWEST SCULPTURE GARDENS

St. Louis Art Museum: Sculpture Garden Walk

Sculptures grace the grounds of the St. Louis Art Museum and in the Grace Taylor Broughton Sculpture Garden.

Henry Lay Sculpture Park

A sculpture garden tucked away in the Mississippi River hills is the setting for St. Louis University‘s Henry Lay Sculpture Park.

Road Trip to Allerton Park Near Champaign

A centaur in the middle of the woods can be found at Allerton Park sculpture garden in Central Illinois and was one of the many treasures we found there.