The Minnesota Marine Art Museum in Winona is hosting a "Spring New Look Weekend" from Friday through Sunday to celebrate two new collections. The first, "Myths & Legends of Minnesota: An Exhibition of the Minnesota Plein Air Collective," features 43 paintings by 32 artists created outdoors across the state, focusing on folklore, oral traditions, and waterways. The second, "Gordon Coons: Gidibaajimomin / We Tell Stories," showcases 18 new works by Ojibwa artist Gordon Coons, along with earlier pieces and examples of Woodland Style art from Norval Morrisseau and Sam Ash. The weekend includes plein air painting demonstrations, a printmaking activity with Coons, meet-the-artist tours, and an evening social.
This event matters because it highlights the museum's commitment to regional art and Indigenous storytelling, offering visitors direct engagement with artists and the creative process. By featuring plein air works tied to Minnesota's landscapes and Coons' culturally rooted narratives, the museum strengthens local art appreciation and provides a platform for Native American voices. The extended hours and hands-on programming also aim to make the museum more accessible and inviting to the community.