Enjoy fall foliage along the Mississippi and take in an art display or two

Photo: https://experiencemississippiriver.com/chasing-fall-color-on-the-great-river-road/

Fall colors in the Missisippi River Valley are spectacular!  ​It's a glorious drive, with sweeping views of the river illuminated with the reds and golds of autumn extending for miles.   If you go leaf-peeping this fall, plan a stop to see some art along the way.  

In Winona, the Minnesota Maritime Art Museum's current exhibit is "A Nation Takes Place: Race and Water in Contemporary Art".  The exhibition draws together a collection of artwork by 38 artists and from over 20 lending partners to help viewers comprehend the complexity of America’s formation, a project unthinkable without waterways, conquest, and slave ships.   

And the Pure Water Mississippi exhibit is appearing in La Crosse and Winona this fall.   There will be a reception in La Crosse on September 18 and one in Winona on September 23, both with continuing exhibits and other events.  

Following is information on the Minnesota Maritime Art Museum's and the Pure Water exhibits.  

​A Nation Takes Place:
​Race and Water in Contemporary Art

Minnesota Maritime Art Museum
800 Riverview Drive
Winona, Minnesota 55987
Open Tuesday-Sunday 10-5; 8pm closing on Thursday

Exhibit information: click here
Story on MinnPost about exhibit: click here

​A Nation Takes Place examines the ways seafaring imaginaries are connected to the lethal technologies of enslavement, colonialism, genocide, dispossession, and extraction. This unique perspective invites viewers to rethink our understanding of these historical events and their water connections. 

Kent Monkman: "Saving the Newcomers" (2023) Credit: MinnPost photo by Sheila Regan

“A Nation Takes Place” features a few examples of historical paintings and maps— as well as an example of historic slave shackles, but the main thrust of the show features Black and Indigenous artists mining water for meaning. Works in the show unearth legacies of violence and trauma, of land theft, and relationship to the ocean, as well as lakes and rivers. Artists reflect on untold stories and search for connection as well as build new visions for understanding and the future. With 38 artists represented and put together in collaboration with 21 lending institutions, “A Nation Takes Place” is an ambitious project that is as much about looking back as it is about the present moment. ​

Pure Mississippi River  Exhibit in La Crosse and Winona:
​
Wednesday, September 18:  Pure Iowa Water—“Save Mississippi River” Pop Art Exhibition, Reception with the League of Women Voters Upper Mississippi River Region from 5 - 7 p.m. at the La Crosse Cappella Performing Arts Center, 721 King Street, La Crosse WI 54601 
For more details, click here

Thursday, September 19-22:  Pure Iowa Water—“Save Mississippi River” Pop Art Exhibition at the La Crosse Public Library, 800 Main Street, La Crosse WI 54601 Exhibit remains on display until September 22nd.
For more details, click here

Monday, September 23- October 4:  Pure Iowa Water—“Save Mississippi River” Pop Art Exhibition Opening Reception Monday, September 23rd from 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. at the Winona County History Center, 160 Johnson Street, Winona MN 55987  Tuesday, September 24th from 9:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Winona Area Middle school student presentations.  This Exhibition is supported in partnership between the Winona County League of Women Voters, LWV Upper Mississippi River Region Inter-League Organization and the Will Dilg Chapter Izaak Walton League.  Exhibit remains on display until October 4th.
For more details, click here

Monday, September 23- October 4:  Pure Iowa Water—“Save Mississippi River” Pop Art Exhibition at St. Mary’s University Figulio Recital Hall Performance Center.  Thursday, October 3rd, Winona Area High School student presentations. Closing Reception Friday, October 4th from 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.  This Exhibition is supported in partnership between the Winona County League of Women Voters, LWV Upper Mississippi River Region Inter-League Organization and the Will Dilg Chapter Izaak Walton League.  Exhibit remains on display until October 4th.
For more details, click here

Other venues hosting Pure Water exhibits this fall: 

Sunday, August 18- until further notice:  Pure Iowa Water—“Save Keg Creek” Pop Art Exhibition at Milk & Honey Cafe, Serving delicious farm to table breakfast & lunch meals at 919 7th Street, Harlan, IA 51537  Exhibit remains on display until further notice.  
For more details, click here

Summer 2024:  Pure Iowa Water—“Save Bloody Run” Pop Art Exhibition at the Driftless Water Defenders public outreach events. 
For more details, click here

Monday, September 9-11:  Pure Iowa Water—“Save Mississippi River” Pop Art Exhibition at the Iowa Water Conference 2024 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel and Conference Center, 300 East 9th Street, Coralville, IA 52241
For more details, click here

Tuesday, October 8:  Pure Iowa Water—“Raccoon River, Save Squirrel Hollow” Pop Art Exhibition at Iowa Water Summit.  Tuesday, October 8th, at the Des Moines Izaak Walton League, 4343 George Flagg Parkway, Des Moines IA 50321. 
For more details, click here

Wednesday, October 9-10:  Pure Iowa Water—Pop Art Exhibition at Iowa Nature Summit, Drake University Olmsted Center, 2875 University Avenue, Des Moines IA 50311. 
For more details, click here