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Wander Minnesota: Art Not To Be Missed

Maybe you heard about the following art exhibits when they first opened with big splashes and a great deal of publicity. But they were scheduled to be here for weeks or months, so plenty of time. And then other things came along, and they slowly disappeared from front of mind.

But the clock is ticking for each of these three stellar, highly-regarded exhibits. Make plans to attend sooner than later—some may sell out before they close, and you'll miss them altogether.

 Matisse, Purple Robe and Anemones
(credit: Minneapolis Institute of the Arts)

Matisse: Masterworks from the Baltimore Museum of Art is here only through May 18, so now is the time! This gorgeous exhibit has nearly 80 pieces by Henri Matisse, including drawings, prints, sculptures, and paintings. Getting to see Matisse's striking use of color up close will definitely brighten your day.

Matisse: Bouquet of Dahlias and White Book
(credit: Minneapolis Institute of the Arts)

You'll also have the opportunity to see the ways in which Matisse overlapped some of his work, with recurring images of fruit and pewter vases in different still lives. There's also a dated, chronological set of sketches he worked on for over a year before creating a painting, so you see the artist's train of thought at work.

Hopper, Study For Hotel Lobby
(credit: Walker Art Center)

An equally worthy exhibit is over at the Walker Art Center: Hopper Drawing: A Painter's Process, here through June 20. The work of Edward Hopper is illuminated through the process he went through to develop his paintings. What you see above is the beginning of what would eventually become this:

Hotel Lobby
(credit: Walker Art Center)

Many of the pieces in this exhibition have never been in public before, but were held by the artist's widow, Josephine Hopper, before she bequeathed them to the Whitney Museum of American Art.

The Walker has some innovative programming occurring with this exhibit, including Old School Art School, in which part of the gallery has been transformed into an atelier, with paper, pencils, and objects to draw offered for visitors. On occasional Free Thursday Nights and some Saturdays, visiting artists will be on hand to teach in the Old School Art School (no additional charge).

Bell Audubon Goldfinch
(credit: Bell Museum of Natural History)

Finally, available only through June 8 is the Audubon and the Art of Birds exhibit at the Bell Museum. Don't miss this lovely display of the intricately detailed nature art by master John James Audubon. The exhibit looks at the way ornithological art has changed and developed from the days of the Renaissance to today. Along with Audubon's meticulous work, there are works by different artists of the same bird, so you will see Carolina parakeets by three different artists.

Bell Audubon Osprey
(credit: Bell Museum of Natural History)

These diverse exhibits only underscore what a fantastic arts community we have here. Don't let the clock keep ticking—go see these exhibits today.

What else is happening in our state? Be sure to check out the 10 p.m. Sunday night WCCO newscasts, where you can learn more in the weekly segment, Finding Minnesota.

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