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Wander Minnesota: The Museum Of Russian Art

We are so fortunate to have such a robust museum community in Minnesota. We have large-scale organizations, like the Minneapolis Institute of Arts and the Science Museum of Minnesota, to name just a couple of examples. But there's also a number of smaller museums that are doing excellent work, such as the Museum of Russian Art.

Housed in a former church and in an attractive Spanish colonial building, the Museum of Russian Art is easily reached at the intersection of Diamond Lake Road and 35W. The museum has three levels, which showcase a wide range (and frequently changing) of Russian art.

Museum of Russian Art mezzanine
(credit: Amy Rea)

The museum also has an innovative series of programming. Currently there's a "pop-up" exhibit highlighting the works of Olexa Bulivitsky and Leon Huschcha, Russian immigrants who both lived and worked in Minnesota, and both of whom created beautiful and thought-provoking artworks. The pop-up nature of the exhibit means it's on display only through this Sunday, July 10, so don't wait.

Museum of Russian Art popup
(credit: Amy Rea)

The current main exhibit is a provocative showing of Russian realism, and excellent signage that accompanies the exhibit explains the political nature of the work and the strictures under which many of the artists worked.

But off to the side, in the Fireside Gallery, is some wonderfully unique work that doesn't necessarily fit the nature of "realism."

Museum of Russian Art fireside room
(credit: Amy Rea)

It's well worth getting on the museum's mailing list. Special events abound, including live music and events such as live readings of Russian masters such as Chekhov.

Coming up this fall is Unknown Faberge: New Finds and Rediscoveries, which will include pieces never before exhibited, and Winter Holidays in Russia, a wonderful display of the holiday ornaments past and present in Russia, well worth seeing.

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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