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A fine art museum with a particular focus on water, The Minnesota Marine Art Museum is a nonprofit run by a board of directors, regularly bringing in new artwork and stories to the people of Winona.
Caitlin Crouchet is the Director of Communications at the MMAM. She explains that to initiate change and create the plans for new exhibits, it takes a team of directors, curators, art handlers, and many volunteers to pull it off.
Keaton Riebel is a third-year student at Winona State University, majoring in creative digital media with a photography minor. She enjoys the MMAM and the atmosphere it gives to those who visit.
“I went to the MMAM this past summer for the very first time with my partner and it did not disappoint. In the summer, they have an outdoor exhibit with a little walking path and a goal of having as many native flowers as possible, making it such a beautiful place to be absorbed in,” Riebel said. “The architecture and mission to explore our relationship with water is so fascinating, and not what you’d always expect on your first visit.”
Recently, the museum has maintained the goal of highlighting issues such as climate change, which is both encouraging and impactful towards the community. They have also strived to feature works created by artists who may not have gotten the acknowledgement deserved. These artists could be women artists and artists of color, such as those included in the “Re/ Framing the View” exhibit.
Crouchet mentions that the Hudson River School served as the art school within the original western schools of the United States. Within these pieces of art, they feature many large sweeping landscapes, along with pieces of civilization found within.
The Hudson River School is, while we’re honoring it and this exhibition, it is mostly white men,” Crouchet said. “So, this exhibition honors and remembers the school, but also looks at the narratives that were excluded during that time. So, women artists, indigenous artists, black artists, and like what’s going on in the landscape.”
Crouchet goes on to explain that what makes this artwork interesting is that it seeks to give a new perspective; to hear the voices of those who were originally silenced.
“Re/Framing the View” has been open since October 14th and can still be visited through this summer of 2024.
There are several galleries not yet open, or that have only just opened to the public. Water by Mustafah Abdulaziz opened on January 13th and is a larger exhibition dedicated to his powerful interpretation of water. Reflective Impressions opened on January 20th, and it explores the relationship that the artists have with water.
One of the newest exhibits is “Aabijijiwan/Ukeyat Yanelleh,” or “The Water Flows Continuous- ly,” which focuses on indigenous lifestyle revolving around the Mississippi River. This exhibit will be opening on January 27th, 2024.
“We started focusing on different things every year. So, 2023 was flora and fauna. And then this year is fresh water; steadily rising tides, and then our submissions kind of focus around that,” Crouchet said. “Freshwater is looking at like water equality, climate change, but also like fresh perspectives and water. So, it can mean a lot of different things.”
For the MMAM’s new freshwater theme of 2024, and
to celebrate the artists featured, there will be many events to look forward to this coming week. Friday, January 26th is the “New Look Preview Party”, the very first event to kick off the season. This event is followed by others throughout the weekend, and students, residents of Winona, and members of the community are all encouraged to come.
“When I go to the museum, I usually look for a peaceful and fun getaway. Although, just like Winona, the museum might not be impressive in size, it will not diminish the experience I will have each time I go,” Riebel said. “There are places to sit, enjoy a snack, and get immersed in the fantastic collections they have. Even when seeing the same exhibition, I find something new to explore.”
