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Franconia Sculpture Park is turning 25 and celebrating in high art and high fashion  September 25,  with its largest community event to date! Please join Franconia staff, board and our 2021 Artists-in-Residence for a full-day program looking back on a milestone year highlighting the intersection of art and ecology and our 2021 Curatorial theme of “Authority & Visibility in Public Space.” Parking during the event is $5/car and all events are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted.*

11 a.m.-9 p.m.: The Elm Tree Story Booth

The Elm Tree Story Booth is a hand-built, tree-shaped phone booth designed and built by public artists Jessica Turtle and David Aichinger of Standing Cedars Workshop in Osceola, Wisconsin for the Natural Heritage Project.

11 a.m.-1 p.m.: BioQuest with the University of Minnesota

Join the University of Minnesota for a playful program that encourages visitors to pay attention to the plants and animals living amid Franconia’s sculptures. Guests of all ages can use their cell phone to photograph plants, insects, birds, mammals, fungi, and other living beings to create a collaborative map of Franconia’s biodiversity.

2-3 p.m.: Tour of new 2021 sculptures by Franconia’s Executive Director & Chief Curator

Join Franconia’s Executive Director & Chief Curator Ginger Shulick Porcella as she gives a guided-tour of the new sculptures created throughout the year by Franconia’s 2021 Artists-in-Residence. The tour will start at the entrance to Franconia Commons.

3-4 p.m.: Meet and Greet with 2021 Artists-in-Residence

Always wanted to know who makes all of the amazing sculptures that you see at Franconia Sculpture Park? Join Franconia staff and 2021 Artists-in-Residence at the covered area on the work pad for a behind-the-scenes tour of where the artwork is made and a unique opportunity to meet with artists and ask them questions about their process.
4-6 p.m.: Opening Reception for After, Other, and Before in the Mardag Gallery at Franconia Commons

Franconia Sculpture Park is pleased to present After, Other, and Before a group exhibition curated by Emerging Curators Institute Fellow and 2021 Franconia Fellow, Kehayr Brown-Ransaw. This exhibition presents works by diasporic artists that confronts, challenges, reconciles, and recontextualizes the settler colonial identity and “other” identity marker placed on people of color. Participating artists include Timothy Manalo, Nico Sardina, Beau Tate, and Kieran Myles-Andrés Tverbakk.

5-6 p.m.: Opening Reception for FSP Artist Billboard Project with Yasmeenah Sideak

Join Franconia for the grand opening of the FSP Artist Billboard Project. Underscoring Franconia’s annual curatorial theme of “Authority and Visibility in Public Space,” this inaugural public art installation is the first of three works to be installed on the highly-visible corner of Highways 8 and 95, providing emerging Minnesota artists of color a platform for exploring race in rural spaces.

 This activity is funded through a grant from the East Central Regional Arts Council through an appropriation from the Minnesota State Legislature with money from the State's general fund.

6-7 p.m.: NUR-D in Franconia’s Amphitheatre*

One of the fastest rising stars in Minnesota’s music scene, Nur-D burst onto the stage in 2018 and has been making headlines ever since. Performing alongside national acts like Migos, Logic, Tyler the Creator, and Wu-Tang Clan, Nur-D is well on his way to becoming a household name.

Alongside his impressive musical accomplishments—including playing for Paisley Park, First Avenue, US Bank Stadium, and The Kennedy Center—Nur-D has served on the front lines during the uprising in Minnesota after the murder of George Floyd, providing first aid services and help to the community. Nur-D founded the not-for-profit group Justice Frontline Aid to help strengthen the Twin Cities and its people during an unprecedented time of struggle. Activist, Musician, Speaker, Community Organizer, and so many other titles, Nur-D is all of these things and more.

Concert is free with admission; $25 tickets include two free drink tickets and a post-show “meet and greet” with Nur-D. Tickets can be purchased at https://www.franconia.org/25th-anniversary/.

Burro Loco, The Great Panini, and Fro Yo Soul will have food trucks on-site during the event. A variety of beverages will be available for purchase, including beer by Lake Monster Brewing and wine from Alexis Bailly Vineyards.

For more information, please visit www.franconia.org/25th-anniversary.
 

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