The Minnesota Marine Art Museum (MMAM) invites art enthusiasts and community members to celebrate the beginning of an inspiring new year at the 2025 MMAM Launch Party. This event will take place on Friday, January 24, 2025, from 7-10 p.m. at the museum, with tickets priced at $20 for the general public and $15 for MMAM members. This year’s theme, Rising Tides, will guide MMAM’s exhibitions and programming, highlighting the dynamic relationship between art, water, nature, and resilience.
The evening promises an immersive experience celebrating the opening of three new exhibitions: “Edward Burtynsky: Water,” “Shelly Mosman: Currents,” and the new literary arts exhibition, “Once Upon a Shore.” Guests will enjoy exclusive insights from exhibiting artist Shelly Mosman during an artist-led tour of “Currents,” as she shares her creative process and the inspirations behind her narrative-driven portraits.
“Edward Burtynsky: Water” is a stunning series of large-scale photographs that focus our attention not on water itself, but on the systems that humans have put in place in order to harness it, shape it, and control it. “Shelly Mosman: Currents” showcases water-inspired portraits blending elements of European art history and modern pop culture with Mosman’s unique narrative style. Finally, “Once Upon a Shore,” curated by Heid E. Erdrich, presents multidisciplinary works by Indigenous artists and authors, telling powerful water-related stories through visual art, literature, and installation.
Event highlights will include music by Minneapolis indie-folk favorite David Huckfelt, light bites from Muddled Thyme, and cocktails by presenting partner La Crosse Distilling Co., featuring a menu inspired by water. Guests can also enjoy complimentary tarot consultations from Gloria Alatorre, scavenger hunts throughout the new exhibitions, and a preview of MMAM’s 2025 offerings through dream boards, trivia, and teaser displays. Attendees will also be invited to step outside to the museum’s scenic riverwalk for a cozy bonfire under the stars, complete with complimentary s’mores.
MMAM members are invited to arrive early at 6:30 p.m. for an exclusive exhibition tour with the curatorial team, offering an in-depth look at the new exhibitions before doors open to the public. Members will also receive a commemorative Rising Tides membership pin as a token of appreciation for their support.
The 2025 MMAM Launch Party is made possible by the generous support of presenting partner La Crosse Distilling Co., along with contributions from Muddled Thyme, Wisconsin Public Radio, Minnesota Public Radio, and Blue Heron Coffeehouse.
Tickets are available now on the museum’s website or at the front desk. Don’t miss this opportunity to gather, connect, and celebrate the transformative power of art as we embark on an exciting year of exhibitions and programs. For more information, please visit www.mmam.org or call 507-474-6626.
The Minnesota Marine Art Museum is a nonprofit art museum that creates meaningful art experiences that explore our relationship with water. Located in Winona, Minnesota at 800 Riverview Drive, the purpose-built museum is located on the banks of the Mississippi River and boasts six galleries, an educational and events space, and a destination retail shop on its seven acre riverside campus. It is through this surprising diversity that MMAM is not only describing what marine art is, but pushing the boundaries of what marine art can be.
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