Minneapolis Sculpture Gardens

The Minneapolis Sculpture gardens are a premiere 11 acre oasis of enjoyment. It is located at 1750 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis. The gardens and parkland are near Loring Park, between downtown Minneapolis and the nearby Lowry Hill area. It is directly adjacent to the Walker Art Center and Walker Art Museum.

The location is kind of a spaghetti bowl, near three large churches and two Interstate Highways. There is a frontage road, Vineland Place, on the west side of I-94 that provides fairly easy access to the garden and nearby art museum.

History of the Sculpture Gardens

The Minneapolis Sculpture Gardens opened in 1988. They were a joint venture project. It was a partnership between the Walker Art Gallery and the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. It is loved by many and it’s statues, especially the Spoonbridge and Cherry are prominently featured in most Minnesota travel guides.

The Walker Art Center’s indoor art, the Guthrie Theater located in the same building, and the garden’s outdoor, public artwork definitely adds to the cultural delight of the community.

Spoonbridge and Cherry

This urban sculpture piece is always a family favorite. The iconic spoonbridge and cherry are loved by all. It is truly one of Minnesota’s most cherished resources.

There are always people milling around the pond at the base of the Cherry statue. Visiting, having a picnic and posing for pictures are always fun to do here. You may even see bridal photo shoot as it is quite a popular photographic destination.

The bright red cherry is cheerful and fun and very photogenic. I always take 10 times more photos than I probably should when I go here, but they always turn out pretty good.

One thing to note is that there is a fine mist of water spraying near the top of the cherry. Some photos can capture the spray but it is pretty hard to do as it requires just the right angle and lighting to even see, furthermore capture with a picture.

The iconic Spoonbridge and Cherry statue was designed by Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen. This is one of my favorite pieces of outdoor artwork and I am so glad that they designed it.

Giant Blue Rooster

Another iconic statue is the giant blue rooster. It stands out as kind of odd and unique. The blue is quite stark and bright. The statue itself is huge. It is definitely fun to look at. Kids in particular are fascinated by this piece of contemporary art.

The rooster is the symbol of France. Minnesota Public Radio did a story on the Blue Rooster Monument and the artist that created it.

The story behind the Blue Rooster is that it is said to be and the statue is a “cheeky” monument representing the 1805 British Napoleonic War victory over Spain and France.

Meet the Garden Designer

The grid-like structure of the gardens were laid out by Edward Larrabee Barnes who also designed the Walker Arts Center building when it was redesigned in 1971. Integrated into the design were allees, otherwise known as wide sidewalks and walkways, that make the park very easy to stroll and enjoy.

Much of the park is in a natural bee-friendly, native plants and wildflowers state., which has a nice charming fresh meadow feel to it. The accompanying dividers of low walls and hedges make it easy to enjoy the large outdoor sculptures.

Sage and John Cowles Conservatory

In addition to designing the structure of the garden and the Walker Arts Center itself, Edward Larrabee Barnes also designed one of the more prominent pieces of art in the exterior sculpture garden, the Sage and John Cowles Conservatory.

Reference Information

Factual data regarding the gardens, and the sculpture artists in particular was gleaned from the AIA Guide to the Twin Cities, published by the Minnesota Historical Society Press.

What does it Cost to Go to the Sculpture Garden?

This is a public sculpture park and garden that is free of charge for everyone to enjoy. However, parking in the nearby pay lot is not free, and can be paid for with a credit card. There isn’t a parking meter to be found though, just a computer operated pay station.

The park is open from 6 am to midnight, 365 days a year.