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New Look Social: Minnesota Plein Air Collective & Gordon Coons

  • Minnesota Marine Art Museum 800 Riverview Drive Winona, MN, 55987 United States (map)

May 16  |  5p - 6:30p

Included with admission

Reception Tickets

Celebrate the opening of two new exhibitions, Gordon Coons: Gidibaajimomin / We Tell Stories and Myths & Legends of Minnesota: An Exhibition of the Minnesota Plein Air Collective with a social gathering in the museum’s atrium. The Waterbar Cafe will be open for purchases.

New Look Weekend

This event is part of the May New Look Weekend, celebrating the opening of two new exhibitions, Gordon Coons: Gidibaajimomin / We Tell Stories and Myths & Legends of Minnesota: An Exhibition of the Minnesota Plein Air Collective. Stop by to see the new exhibitions, or join the programming on Saturday, May 16 with unique opportunities to meet the artists, see demonstrations, and take a deeper dive into the exhibitions.

Upcoming may new look weekend events

Featured
Spring New Look Weekend
May 15
Spring New Look Weekend

Celebrating the opening of two new exhibitions, Gordon Coons: Gidibaajimomin / We Tell Stories and Myths & Legends of Minnesota: An Exhibition of the Minnesota Plein Air Collective. Stop by to see the new exhibitions, or join the programming on Saturday, May 16 with unique opportunities to meet the artists, see demonstrations, and take a deeper dive into the exhibitions. 

→ learn more.

New Look, New Tastes: MMAM + NOSH Dinner
May 15
New Look, New Tastes: MMAM + NOSH Dinner

As part of the New Look Weekend in May, MMAM is stepping beyond our galleries for a special offsite experience at Nosh Scratch Kitchen. On Friday, May 15, Chef Greg Jaworski will present a culinary experience  that explores the themes of marine life and culture.

→ learn more.

"Myths & Legends of Minnesota" Opens
May 16
"Myths & Legends of Minnesota" Opens

On May 16, 2026 Myths & Legends of Minnesota: An Exhibition of the Minnesota Plein Air Collective opens at the Minnesota Marine Art Museum.

→ learn more.

Paint-Along Demonstration: Nelia Harper French
May 16
Paint-Along Demonstration: Nelia Harper French

Join Nelia Harper French and the Outdoor Painters of Minnesota to learn how to capture the "light effect" in this plein air landscape painting demonstration and paint-along. Nelia will demonstrate how to "see the landscape" through an artist’s eye while providing attendees with time-honed techniques, tools, and understanding of light in nature.

→ learn more.

Drop-in Printmaking with Gordon Coons
May 16
Drop-in Printmaking with Gordon Coons

Join Minnesota Marine Art Museum exhibiting artist, Gordon Coons, for drop-in printmaking on Saturday, May 16 from 10:30a - 12p. This lively, all-ages drop-in printmaking experience is inspired by the imagery in his exhibition Gordon Coons: Gidibaajimomin / We Tell Stories,on view at MMAM May 9 - August 30, 2026.

→ learn more.

Meet the Artist: Gordon Coons
May 16
Meet the Artist: Gordon Coons

Join Gordon Coons, a Wisconsin-born artist and enrolled member of the Lac Courte Oreilles Tribe of Wisconsin, for a special walking tour of his exhibition Gordon Coons: Gidibaajimomin / We Tell Stories, on view at the Minnesota Marine Art Museum.

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Paint-Out: The Minnesota Plein Air Collective
May 16
Paint-Out: The Minnesota Plein Air Collective

The Paint-Out will take place in the MMAM gardens and it is open to the public and free. The public is welcome to attend and paint along. This is part of the May New Look Weekend, and this event is associated with the exhibition, Myths & Legends of Minnesota: An Exhibition of the Minnesota Plein Air Collective (on view May 16 - September 13, 2026).  Gallery admission applies.

→ learn more.

New Look Social: Minnesota Plein Air Collective & Gordon Coons
May 16
New Look Social: Minnesota Plein Air Collective & Gordon Coons

Celebrate the opening of two new exhibitions, Gordon Coons: Gidibaajimomin / We Tell Stories and Myths & Legends of Minnesota: An Exhibition of the Minnesota Plein Air Collective with a reception in the museum’s atrium. The Waterbar Cafe will be open for purchases.

→ learn more.

Support comes from:

Support for Gordon Coons: Gidibaajimomin / We Tell Stories comes from the Carl and Verna Schmidt Foundation, and the media partner KSMQ. 

Myths & Legends of Minnesota: An Exhibition of the Minnesota Plein Air Collective, was organized by the Minnesota Marine Art Museum and Art of the Lakes Association, Outdoor Painters of Minnesota, and Red Wing Arts; member organizations that make up the Minnesota Plein Air Collective. Hiawatha Broadband Communications, Inc. is the lead sponsor for this exhibition. 

MMAM acknowledges sustaining support from generous contributions from foundations, corporations, individuals, members and volunteers, including ongoing support from our Board of Directors, the Elizabeth Callender King Foundation, the Morgan Family Foundation, the Minnesota State Art Board, and MMAM’s New Look Weekend lodging partner, Hotel 44 North. 

Earlier Event: May 16
Paint-Out: The Minnesota Plein Air Collective
Later Event: May 19
May Guided Field Trip Week (1)