The Art Shanty Projects is an annual pop up exhibit mixing art with the hardiness of Minnesotans and our unique love of ice fishing. Located on Bdé Umáŋ (Lake Harriet) in Minneapolis, the program wants to foster “artist driven temporary communities: and explore ways that unregulated public spaces can be used to “create new and challenging artistic environments”. The excerpt below is from an article Anne wrote in 2014 explaining why this project appealed to her as a family outing. While the icehouses are different each year, the interactive spirit remains the same. Not only are these unique icehouses designed by local artists, they are strongly encouraged to be interactive. Herein lies the fun of bringing the whole family out to see them. My sporty 8-year-old son, for instance, would love the Curling Clubhouse Ice Shanty. Curling lessons for him and a warming house with observation deck for Mom and Dad! In the Noah’s Art Shanty, my artsy little girls would love molding clay animals. This Saturday will also feature special storytelling sessions in the Noah’s Art Shanty at 2, 3, and 4pm. I could see our whole family getting into the Pedal Bear, a bicycle-powered polar bear puppet that transports guests across the frozen lake. This year the program runs weekends between January 20th and February 11, 2024. Visit between 10am to 4pm. Admission is free, but donations are very much encouraged to keep the program running. Tip: consider bringing a sled to pull the little ones; the shanties are located about 500 feet from the shore and a significant distance from parking. Best Day to Visit: Saturday, January 27th is also the Lake Harriet Winter Kite Festival.
Related Articles:
Attending the Art Shanty Projects with Kids
2024 Art Shanty Project Details
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