As mentioned in my previous post, I submitted a zombie yeti to the Minneapolis Institute of Art's Foot in the Door exhibit. The opening reception was Thursday night, and I was super excited to go, spurred on by sneak peeks the MIA was posting to their Flickr page.
I mean, look: my yeti on a wall! In a museum! With other art! ACK!
image © Minneapolis Institute of Art
I knew it would be busy. I knew parking would be difficult. But I was not fully prepared. It took us nearly an hour to find parking. I was getting salty, but I understood; roughly 5,000 people submitted artwork, and I'm sure they were all just excited as I am to see their art in the city's most respected museum. Not helping was the city's decision to ban parking on the even side of streets for the rest of the winter.
We finally found a spot, hiked the half-mile or so from it to the museum, picked up our nifty artist ribbons (how cool is that?!), shed our outerwear, breathed a sigh of relief, and then. . . .
The line circles around the rotunda on two floors before entering the exhibit. Image © Minneapolis Institute of Art
We hit a solid wall of humans. The kind volunteer at the end of the line informed us it'd be an approximately 2-hour wait. Just to get into the gallery. So I would say the exhibit is already an unbelievable success. Hooray for art!
Deciding we didn't have it in us to wait in line, we checked out some of the other galleries before heading home somewhat defeated. I've been hearing really great things about the exhibit and caliber of art on display from friends who did get in on opening night. One friend even heard a woman proclaim that my yeti was her favorite piece. So awesome!
So many people (and so much awesome art!) in a smallish space. image © Minneapolis Institute of Art
The exhibit is up until June, so I have plenty of time to head back and see it when the museum is less crowded. I think I'll bring some friends and some champagne and stage my own reception!
Sorry to hear the reception going didn't work out so well. On the other hand, your piece looks awesome. And a museum! That's so cool!
Posted by: Jessie Mae | February 22, 2010 at 07:56 PM
Thanks so much! I'm pretty stoked about it too; the MIA is a pretty big deal!
Posted by: Jessica | February 22, 2010 at 08:13 PM
Cool yeti! I haven't gotten to go yet, but saw pictures online.
Posted by: Meredith | February 24, 2010 at 12:16 AM
The MIA is a very big deal! Woo hoo for you! One of these days I will get down to the cities and I will make a point to look for the famous yeti.
Posted by: Lisa at Lil Fish Studios | March 20, 2010 at 08:14 AM
Congrats! I went early opening night and there was only about 20 people in line. The crowd must of happened later at night. :P
Posted by: Fantastic Toys | May 03, 2010 at 08:25 AM
Thanks again, everyone!
Do you have a piece there, Tim? I need to go back this month--still haven't seen my yeti!
Posted by: Jessica | May 03, 2010 at 09:05 PM