The Minnesota History Center opens a new exhibition, “See & Be Seen,” showcasing 68 historic portraits from the state’s collection. The display, which runs from Saturday, Nov. 7 through June 13, offers a window into Minnesota life from the 1850s onward. Curator Arielle Fields says the show lets the artwork “speak for itself” and invites visitors to see themselves reflected in the faces of past residents.
Highlights at the History Center
Among the featured works is Thomas Cantwell Healy’s 1857 portrait of writer Amelia Ullmann, who moved to St. Paul with her infant son after her husband took a job in the city. Fields relates to Ullmann’s story, noting, “So I feel like Amelia, in her own way, is telling my story.” Other pieces include Tom Arndt’s photograph “Two Guys at Bde Maka Ska,” Rose Smith’s 2008 painting “Journey to Minnesota,” and contemporary works by St. Paul artist Seitu K. Jones and Minneapolis painter Leslie Barlow. Admission is $15 for adults, with reduced rates for seniors, students, military members and children, and free entry for kids four and younger.
Twin Cities Book Festival at Union Depot
Saturday, Nov. 7, Union Depot in St. Paul hosts the Twin Cities Book Festival, a free, day‑long celebration of literature. U.S. Poet Laureate Arthur Sze will read from his anthology “Transient Worlds: On Translating Poetry.” Panels feature Minnesota writers Kao Kalia Yang, Sun Yung Shin, Debra J. Stone and Michael Kleber‑Diggs. The festival also includes a book fair with more than 150 vendors offering records, magazines, zines, comics and visual art.
Queer & Funny Improv Festival in Minneapolis
Minneapolis’ Phoenix Theater in Uptown presents the sixth annual Queer & Funny Improv Festival on Saturday, Nov. 7 and Sunday, Nov. 8. Co‑founder Jada Pulley brings six improv workshops and 14 live performances, including audience‑participation pieces like “Soap Prov” and “For You, Anything!” Comedian Gregory Parks will perform a largely silent solo show titled “Where I Am Now” and lead a clowning workshop on Sunday. Tickets are pay‑what‑you‑can for shows, with workshops priced at $63.75 each.
Plan Your Weekend
All three events are family‑friendly and provide affordable cultural experiences. The History Center is located at 345 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul, with extended hours on Thursdays until 8 p.m. Union Depot sits at 214 4th St. E., St. Paul, and the Phoenix Theater is at 2605 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis. For the latest schedules and ticket information, visit the Minnesota History Center, Twin Cities Book Festival and Queer & Funny Improv Festival websites.
Original reporting: Sahan Journal — read the source article.
