Past Community Commons Exhibitions

Learn more about past exhibitions in Mia’s Community Commons, located in the Katherine Kierland Herberger gallery on the first floor.

Located on the museum’s first floor, adjacent to the Family Center, the Community Commons is a gathering area featuring art by youth studio students and artists participating in our community partnership programs. It’s an ideal space to check out some art, interact with one of our participatory activities, bring a coffee from the cafe and get some work done, or relax while recharging yourself or your device.

Exhibitions

Artwork on view in the Commons regularly rotates, representing selections from our Youth Studio classes or Community Partnerships.

Work Space

There is flexible seating available for working individually or in small groups of up to 8 people. Phone and laptop charging ports are also located throughout the hall.

Interactives

Artist and educator-designed activities can be found here, which explore ideas, themes, and materials found in the museum’s galleries.

Past Exhibitions

Keep the Fire Alive Youth Mural Project

Community Commons Gallery, First Floor

In summer 2020, Mia partnered with All Nations Indian Church, Indigenous Peoples Task Force, and SAMHSA Native Connections to help create a mural with the Keep the Fire Alive theater troupe.

Challenging Stereotypes Series by Art Team

Community Commons Gallery, First Floor
Art Team is a group of 8-10 young Mia staff members that work as a team to create opportunities for young people, support Family Day and create community & grow together. We created these artworks in early 2020 as a tool of reflection and conversation as a team.

Wings of Hope 2020

Community Commons Gallery, First Floor

As part of the Minneapolis Monarch Festival, organized by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board and the Nokomis East Neighborhood Association, visitors were invited to take a selfie in front of this new set of butterfly wings, created by Argentinian artist Claudia Valentino (Clau).

Your Story, Our Story: Student Immigration Experiences

Community Commons

This exhibition features original artworks and stories by LEAP High School students, created as part of Your Story, Our Story, presented in partnership with the Tenement Museum in New York City.

Juxtaposition Arts: Contemporary Face Jugs

Community Commons

Over the past months, Juxtaposition Arts’ teaching artists Sayge Carroll and Jordan Hamilton worked with apprentices to create the face jugs displayed here. As Folk art, face jugs have become a significant feature in the history of African-American art.

Día de los Muertos

Community Commons

In partnership with Centro Tyrone Guzman, Mia presents a Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) altar by artist Monica Vega. Día de los Muertos is a cultural tradition from Mexico when families remember those who are no longer with us and, in doing so, keep their spirits alive.

“Yes, and…”

Community Commons

Artist Sam Gould created this activity in response to two of Mia’s exhibitions, Martin Luther: Art and the Reformation and Resistance, Protest, Resilience.