I’ve had the chance recently to check out a couple of new exhibits that feature art inspired by Mississippi River. I highly recommend both, but you’ll need to go soon as they will only be around for a limited time.
From the Surface: Paintings by Thomas Paquette
Painter Thomas Paquette grew up in Minneapolis and went to college near the Mississippi’s headwaters in Bemidji, Minnesota. Paquette has long been interested in painting the natural world. Previous projects have included paintings of federally designated wilderness area, for example, so it was a natural extension of his work to capture the Mississippi River on canvas.
He hit the road a couple of years ago and visited the river from the Headwaters to the Gulf and at different times of day. You can see 42 of the paintings that resulted from this project at Principia College in the James K. Schmidt Gallery. Viewing these works in the same gallery, I couldn’t help but feel impressed with Paquette’s talent, but also with the incredible range of colors along the Mississippi River.
Go soon: the exhibit ends on March 28, 2020. Principia College is located near Elsah, Illinois, so visiting there would be a great excuse to drive the scenic Great River Road and visit places like Alton, Elsah, and Grafton.
Artists of the Mississippi and Other Great American Rivers
The Mercantile Library has a couple of river-themed exhibits that should be on your list to visit. Henry Lewis was a 19th century artist with St. Louis ties who painted one of the monumental panoramas of the era. In the Mercantile’s Lobby Gallery, look for a fascinating collection of paintings, drawings, prints, and rare books that shine a light on Lewis’ work.
But wait! There’s more. The Mercantile’s Meier Gallery is showcasing a collection of paintings about America’s rivers, including some that are specifically about the Mississippi.
Both exhibits close on May 15. The Mercantile Library is housed on the campus of UM-St. Louis, in Thomas Jefferson Library. You can view the exhibits anytime when the Jefferson Library is open.
**Want to know more about the places along the Mississippi River? Check out Road Tripping Along the Great River Road, Vol. 1. Click the link above for more. Disclosure: This website may be compensated for linking to other sites or for sales of products we link to.
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