Walker Art Center is one of the leading art museums in the United States of America. Here you can see the works of the most famous artists from around the world.
The Art Center was founded in 1879 as a private gallery in the Baron Thomas Barlow Walker’s house. Walker was one of the ten richest people in the world. He loved contemporary art and books. For many years, Walker was collecting pieces of art. A year before his death, he established a museum of Walker Art.
After the death of Thomas Walker, the museum’s collection was enlarging. It became so huge that it was decided to move it to another building. So, the museum was transported in May 1971. This building was designed by the famous American architect Edward Barnes. Later, it was enlarged. Today, it occupies a huge area. Walker Art Center is located on a hill, close to the center of Minneapolis. It is connected to the parks’ and lakes’ system. So, it meets thousands of visitors every day.
Today, the Walker Art Center has more than thirteen thousand exhibits and art objects. Here, you can see The Great Self-Portrait by Chuck Coase, The Big Blue Horses by Franz Marc, The Night Office by Edward Hopper, works by Yves Klein and Andy Warhol, etc.
Now, Walker Art Center does not only invite visitors to look at paintings by famous artists but is related to the famous theaters and music centers of Minneapolis. So, it holds various opening nights. Also, the center has educational programs on the history of art and its directions. They are available for Minneapolis inhabitants and students of art.