MINNETONKA—The Minnesota State Capitol Preservation Commission’s Art Subcommittee will hold a public input meeting at the Minnetonka Community Center Wednesday, Dec. 9 at 7:00 p.m. State Rep. Yvonne Selcer (DFL – Minnetonka) is thrilled her community will get the opportunity to weigh in on the topic.
“With such a significant restoration of our Capitol, it’s great that we are taking some time to discuss how Minnesota history and our state’s values can be shared through the art we have on display,” Selcer said. “I’m so excited the subcommittee picked Minnetonka as a location for a public meeting, and I hope our community members will participate and share their voices.”
The Minnesota State Capitol, originally opened in 1905, is currently closed to the public while it undergoes a top-to-bottom, three-year renovation, expected to wrap up in 2017. Capitol artwork includes, among other items, portraits of former governors, statues and busts of notable Minnesotans and paintings depicting historical state events.
Over recent years, however, some concerns have been expressed about the artwork on display such as: a lack of historical accuracy of certain paintings, governor portraits taking up too much wall space and very few women and minority groups being represented.
The public meeting in Minnetonka is one of 10 scheduled around the state, and Selcer hopes for a great deal of input from those attending.
The commission’s website lists a full inventory of artwork most recently on display at the Capitol. At the site, the commission also invites Minnesotans to participate in a short survey about their priorities for the type of art they would like on display.
Rep. Selcer can be reached by phone at 651-296-3964 or by email at rep.yvonne.selcer@house.mn.
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