Artists at Work: The Mia Staff Art Show

Article by Becky Fillinger

Utopia: Access Denied, by Rocky Xóchihua, Facilities

The Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) Staff Art Show is happening now through April 13. It's a unique exhibition spotlighting the immense creative talent of Mia’s staff. Many employees are artists - from Security to Registration to Information Systems - nearly all departments are represented, showcasing over 60 art submissions.   

We talked to six of the employee artists about the inspiration for their submissions and also their thoughts about working for and being encouraged by Mia. The show runs through April 14, but don’t wait until the last minute. Make plans to visit Mia at 2400 3rd Avenue S to see how ‘fostering creativity’ is a guiding principle taken seriously by our local world class museum.

Pink Aqua Metro 13" x 19" (17 1/2" x 25 1/2" framed) Digital Painting (brushes and shapes only in Photoshop) by Daniel Henry, Security

Daniel HenryI am a designer and editor of all digital media. I love color, typography, sound, classic art, and minimalism. My compositions tend to reflect a dawn or twilight atmosphere with a tinge of mystery.

I am inspired by a combination of the older art that surrounds me at Mia, simple ideas that can hint at mystery, and daily conversations. I am new to the art world and relatively new to Mia. As a security guard, I spend a lot of time absorbing art. I'm always learning about different styles and genres; the Museum is the best resource for this information. Mia gives the staff a great platform with the Staff Art Show. I have worked at the museum for the past year and a half, and I'm delighted at how supportive the public and co-workers are of local art. Also, the frequency of rotation in the art collection helps the flow of ideas and inspiration. I've come to appreciate work that I might not have done before this job. “Everyone Welcome” applies to the entire Institute.

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Lake Superior, October 14, 2018 32 inches long and 14 inches tall - Watercolor by Jenny Rydeen, Visitor Experience

Jenny RydeenI am a watercolor artist who loves painting outdoors. I learned plein air oil painting from my grandma (Nana) before discovering watercolors from my art teacher in high school.  I most often paints lakes and interiors.

I am inspired by nature and love painting outdoors. I see beautiful works of art every day at my job at Mia. My new favorite inspiration is the painting A Norwegian River in Winter by Ludwig Skramstad, which is on view in the third-floor galleries! I am a plein air artist. I enjoy looking at landscapes and considering how the artist may have created them. Any artwork on paper is really interesting to me. I like making frequent visits to the print and drawing study room. It is open to the public with an advanced reservation. We have the best staff and volunteers. I love working at a museum where everyone is passionate about art and art-making processes. It is so special that Mia holds an all-staff art show where my friends and family can see my paintings. It is really special when staff and volunteers tell you that they saw (and liked) your artwork!

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Cabin Hideaway - Oil on Canvas by Joshua Angel, Information Systems - Painted along with Bob Ross - Cabin Hideaway (Season 13 Episode 11)

Joshua AngelI try to find peace in the process and really grasp the idea of having my own time to be present and free from distractions. I imagine what it would be like to stand in the wilderness and observe first-hand what I am trying to paint.

I have seen many beautiful paintings here that inspire me to try new things and techniques with my own art practices. I observe other artists' delicate strokes and details and want to see if I can achieve something close to that. I can find beauty and inspiration in all of Mia's collections. I appreciate all forms of art across various mediums and the process and time spent creating them. I am also really excited about a number of upcoming shows.

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Synesthesia Sliced in Sections (Would You Come Closer...) 12 1/2 X 15 1/2 inches - in frame - Ink on Paper by Rachel Raskin, Retail

Rachel Raskin

I’m inspired by a little of everything; lately, the biggest inspirations have come from observing the change and flow found within nature, my lived experiences with my various neurodivergencies, and listening to an excessive amount of music. I also think all the art I’ve had the privilege to experience in person impacts what I create and how I create. To certain eyes, the reflection of parts of Mia’s collection can be easy to spot in my artwork. I’ve been inspired by the pointillism reflected in the clouds from Georges Suerat’s Port-en-Bessin and the fine line work commonly found throughout our Asian art galleries, specifically in Liu Yuanqi’s Scholar in Landscape, Cai Jia’s Landscape with Scholar Viewing a Waterfall, and Baichi Dōjin’s Plum Drawn from the Mind. 

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Honeymooners 2 11x14 photos, framed together, so around 12 x 30 - Photo print by Anna Dilliard, Learning & Programming

Anna DilliardIn middle school I saved my money for a Nikon 35mm camera. Two decades later and I used that camera to take pictures of my wife on our Midwestern honeymoon. Little Anna would be thrilled.

My piece in the staff art show is a pair of photographs. I saved up for the camera when I was 12 years old and these are photos from my honeymoon two decades later. My biggest inspiration—in life, not only in art - is young Anna. Everything I do is to make her proud. She'd be thrilled by these photos and the love they exemplify. Oddly enough, I didn't always love looking at photographs in museums, but that's changed since picking up my camera again. Seemingly monotonous moments become time capsules.

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Jane, George, and Tiepolo 20"x16" unframed - Oil paint on panel by Bill Skodje, Curatorial Affairs

Bill Skodje

Beautiful works of art inspire me. Because I paint plein air watercolors, nature also inspires me. I’m not sure if my work can be affiliated with any art movement, but it reflects themes I find at the museum. I use as many influences as I can from Mia's broad collection, including works of art, to create still-life paintings.

It’s a privilege to have access to so many beautiful objects. Mia’s mission statement includes the idea of inspiring through art. Mia provides a wonderful resource for artists to come and be inspired, and it’s free every day!

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Mia's ever-growing collection of LGBTQ+ artists includes lesbians like Harmony Hammond and Mickalene Thomas. Both are groundbreaking and some of my favorite artists. Hammond's work can be goofy, which I love - showing queerness in art doesn't need to be serious all the time. Thomas often depicts hyper-feminine women covered in sequins and glitter; that's what I feel like on the inside. I love that Mia’s collection demonstrates that being queer can be peaceful and playful.