Part of my 2026 series, “To Minnesota, With Love…” - a visual love letter to the state I proudly call home.

Lake Harriet located in South Minneapolis is part of the Chain of Lakes which also includes Bde Maka Ska, Lake of the Isles, Cedar Lake and Brownie Lake. The Mdewakanton Dakota people named it Bde Uman (Bid-day oo-MAH) which translates to “the other lake” presumably to differentiate it from the larger Bde Maka Ska to the north.

The lake has had a series of five pavilions and bandshells since 1888. The first couple burned down, another was destroyed by a windstorm and one actually floated away with a group of musicians on board!

The current bandshell was designed by architect, Milo Thompson and opened in 1986. For the last 40 years it’s been host to hundreds of musical acts, movies in the park and on a few occasions, my kids hamming it up for an invisible audience.

Acrylic paint on 12×12 wood panel with poplar shadowbox frame.

2026