The Great Lakes Aquarium in Duluth prides itself on truly serving the community and its visitors. This is evident in how the facility was designed from the beginning, by including a dedicated space for a public art gallery.
The Merril Lynch Fine Art Gallery focuses on local and regional artists with work that has a connection to the natural world and captures the spirit of the Lake Superior region. The aquarium’s communication director, Alison Iadio, says there are so many “profoundly talented artists in the area, we try to highlight as many as possible each year.” Exhibits rotate every six to eight weeks, with a quick three-day turn over to ensure the space is available for visitors with little down time. Artists interested in being considered for future showings can review the guidelines and submit an application online.
January’s exhibit hosts Alexa Carson’s show titled “Tapestry.” Carson’s work tends to be tiny pieces, however the pieces selected for this display are a departure from her usual, being on a much larger scale. She is a painter, illustrator, and designer, with the goal of representing the beauty of nature and wildlife in her work. Originally from Ohio, she now lives in Duluth and feels an even deeper connection to nature in the Northland. In Carson’s artist statement, she shares her feelings about living in northern Minnesota: “Wildlife became even more accessible and personal. I fell deeper in love.” The collection includes wolves, owls, and a variety of water-loving animals. The opening reception is Thursday, January 16 from 6-8 p.m. and the show runs through March 24. The Gallery is located on the first floor of the aquarium and is free and open to the public during regular hours of operation. To learn more about Carson and view her paintings, follow her on social media or visit: alexacarson.com.
Iadio gives credit to past directors with continuing the original vision for the gallery space. “It is a sacred space, highly regarded,” she explains. While space is becoming limited for expanding animal exhibits, there has never been any consideration of removing the public art component from the aquarium.
Visitors are also invited to explore the newest animal exhibit installed and opened last summer at the aquarium. The Oceans Alive exhibit is a more global installation, focusing on climate change and how the natural world is adapting to the pressures of the changing climate. A popular resident of the exhibit is Fitz, a giant Pacific octopus. She is less than a year old and her name was chosen through a public naming contest. In addition to learning all about this amazing octopus in her exhibit designed as an underwater cave, large tanks filled with aquatic wildlife are also featured. The interactive exhibit gives visitors a chance to explore a variety of habitats, including vibrant coral reefs, and it’s appropriate for all ages. The aquarium’s other permanent exhibits are sprawled throughout the multiple floors of the building. Explore Freshwater Forest, Raptor Ridge, Shipwrecks Alive, and Otter Cove, home to two North American river otters named Agate and Ore.
A full schedule of winter programming is also offered for school-aged students, including field trips and special group experiences, and weekly early childhood Natural Play Programs are offered year-round—sensory friendly experiences are also available. Last year, more than 10,000 students participated and visited the facility, experiencing educational opportunities. A full schedule of events, special experiences, and educational opportunities are listed online.
The Great Lakes Aquarium celebrates 25 years this summer and special events are being planned to celebrate this landmark. A massive new exhibit is under construction as an immersive experience called Lava to Lakes, planned to open in time for the anniversary.
The Great Lakes Aquarium is open every day, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with special discounted rates on Wednesdays through February—located near canal park on Harbor Drive with onsite parking for a fee. Ticket information can be found online (glaquarium.org) or call 218-740-3474.
