SHAFER, Minn. — When you think of an art museum, you probably picture paintings hanging on the walls of well-lit rooms.
But for one museum near the Twin Cities, all that "indoors" stuff really isn't necessary. Franconia Sculpture Park offers 50 acres of wide-open space, studded with more than 100 sculptures. The park is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day, and admission is free.
According to its website, the St. Croix River Valley outdoor museum aims to inspire new ways of thinking through access to new, experimental art. It offers residencies for artists and writers, who live and create at the park in a shared farmhouse.
The park switches out some of its sculptures every year, so the landscape is always changing. It also hosts monthly farmers' markets in the warmer months and films, music and other performances. For your canine friends, there's also several annual "yappy" hours benefitting Ruff Start Rescue.
The younger set can also get a closer look at the park through summer camps and other programs, like free tours and workshops for kids from rural communities.
KARE 11 got a drone's-eye view of the park for the KARE in the Air summer series.
Check out the full KARE in the Air YouTube playlist here!