Mankato – The Blue Earth County Historical Society announces the opening of the new Marian Anderson: A Minnesota Artist’s Life, Art & Legacy exhibit at the Blue Earth County History Center starting Friday, September 18 at 9 a.m. The Marian Anderson Art Gallery and exhibit is open during regular History Center hours Tuesday – Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Through this exhibit, explore the life and original works of nationally acclaimed artist, Marian Anderson (1936-2021), who spent her youth in Nicollet and Madelia, Minnesota. At an early age, this Minnesota farm girl was already showing her natural artistic ability, coupled with a strong love for the outdoors. Her father was an avid hunter and taught Marian about wildlife; lessons she would later use in bringing her paintings to life.

Anderson was a self-taught and self-published artist. Her first oil paints were a discarded set, rescued from the Madelia city dump, and the closest she came to any formal training was a three-day seminar at the Minneapolis School of Art, a gift from the Madelia Rotary Club. In 2010, Anderson donated her entire fine art print business to the Blue Earth County Historical Society and upon her death, the Historical Society became the archives to her works and papers.

Admission is $10/adults, $8/seniors, $5/children 5-17, and free for BECHS Members and children under 5.