Take a day trip to visit Franconia Sculpture Park in the scenic St. Croix River Valley. It’s a fun and free art experience for families to explore over 100 public sculptures on 50 acres of mowed and gravel paths.
Looking for an outdoor activity to enjoy this summer…or anytime, really? Franconia Sculpture Park is located in the scenic St. Croix River Valley, with an actual address of Shafer, Minnesota. It is free and open 365 days of the year, from 8 am – 8 pm.
You can follow the paths and wander a bit for a self-guided tour, or go here for info on their guided tours. Be sure to take a look at the complete schedule of events/programs to find an upcoming event!
About Franconia Sculpture Park
The Franconia Sculpture Park is located in the scenic St. Croix River Valley. It is a nonprofit arts organization which operates a 43-acre outdoor sculpture park, active artist residency, and community arts program.
Founded in 1996, Franconia was developed by a small group of professional artists envisioning a supportive artist residency community and outdoor museum.
The original vision has been achieved through an active artist residency program. The program serves over 40 artists each year, including over 150,000 annual visitors.
Franconia provides an intriguing and exciting place to discover an ever-changing exhibition of contemporary sculpture. There is also a unique opportunity to meet artists-in-residence who invite you to engage with their creations.
Through an artist residency program, Franconia awards competitive fellowships and internships to up to 40 emerging, mid-career, and established visual artists each year, supporting the creation and exhibition of large-scale sculpture at their 43-acre sculpture park and artist residency in Shafer, MN.
They foster an inspiring outdoor environment for the community to create, engage, and learn about three-dimensional art. This annual exhibition includes over 120 sculptures created by artists-in-residence.
New as of 2024 – buy a Franconia Sculpture Park Coloring Book! For $15, you can bring home illustrations of the many creations at Franconia and make them your own. The coloring books are available at their gift shop 10 am – 4 pm Friday – Sunday or online. Use code “color” for free shipping on coloring books!
Find more outdoor sculpture parks in Minnesota here.
- About the Author
- Latest Posts
Laura is a kindergarten teacher and a busy mom of six who loves finding smart ways to save. She balances teaching and family life while always hunting for deals that make life more affordable and fun.
Originally from southern Minnesota, Laura has called the Twin Cities home for over fifteen years. In her rare free moments, she enjoys reading, spending time with loved ones, and savoring a hot cup of coffee.
Leave a Reply