Meet Walker Member Maren

Walker Publishing

Walker Member Maren Nelson, 2025. Photo by Kameron Herndon. Courtesy Walker Art Center.

How have the arts impacted your life and work?

I was introduced to art museums at a very young age, and I remember paging through exhibit catalogues, memorizing brush strokes, and dreaming of seeing the art in person. Now as an art history major turned graphic designer, I have shelves filled with those catalogues, artist biographies, design books, and countless art history texts.

How did you become involved with the Walker?

I was born and raised in Minneapolis, so in many ways the Walker has always been a part of my life. I remember visiting the Sculpture Garden as a kid and loved how I could discover a new piece around any corner. However, it wasn’t until I moved home after college that I really started seeing the Walker as a place to explore, learn, and indulge my senses. I had studied art history, and there was something so magical about finding the art and artists I’d studied in textbooks in a museum that was just down the street. Now it’s like a second home.

What brings you to the Walker?

The obvious answer is visiting the collection, going to screenings, and the consistently amazing exhibits. Yet more than that, I think what I enjoy most is the way the Walker shakes up my life. When I go to a screening or a performance, or visit a new gallery, I don’t always know what to expect, but I know I will walk away with something new. In a world that is chronically online, new perspectives and inspiration can be hard to come by. Going to the Walker takes me out of my digital echo chamber and introduces me to so many stories and possibilities, all while engaging senses that are too often dulled by screens. That’s an amazing gift.

What do you appreciate about your Walker membership?

Being able to support an institution like the Walker is an incredible privilege. I’ve watched families explore the Sculpture Garden for the first time, and seeing the birth of an appreciation for art in community is so beautiful, and I’m thrilled to be a part of that. From a less altruistic perspective, I love being able to drop in for free whenever I want, get discounts on all those screenings and performances, and the occasional After Hours event is always a plus. I think what I love most is that it reminds me to go out into the world and find something new.