Meet Walker Members Carla and Cole

Walker Publishing

Walker Members Carla and Cole, 2025. Photo: Kameron Herndon. Courtesy Walker Art Center.

Walker Art Center

How did you first become involved with the Walker?

Carla

In the early ’90s, I wanted to get more art into my life, so I joined the tour guide training program at the Walker. A few years later I was hired to be the Walker’s Art Lab coordinator, a job I loved and did for five years. Cole and I met teaching a printmaking class at the Walker! We went on to found Highpoint Center for Printmaking in 2001.

Cole

Moving from Albuquerque, I was excited to find an incredible world-class museum in my new community and immediately became a huge fan. It became a special place for me personally, and later as an educator and arts professional.

WAC

What travel programs have you participated in? What are your favorite Walker travel memories?

Carla

We’ve visited a wide array of places on Walker art trips: the Netherlands, Mexico, Scandinavia, Japan, Puerto Rico, Italy, Cuba, Marfa. We’ve met amazing artists, curators, and collectors and have seen tremendous art. A major memory includes the earthquake in Tokyo during the Walker Japan trip in 2011—scary but unforgettable!

Cole

There are many wonderful moments, like touring Frida Kahlo’s house in Mexico City, getting to eat lunch sitting next to Hiroshi Sugimoto in Tokyo, seeing Mark Bradford’s Venice Biennial installation, and getting to tour so many incredible private collections.

WAC

What do you enjoy most about the Walker, your membership, and the Walker’s travel program?

Carla

Being Walker members for so many years has greatly expanded our knowledge of contemporary art and artists. Thanks to the Walker, we have visited amazing private collections and major museums around the world, accompanied by Walker curators and directors, who provide expert insights. And we’ve made many lifelong friends thanks to Walker travel and events.

Cole

The Walker trips allow access to many amazing behind-the-scenes experiences and artist’s studios each day, making for an experience we could never have had otherwise, and we get to share it with a great crowd of fellow art lovers. There’s no better way to learn about art and the world!

WAC

What are you really into right now?

Carla

I’ve been taking writing classes at The Loft and joined the Woman’s Club of Minneapolis to help with the club’s community engagement programs.

Cole

Publishing new work with artists on a small-scale in our studio, C&C Editions, and spending more time doing adventure and gravel [cycling] events.