Paul Bunyan artwork by William B. Laughead, 1922. From the title page of The Marvelous Exploits of Paul Bunyan (Minneapolis: Red River Lumber Company, 1922).

The earliest known visual representation of Paul Bunyan: the logo of the Red River Lumber Company, designed in 1914 by William B. Laughead. From The Marvelous Exploits of Paul Bunyan (Minneapolis: Red River Lumber Company, 1922), 3.

The legend of Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox is a tall one, literally, in Minnesota. This famous lumberjack first appeared as part of an advertising campaign. From there on out, he became known as the veritable mascot of the land of ten thousand lakes. Allison Herrera tells us about this supersized hero.

Minneapolis native Prince Rogers Nelson became mega-musical-star Prince. Along the way, he created the Minneapolis Sound and won Grammys and an Oscar for his semi-autobiographical album and film Purple Rain. He also wrote, performed, and produced numerous hit records. In 2010, he received BET’s Lifetime Achievement Award. MN90 producer Marisa Helms tells us that despite his success, Prince remained rooted in Minneapolis, and became one of the state’s cultural icons.

Jim Denomie and Peter Lommen at the McKnight Distinguished Artist Award ceremony, November 14, 2019. Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Myotus.

Jim Denomie speaking in front of one of his paintings at the Tweed Museum of Art in Duluth. Photo by Ivy Vainio, 2018. Used with the permission of Ivy Vainio.

“Vatican Cafe.” Oil-on-canvas painting by Jim Denomie, 2014, on view at the Minneapolis Institute of Art in the exhibition “The Lyrical Artwork of Jim Denomie.” Photograph by Flickr Commons user Scott Ashkenaz, July 12, 2023. See also the Minneapolis Institute of Art's catalog record for the painting.

Jim Denomie (left) laughing with Jonathan Thunder (right) in Bockley Gallery, Minneapolis. Photo by Tashia Hart, August 2021. Used with the permission of Tashia Hart.

Jim Denomie at Bockley Gallery. Photo by Dyani White Hawk, 2019. Used with the permission of Dyani White Hawk.