New Art Exhibit Explores Minnesota Artist Bettye Olson's Career

A new art exhibit “For the Love of Art: Paintings by Bettye Olson” opens Saturday, June 4 in the James J. Hill House art gallery.

Visitors can view more than 30 paintings from throughout Olson’s 70-year career. Her paintings have been exhibited internationally and are part of museum collections in Minnesota, Finland and Sweden.

Nature, in particular, has been a focus for the now 93-year-old artist. “Nature is full of energy. I transfer that energy into my brush strokes … and put it into painting,” she says.

“For the Love of Art” will be on display through Sept. 11, 2016. Visitors can view the exhibit for free as part of a James J. Hill House tour or separately with a $2 art gallery admission.

ABOUT JAMES J HILL HOUSE

Completed in 1891, the Gilded Age mansion was the residence of James J. Hill, builder of the Great Northern Railway, and his family. The home is located one-half block west of the Cathedral of St. Paul at 240 Summit Avenue. It is open for tours year-round, from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays and 1 to 3:30 p.m. Sundays. Reservations are recommended. For more information, call 651-297-2555.

The Minnesota Historical Society is a non-profit educational and cultural institution established in 1849. MNHS collects, preserves and tells the story of Minnesota’s past through museum exhibits, libraries and collections, historic sites, educational programs and book publishing. Using the power of history to transform lives, MNHS preserves our past, shares our state’s stories and connects people with history.

The Minnesota Historical Society is supported in part by its Premier Partners: Xcel Energy and Explore Minnesota Tourism.

Media Contacts: Lauren Peck, 651-259-3137, lauren.peck@mnhs.org or Jessica Kohen, 651-259-3148, jessica.kohen@mnhs.org