MINNEAPOLIS — A pair of Southeast Minnesota artists received major league opportunities to showcase their art. Amy Krause, of Rochester, and Sarah Johnson, of Winona, were among 10 Minnesota artists selected to paint original works of art on Minnesota shaped Adirondack chairs as part of the Minnesota Twins’ 2024 City Connect series. City Connect is an initiative by the Twins, Major League Baseball and Nike to promote the culture and history of Minnesota and raise awareness and money for nonprofit organizations in the state.
The opportunity was somewhat unbelievable — literally. “I was pretty sure it was Russian bots,” Johnson said when officials from the Twins reached out. ADVERTISEMENT Krause was equally skeptical.
“I get a lot of weird messages that are kind of scammy sometimes,” she said. When they learned the invitation to collaborate with a Major League Baseball team was legitimate, both jumped at the opportunity. “It was an unusual request — how could I say no?” Johnson said.
The artists each painted a pair of chairs during an allotted time outside of Target Field. “It was really fun to be a part of that and kind of a surprise art party for the community,” Johnson said. The Twins on Monday, June 10, unveiled the special, colorful City Connect jerseys for the initiative that they’ll wear at Target Field Friday when they host the Oakland Athletics.
They feature a wavy, blue design with yellow accents, a loon, the North Star and northern lights. T.
