In the Moment at the Lake Harriet Bandshell

Watercolor and text by Kar-Keat Chong, AIA | September 30, 2021

POSTCARD

The iconic Lake Harriet Bandshell, designed by Milo Thompson, FAIA, and completed in 1986, is a symbol of summer in Minneapolis. As I stood to sketch this scene, I could feel the energy of the warm summer day as people walked their dogs and navigated their boats, soaking in the sun. I could smell the aromas wafting in the air from the Bread & Pickle pavilion. My senses were further stimulated by the Capri Big Band’s upbeat music echoing from the bandshell, and the occasional cheers and clapping from the audience.

It was exactly the kind of day we Minnesotans long for all winter long. The conical roofs of the bandshell and adjacent pavilions are accentuated by the lush foliage in the background. From this vantage point, the bandshell’s reflection shimmers in the calm waters of Lake Harriet. Sketches like this one take me right back to the moment of their making. And knowing these days of warmth are fleeting makes me appreciate them that much more.

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