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MINNEAPOLIMEDIA NEWS | Sam Zimmerman’s New Mill City Museum Exhibit Connects North Shore Art, Family Memory and Ojibwe Language
The free exhibition presents prints and stories from “Walking My Ancestors’ Path,” with public access continuing through March 28.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN (October 26, 2026). A new exhibition at Mill City Museum brings the North Shore paintings and storytelling of Sam Zimmerman / Zhaawanoogiizhik to Minneapolis, connecting seasonal landscapes and animal imagery with family history and Ojibwe language.
“Walking My Ancestors’ Path: The Art and Stories of Sam Zimmerman / Zhaawanoogiizhik” opened October 22 and continues through March 28, 2027.
The exhibition presents prints associated with Zimmerman’s new Minnesota Historical Society Press book. Arranged seasonally, the works depict landscapes, skies and animals, accompanied by stories reflecting on experiences in the artist’s life. Many stories are retold in Ojibwemowin by educator and language specialist Manidoo Ma’iingan.
A Return to the North Shore
Zimmerman, a direct descendant of the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, returned to Minnesota’s North Shore in 2019 after working outside the state.
In an October 16 interview with MPR News, he described the new collection as part of following his ancestors’ connection to that place. The book contains more than 80 artworks, with stories in English and Ojibwe.
Zimmerman works in bright acrylic colors and draws on approaches including Woodland art. His images can hold specific family meanings beyond their immediate subjects.
One example discussed in the MPR interview is a painting honoring his grandfather, “Runs Through the Woods Like Deer.” The buck refers to his grandfather’s Ojibwe name, while four pine trees represent his four sons. Zimmerman described storytelling as a way to carry history, values and lessons between generations.
The museum exhibition’s animal subjects and seasonal structure place those stories alongside the artwork, giving visitors material to read as well as images to examine.
Free Exhibition Access
The prints are displayed in Mill Commons, the museum’s former packing-floor space. The exhibition is free and open during regular museum hours; visitors do not need to purchase admission to the museum’s paid attractions simply to see this display.
Mill City Museum is at 704 S. Second St. in Minneapolis. Visitors should consult the official exhibit page and current museum hours before traveling.
Accessibility and Visitor Assistance
The museum reports wheelchair access, elevators and accessible restrooms. Wheelchairs are available upon request. Disability parking spaces are available in the Mill Quarter Ramp across the street.
The museum also publishes a social narrative for visitors with sensory needs and makes earplugs available at the front desk. Questions about access can be directed to 612-341-7555 or mcm@mnhs.org.
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