Sacred is the prayer that asks for nothing. 2026 edition closes

Sacred is the prayer that asks for nothing

While seeking to give thanks for every breath we take

-Prince, The Love We Make, 1996

We just deinstalled the 2026 edition of The People's Museum for Prince.

Our closing day was a beautiful celebration of Prince and community.

We welcomed author and theologian Pamela Ayo Yetunde, who led our afternoon gathering into a deep dive on the theology and spirituality of Prince, drawing from her book Dearly Beloved: Prince, Spirituality, and This Thing Called Life. It was a quiet, engaged exchange, and Ayo gifted us with a reading from her book and the deep inspiration of her teachings.

Pamela Ayo Yetunde (center) with participants in the Prince and Spirituality session, closing day. Charvis Harrell artworks in the background.

Curator Emma Balázs and artist Kami Ink share their story about collaborating on the People's Museum

DJ Manny of MPLS FONK joined us to bring our season to a joyful close. Terry Jackson played live percussion. Thanks to Manny and Terry for bringing so much love.

Manny and Jen

Prince's cousin Shautel Manderville and DJ Manny

Terry Jackson plays, delighting a young visitor.

Stephanie Carlson, Prince's "first crush" in schooldays, with Terry Jackson. Peyton Scott Russell's eye painting in the background.

Artist Bon Mott _/\_ activated their cat suit  — an integral part of the Roberts Gallery exhibition this year — with an impromptu performance to "Hot Thing," the song _/\_ danced with Prince to on a stage in Sydney in 2012, when _/\_ wore nothing but this lace suit.

Bon Mott activates catsuit. Suzanne Wint's quilt inspired by Under the Cherry Moon in background,

Jen and Bon, dancing on Bernadette Anderson way, Bernadette's house in background (left).

Longtime Northsider Jeri recalled Prince and Andre Cymone throwing snowballs at her when they were all around 12 years old, on this very street, causing her to drop the newspaper she was fetching for her mom and all kinds of trouble.

We remembered it was Andre Cymone's birthday and recorded a message for him, looking out across the road to his childhood home, where he and Prince lived as teens all those years ago.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ANDRE!

Over the afternoon, many people flowed through for one last visit and a goodbye to the 2026 edition of the museum: We were blessed by a visit from Prince's cousin Shauntel.

Shauntel and Bon Mott

Former Northside neighbors and schooldays friends joined with current residents and young artists in the exhibition for a joyful close.

Author Ayo Yetunde and Rachel Kayla

Beloved Prince author Andrea Swensson and Prince collector Rich Benson stopped by to join the celebration. Andrea and Rich recently curated the beautiful and epic Remembering The Purple One, a 7 window display of Rich's collection in La Salle Plaza, downtown Minneapolis, timed to co-oincide with the Purple Rain musical. Andrea's doc Finding Our Way on The Way, the North Minneapolis community center (1966-1984) that helped shape Prince's musical career, just premiered at the Capri.

Andrea Swensson shows off a starfish and coffee cookie baked by artist Suzanne Wint

Andrea Swensson, Emma Balázs and Rich Benson with his photo of Grand Central, taken across the road in 1971.

Northside mom Ashley arrived with her daughters with a gift for all — a batch of fresh lemonade, and stayed to dance and celebrate with us.

Ashley, while her daughter watches Bon Mott get ready to perform

Jen with Ashley's daughters, enjoying Ashley's fresh lemonade

Artist Suzanne Wint stands under her quilt, chatting to artist Myc Daz

Bethany Tobias, the artist who created the monumental penny portrait of Prince — an instantly beloved work for all visitors — drove all the way from South Carolina with her husband Toby to collect the work, only to announce she felt it belonged here in Minneapolis and decided to donate it to The People's Museum.

This work feels like a perfect symbol for the People's Museum: all the individual stories and voices, together making one collective, powerful portrait of Prince. We're working out how to transport it to the Capri now! Deep gratitude to Maija Garcia and the team at the Capri for graciously stepping in as temporary host for this spontaneous gift, while we plan for our next edition.

Closing day at the People's museum

Thank you to all the artists, participants, and collaborators. Our hearts are full.

As we close, of course we think of Prince. From the inspired teachings of Pamela Ayo Yetunde:

"Prince was a musical prodigy who was prolific, profane, poetic and prophetic. His name is nearly synonymous with the word “purple” – the color of a transcending and cleansing spiritual power that he wanted to see us immersed in. Let the spirit of that aspiration open your ears and heart to receive Prince’s blessings again and again."