Until the end of time, I'll be there for you. The 2026 edition closes.

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.

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

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

Longtime northsider Jeri recalled Prince and Andre Cymone throwing snowballs at her 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 house, 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. Curtis, a neighbor, stopped by with a photo album and artifacts to share. Former Northside neighbors and schooldays friends joined with current residents and young artists in the exhibition for a joyful close.

Author Andrea Swensson and Prince collector Rich Benson stopped by to join the celebration. Northsider mum Ashley arrived with her daughters with a gift for all — a batch of fresh lemonade, and stayed to dance and celebrate with us.

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. We hope to have more to announce soon about 2027.

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."