Abstraction and Ourselves

The Cafesjian Art Trust Museum (the CAT) presents Abstraction and Ourselves, on view from March 6 through July 31, 2026. The exhibition is the first in the United States to unite contemporary abstract painting and glass sculpture on this scale. Featuring monumental paintings and sculptures—including internationally recognized sculptors Stanislav Libenský and Jaroslava Brychtová—the exhibition draws upon the CAT’s exceptional holdings of abstract glass sculpture, recently acquired paintings and significant loans from local and national museums.

Abstraction and Ourselves is the first exhibition curated at the CAT by Jill Ahlberg Yohe, the museum’s inaugural curator of Modern and Contemporary Art. Her decades-long career creating innovative exhibitions and advancing curatorial practice informs this significant new chapter in the museum’s history.

The exhibition features more than 20 works in painting, works on paper, mixed media and sculpture from the CAT’s collection, including the rarely seen architectural sculpture Blue Concretion by Libenský and Brychtová, which debuted at Expo 67 in Montreal and helped launch the artists on the international stage. Works by other legendary abstract artists Georgia O’Keeffe, Helen Frankenthaler, Claire Falkenstein, Howardena Pindell and Joan Snyder will also be presented alongside nationally recognized contemporary artists Dyani White Hawk and Minnesota-based Edith Carlson. Newly acquired works by Abenaki/Canadian artist Rita Letendre and South African artist Thando Ntobela, as well as paintings by American artists Jin Jeong and Steven Yazzie, further complement the CAT’s deep holdings in abstract glass sculpture.

Purchase tickets for the opening reception here.

Additional Events:

Artist Talk:
Artist Talk with Steven Yazzie (Diné/Navajo and Laguna Pueblo
Saturday, March 28, 2026 • 6:00 p.m.
Yazzie, a nationally exhibited painter whose work appears in museums across the U.S. and Canada, will discuss his practice and his work featured in Abstraction and Ourselves. This is the first time Yazzie’s work has been exhibited at the Cafesjian Art Trust Museum — or anywhere in Minnesota.

For adults:
Thursday, May 21, 6–8 pm 
Saturday, June 20, 5–7 pm

Curator-led Tours Join us at the CAT for a special, intimate after-hours tour of Abstraction and Ourselves, led by Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art Jill Ahlberg Yohe. Tickets $30 at https://www.exploretock.com/cafesjian-art-trust-shoreview.

For infants:
Saturdays–May 16 and July 25, 9–10 am

Baby Time A fun, free opportunity to get out of the house and spend quality time getting a supportive first introduction to an art museum. Just drop by! Infants only, please. 

For preschoolers:
Wednesday, June 24, 9:30 am and 1:30  pm

Preschool Pals A 40 min. exhibition tour, story, & an art project event just for three- and four-year–olds! Pre-registration required. 

For the whole family:
Saturday, June 13, 2-4 pm. CAT Kids  Enjoy story readings every half-hour, a kid-friendly exhibition tour at 3:00pm, and an art making project. Just drop by!

Saturday, August 1 from 1-4 pm. Family Festival A kiddie dance party in the Pergola room, four art-making projects, a scavenger hunt, in-gallery activities, plus chalk coloring, giant bubble blowing, and ice cream eating in the parking lot! $5 tickets on sale July 1.

And of course, The CAT Museum offers free walk-in admission from 5 to 8 pm on Friday nights, and from 10 am to 4:30 pm on Saturdays. Free tickets for 10:00 am, 1:00 pm, and 3:00 pm guided tours every week on Thursdays and Fridays can be reserved online. Reach the CAT by phone at 612-359-8991.

Abstraction and Ourselves is made possible through generous support and loans from Art Bridges, with additional thanks to Bockley Gallery and the Weisman Art Museum at the University of Minnesota.

The Cafesjian Art Trust Museum (The CAT) is a dynamic modern and contemporary art museum in the Twin Cities that inspires creativity, curiosity, and connection through art. The museum is free and welcomes everyone to experience a growing collection, compelling exhibitions, and robust public programming in an inclusive and welcoming space.The CAT is open Thursdays and Fridays with free, reservation-only tours; Friday evenings from 5–8 pm; and Saturdays from 10 am–4:30 pm with no reservations required. The museum also offers free programming for families, students, teachers, people with disabilities, and community partners. For reservations and hours, visit cafesjianarttrust.org or call 612-359-8991.