Peering at us with swirly hypno-eyes is Max Rabitat. This big art rabbit is a sculpture created by Mary Johnson in 2009. Max Rabitat stands tall in the Bottineau neighborhood of northeast Minneapolis.
Mary Johnson’s creation is short for “maximum rabbit habitat”. You can find Max Rabitat on 22nd Avenue NE. It is across from Mojo Coffee near the railroad tracks. Specifically, look for 72 22nd Ave NE, Minneapolis.
Max Rabitat is part of the River First Gateway Sculpture Trail. This trail runs along 22nd Avenue NE. It stretches from Central to the Mississippi River. It also includes Marshall Street NE. The trail goes from roughly 18th Avenue to Lowry.
NE Sculpture Gallery Factory coordinated Max’s installation. Nearby, at the California building, you can spot other art. Andrew MacGuffie’s “Bon Chance” is there. Also, Peyton Scott Russell’s “Daskarone” is close by.
Other sculptures enhance the River First trail. James Brenner’s works grace Edison High School. They also appear in Jackson Square Park. This park sits between Jackson Street and Monroe Street.
JROW is another installation in the works. It will be between Jefferson and Washington Streets NE. Find it at the Hook Ladder apartments. The apartments are on Washington Street and 23rd Avenue. Numerous sculptures will fill the grounds.
Lisa Elias and L. John Andrew are among the sculptors. James Brenner, Aaron Dysart, and Peyton Scott Russell also contribute. All these artists come from Northeast Minneapolis. They were commissioned at Hook Ladder Apartments.
NE Sculpture Gallery Factory supports these sculptors. The Casket Arts building is their base. They collaborate with Minneapolis and private property owners. Together, they host art along this unique route.
Mary Johnson also sculpted “Lizard Lounge”. It is half-building, half-reptile. You can find it five blocks south of Max. The Lizard is permanently at Eastside Neighborhood Services.
Since landing on 22nd Avenue NE, Max Rabitat has become a photo magnet. Its charm increased on April 17. That is when someone added a social distancing mask. Max is more than just art. It’s a neighborhood icon.