This painting by Minnetonka’s Martha Van de Vere Larkin now hangs in her granddaughter’s home. Artist: Martha Van de Vere Larkin
Martha Van de Vere Larkin (1869–1967) was a Minnetonka woman of note. Martha and her husband, John, farmed the land that the Dayton company purchased for the development of Ridgedale Center. Martha was a fabulous cook and had many hobbies, including millinery, photography, reading, singing and notably, painting—all while she and John raised six children.
She became known locally as an artist, showing some of her paintings, including for exhibits at the Downtown Foundation (Minneapolis) in 1952, the 35th Annual Exhibition of Twin City Artists in 1949 at the Minneapolis Institute of Art and the Hennepin County Fair, where she won a First Premium Ribbon (year unknown).
In 2022, the City of Minnetonka Historical Society received a donation of one of Martha’s murals from a Minnetonka couple. When the donors purchased their home in 1975, the painting came with the residence. Since they weren’t interested in displaying the art, the mural was stored for decades until they donated it to the historical society.
Learn more during Martha Van de Vere Larkin: A Prolific, Yet Unknown Minnetonka Artist at 1 p.m. August 27 at the Minnetonka Community Center. Registration is required. Call 952.939.8393 for details.
Barb Lindgren is City of Minnetonka Historical Society board member. Discover more at cityofminnetonkahistory.org.
