I can think of no finer way to spend a warm weekend day than romping with my husband and 3-year-old around the grounds of Franconia Sculpture Park, an artist-run compound of simply spectacular contemporary 3-D artwork, near Taylor's Falls. Some of the installations are stately and elegant, some are mystifying; other pieces are whimsical, and many of them positively invite a hand's touch or for little bodies to climb and slide on them.

If you haven't been, you're in for a treat: An hour's jaunt from the Twin Cities to Franconia makes for a terrific daytrip throughout the summer months — with regularly scheduled symposia and workshops, guided tours, "Kids Make Sculpture" classes, and the occasional hot metal pour. But mark your calendars: The annual Franconia Arts and Artists Festival every September is nothing less than the perfect send-off to summer. In the early fall light of late afternoon, when you can wander through the maze of artwork accompanied by the happy bustle of running kids and live music, Franconia is just a wonderland.

And on Thursday, you can do your part to ensure that Franconia continues to enchant visitors for years to come; at the same time, you'll have a rare opportunity to hear Franconia alum and Minnesota artist-made-good Chris Larson talk about his provocative sculpture and video installation, "Deep North," now on display at Burnet Art Gallery in the downtown Minneapolis Chambers Hotel.

Larson, known for his quixotically grand sculptures and mind-bending video narratives, returns to the Twin Cities for a fundraiser for Franconia Sculpture Park -- an artist talk about "Deep North" and reception -- at Chambers' Burnet Gallery.

"Celebrating Franconia and Chris Larson" will begin at 5 p.m. on Thursday, May 28, at Burnet Gallery at Chambers Hotel in Minneapolis. Artist Chris Larson will give his remarks, followed by a rundown of upcoming Franconia events, beginning at 6:30 p.m.