Persephone

Looking up to the second story across from the American Burger Bar on Wabasha and 4th Streets is a relief panel of the Greek goddess Persephone. I always felt she needed more festive coloring than what the sculptor's choice of light brown stone gave her. Although Persephone is the goddess of the underworld, she seems too peaceful with her tamborine to cause much trouble. According to Larry Millett's AIA Guide to the Twin Cities, the panel is part of an addition to the Lowry Hotel that housed an art deco ballroom. The Lowry Hotel once home to gangsters in the 20's and 30's is now apartments and soon to be student housing for McNally Smith students. I recently started reading Paul Maccabee's John Dillanger Slept Here and had to immediately move ahead in the book to chapter 32 and the The Commodore Hotel (now condos and just off Summit Avenue) since I was just there last Monday for the art and antique show that is held there on the first Monday of the month. Rumor is that they don't know if it will continue at that location but the art deco bar is worth the effort if you have a reason to visit the building.