To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, the Walker Art Center created a fresh round of artist-designed mini golf that is opening tomorrow and running through Sep. 8th. Garden gnomes masquerading as foosball strikers, a scale model of a French chateau, mazes, gopher holes, and contours mapped from the course at the legendary Augusta National Golf Club are just a few ingredients going into the 2013 edition course. And purists, worry not: at least one hole includes a kitschy, oversize watering can. For the two eight-hole courses, winning proposals from a group that included architects, artists, engineers, machinists, and mini-golf aficionados were selected in January from an open call. Two more holes were designed and made by students from a public sculpture class at the University of Minnesota, led by artist Chris Larson.

Also, new this year, you can stop by to enjoy the newest “pup” in town at the Dog House, a food truck featuring a selection of hot dogs on soft pretzel buns. If you’re in the mood for cool and refreshing, try a Talenti gelato pop or a cold Summit beer. Again the course opens tomorrow and is running through Sep. 8th. The cost is $12 for adults, $10 for students, and $9 for Walker members and children ages 12 and under. The course is open Thursday-Saturday from 10 am-10 pm and Sunday-Wednesday from 10 am-8 pm. See you there.

"Artist-Designed Mini Golf" Walker Art Center Credit: Walker Art Center

"Mini Golf at the Walker, 2004" Credit: Walker Art Center

Colle+McVoy announced that Sam Soulek has joined their ranks as an associate design director, a new role at the agency. As C+M continues to push its design offerings, Soulek will play a key role in the day-to-day design direction across all clients. Soulek is joining Colle+McVoy from mono and has experience working with Apple, Nike, Target, Philips Distilling, Lucy Activewear, and Time Warner Cable among others. His work has been recognized by Communication Arts, Esquire Magazine, Graphis, HOW, Print, STEP Inside Design, Graphic Design USA, Creativity Design Annual, Retail Innovation Awards, MN AdFed’s The Show, and AIGA. Nice.

Sam Soulek, Associate Design Director at Colle+McVoy

The Effie Awards were founded in 1968 by the American Marketing Association as an awards program to recognize the most effective advertising efforts in the United States each year. What differentiates them from other awards shows is the fact that they aren't judged solely on their creativity; but, also on their business success as well. This year Minneapolis took home three Effie awards through Fallon, Carmichael Lynch, and Fast Horse. Fallon won in the "Automotive - Vehicle" category for their campaign for Cadillac titled, "Cadillac ATS vs. The World."

Carmichael Lynch was also awarded an Effie in the "Automotive - Vehicle" category for their "First Car Story" campaign for their Subaru client. Finally, Fast Horse was awarded a Silver Effie in the North American Shopper Marketing competition for "Manufacturing: Single-Retailer Rollout." Fast Horse was co-lead for Coca-Cola's "Diet Coke Young Designer Challenge" that launched in Target stores nationwide. Portland, Ore.-based Wieden + Kennedy also was recognized as co-lead. "We’re proud to show that with hard work and creativity, a small Minneapolis agency can compete with the biggest international agencies,” said Jörg Pierach, president and creative director of Fast Horse. “We thank the clients whose trust in us and guidance on behalf of their valued brands make it possible.”

"Cadillac ATS vs The World Trailer" Cadillac - Fallon

"First Car Story Winner" Subaru - Carmichael Lynch

"Young Designer Challenge" Diet Coke - Fast Horse & Wieden+Kennedy