MURAL PROJECT

South Minneapolis residents partner with school and artists to transform bridge and celebrate Latinx cultures

36th ART (Avenue Revitalization & Transformation), a resident-led community improvement initiative in South Minneapolis, is deepening its partnership with the Hiawatha Collegiate High School to present Bridging Cultures, a bridge mural paint-a-thon culminating in a free community cultural festival on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024 (1-5 p.m.).

Thomasina TopBear is a self-taught artist, muralist, published illustrator and organizer from the Oglala Lakota & Santee Dakota Nations. She is a board member of the international all female paint crew Few & Far Women and co-founder of City Mischief Murals, an all BIPOC artist collective, centered on healing through art. Specializing in large-scale murals her work can be seen on the sides of buildings throughout the country. Thomasina has organized a number of events focusing on empowering and creating safe spaces for youth and fellow artists to practice their crafts. She draws influences from her Oceti Sakowin culture while using art to express thoughts on community, social justice, spirituality and togetherness. Thomasina has worked with numerous groups and organizations including Indigenous Roots Cultural Arts Center, Phipps Center for the Arts, Hennepin Theatre Trust, Minnesota Public Radio, Minneapolis College of Arts and Design, University of MN and Saint Paul College. She is a grant recipient of Forecast Public Art, Knight Foundation, Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation and the Minnesota State Arts Board.

Posted Friday, August 30, 2024 1:18 pm

FESTIVAL CALENDAR

•36th Avenue is closed for 48-hours, starting Friday, Sept. 13 at 7 p.m. to prepare the site for the paint-a-thon.

•Paint-a-thon is underway throughout Saturday, Sept. 14 (available for viewing).

•Paint-a-thon continues on Sunday, Sept. 15, concluding at 4 p.m.

•Bridging Cultures festival and community celebration will take place Sunday, Sept. 15, 1-5 p.m., culminating with the unveiling of the completed bridge and a brief program.

About 36th ART

36th ART (Avenue Revitalization & Transformation) is a volunteer group of neighborhood residents working in partnership to address safety, accessibility, aesthetics and interpretive wayfinding along 36th Avenue South, from East Lake Street to 25th Street. The group brings together local artists, residents and businesses to reimagine overlooked and under-loved spaces along the corridor, transforming them into opportunities for beauty, youth empowerment and community connections. Learn more about 36th ART online at its website and its social media outlets Instagram and Facebook.

About Hiawatha Collegiate High School

Hiawatha Collegiate High School (HCHS), part of Hiawatha Academies, offers each of their scholars a personalized high school experience that recognizes and builds on their unique talents and interests, preparing them with the knowledge and skills to thrive in college. All students enjoy a well-rounded program rooted in rigorous academics, comprehensive college support, strong and lasting relationships and meaningful extracurricular activities. HCHS is committed to proving that closing the opportunity gap is possible. The school encourages “service learning” opportunities for students in the surrounding neighborhood, supporting learning goals, earning stipends and helping neighbors—not to mention painting community murals and participating in neighborhood events!

About City Mischief Murals

Based nearby in Seward’s Ivy Building, Thomasina TopBear and her team, City Mischief Murals, is a Black, Indigenous, Latinx and Pacific Islander artist collective that produces murals and creative projects offering leadership opportunities for youth and healing through art for communities of color. City Mischief artists have six years of experience producing large scale murals, live exhibition painting and community events.

About Indigenous Roots

Indigenous Roots is a renowned St. Paul-based nonprofit producer of community-based multi-cultural events and festivals. Their programming is focused on building youth leadership and development skills through academic and community opportunities and partnerships.

Lighting to improve safety under bridge

The City of Minneapolis Public Works Department, in response to requests from 36th ART, is in the process of installing lighting under the 36th Avenue Bridge, which will improve safety for pedestrians and help illuminate the artworks.

Public Art and Traffic Calming Study

36th ART is partnering with the Minnesota Design Team at the University of Minnesota to research DIY methods for calming traffic and improving safety utilizing public art and low-cost creative interventions. The study will focus on the 36th Avenue corridor, from Lake Street to 25th Street.

emporary Fence Art to Enhance 36th Avenue Bridge during Greenway Glow

This year’s Greenway Glow—the annual festival of the Midtown Greenway Coalition—will feature a Bridge-Top Yarn-Bombing art installation atop the bridge on Saturday, Sept. 7, from 4-10 p.m. The public is invited to drop by and help weave a temporary masterpiece onto the chain link fence, which will remain on display through the 15th.

36th ART (Avenue Revitalization & Transformation), a resident-led community improvement initiative in South Minneapolis, is deepening its partnership with the Hiawatha Collegiate High School to present Bridging Cultures, a bridge mural paint-a-thon culminating in a free community cultural festival on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, 1-5 p.m.

Building on the success of the two wall murals Hiawatha students created under the 36th Avenue Greenway bridge last year with help from a team of local muralists - entitled River Memory - the partners now plan to creatively complete the transformation of the aging, unwelcoming structure with help from City Mischief Murals, a talented group of multicultural artists led by Indigenous culture bearer Thomasina TopBear.
“My approach to art making derives from my Oceti Sakowin culture and values, while using art to express thoughts on social justice, spirituality and togetherness. I’m very excited to be a part of this special event because of the large amount of community collaboration that is going into making this project a reality! I hope this mural encourages the neighborhood residents and visitors to pause for a moment or slow down to reflect on the beauty of this place," stated TopBear.

In addition to colorfully painting all of the remaining concrete surfaces of the bridge - over a 48-hour period - 36th ART and the school are hosting a community-building cultural festival near the bridge, in the parking lot behind the school, coinciding with the start of Hispanic Heritage Month. The school is located at 3500 East 28th Street in South Minneapolis.
“This project is an inspiring reminder that, through meaningful partnerships and a group of committed individuals, we can make a big difference in the lives of our youth and our community," said Jack Becker, 36th ART member and Bridging Cultures project manager.

Bridging Cultures will commence Sunday at 1 p.m. and culminate at 5 p.m. with the unveiling of the newly transformed bridge. The festival will be produced by the renowned nonprofit Indigenous Roots. The festival is designed to bring Hiawatha students and their families together with Seward and Longfellow neighbors for an afternoon of cultural presentations, food, fashion, music, dance, stencil-making and much more.
Leaders at the school, which opened its doors six years ago, are excited to build deeper relationships with its Seward and Longfellow neighbors and grow broader community understanding and appreciation for the many facets of Latinx cultures housed in the school. The gathering will also introduce students and their families to the residents and businesses in the surrounding community.
“This project serves as a daily reminder of the power of art to bring communities together, fostering a sense of pride and belonging. It has also offered our students a unique opportunity to engage with contemporary art and understand the positive impact it can have on public spaces. We believe that continuing and expanding this project will further enrich our city’s cultural landscape," said Melanie Johnson, of Hiawatha Academies.

Funding is made possible by Seward Neighborhood Group, Xcel Energy, Longfellow Community Council, UCare, Minneapolis Foundation, Anderson Realty, Electrotune, Seward Civic & Commerce Assn., Premier Construction, Kevin and Terry Barnes, anonymous donors, and in-kind support from Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority.