A group of
University of Minnesota student-community liaisons are calling for a new mural in the Como neighborhood as a way to improve the landscape and bring people together.
Adam Arling, a recent university graduate who works for the school's student and community relations office, says, "We've been interested in using art as a device for building community" and as "a tool to brand our community."
It's where the idea came for a mural on a retaining wall in a highly trafficked crossing along 15th Avenue Southeast. This intersection "acts as a gateway corridor to campus and to Como," he says.
The poorly lit, somewhat dangerous intersection often gets tagged with graffiti. "We thought this would be a good opportunity to get the community to work together toward a common goal that's safer and more aesthetically pleasing."
Local artists Sara Udvig and Carly Schmitt will work together on the mural, which will span 3,000 square feet along four walls, or a full block.
His office has been working to get feedback from community members about what common themes and values should be included in the design.
Many people have brought up the area's green spaces, Dinkytown, Bunge Tower, bike-ability and history.
Arling hopes the community will also help create the mural through a handful of workshops that are being planned.
Although the student-community liaisons have already been able to secure some grant money for the project with the help of the
Southeast Como Improvement Association, the group needs neighborhood and city approval.
And more funding is needed because "The original budget didn't account for this big of a process."
Source: Adam Arling, student liaison, Student and Community Relations at the University of Minnesota
Writer: Anna Pratt