Arts and Culture to Enjoy

Moorhead has many wonderful arts and cultural amenities for residents, businesses and visitors to enjoy.  Here are a few public art projects available for all to experience:

"Breaking the Surface" Sculpture in Davy/Memorial Park

Local artists Catie Miller and Emily Williams-Wheeler have partnered to bring vibrancy to the park with an unexpected and humorous approach. Over several weeks, they carved the beaver prototype from a stacked block of foam insulation and covered it with plaster. Once the prototype was complete, it was delivered to a fiber glass studio in Buffalo, MN to create a mold and multiples. Breaking the Surface has two distinct meanings. To start, it refers to the ecosystem of the Red River Valley and character traits of our community. Beavers can be seen throughout the Red River Valley and are symbols of persistence and hard work. They are also team orientated, working together to create a strong colony. Of equal importance, the project represents one of the first large public art installations in Moorhead, bringing a uniqueness and playful identity to the City and park while providing access to art for all! This project was made possible through generous donations  to the Moorhead Community Fund and a grant from the FM Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Bench and Box Art

In collaboration with Moorhead High School teacher Grady Carlson, 15 students submitted original works of art for consideration to be placed on seven downtown benches and a utility box near Moorhead High School.

Moorhead Proud Art

Florence Klingensmith mural The artist team of Cory Gillerstein and Jared Froeber painted a mural of Florence Klingensmith, a Moorhead native, who was an aviation pioneer in the 1920s. She was recently a subject of a best selling book “Fly Girls: How Five Daring Women Defied All Odds and Made Aviation History.” Her little known story will now be honored as part of Moorhead’s history. Ace Hardware on Main Avenue has enthusiastically offered to display the mural on the west side of the store.

Storm Drain Community Art project In the summer of 2022, River Keepers has partnered with artist Olivia Baine to design and implement public art around storm drains. The project is intended to leave a lasting impression on the community to monitor and protect our water system from storm drain pollution.

I-94 Tower Art

Southside Tower Art

Moorhead Public Service and the City of Moorhead collaborated with southside neighborhood representatives to develop a work of art for the Southside water tower anticipated to be completed in 2021. In coordination with Carrie Lee Kinslow, artists Stephen Dorset and Jack Lunde created the design that is unique to the neighborhood and includes the Bluestem Amphitheater, Concordia's crazy tree and recreational elements.

 Woodlawn Tower Art

Moorhead Public Service and the City of Moorhead collaborated with the Woodlawn neighborhood to develop a work of art for the Woodlawn water tower, which was rehabilitated in 2018.  With coordination with Su Legatt, artists Stephen Dorset and Jack Lunde created the design that is unique to the neighborhood including the Main Avenue bridge, river, Stave Church, log cabin and recreational elements.

Oakport Our Tower Art

Moorhead Public Service repainted the Oakport water tower in Fall 2017 which includes a collaborative work of art by Stephen Dorsey and Jack Lunde two talented, local designers who submitted individual designs to an open call for art.  The design is an interpretation of 'Life in Moorhead' and focuses on some of the key aspects that make our city unique, with special emphasis on the amazing wilderness available in the Oakport neighborhood.  The artistic component of this project was lead and facilitated by professional artist, Su Legatt.

This project is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from Lake Region Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage fund. Video: Long Format / Short Format

 Aerosol Art

 In 2015, Micah Leitel joined with the community and Rourke Art Museum to create "Bubbles", an aerosol art piece on a utility structure on Center Avenue.  A free interactive aerosol workshop allowed community members to interact with the aerosol medium and create their own works of art.  

MPR documented the day that was enjoyed by many.  

Although the utility structure was removed for the 2022 Center Avenue reconstruction, the art and workshop leaves a lasting impact on the community.

CenturyLink Moorhead Box Art

In 2016, CenturyLink commissioned seven works of art through the CenturyLink Moorhead Box Art Project contest that invited creatives to submit original works of art with a technology theme for the chance to be selected to wrap a CenturyLink utility box.  CLICK HERE for brochure featuring the selected works of art and the location.

If you have questions please feel free to contact art@cityofmoorhead.com or 218.299.5333.

This project is inspired by 'Everyday Poems for City Sidewalk' in St. Paul, Minnesota designed by artist, Marcus Young.