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 responded to a Call for Art and proposed five, interactive, brightly-colored beaver sculptures that will be installed in Davy/Memorial Park in fall 2022. This project was funded in part by 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 will paint 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 River Keepers proposed a community art project with a strong public education focus on prevention of stormwater pollution.  The project will  bring together local artists and selected neighborhood block clubs to design and implement public art around storm drains. The project is intended to leave a lasting impression on the neighborhoods to monitor and protect our water system from storm drain pollution.

I-94 Tower Art

Moorhead Public Service and the City of Moorhead, in partnership with the Churchill group, conducted extensive community engagement to develop a work of art for the I-94 water tower anticipated to be rehabilitated in 2021. The art captures the Red River of the North, parallel River Corridor Trail and seasonal trees including Concordia's Crazy Tree.

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", a 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.  

CenturyLink Moorhead Box Art

In 2016, CenturyLink commissioned seven works of art throught 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.