Partners: Public Works, Minnesota Department of Transportation

Budget: $369,000

Status: Design and Community Engagement Underway

The Hiawatha Avenue and Lake Street intersection is known as Hi-Lake. This intersection includes highway onramps, a bridge underpass, bike paths and sidewalks. It is being redesigned to a create a safer and more comfortable area for pedestrians. As part of this redesign, the City is working with an artist team. The team includes four artists: Natchez Beaulieu, Daniela Bianchini, Pablo Kalaka and Greta McLain. In spring 2025, they will design and fabricate a 5,200 square foot mural on underpass walls. 

The goals for the public art project are:

• The goals for the public art project are:
• Enhance the underpass walls through a bright, bold and detailed public artwork.
• Create a welcoming and safe experience for people of all backgrounds and walks of life. 
• Design a community engagement process that:
  • Is open and welcoming.
  • Develops a deep understanding of and celebrate the uniqueness of this place.
  • Engages the regular users of this space in the design and creation of the artwork.
• Support connections:
  • The site as a gateway connection between the East and West Lake Street;
  • The site as connection of between people, places, and ideas, from the past, present and future. 

The selected artists are Natchez Beaulieu, Greta McLain, Pablo Kalaka, and Daniela Bianchini. They are southside public artists with a deep commitment to Minneapolis. They design and create the mural with residents, businesses and students.

The artists will also engage students at these Minneapolis schools and organizations:  

• Minnesota Transitions Charter School
• Andersen United Middle School
• Hope Academy
• Center School
• Little Earth Native Youth Arts Collective
• Division of Indian Works
• South High School 
• Migizi
• Semilla Center for Healing and Arts

View the calendar of upcoming community events

Complete the Survey to Provide Your Input by May 31, 2025

Email Kirstin Wiegmann for more information