New Nicollet Redevelopment

This public art project is part of the New Nicollet Redevelopment.

Partner

Public Works

Budget

$300,000

Status

Fabrication

About the project

The redevelopment seeks to connect and serve the people who will live on the former Kmart site. It will create new housing, businesses and green spaces in South Minneapolis.

The first phase will reconnect Nicollet Avenue, Cecil Newman Lane and Lake Street. This phase will result in new streets, a bridge, bikeway and pedestrian areas.

In the fall of 2023, we posted a Call for Artists and formed an independent selection panel. This panel consisted of:

Community members
Project staff
Creative professionals

The panel reviewed artist's applications and selected artists Juliette Perine Myers and Lori Green.

See the artists and their work

They will conduct comprehensive research and community engagement. Their design will be informed by this work.

Learn more about the New Nicollet Redevelopment

Smiling senior in art-filled cafe holding a yellow hand-cut paper mask in front of their face. Photo credit Witt Siasoco.

Process

In 2025, the artists connected with the community through interviews and paper-cutting workshops.

They spoke with 13 culture bearers in South Minneapolis. The group was diverse in age, gender, race, and work. The goal was to learn the neighborhood’s history from people with deep roots in South Minneapolis.

Paper-cutting events took place at five community sites. People made patterns and designs with construction paper.

These interviews and designs will shape the final sculpture. The artists will install the new public artwork in 2026.

To learn more, contact:

Artists

Juliette Perine Myers
Artist Lori Green


Artist Juliette Perine Myers Photo credit: Drew Arrieta	Artist Lori Green Photo credit: Debbie Cash

Artists design work

The sculpture will be a large bench with a mosaic canopy shaped like giant mushrooms or plants. It will offer shade and show patterns which create light and shadow. The bench is meant to be a place where people feel safe, connected, and curious.

Paper-cut textile patterns made by community members will inspire the canopy design. Colorful mosaics will reflect the many cultures in South Minneapolis.

Artistic tree-like structures with circular, patterned canopies casting intricate shadows. A person sits on a round bench that is part of the artwork.

Kirstin Wiegmann

Arts & Cultural Affairs

Email Kirstin Wiegmann

Address

Public Service Building
505 Fourth Ave. S., Room 320
Minneapolis, MN 55415

Witt Siasoco