Minnesota Prairie Roots

The Northfield Arts and Culture Commission awarded $3,000 toward this mural project.

SUNFLOWERS. LILIES. DAISIES.

I love the bold hues of this mural mixed with grey and black.

Flowers bloom in bold colors painted onto an exterior block wall in the heart of downtown Northfield.

Mural on the Domino’s building.

Just a half block off Division Street, up the hill from Bridge Square, on the building housing Domino’s Pizza, a colorful mural stretches, drawing appreciative onlookers. Including me. During Northfield’s The Defeat of Jesse James Days celebration last Saturday, many a passerby posed for photos against the colorful and inspiring backdrop.

Outlined in blue, the word LOVE.

This mural commissioned by the owner of the building and created by Illinois artist Brett Whitacre features more than vibrant flowers. It highlights a single word: LOVE.

The signature of mural artist Brett Whitacre on a corner of the mural.

And perhaps that is the unconscious draw. We all need LOVE. More than ever right now. These are difficult days of dealing with a relentless and deadly virus, social unrest and injustices, and a country in turmoil.

I expect the LOVE mural will continue to be a popular photo backdrop, especially for couples holding their wedding receptions at The Grand Event Center just across the street.

To pause for a moment in the chaos and appreciate this beautiful example of uplifting public art is to take a respite. To choose for a moment to embrace LOVE. That one emotion we all need. That connects us. If we allow it to do so.

THOUGHTS?

© Copyright 2020 Audrey Kletscher Helbling