OUTDOOR PUBLIC ART enhances a community. It provides an outlet for creativity, adds interest to place and often brings joy. At least that’s my assessment.
As someone who grew up in rural southwestern Minnesota with minimal exposure to the arts—or perhaps more accurately minimal opportunity in the arts—I deeply appreciate the arts.
My community of Faribault, where I’ve lived for the past 39 years, embraces creativity, centered today at the Paradise Center for the Arts. Yet, the visual arts extend well beyond the walls of the Paradise to stained glass windows in our historic churches, an art collection at Buckham Memorial Library, sculptures, architecture, home-grown shops, historic-themed murals and even the graceful curves of the historic viaduct.
You can see Faribault’s newest addition to the outdoor art scene from that viaduct, which offers a sweeping view of the downtown area.
But I viewed this latest public art close up from an alley. On the back and sides of The Upper East Side, an art and gallery space at 213 Central Avenue, Morristown area artist Jeff Jarvis (West Cedar Studio) painted a mural onto the stucco building.
The mural differs significantly from the historic-themed murals scattered throughout our downtown as part of The Mural Society of Faribault’s ongoing mural installation efforts.
The Upper East Side mural, a project of owner Suzanne Schwichtenberg and Jarvis, is more modern and graphic with strong lines. Less detailed. Bold. With unexpected pops of color. I find the zipper painted into the mural to be especially creative—the unzipping of history, of stories, of past and present. The mural invites introspection rather than simple reflection on an historic place or memory.
That’s my take. Not as someone with an art education, but rather as a creative who has grown to appreciate the arts in her community and beyond.
FYI: Suzanne Schwichtenberg leads paint-and-sip events and other painting sessions at The Upper East Side and also takes painting/social gatherings on the road. Jarvis is a third-generation artist specializing in historical sketches and scenes from everyday life. He is passionate about local and regional history, authoring a book on the area’s mill history.
© Copyright 2021 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
Art is everywhere if you look for it and the best art is the kind you find when you are not looking for it 🙂 I love living in a creative hamlet and the art is varied too, which makes you look, think and even flips you on your head at times. I enjoy checking out signage/branding. Walking on the beach yesterday and someone wrote “vacay” in shells – cute! Art can be gardens or a beautiful display of floral and/or fauna. STOP, Pause and Breathe and TAKE in the BEAUTY around you! Happy Day – Enjoy
I think I would love your creative hamlet. Thank you for sharing your take on art. You’re so right. Art is everywhere. Even in, and especially in, nature.
I always enjoy seeing murals on buildings but I agree, nature’s art is awesome!
That it is.
I love that new mural, the zipper is so realistic! The flower boxes are pretty too!
I like it, too. It’s something different and particularly creative. Unexpected in an historic downtown.
Wow, that IS a departure from the style of the other murals. Glad you included that viaduct view. This makes 10? the original 8 + Whipple in Central Park, now this? Jeff’s art that I’ve seen is usually sketching or water colors. I think I’d like, have to make a point, although coming down the viaduct, can hardly miss it! The art additions to the river area are so welcomed, the sculpture is absolutely gorgeous. We are blessed with no snow!, but several have reminded us of last year. We need “open” – safely! of course.
Faribault is definitely growing its public art. Such a good thing. I can’t wait to see how the planned under the viaduct park evolves. And the new park where the old city garage used to be along the river. Lots of good things happening here. And, yes, we need to “open” safely.
Loved it!! Even the flowers boxes are painted under the window! Awesome!!! I am sure it adds to the community in new exciting ways.
It’s just another way to infuse art into our downtown. And that this is alley-side makes it particularly unique.
Oooh – that one is really special, isn’t it? I love that bright pop of color. We both look for those art displays outdoors that make us smile, don’t we?
Yup, we both love outdoor (and indoor) public art.