
AS A MEGA APPRECIATOR of outdoor public art, I delighted in the recent discovery of some new, at least new-to-me, art staged in historic downtown Northfield. This southern Minnesota river town boasts a thriving community of literary, visual and performing artists.

Here you’ll find poems imprinted in sidewalks, painted on steps and read at poetry readings in a city with a poet laureate. Here you’ll see outdoor sculptures scattered about town. Here you can listen to a concert at Bridge Square, a local church, St. Olaf or Carleton Colleges or elsewhere. Here you can enjoy live theater. Here you can appreciate the works of creatives at the Northfield Arts Guild and many other venues.
Northfield truly is synonymous with the arts.

So when I spied a recently-installed sculpture, “Framing the Scene” by St. Paul glass artist Erin Ward, I felt a jolt of excitement. The free-standing, two-dimensional mosaic frames the nearby Cannon River and Riverwalk on one side and Bridge Square on the other. It’s meant to be an interactive sculpture for framing photos.

Ward was among five artists awarded $2,000 grants from the Minnesota Arts Board for the Northfield Downtown Development Corporation’s 2021 Artists on Main Street projects. That program aspires to get “creative placemaking” into the historic downtown. The intersection of arts and culture, downtown revitalization and historic preservation all factor into the artistic endeavors.

“Framing the Scene” meets all of those criteria, in my creative opinion. The artwork itself represents the vision and skills of a talented artist. The art adds to the downtown Northfield experience. That experience is one of dipping in and out of mostly home-grown local shops or of dining in an historic setting. The cliques “quaint and charming” fit Northfield. This is a community rich in history, rich in historic architecture, rich in natural beauty and rich in art.
I appreciate how Ward melded art and nature in creating a mosaic which honors both. As I studied her interpretation of the Cannon River, I recognized the thought she invested in this detailed art of many many pieces. Her river evokes movement in waters teeming with fish and the occasional turtle. Assorted greens and blues evoke a sense of calm and peacefulness. Ward’s art honors this river which runs through. This river of life, now a backdrop to a community which still appreciates her beauty, her recreational qualities, her history, her aesthetic value.

And then, on the flip side of “Framing the Scene,” bold pieces of mostly yellow, orange and red triangles create a completely different feeling. It’s as if sunbeams fell from the sun in a chaotic, jumbled mix of happiness. That’s my interpretation.
This side of the art looks toward Bridge Square, community gathering spot in downtown Northfield. Place of concerts and popcorn wagon, Santa house and quiet bench-sitting. Place of artistic activism. And beyond that, to the back of the frame, historic buildings rise.

Art rises in Northfield, enriching the lives of locals and the lives of visitors like me, come to town to follow the Riverwalk, to walk along Division Street and, then, to pause near Bridge Square and frame the scene.
Please check back for more posts about art in historic downtown Northfield, Minnesota.
© Copyright 2022 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
I am a huge fan and supporter of public art, and I love the ones you’ve shared here, especially the fish piece –
Public art offers so much in beauty, enhancing our lives, even causing us to pause and think. Thank you for also appreciating public art.
I love that sculpture. Beautiful.
I know you’re a mega fan of outdoor public art also. Glad you enjoyed “Framing the Scene” as much as me.
I didn’t know about that sculpture! I’ll check it out next time I’m in NF!
I discovered lots of “new” art in Northfield while there last Sunday. Be sure to stop by the library. More posts forthcoming on my discoveries. Thank you for being a creative based in Faribault.
I find it not surprising, but a little telling, that some river walk merchants went to the city in an attempt to ban fishing in downtown Northfield. Cows, colleges, and contentment. Unless you want to catch a walleye then get out of here.
Larry, I’m sorry to hear about that effort to ban fishing in downtown Northfield. I take it this did not happen. I often see people fishing along the Riverwalk or along the banks of the Cannon.
This is news to me. I’ll have to go downtown and check it out! 😉
Thanks for highlighting our wonderful town.
You are welcome, Valerie. I saw lots of “new” art in downtown Northfield.
Hi Audrey – thank you for this informative piece about Northfield. I’ve learned something new today!
Jane
You are welcome, Jane. I’m happy to inform. I’ll have more posts from Northfield about additional art downtown and other scenes I photographed.
Beautiful pieces of art, I keep saying I need to explore Northfield….someday 🙂
Oh, goodness, Jackie, yes, you must explore Northfield. I’ll have more photos coming soon of other art I discovered in the downtown area.
Wow, that’s some great art. That fish piece really catches the eye.
I’m always amazed by the talent of artists. And, yes, this is most assuredly an eye-catching mosaic.