Twin Cities Business Listing

Take a self-guided Tour of the Public Art through this park system. This would be an ideal tour to do by bicycle as it would be a little far to walk and parking is not always easy to find along these stops. Stops 2 through 6 on the linked tour are in or near this regional park and we’ve included a stop at First Bridge Park, which isn’t on the self-guided tour, but is recommended by MPRB. Many of the creators are active area artists that you can learn more about and maybe plan to visit their galleries at another time.

1. B.F. Nelson Park’s Pioneer Statue by John K. Daniels – This statue portrays a pioneer family and features Father Louis Hennepin among Native Americans on the front. It has been a subject of recent controversy for its subject matter and could be used as a springboard for discussions of artistic portrayals of Native Americans and the settlement of this area.
2. Boom Island Park’s Memorial to Survivors of Sexual Violence by Lori Greene. I know – not a “fun” topic, but it really is quite a beautiful seating area and mosaics.
3. Nicollet Island Park’s Bell of Two Friends by Karen Sontag Sattel. Walk through the archway and rink the bell for world peace.
4. First Bridge Park’s Ornamental railings, lighting, other circulation features, landscaping and bronze sculptures of water creatures. This is NOT a stop on the self-guided tour of public art, but is recommended by MPRB.
5. Historic Main Street’s Tilted Bowl Fountain by Seitu Jones. Stop for a drink of water and honor or be grateful for the Earth, Mississippi River, and Saint Anthony Falls.
6. Marcy-Holmes Gateway (aka Sixth Avenue Stroll) by Aldo Moroni. Just north of Father Hennepin Bluffs and Historic Main Street there are 24 bronze sculptures on brick pedestals lining 6th Avenue to University Avenue.