Northeast Neighborhood Gateway

A project sponsored by the Minneapolis Arts Commission.

My charge as project artist was to produce an artwork that would represent the many ethnic groups of the neighborhood and be bold enough to distract from the chain link fence atop the Central/Broadway Bridge. First completed in 1993, the project stretched 228 lineal feet and was composed of 25 ethnic motifs.

In a year-long research project I located members of each ethnic group to collect a motif to represent their culture. Imagery was taken from many sources including traditional clothing, woodcarvings, decorated eggs and tea towels. With the aid of a computer, I created drawings for translation into laser cut steel.

Members of the Polish community

Anishinabe or ”Obijwa” motif

African motif

The Coloring Book

To introduce the project to the community, I produced a coloring book that was distributed to neighborhood schools. The book gives a history of each motif.

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The six pointed star of the Ukrainian motif originated in the Middle East and traveled to Europe over a period of at least 2,000 years.  It may have been embroidered on clothing or woven into rugs or saddle blankets.

The Renovation

In 2005 the Broadway/Central Bridge was renovated, and I reworked the motifs to become an integral part of the new railing.

Susan Fiene