A Beautiful Dream in Fergus Falls: Community Mural

Over a summer, neighbors and artists created a community mural inspired by connection, collaboration, and the dreams that we build together.

On the back of Springboard for the Arts’ building in downtown Fergus Falls, A Beautiful Dream stretches across the building – a hand-painted mural created and designed with the help of more than 100 community members. The mural was a summer long project, consisting of a series of public painting days that culminated in a public celebration to unveil the finished mural and celebrate community.

Earlier that fall, 20 local residents helped shape the mural’s design through a series of public workshops to imagine what the mural could look like. 

Leading the mural design and installation process was Mural On the Wall, a community-based mural team from Vermillion, SD. Since 2019, The founding members Amber Hansen, Reyna Hernandez, and Sonia Hernandez have facilitated mural projects in communities across the U.S. Mural OTW utilizes a collaborative approach from start to finish, inviting community members to reimagine public spaces and create imagery that speaks to the identity of their place. This project was no different, and the Mural OTW team worked in close collaboration with local artists Jess Torgerson, Erika Frikken, and Scott Gunvaldson as well as youth apprentices Brooklyn Evans, Aron Anderson, Sheariah Sheppard, and Izzy Kenyon to bring the project to life.

“The mural design process has helped me better connect and learn exactly what values and important history this area has. There is a strong sense of community when we come together to discuss what ‘home’ means to us.” said Sheariah Sheppard, youth apprentice.

During the Opening Celebration of the mural, over 150 community members came out to view the mural, meet the design team, and enjoy a beautiful summer evening together. With arts and creativity found on every block of downtown (where Springboard is located) whether it’s an artist-owned shop, a sculpture walk, splash pad, or galleries, Fergus Falls is a place that is fostered and fueled by its artist community. And now, with its celebration of color, community, and people, Springboard is proud to have A Beautiful Dream as a visible reminder of what makes Fergus Falls home.

Made possible in part by the Floyd & Harriet Miller Endowment Fund established with West Central Initiative.

A special thank you to Richard Smestad, Kelly Swanson, the City of Fergus Falls and Otter Tail Power Company.

Image credits: Aaron C. Packard and Brittanni Smith.

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