About
In 2018, international artist Guido van Helten was commissioned to complete a mural on the Ardent Mills silos in downtown Mankato by CityArt—a joint venture of Twin Rivers Council for the Arts and the City Center Partnership. CityArt works to enhance the quantity, quality and prominence of public art in the City Centers of Mankato and North Mankato. For almost a decade, CityArt had been strategizing about ways to incorporate artwork onto the silos and thanks to van Helten and a group of generous donors, Silo Art is now telling a story of Greater Mankato.
Artist Statement
This artwork specifically addresses the existing diversity as a source of pride for the Mankato community. The concept was derived from a summary of experiences and discoveries in colour and culture as part of the Mahkato Powwow and Education Days in 2018 and 2019.
This mural brings together the shared ideals of community, diversity, inclusion, and participation. In consultation with various Native and non-Native community representatives, the artwork took shape and allows for an open interpretation as the viewer takes in all angles in one of the largest murals completed by the artist to date. The artwork is part of a growing trail of monumental murals painted by the artist throughout the Midwest including works in Faulkton, South Dakota and Fort Dodge, Iowa.
Tour map here: http://www.cityartmankato.com/assets/uploads/2019/10/silo-art-viewing-areas-final.pdf