Minnesota State Fair Joyful World Mural Park
Applications are closed
The Minnesota State Fair is happy to announce a new call for artists for the 2026 Joyful World Mural Park.
Since 2021, the Minnesota State Fair has worked with Forecast Public Art and the Minnesota State Fair Foundation to present the Joyful World Mural Park. During the Fair, artists paint murals on-site, turning a green space into a lively spot for public art. Visitors can watch artists at work and see many different styles.
Over the years, the mural park has become a favorite tradition for many fairgoers. It offers a welcoming place to meet artists while they work. The mural park offers a moment of art and relaxation amid the Fair’s busy excitement.
The Minnesota State Fair and Forecast Public Art invite four muralists to create new murals during the 2026 Fair as part of the Joyful World Mural Park. A selection of murals from past years remain a seasonal attraction on the fairgrounds, displayed all summer before returning to the mural park during the Fair.
To apply, artists will be asked to provide the following:
- Responses to narrative questions, including:
– Who you are as an artist
– Why you would like to create a mural at the Minnesota State Fair
- A brief description of your proposed “Joyful World” mural concept.
- A rough design sketch for an 8’ × 8’ mural that reflects the Joyful World Mural Park theme. Consider: How would you depict a world you want to live in? What does a joyful world mean to you?
- 2–4 examples of previously completed murals or large-scale paintings (minimum size: 4’ × 4’).
Since 2021, the Minnesota State Fair has worked with Forecast Public Art and the Minnesota State Fair Foundation to present the Joyful World Mural Park. During the fair each year from 2021–2024, and again in 2026, visual artists have created murals on-site, enlivening a new green space with public art. Fair visitors can watch artists work in a variety of styles.
Over the years, the mural park has become a favorite tradition for many fairgoers. It offers a welcoming place to meet artists while they work. The mural park offers a moment of art and relaxation amid the Fair’s busy excitement.
A selection of murals from past years remain a seasonal attraction on the fairgrounds, displayed all summer before returning to the mural park during the Fair. During the Fair, visitors can find the Joyful World Mural Park south of the Grandstand, east of Grandstand Ramp, near the carousel.
#ForecastPublicArt #JoyfulMuralPark #JoyfulWorldMuralPark #JoyfulWorldMurals
JOYFUL WORLD THEME
For 12 days each year, people come to the Great Minnesota Get Together to share in food, culture, and traditions. The Minnesota State Fair is a world of its own built around shared experience! In a time when we are navigating uncertainty and division, imagining joyful alternatives is necessary. Artists have long played an important role in helping us envision the worlds we want to live in.
For the Joyful World Mural Park, we invite artists to explore what a “joyful world” might look like. This could be personal or collective, playful or reflective, imaginative or grounded in everyday life. Artists might consider questions such as:
- What does joy look like in your community?
- What moments of connection, celebration, or care make a world feel joyful?
- How can color, imagery, and storytelling create a sense of possibility and belonging?
- What future, or present, world would you like to see more of?
Murals in the park are experienced by fairgoers of all ages and backgrounds. Artists are encouraged to create work that is welcoming, vibrant, and engaging while offering their own unique perspective on what a joyful world can be.
2026 Timeline
Joyful World Mural Park, 2026: Four new artists
Joyful World Mural Park, 2024: Four new artists
Joyful World Mural Park, 2023: Four new artists
Joyful World Mural Park, 2022: Four new artists
Joyful World Mural Park inaugural year, 2021: Twelve artists
ENTRY RULES AND REQUIREMENTS
- Artists must be at least 18 years of age and reside in the State of Minnesota.
- Artists must submit a rough sketch of a proposed mural design with their application.
- Artists must submit at least two samples of previous mural or large-scale paint-based projects.
- Artists may submit only one sketch concept.
- Artists may only submit one application.
- Entries must be original work.
- If accepted, the mural must be completed during the Minnesota State Fair, August 27 – Sept 7.
- Artists are expected to be onsite painting for at least the first 4 days of the Fair (weather permitting)
- Artists will be required to attend an orientation prior to the fair.
- Artists are responsible for providing materials (paint, brushes, rags, etc) they may need. The mural wall will be cleaned, primed, and ready to be painted on.
- Artists are responsible for the entire mural execution including the hiring and paying of assistants if the artist so chooses.
- Artists must be prepared to be flexible and amenable to the unique conditions of this opportunity: potential weather interruptions, working outdoors in public space, interacting with Fair go-ers, loading materials in and out, working within the infrastructure of the Fair, cleaning and closing up their mural site at the end of each day. Artists should understand they are unique and valued, but only one of over 750 free entertainment events taking place across the 320 acres of the grounds over the 12 days of the Fair.
- Applicants must not be a past mural park artist. Artists who previously participated are not eligible to apply again.
SELECTION PROCESS
All proposed murals must be the original work of the artist in concept, composition, and execution. Artists’ proposals will be reviewed by a selection panel determined by the Minnesota State Fair and Forecast Public Art. Decisions by the selection panel are final and not open to negotiation.
The Minnesota State Fair and Forecast Public Art are committed to providing opportunities to people regardless of economic or social status and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, age, veteran status, or physical ability.
SELECTION CRITERIA
The selection criteria used to consider artist proposals include how the proposal aligns with the Minnesota State Fair Mission: To educate and involve our guests by providing a world-class showcase that is innovative, entertaining, and fun.
The Minnesota State Fair strives to:
- Showcase Minnesota’s finest agriculture, art, and industry.
- Present an unparalleled forum for knowledge and ideas.
- Provide outstanding customer service.
- Offer exceptional value.
- Provide a safe, clean environment that is accessible to all.
- Create unique experiences.
In addition, the selection committee will consider the artist proposals in terms of:
- Audience enjoyment (must be family-friendly)
- Diverse representation of genres, cultures, and geography
- Uniqueness
DETAILS
Each commissioned mural is approximately 8’ x 8’ constructed of wood as part of a three-sided structure. Each artist is assigned one side of the structure for their mural. To complete this mural, the artist will receive a stipend of $4,500. This fee includes materials.
Artists will be provided with parking, fair access, and food vouchers.
Artists from outside the metro area and greater Minnesota are encouraged to apply. Travel reimbursements or other logistical support will be discussed as needed.
Four muralists will be selected for the 2026 Joyful World Mural Park.
Completed murals will remain on the Minnesota State Fairgrounds and be owned by the Minnesota State Fair.
The artist retains copyright to the artwork design.
FAQs
I don’t paint murals but I work in other visual media (digital design, collage, etc), should I apply?
The Joyful World Mural Park celebrates the specific live art form of murals and mural painting, uniquely creating space for an inclusive medium found in many cities and towns in Minnesota. The murals are created live during the Fair so the public can experience the artist’s process up close. A painting medium is best suited for the weather and outdoor application. Artists who work in media outside of painting and murals are encouraged to apply to the Fine Arts Competition.
I’ve applied in the past and wasn’t selected. Can I apply again?
We encourage applicants from past years to apply again. In past years, artists have been selected after applying multiple times as the process is highly competitive. Please reach out to tricia@forecastpublicart.org if you would like feedback on your previous year’s application at least 2 weeks before the deadline. We do suggest you modify or revise your proposed mural for better results if re-applying.
Can artist collectives apply?
Yes, but the $4,500 stipend must be allocated to all artist members; the stipend is per mural not per artist. The contract will need to be with just one lead artist.
I have strong ties to Minnesota, but I live over the border (Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa). Can I apply?
Minnesota has strong ties to our neighboring states and borders are often fluid for communities in day-to-day life. If you don’t have a Minnesota home address but are strongly connected with a Minnesota community, address this issue in your application and show how you represent Minnesota.
I’ve never been to the State Fair. Should I apply?
The mural park is intended to be a unique and fun opportunity for mural artists who want to add their work to a collection of murals representing arts and culture in the State of Minnesota. You do not have to be a regular Fair-go-er or a Fair mega fan – but artists who understand and embrace the specificity of the site, are up for public engagement, and immersing themselves in the stimulating environment tend to have the most rewarding experience.
Is this a good opportunity for first-time muralists or emerging artists?
We encourage artists of all levels and experience to apply! The mural park aims to represent a diverse selection of artists from background to style. We see this opportunity as a great way to gain exposure to a large audience and challenge your art-making process. However, due to the requirements of the live painting and the expectation of a fully completed mural within a small time frame, artists who have never painted murals or large-scale paintings will not be as competitive. One of the application requirements is to show previous outdoor or indoor mural work regardless of how formal or informal, or a painting at a scale of at least 4’ x 4.’ This ensures that while an artist may even have just a little mural experience – the State Fair will not be the first time they have attempted to scale-up their work, ensuring the best outcome for the artist and the Fair.
Does the artist stipend cover travel and lodging if I am an artist living in greater Minnesota?
Greater Minnesota artists are encouraged to apply and if selected, will be invited to discuss how we can make the opportunity as feasible as possible for you given the distance, this may result in fewer painting days on-site or more funding for expenses. If artists live more than 1 hour away from the Fairgrounds and will require travel and lodging in order to participate, the MN State Fair and Forecast team will work out an arrangement with the artist during the contract process.
How complete does the design sketch need to be?
The design sketch can be quite rough and informal. It is up to you how far you want to take the design sketch. Applicants are not judged on the completeness of their sketch. We want to get a sense of how you plan to fill the 8’ x 8’ area compositionally and that you have a general plan for your design. We will look to your provided work samples to get a sense of your finished work and artistic style.
Do I have a better chance of being selected if my design looks similar to murals from previous years?
We recommend looking at the murals from previous years to consider which types of murals have been selected – but we encourage new and unique ideas and designs. The goal of the mural park is to be expansive in the way it represents mural-making. We are looking to enhance the collection of murals with continuity but we are also looking for new styles or narratives that are not represented.
Where can I see previous year’s murals?
You can check out the murals on Forecast’s website page for the Mural Park, scroll through Forecast’s Instagram page, or view the murals on the Fairgrounds during the Kickoff to Summer at the Fair event and throughout the summer on the fairgrounds!
Who makes the decisions on which artists are selected?
All applications are initially screened for eligibility by Forecast Public Art. Eligible applications will be reviewed by two artists who previously participated in the Mural Park. The artists will recommend a semi-final pool of up to 15 artists to the MN State Fair team. In a panel process involving the MN State Fair staff, Forecast Public Art, and 2 previous Mural Park Artists, the pool of semi-finalists will be narrowed to 4 selected artists and 2 alternates.
What is it like to participate in the Joyful World Mural Park?
It is a lot of fun! Like everything at the Fair, we hope to create an enjoyable experience for the artists. There is a lot of flexibility around how long you paint each day and which days you are on site. However, creating a mural at the Fair also requires quite a bit of physical labor. The environment is stimulating and busy, people are always walking by and engaging with the work and the artists. Weather is always unpredictable, and often mural supplies need to be packed up quickly and plans may change at the last minute.
APPLICATION
Submit questions to tricia@forecastpublicart.org
Please reach out early with your questions! Tricia is open to questions up until the deadline, however, sending an email the day of the deadline might be too close to receive a response in time.
All materials must be received by 8:00 PM CDT on May 18, 2026.
No applications will be accepted after this time.
JOYFUL WORLD MURAL PARK 2026 ARTISTS
We are thrilled for the muralists selected to add four new murals to the Joyful World Mural Park for its fifth year at the Minnesota State Fair. The 2026 artists are (alphabetical by first name): Destiny (Dez) Noel Bilges, Discover Dope Creative, Philli Irvin, and Reggie LeFlore. Read their full bios below. An open call ran April 1 through May 18, 2026, with selected artists announced August 6. The artists live-painted at the Fair from August 27 – September 7, 2026, amid the rest of the Mural Park collection on display.
Joyful World graphics by Patricio de Lara.
Discover Dope Creative
Forecast Public ArtRead Discover Dope Creative’s Bio
Discover Dope Creative is a multidisciplinary creative studio rooted in strategy, storytelling, and design. Guided by the belief that **story is infrastructure**, we partner with artists, organizations, businesses, and communities to create work that connects people—to themselves, to one another, and to the places they call home. Our practice lives at the intersection of culture, identity, place, and systems, producing everything from brand strategy and visual identity to public art, interiors, digital media, education, and community engagement. Whether designing a mural, shaping a neighborhood vision, building a creative campaign, or developing tools for learning and collaboration, we approach every project with the same question: **What stories shape the way we live, belong, and imagine what’s possible?**
We believe thoughtful design and meaningful storytelling don’t just communicate ideas—they build stronger communities, inspire action, and create lasting impact.
Read Discover Dope Creative’s Joyful World Mural concept
Discover Dope Creative’s mural depicts the joy of self-expression: “The theme was what does joy look like to you. For us, as alternative humans, it looks like self-expression: tattoos, piercings, grills. We decided to center it on a portrait of what does joy look like for us. It’s inspired by [Daz, cofounder of Discover Dope Creative].”
Philli Irvin
Forecast Public ArtRead Philli (Philosx3)’s Bio
Philli Irvin, also known as Philosx3 (pronounced Fill-OHs-Three-Times), is a multidisciplinary social practice artist based in North Minneapolis, Minnesota. His work spans immersive installation, event production, 3D/visual art, and illustration, often focused on participatory and community-centered experiences. He holds a B.A. in Illustration from Columbia College Chicago (2019) and is a self-taught immersive installation and graphic designer. His first solo exhibition opened in June 2025 at Juxtaposition Arts. Irvin is the founder of Intro To Success (ITS FACTORY), a Black-led arts education initiative established in 2016 that supports Black and Brown creatives through hands-on learning and an annual festival. He also founded Stay In Touch (2025), a virtual network focused on peer support, resource sharing, and capacity building among Black artists.
Read Philosx3’s Joyful World mural concept
“My idea for the mural was inspired by my relationship to my nieces and nephews, and I wanted to tell a story parallel to that. These two figures, one is a niece figure, and one is an auntie. They’re just doing this day on the hill. She’s listening to music, vibing, and she’s there as overall support. It’s like a warm, family vibe.”
Destiny (Dez) Noel Bilges
Forecast Public ArtRead Destiny (Dez)’s Bio
Destiny (Dez) Noel Bilges is a queer, multidisciplinary artist and educator of indigenous and settler heritage born and raised in Minneapolis, MN. Their work includes a mix of prints, mixed media paintings, drawings, and collages that delve into themes of vulnerability, connection, and community. Dez has a passion for exploring various visual disciplines, with a special affinity for paper, people, and plants. Their commitment to both studio practice and community engagement drives their creative contributions to diverse projects, with a particular fondness for murals and public art.
Read Dez’s Joyful World Mural concept
Dez explains that their mural is based off the annual May Day parade in South Minneapolis: “It is depicting our section from the parade in 2026 that was called Protect the Sacred Heart and featured fire horses, butterflies, and a giant anatomical heart. It’s kind of South Minneapolis’s favorite day of the year, so I felt it would fit perfectly in the Joyful World Mural Park.”
Reggie LeFlore
Forecast Public ArtRead Reggie’s Bio
Reggie LeFlore is a self-disciplined visual artist with over fourteen years of experience creating murals and public art. Drawing from contemporary mural practices, he blends aerosol, stencils, paint markers, and graphic design into works defined by intentional color, layered techniques, and thoughtful subject matter – from small canvas pieces to large-scale murals. LeFlore maintains a commitment to sharing the diverse narratives that shape our society. Portraiture is his primary visual language, supported by elements of fashion, city life, rural landscapes, and nature. These symbols of identity – personal, cultural, and collective – allow each piece to reflect the lived experience of the individuals and communities he depicts.
Read Reggie’s Joyful World Mural concept
“In relation to the Joyful World theme, this mural celebrates Black culture and identity through the lens of the genre defining Hip Hop era of the ’80s and ’90s. The central figure is Ayo, a cosmic deity whose name stands for the Yoruba word ‘Joy.’ Her main goal is to help members of the Black Diaspora reconnect with and restore pride in their ancestry and history. She wears an Afro, a vintage-style blazer, gold earrings and bracelets, and holds a boombox. Vibrant colors, graffiti-inspired writing, and an abstract cityscape are elements that anchor her firmly within that cultural moment.
To me, a Joyful World is one where the various cultures and identities of Blackness are seen, honored, and celebrated alongside other existing cultures and identities – where our aesthetics, practices, and contributions are not borrowed or diluted, but recognized as the distinct, powerful expressions they are. Ayo embodies that vision – a reminder that joy, for many people, is rooted in identity and heritage, and in the freedom to express both without compromise.”
JOYFUL WORLD MURAL PARK 2024 ARTISTS
Learn about the mural park and the 2024 artists in this video featuring an interview with Forecast consulting partner Tricia Heuring and the selected artists.
We are thrilled for every muralist selected to add murals to the Joyful World Mural Park at the Minnesota State Fair!
The 2024 artists are (alphabetical by first name): Flahn Manly, Genie Hien Tran, Kalaka, and Xena Goldman. Read their full bios and Joyful World mural concepts below. An open call ran May 13 through June 17, 2024, with selected artists announced July 31. The artists live-painted at The Fair from August 22 – September 2, 2024, amid the rest of the Mural Park collection on display.
Joyful World graphics by Patricio de Lara. Video by Ryan Stopera.
Kalaka
Forecast Public ArtRead Kalaka’s Bio
Kalaka is a Minneapolis based painter, muralist and illustrator. He is Chilean by birth and Venezuelan by upbringing.
Read Kalaka’s Joyful World Mural concept
Kalaka’s mural represents four characters, children, in masks and celebratory dresses from various regions, who appear like fantastic creatures drawing from various aspects of their traditions. The artist says, “We’re all different, but we have something in common.”
Flahn Manly
Forecast Public ArtRead Flahn’s Bio
Flahn Manly is a Minneapolis-based contemporary artist specializing in figurative painting with a concentration on portraiture. Flahn works extensively with both oil and acrylic mediums to capture the beauty, strength, and resilience of primarily people of color.
Read Flahn’s Joyful World Mural concept
Flahn’s mural depicts the joy of being kids and doing what kids do best—creating joy from the simplest things, just for fun. “We need more joy in the world,” says the artist. “We all respond to the simplest things that make us happy. My goal is to give a dose of that through my work.”
Genie Hien Tran
Forecast Public ArtRead Genie’s Bio
Genie Hien Tran is a multidisciplinary artist and designer born in Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam, currently based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Genie’s artistic practice explores the complexity and nuances of memory, home and belonging through installation, collage and textile.
Read Genie’s Joyful World Mural concept
Genie’s mural celebrates Vietnamese street food and the joy of gathering and sharing a meal together. She says, “what’s more fitting for the State Fair than food and gathering?”
Xena Goldman
Forecast Public ArtRead Xena’s Bio
Xena is a Minneapolis-based painter (acrylic paint), muralist, comic artist, and illustrator (pen and ink and digital). Xena’s work is inspired by interpersonal experiences, mental health, storytelling, and sociopolitical resistance.
Read Xena’s Joyful World Mural concept
Xena’s mural depicts a world where artists’ mindsets look more like a garden of abundant inspiration than a desert where resources are few and far between. “I hope people see this piece and feel joy,” says the artist. “I hope people think about the artists that are behind the art, and the joy that we have while creating it.”
JOYFUL WORLD MURAL PARK 2023 ARTISTS
We are thrilled for the muralists selected to add four new murals to the Joyful World Mural Park for its third year at the Minnesota State Fair. These artists are (alphabetical by first name): Jordan Hamilton, Juliette Perine Myers, Mia Vue Jennings, and Philipo Dyauli. Read their full bios and Joyful World mural concepts below. An open call ran April 24 through June 5, 2023, with selected artists announced July 25. The artists live-painted at The Fair from August 24 – September 4, 2023, amid the rest of the Mural Park collection on display.
Jordan Hamilton
Forecast Public ArtRead Jordan’s Bio
Jordan M. Hamilton is a multi-disciplinary artist based in the Twin Cities. Bridging spirit aspirations & connections to earthly transformations & expressions – Jordan’s work reflects realities & explores cosmic & elemental energies through abstract & surrealist painting, iconography, sculpture, collage, adornment, puppetry, mixed media & music. Jordan has worked as a teaching artist since 2007 with various organizations & schools locally & internationally. His work has been featured in a number of exhibitions, streets & stages throughout the Twin Cities. Jordan is a founding member of the Power of Vision mural project, a member of the Million Artist Movement, Voice of Culture & a member of Creatives After Curfew mural collective. He is the creator of Ancestral Aspects Adornment.
Read Jordan’s Joyful World Mural concept
My design reflects the theme of Joyful World by depicting the joy of a child as they are the ones who shall inherit this world as residents and shapers of the Earth. I believe children naturally & most frequently practice creating joy. My mural design reflects a snapshot of my 3-year-old daughter in a moment of joy. To me, a Joyful World is a world in which we are intentional about regularly practicing creating joyous moments. I believe that healthy family relationships (by blood or chosen) is foundational and key in developing such a practice.
Juliette Perine Myers
Forecast Public ArtRead Juliette’s Bio
Juliette Perine Meyers is a painter, muralist, and mosaic artist based out of South Minneapolis. Juliette strongly values the representation of different identities and often incorporates her Chinese heritage or queer identity into the artwork. She likes to use symbols or motifs in the form of cultural mythology, or specific species of native flora and fauna. The majority of her work has been collaborative and rooted in uplifting community. She has worked with mosaic artist Lori Greene to create numerous mosaic murals and sculptures with the help of other assistants and community volunteers and helped form the activist-based mural collective, Creatives After Curfew, following the murder of George Floyd in 2020.
Read Juliette’s Joyful World Mural concept
My mural design depicts Minnesota-native animals and plants in a fantastical setting, flying through the air similar to the way that a flock of starlings fly in a murmuration. The bright colors and imagery show both beauty and humor to speak to people of all ages. Butterflies, insects, fish, and birds native to Minnesota in addition to some other fun, unexpected creatures all flying together are a symbol of joyful coexistence and harmony. To me, a joyful world is a place where everyone thrives and everyone’s diverse identities and experiences are celebrated. It is a place where all living things are healthy and abundant, the beauty of interdependence is recognized, and everyone has room to be their authentic selves.
Mia Vue Jennings
Forecast Public ArtRead Mia’s Bio
Mia Vue Jennings is a Hmong-American artist based in the Twin Cities. She’s been creating art since she was 3 years old and has since then explored a variety of mediums with a current focus on digital art, murals, and street art. She often draws a lot of inspiration from her community, her Hmong heritage, spirituality, and integral parts of the human experience. Some of Mia’s most notable accomplishments span from winning a Scholastic Art and Writing Awards Gold Medal for her digital painting called “Kuv Niam (My Mom),” to illustrating for Minnesota Public Radio. She started doing large, fast-paced street art in 2022 at festivals, and through this, she found that she truly enjoys the communal aspect of making public art.
Read Mia’s Joyful World Mural concept
The mural is laid out in the form of a traditional Hmong story cloth called the “paj ntaub” to show the beauty and foundation that tradition and past generations give to us, despite some of the difficulties we may face due to our ancestor’s actions. The mural shows the transition from traditional ways (or the roots of the path near the bottom) up to the top where the Hmong people get a more formal education while gaining familial and communal joys along the way. There are many fantasy worlds I could imagine that could be joyful, but I find that focusing on the present and what I am already given is where I find true joy. I chose to highlight specifically the Hmong-American experience through my mural, but there is room for all viewers to resonate with it as a reminder for others to find those little joys in their life as well.
Philipo Dyauli
Forecast Public ArtRead Philipo’s Bio
Philipo Dyauli is a self-taught painter, muralist, and father. He was born and raised in Tanzania and currently living in Minneapolis, MN. As a painter, he uses color and scale to illustrate the importance of people over material objects and to create a unique form of visual storytelling, transforming personal experiences into life-size paintings. His practice allows him to explore issues of identity and multiculturalism while reflecting on his life in East Africa and the United States. He believes public art has the power to inspire and share positive ideas throughout our community. Philipo has completed mural commissions across the Twin Cities: in the Northeast Arts District, Creative Enterprise Zone, and on Lake Street.
Read Philipo’s Joyful World Mural concept
A joyful world to me means sharing a positive outlook toward the future by showcasing a sense of hope in my artwork. I believe joy can be found and is also created in our everyday lives. Sharing a meal with loved ones, coming together to celebrate, or supporting each other through difficult times. In my mural, I use color and people within our community to showcase the love and care we have for each other, as a reflection of the Minnesota State Fair. The State Fair has been part of my family tradition since we moved to the Twin Cities. Considering the large number of folks that come from all over Minnesota to share in joy and experiences at the fair, I’m inspired by this connection and the common love we all share.
JOYFUL WORLD MURAL PARK 2022 ARTISTS
Danielle Clifford
Forecast Public ArtRead Danielle’s Bio
Danielle Clifford is an Illustrator, Hand-letterer, Painter, and Designer based in Minneapolis, MN. She mostly works digitally, or with watercolor, acrylic or gouache paints for smaller-scale works, but always loves working on large-scale murals and chalkboard murals. She is also a mom of twin two-year-olds and a bonus mom to her former foster daughter. Danielle loves cats, books, legos, all the beverages, and having too many projects going at once.
Noah Lawrence-Holder
Forecast Public ArtRead Noah’s Bio
Noah Lawrence-Holder is a black, nonbinary artist from Madison WI, now based in the Twin Cities. Their work centers around racial justice, afro-futurism, intersectionality, and gender identity. They have featured work on walls and in gallery shows across Minneapolis and beyond.
Suyao Tian
Forecast Public ArtRead Suyao’s Bio
Suyao Tian is an artist, designer, independent curator residing in the Twin Cities. She is also adjunct faculty at Minneapolis College of Art and Design. She completed her MFA in Design in 2017 with Honors. Her paintings have been featured in numerous group and solo exhibitions across the US. Along with curating multiple group shows, she owns and runs Viewpoint Gallery. Her works have caught the eye of local and national companies, with her designs applied and sold across a range of product types for clients such as Room & Board, Target, and Merlette NYC more.
Wes Winship
Forecast Public ArtRead Wes’s Bio
Wes Winship is an Asian American muralist, fine artist, and printmaker with roots in the Twin Cities graffiti and street art scene. Winship co-founded the award-winning graphic arts + screen printing studio Burlesque of North America, Chroma Zone Mural & Arts Festival, and an influential graffiti magazine, LSD, in the late 1990s. As an entrepreneur, he’s built a creative legacy in the Twin Cities and beyond over the past 3 decades. His live painting has been featured at events such as Soundset, X-Games, and Eaux Claires Festival.
JOYFUL WORLD MURAL PARK 2021 ARTISTS
Leslie Barlow
Read Leslie’s Bio
Leslie Barlow’s practice includes paintings, drawings, textiles and quilts, and recently, public murals. Her work often serves as both monuments to community members and explorations into how race entangles the intimate sphere of love, family, and friendship. Her images are tender, nuanced, and inspired by community dialogue and personal experience. Barlow is a recipient of the 2021 Jerome Hill Fellowship, 2019 McKnight Visual Artist Fellowship, the 20/20 Springboard Fellowship, and the MN State Arts Board Artist Initiative Grant in 2016 and 2018. In 2018, she received the Minnesota Museum of American Art Purchase Award in the Minnesota State Fair Juried Exhibition. Barlow earned her BFA in 2011 from the University of Wisconsin-Stout and her MFA in 2016 from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. In addition to her art practice, Barlow has taught at the University of Minnesota and Carleton College, supports emerging artists in her studio program PF Studios, and is an active member on the leadership team of MidWest Mixed.
Jennifer Davis
Read Jennifer’s Bio
Jennifer Davis is a Minneapolis-based artist known for her colorful, imaginative paintings of surreal and whimsical characters. She has participated in numerous solo and group exhibitions at venues such as The Minneapolis Institute of Arts (Minneapolis, MN); The DeVos Art Museum (Marquette, MI); Foster Museum (Eau Claire, WI); Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History (Santa Cruz, CA); The Lesher Center for the Arts (San Francisco, CA); ArtSpace (Raleigh, NC); Turchin Center for the Visual Arts (Boone, NC), as well as several galleries in major cities across the United States and Canada. Davis is a recipient of the 2013 Next Step Fund Grant from the Minnesota Regional Arts Council/McKnight Foundation. She holds a BFA from the University of Minnesota.
Jose Dominguez
Read Jose’s Bio
Jose Dominguez makes artwork out of his two-bedroom apartment in Hopkins, MN. His playful, Tetris-like compositions are often made up of bold color-schemes and dynamic characters that feature ricocheted glances and a variety of comical expressions. Jose finds inspiration in the space of human connection; his work is rooted in the humor and absurdity of everyday interactions. Side-eyes, out-of-context conversation, and silly, intimate moments are all reflected in what Jose describes as ‘a celebration of uniqueness and the funny looks we cast and receive.’
Maiya Lea Hartman
Read Maiya’s Bio
Maiya Lea Hartman is a multi-disciplinary artist born and raised in Minneapolis, MN. They currently hold studio space through PF studios in the Northrup King building in Northeast Minneapolis. As a self-taught artist, they look at their environment and interactions as the teachers who inform their work. They draw from personal memories and moments examining identity, expression, and the body through the lens of a Queer, Black, Non-binary person. In addition to their studio practice, Maiya is a muralist working in collaboration with the collective, Creatives After Curfew. Since the Summer of 2020, they have led and collaborated on several public art projects. Maiya has shared images rooted in themes of justice, liberation, and joy through their recent mural work. In recognizing the incredible value of being a member of a community of artists, they hope to continue supporting the programming being built within their studio program and mural collective to continue to find new ways to reach communities of artists of different backgrounds.
Hibaaq Ibrahim
Read Hibaaq’s Bio
Gratitude is good for the soul. In my work, I attempt to bring my grateful spirit to the viewer. “It’s the little things” is a phrase that is often unappreciated. To me, it is the key to life. I can admire every stick, rock, and petal I come across. Anything can be beautiful, if you stop and look.
Tom Jay
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Minneapolis-based artist, Tom Janssen, has always been interested in art – ever since he was old enough to hold a pencil. At age eleven, Tom was introduced to spray paint and the graffiti culture, which he decided to focus on during his freshman year of college. Since that time, Tom has invested a significant amount of time and attention to progressing in his craft. Realizing when working on a commissioned piece or mural that he wakes up every day loving his job, Tom decided in 2020 to focus on his aerosol work with the goal of being a professional artist full-time. The idea of making a living from what had been a hobby is incredibly intriguing to Tom, who has also received inspiration to become a full-time artist from his mentor, Peyton Scott Russell, with whom he has worked on several mural projects. Tom’s goal is to continue learning and evolving his profession with the intent of one day inspiring young adults to follow their own dreams of being an artist. Tom was born in Guatemala City to parents of Guatemalan and Mayan descent. He moved to the United States when he was six months old.
Geno Okok
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Geno Okok is a Nigerian-American artist; at the age of seven he started his passion for drawing and painting all through his youth. He eventually attended the Minneapolis Art Institute and received an Associate Degree in Fine Art in 2013. His work focuses on joyful moments in the lives of everyday people and documents the ways beauty, music, fashion, and grace manifest in the African spirit. He describes his style of painting as Expressionist Realism. He has partnered with galleries such as Gallery 13, Night Art Gallery and Dow Gallery and has most recently worked on public mural projects in response to the police
killing of George Floyd. In addition, he currently serves on the Brooklyn Park Task Force and as a member of the Advisory Council for the Center for Innovation and the Arts. He recently completed a public art piece at the Brooklyn Park plaza next to Hennepin County Library with youth artists. The story and art were featured on Fox 9 News, Star Tribune, CCX Media News, and other media outlets.
Shade Pratt (Fola)
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Shade Pratt, a.k.a. Fola, is a Minnesota based artist and designer. Pratt studied at the University of Maryland, receiving her undergraduate degree in Individual Studies: Design & the Built Environment. She later went on to pursue her football (soccer) career, competing professionally for 5 years. She is currently completing her master’s in civil engineering while working as a Footwear Design Apprentice for Nike. Her work pulls from her multifaceted background of art, engineering, and sport. She creates colorful scenes that embrace how shape and shadow interact and compares these playful and gestural forms to engineered compositions. Though her work can be seen as whimsical, Fola intentionally creates abstract works, with layered meanings which are derived from her thoughts, emotions, and observations of the world. With her ever-evolving approach to art, she is constantly pushing to expand how we think of art and breaking the traditional norms.
Xee Reiter
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Xee Reiter is a self-taught artist specializing in watercolor, pen and ink illustrations. As a first generation Hmong American, you can largely find cultural influences in her works. Her artistic exploration includes but is not limited to portraiture, children’s book illustrations, art journaling, mural art, typography and calligraphy works. She has worked with local organizations such as TPT PBS, The Minnesota Museum of American Art, Minnesota Public Radio, The Ordway and Hmong Museum to connect community through her artistry.
Joy Spika
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Joy Spika is a black identifying artist with a mixed cultural background. She incorporates her personal stories into all of her work. She is a mixed media artist with a deep love for aerosol murals, painting, and textile art. She believes in the power of art to heal and connect people. From a young age she has used art as a fundamental form of expression and communication. Joy finds Inspiration through her intuitive understanding of the world around her and those things that aren’t always visible. Joy uses her art as a channel to retrieve messages from her ancestors and guides. Art has always been her primary spirituality.
Kao Lee Thao
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Kao Lee Thao is the visual artist and 3D animator behind Inner Swirl, where she taps into the subconscious and releases hidden inner swirls in paintings. All of her inspirations come from her dreams and personal experiences. With every stroke she leaves behind a window into her soul, hoping to spark inspiration in others to transport viewers to a world of fantasy, reminding us not to forget what imagination can accomplish in life.
Thomasina Topbear
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Thomasina Topbear is a self-taught Oglala Lakota & Santee Dakota muralist. She is a member of the international all-female paint crew “Few & Far Women” and helped co-found City Mischief Murals, an all Black, Indigenous, and Pacific Islander mural collective. Thomasina has organized a number of local and national community-based murals focusing on youth, women & Indigenous artists. Thomasina’s influences come from her Oceti Sakowin culture and graffiti-style type lettering. She uses murals to express her feelings on community, social justice, spirituality, feminism, and togetherness.
ABOUT
Forecast Public Art is a non-profit arts organization founded in 1978 by and for artists working in public space. Based in Saint Paul, Minn., and working both locally and nationally, Forecast connects artists with cities, institutions, and communities to courageously tackle the vital issues of our time. Forecast partners with decision-makers and stakeholders on arts and cultural planning efforts and supports public artists with funding, training, and opportunities to create partnerships and advance their public art careers. Forecast also helps others find, select, curate, fund, and commission public artists. Forecast emphasizes access for artists of color, indigenous artists, and groups that are traditionally excluded.
Minnesota State Fair is one of the largest and best-attended expositions in the world. Showcasing Minnesota’s finest agriculture, art, and industry, the Great Minnesota Get-Together is 12 Days of Fun Ending Labor Day. The average attendance of the Fair (Excluding 2020 & 2021) is 2 million! The Fair is self-supporting and has not received state government funding since 1949. The 2026 Minnesota State Fair will run August 27 through Labor Day, September 7. Visit mnstatefair.org for more information.
Minnesota State Fair Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to helping the State Fair continue to thrive as a leading cultural and educational organization for years to come. The partnership between the Minnesota State Fair Foundation and the Minnesota State Fair has fueled more than 20 years of improvements to buildings and programs across the fairgrounds.
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