I was always fascinated by a 2011 WCCO article regarding Art Along the Light Rail (Blue Line). I took an #mspwalk in St. Paul the other day, although it was raining so it wound up being a couple hours of getting lost in the skyway. Nonetheless, I took the newer Green Line to the Union Depot and back, and saw some really nice art at various LRT platforms.
First, during the planning phase, Howard Christopherson, owner of the Icebox Quality Framing and Gallery was hired by the McKnight Foundation to design, build, and install an exhibition for the new Green Line. Big thanks to Rob on Twitter for providing me this info upon asking a question.
Green Line Info from Rob
The first public art was when I arrived at the Union Depot station in St. Paul.
St. Paul Union Depot LRT Station
The art itself is carved granite on a variety of wheel forms. Andrea and Stanton started working collaboratively with each other in 1993 and have created over forty sculptural works in the US since.
I was really impressed with this art at the downtown St. Paul Central LRT station.
Hockey Art at the St. Paul Central LRT Station
The public art itself comes from the team at Roberto Delgato, with the art also featured at the Snelling and Stadium Village Green Line LRT stations. This hockey theme certainly works well as it’s just a few blocks away from the Xcel Center.
One of my favorites is at the Western Avenue platform. I can’t really say why other than I enjoy it.
Public Art at the Western Ave Green Line LRT
The title is River Dragon from Catherine Widgery. This public art is considered Asian culture of life force, signifying good fortune. You can read more about this on the Metro Transit Western Ave art page, and you can always view Catherine on Twitter.
The Dale Street platform features art from a local, Seitu Ken Jones. He’s a 2005 Sally Award recipient for his works like the sandblasted design for St. Cloud’s Husky Stadium and St. Paul’s Rondo Community Library collaboration. This photo from Wednesday is just part of his work at the station.
Public Art at the Dale St. Green Line LRT Station
You can also see him on Twitter.
I found this art compelling at the Victoria Station.
Green Line Art at the Dale Street LRT Station
The public artist is Foster Willey and architect Guy Willey and his work signifies local individuals who have contributed to civil rights and labor unions. Thanks to Sum Nums on Twitter, I was able to learn that they also display at events such as the Nordeast Art-A-Whirl as their contact info brings you to the Nordeast Holland neighborhood.
Twitter Correspondence with Sum Nums
More pubic art from the team at Roberto Delgato. This one is at the Snelling Avenue station.
Public Art at the the Snelling Avenue Station
Just one small example of the featured art at the Fairview Avenue station. It’s also an example of what you might find in the neighborhood if you look closely at the natural environment.
Public Art at the Fairview Avenue LRT Station
The public artist is Nancy Blum. Her figurative art is well-known across the country.
There was a good rain at this point to I took a quick photo of the Prospect Park platform art from inside the train.
The artist is Janet Lofquist. Being close to the U, I just thought these were a bunch of M’s. The art is actually representative of the neighborhood’s combination of its agricultural past, rail, grain, manufacturing and urban residential places.
Public Art at the Prospect Park Green Line LRT Station
Just a bit more from the team at Roberto Delgato. This one is at the Minneapolis Stadium Village station.
Public Art at the Stadium Village Green Line LRT Station
Which other public art projects have you seen at either LRT stations or other places? We’d love to hear your input.