New Mural On Display At Urban Ventures Soccer Field
Things are more beautiful on the main Urban Ventures soccer field after the installation of a mural donated by BMO Harris Bank. The mural, created by local artists Alex Smith, Bereket Weddall, Makeda Parrish, and Elijah Buchanan of Juxtaposition Arts, is a reminder of both the hope and struggle of life in South Minneapolis.
The hopeful imagery combines an idyllic Minneapolis skyline at sunset with silhouettes of community members. It is a reminder of our neighborhood at its best. The canvas is the boards used to cover the banks windows during last summer’s unrest; a remnant of some of the darkest days on our streets.
As reconstruction completed at the Lake Street branch of BMO Harris, there was a desire for the mural to remain in the community as sign of unity and hope, and a reminder that the fight against racial injustice in inequality must continue. BMO Harris, a long-time supporter of Urban Ventures, asked if there space on campus to continue displaying the mural for the community to see.
Saul Hernandez, the branch manager of BMO’s Lake Street location, grew up in the community. In fact, he attended Cristo Rey High School, on Urban Ventures campus. At a small ceremony celebrating the installation of the mural’s permanent home along the Midtown Greenway, Hernandez shared why the partnering of these organizations was so important to him.
“I was the first person in my family to go to college. When I graduated, I came back to work for BMO because they made it possible for me to change my circumstances in life, and because BMO is committed to investing in diverse talent like myself. I am now the manager of that branch that I worked at in high school. This goes to show how community resources can positively change the outcome of peoples lives. We are happy to donate this mural to Urban Ventures, a non-profit that has served this community for nearly 30 years and continues working toward equitable access to education, opportunity and success.”
The mural will remain on permanent display at Urban Ventures main soccer field, visible to the community from the Midtown Greenway. Urban Ventures is grateful for the ongoing support from BMO Harris Bank and the way it contributes to the success of our neighbors and the beautification of our neighborhood.
