The Project
36th ART is pleased to partner again this fall with Hiawatha Collegiate High School to complete the transformation of the 36th Avenue Greenway bridge and host a cultural festival in the park. We’re calling it “Bridging Cultures.”
Building on the success of our 2023 partnership that resulted in two 80-foot murals along the walkways under the Greenway bridge, we are now planning a one-weekend “paint-a-thon” under the bridge, starting Saturday, September 14th. We selected the very talented artist Thomasina TopBear and her highly qualified mural-painting team for this event.
We’re still developing plans for the cultural festival, which will take place on Sunday afternoon, September 15th . We currently imagine an afternoon of music, dance, art making, educational activities, storytelling and more. And, given the fact that 90% of HCHS’s students are Latinx, and September 15th is the first day of National Latino Heritage Month, we’re partnering with Indigenous Roots, a multicultural event organizer, to produce the event, which will culminate in the unveiling of the transformed bridge.
Leaders at HCHS were excited by this idea, as it would help the school continue its efforts to cultivate a deeper relationship with its Seward and Longfellow neighbors, and grow broader community understanding and appreciation for the many branches of Latinx cultures that are housed in the school (and flourish throughout South Minneapolis). In addition, a community cultural festival would help introduce HCHS students and their families to the residents and businesses in the surrounding community.
Bridging Cultures is actively seeking funding and sponsorships. A sponsorship packet, designed by Casa Valencia, can be viewed or downloaded at the link below. To donate to the project via GiveMN, please use the link below. We greatly appreciate your support! Hiawatha Academies is serving as the fiscal sponsor for this project, so all gifts are tax-deductible.
Stay tuned to our website and social media outlets for updates and announcements, and please consider becoming involved in this exciting, unique project!
For more information about getting involved or contributing to Bridging Cultures, please contact project manager Jack Becker at BeckerJack54@gmail.com.
To learn more about 36 th ART—its history and who all’s involved—please visit our Home Page.
Our Partners
Based nearby in Seward’s Ivy Building, Thomasina TopBear and her team, City Mischief Murals, is a Black, Indigenous, Latinx and Pacific Islander artist collective that produces murals and creative projects offering leadership opportunities for youth and healing through art for communities of color. City Mischief artists have six years of experience producing large scale murals, live exhibition painting and community events.
Indigenous Roots is a renowned St. Paul-based nonprofit producer of community-based multi-cultural events and festivals. Their programming is focused on building youth leadership and development skills through academic and community opportunities and partnerships.
Hiawatha Collegiate High School (HCHS), part of Hiawatha Academies, offers each of their scholars a personalized high school experience that recognizes and builds on their unique talents and interests, preparing them with the knowledge and skills to thrive in college. All students enjoy a well-rounded program rooted in rigorous academics, comprehensive college support, strong and lasting relationships and meaningful extracurricular activities. HCHS is committed to proving that closing the opportunity gap is possible. The school encourages “service learning” opportunities for students in the surrounding neighborhood, supporting learning goals, earning stipends and helping neighbors—not to mention painting community murals and participating in neighborhood events!