Art in Ramsey County Parks
Ramsey County works with a diverse group of professional artists to enliven parks with works of art. See current and archived works of art, learn about the artist, and visit new pieces of art.
Artists in Residence
Marlena Myles, left and Tara Perron, right
Marlena Myles and Tara Perron (Tanaǧidaŋ To Wiŋ) are Dakota creatives from Saint Paul, Minnesota, dedicated to preserving and sharing their cultural heritage through their work. The artists are part of the Minnesota Parks Artist-in-Residence program funded through Legacy Amendment Parks & Trails funds. The team plans to hold classes and workshops, events and produce works of art in the park.
Artists Statement
As Dakota people, we honor our Grandmother Earth and strive to inspire others to share this reverence for the natural world. Before the arrival of Europeans, our ancestors did not have a written language, instead we embedded our worldview in our relationship with the land. The geography of Minnesota still holds layers of Dakota language within our place names, plant knowledge, animal knowledge, and spiritual connections with the land.
- Look for upcoming programming lead by the artists
- Learn more about Marlena Myles
- Learn more about the MNPAiR program
“Signs of Belonging” Sign Kiosk Art
In 2021, Ramsey County and the Metropolitan Council teamed up with five local artists -- Andrés Guzmán, CRICE, Marlena Myles, Xee Reiter and Witt Siasoco -- to develop five unique designs to welcome all to county and regional parks.
A goal of the Ramsey County 21st Century Parks Vision, new park and trail signage was developed to give artists of color a prominent voice in the parks. Each artist brought their unique perspective and identity to their design based on the prompt: “what would make you feel welcome and a sense of belonging in the park?”
Newly designed park-use kiosks featuring new maps and artwork are featured at all parks in the system. Each sign brings a unique and vibrant lens to the traditional park sign.
This project was awarded an Innovation in Equity Award by the National Recreation & Parks Association.
- About the project (YouTube Video)
“Signs of Belonging” Artists
Andrés Guzmán is an artist with a focus on graphic design and illustration. Born in Lima, Peru, he moved to Minneapolis in 2006 and attended MCAD. His digital rendering of George Floyd in 2020 was one of the first created and posted on social media, and has been shared worldwide.
His distinct style is primarily created using Indian ink due to its permanency. However, he does not limit himself to one visual style or process. His body of work is rooted in pursuing social justice through publications, murals and commissions near and far from the community he calls home.
CRICE is a mixed media artist from the southside of Minneapolis. He gains inspiration from Hip- Hop, graffiti and ancient symbolism. Often working on large format pieces in public spaces, his art seeks to create a sense of awe and relate to the viewer’s physical body. The themes found within his work relate to humanity’s origins, spiritual healing and racial and environmental justice. He uses art as a tool to strengthen and celebrate his community.
CRICE wanted to get involved with the parks signage project because he is passionate about making natural spaces more accessible for Black people. He believes that the inherent healing power of nature is a crucial ingredient in decolonization.
His artwork was inspired by the duality of nature and West African spirituality and symbolism. He believes we can further bridge the gap to our ancestors by merging modern aesthetics and historical imagery.
Marlena Myles is a self-taught Native American (Spirit Lake Dakota/Mohegan/Muscogee) artist located in Saint Paul. Her art brings modernity to Indigenous history, languages and oral traditions while using the land as a teacher. Growing up in her traditional Dakota homelands here in the Twin Cities, she enjoys using her artwork to teach Minnesotans of all backgrounds the Indigenous history of this place we call home. Her professional work includes public art, children’s books, augmented reality, murals, fabrics and animations, and she has shown her work in fine art galleries.
Marlena recently won a $50,000 Knight Foundation Arts + Tech Fellowship and has been awarded a $75,000 Joyce Award to develop a new community project at Franconia Sculpture Park in Shafer.
Xee Reiter is a multifaceted visual artist based in the Twin Cities. Her work ranges from but is not limited to, sketchbook illustrations, mural art, textiles and lettering. As a first-generation Hmong American, you can find her roots embedded in some of her work.
Witt Siasoco has been actively engaged in the intersection of the arts and civic processes through various roles – as an artist, graphic designer, and arts educator. Throughout his career, he has developed several community-engaged projects. Witt was recently commissioned by the city of Minneapolis to create a large mural for their new Public Service Center. As an arts administrator, Witt has held staff positions at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, Walker Art Center, Metropolitan Regional Arts Council and Forecast Public Art.
He was awarded a Jerome Foundation Fellowship in the Visual Arts for 2021-2022.
Mural, Rose & Picnic Shelter at McCarrons
Artist: Shakun Maheshwari
Location: McCarrons County Park
Three art pieces in McCarrons County Park – the rose sculpture, mosaic and picnic shelter pillars – are designed by Shakun Maheshwara and created with community. These pieces were installed with collaboration from Arts Roseville and the Rice & Larpenteur Alliance.
Archived Projects
Heart of Battle Creek – snow sclupture
Artist: Heather Friedli
Location: Battle Creek Winter Recreation Area
Artists Statement: Based on the history of the Dakota land at Battle Creek Park. Before it was "Battle Creek" here was a place where Dakota women collected plant medicine, foraged for food, and connected with the earth and sacred teachings.