Skip to main content

Artists painted a mural that aims to bring color and life to a community resource center in Duluth’s Lincoln Park neighborhood, utilizing Anishinaabe symbolism to shed light on the city’s Indigenous history.

About the Artists

Artists painted a mural that aims to bring color and life to a community resource center in Duluth’s Lincoln Park neighborhood, utilizing Anishinaabe symbolism to shed light on the city’s Indigenous history. The mural serves as a reminder that even in uncertain times, we shouldn’t forget the stories of the land we reside on and the people who were the first stewards of the Title Island.

Moira Villiard is a dynamic visual artist, Fond du Lac Band of Ojibwe direct descendent and Minnesota-based community organizer. She displays a high degree of proficiency in a variety of artistic genes, including portraiture, illustration, graphic and digital design and murals. Moira has also worked as a curator and arts educator concentrating on equity and justice issues including art access, creative placemaking, environmental sustainability, youth empowerment and acknowledgment of Indigenous land, culture and history.

Michelle Defoe, from Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Ojibwe, is an Indigenous artist working toward revitalizing Anishinaabe traditional arts, using forms including beadwork, moccasin making, birch bark baskets, sewing blankets and ribbon skirts. She is also a painter whose work is inspired by dreams and cultural background. Her goal as an artist is to create social change and have a positive impact on her community.

“This mural and other murals that we've done have really tried to give people just a lot to pull from and a lot to process and to be able to see Native concepts as part of the community and not necessarily like this scary, intrusive negative thing,” says artist Moira Villiard. “But to be able to show that we make beautiful things and have beautiful stories and symbolism to share. It shows that both things can coexist. And it doesn't detract from the mainstream narrative, it actually adds to it.”

Snapshots

Art In This Present Moment

This project is part of Art in This Present Moment, an initiative of the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation, with funding from the McKnight Foundation. We provided grants to 12 Minnesota-based nonprofit organizations to fund work by over 50 BIPOC artists who are changing and challenging dominant narratives through their craft.

More Stories

Foundations Announce 2023 First Round Community Grants

Grants will support community organizations as they work to launch, expand and sustain their services in the community.

Read the announcement

How Community Partners Shaped A Local Grant Program

Learn how a partnership between the Foundation and technical assistance partners supports East Metro Main Street Economic Revitalization Program applicants and recipients.

Learn More

Spring Updates from the Foundation

In this video message, President & CEO Eric J. Jolly, Ph.D., shares how the Foundation acts as a connector to advance work in Minnesota.

Hear from Dr. Jolly

Combining Community Service and Sports to Shape Future Leaders

Learn how Mario & Sparkle Wimberly are using futsal as a way to build future community leaders.

Watch the video

Creating More Space for the LGBTQIA+ Community

Learn what OutFront Minnesota is doing to improve the lives of LGBTQIA+ individuals in the state.

Learn More

Board Feature: Kathy Tunheim

Learn how CEO and Principal of Tunheim, Kathy Tunheim, is forging diverse and inclusive relationships with her staff, clients and community.

Get to know Kathy

Courageously Leading Civic Participation

Learn how TakeAction Minnesota is using its platform to create social and civic change.

Learn More

How an Endowment Fund Benefits the United Way of Northeastern Minnesota

Learn what United Way of Northeastern Minnesota is doing to grow their endowment fund and encourage legacy giving among donors of all ages.

Learn More

GET MONTHLY STORIES, NEWS AND UPDATES

JOIN
US!

* Indicates a required field