Martinson '12 and Wilgren Clyne Complete Mural

September 18, 2012

Mandy Martinson ’12, adjunct faculty member Cheryl Wilgren Clyne, and Alex Kuno completed a mural slant of certain lightness: quelque part /  n´importe ou' at air sweet air GALLERY and 262 Studios in Saint Paul on September 3, 2012 with the help of an Irrigate grant from Springboard for the Arts.

For 8 weeks this summer the artists worked at creating a mural that would reflect ideas about the light rail system going in just a few feet away on East 4th Street in Lowertown, Saint Paul.  It was also their intention consider other artists that lived in the building and the current climate and events in our neighborhood. Wilgren Clyne and Kuno created drawings and sketches that were designed around the idea of a mural in the lobby and stairwell of 262 Studios to make it a more inviting and inspiring entrance.  They wished to create and artwork that would draw people into the building and that could be seen from the street. Martinson assisted with the entire mural and documented the project with photos and video.

On the door way heading out to the lobby a portal to anywhere was created with the words n'importe ou'. The other side (lobby) said somewhere in french, quelque part. The lobby side of the door was filled with animal totems and symbols that are meant to inspire positive change for artists and residents of 262 Studios, while also inviting in visitors. The artists were able to meet and talk with all of the people that live and work in 262 Studios. This exchange was a very positive benefit to creating the work. Several hundred people from the neighborhood also stopped in and learned more about what happens at 262 Studios and who resides there. It was an incredible way to get to know people that live and work in Lowertown, Saint Paul.

Visit the space

air sweet air GALLERY and 262 Studios
262 East 4th Street
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55101
main lobby

Image credit

(upper)
slang of certain lightness:quelque part / n´importe ou´(détail)
Alex Kuno, Mandy Martinson, and Cheryl Wilgren Clyne
(lower)
Mandy Martinson documenting mural
Cheryl Wilgren Clyne photographer