Saint Paul Insiders
These skilled craftspeople are creating a visual love letter to Saint Paul's people and their heritage by turning the city's walls into vibrant canvases that tell the story of Saint Paul's Cultural Destination Areas (Little Mekong, Little Africa, Rondo, Shepard Davern, District del Sol, Near East Side and North End).
![](https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/KaoLeeThao_ThreadsOfLife_2024-04-26-200805_rbtp.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=320&q=80&w=320&s=3ffdef82f5ba24e86b13ac5877e883ab 320w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/KaoLeeThao_ThreadsOfLife_2024-04-26-200805_rbtp.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=540&q=80&w=540&s=9c80b37fd85ffc8530255c404053c4ce 540w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/KaoLeeThao_ThreadsOfLife_2024-04-26-200805_rbtp.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=768&q=80&w=768&s=5dbb46afaa71c901811faf3dfa797760 624w)
Downtown Saint Paul is getting a splash of Color and culture, thanks to the work of seven talented artists who were thoughtfully and equitably selected by Forecast Public Art. This collaborative effort includes key partners such as the Department of Planning and Economic Development, Saint Paul Downtown Alliance and Mayor Melvin Carter with the support of the Cultural STAR Program.
Milkessa Gaga, Little Africa
Milkessa’s iconic must-do list:
- Try different African Foods! I recommend trying budenna with kitfo and tibsi, or sambusa, at one of the
- Ethiopian restaurants
- Visit Black Garnet Books
- Walk along the Mississippi River shoreline
![](https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/Little-Africa-Mural-Concept-Art.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=8f6b8a09d3cfc8d286fc632994778bfd 320w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/Little-Africa-Mural-Concept-Art.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=c85c74f4913679ba804b1a7ad80bf760 540w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/Little-Africa-Mural-Concept-Art.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=02460d19fe47b1f7491ccf296edfb364 768w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/Little-Africa-Mural-Concept-Art.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=1ee5b4535768232e301d4b7880c7d9de 1024w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/Little-Africa-Mural-Concept-Art.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=b58f775f1af5df1f3bfaed1a7245ba21 1200w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/Little-Africa-Mural-Concept-Art.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=4336c51066f3d685aa870d77f762bbe8 1440w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/Little-Africa-Mural-Concept-Art.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=af70ce8679bc330360556f836d436153 1920w)
My concept design is influenced by my identity as an Oromo living in Minnesota and my experience at Little Africa Fest 2023. Minnesota has the largest Oromo population in the US and I believe that makes growing up here a unique experience.Milkessa Gaga
Cadex Herrera, District del Sol
Cadex’s iconic must-do list:
- Stop by La Guadalupana or El Burrito for fresh groceries
- Catch a show at the Fitzgerald Theater
- I often take my students to Rice Park, Mears Park or Kellogg Mall Park for drawing sessions
- Hidden Falls Regional Park is my top favorite spot in Saint Paul
- My boys like the Science Museum of Minnesota and the Minnesota Children’s Museum
![](https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/st-paul-cultural-district-mural-color-sample.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=b5bd9f68bfdf9b211e2fdd164820da74 320w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/st-paul-cultural-district-mural-color-sample.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=c04bc1d64bd3535b08c9410535350614 540w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/st-paul-cultural-district-mural-color-sample.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=38db34babfa6cf51edcbd0a0ff493319 768w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/st-paul-cultural-district-mural-color-sample.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=da6c088133abc2036fe7f9aee4598788 1024w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/st-paul-cultural-district-mural-color-sample.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=90cac69665b820c7253a12d3f61c34e3 1200w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/st-paul-cultural-district-mural-color-sample.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=fa3588369889a86ae6757f691dbf7c9c 1440w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/st-paul-cultural-district-mural-color-sample.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=c4e3233ca4ce2c5607aef27b8e4a2d3d 1920w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/st-paul-cultural-district-mural-color-sample.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=9b8a8c5bf8c99b29b6fdf37e3cd6470d 2560w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/st-paul-cultural-district-mural-color-sample.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=97ec08ceafd680e85a377b2f4e5cc12e 3840w)
My work is primarily inspired by my Hispanic heritage, delving into its rich culture, history, and the diverse experiences of its people. I'm passionate about creating art that not only reflects these aspects but also seeks to elevate and celebrate the subjects I portray.Cadex Herrera
Briauna Williams, Shepard Davern
Briauna’s iconic must-do list:
- Find a place by the Mississippi to start your morning
- Attend an event at Union Depot
- Spend the day at Lake Phalen
- Shop at The Black Market
- Visit Frogtown Farm
![](https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/BW.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=44de842103a24d355c318699f0e8c23f 320w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/BW.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=6ed3c9ffda68632f2fa1a45496827441 540w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/BW.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=846fbbf970a3e49fdfd1b63730b2445e 768w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/BW.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=74d0a542462815e18e2d010ec20d18e6 1024w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/BW.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=15270b0628ae4a4175ad0968a0b35980 1200w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/BW.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=be640efbc121a0c9f4b82fd5ec29a803 1440w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/BW.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=5fb29a7d67d3a212559777f527685abf 1920w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/BW.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=bc020695e14a033bba7021ab6f20fea0 2037w)
I would say the vibe of Saint Paul is pretty chill and relaxed. Lots of history and exploration. I love driving around Saint Paul Mansions, walking downtown and getting popcorn & snacks from Candy Land. I enjoy shopping within Schmidt Artist Lofts shops.Briauna Williams
Kao Lee Thao, Little Mekong
Kao Lee’s iconic must-do list:
- Don’t miss the Dragon Boat Festival
- Experience the Saint Paul Winter Carnival
- Visit during the Hmong New Year Celebration
- See more art during the Saint Paul Art Crawl or visit the Creative Enterprise Zone to see more murals
![](https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/KaoLeeThao_-Photoby-BruceSilcox-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=2ddd0056cfd94be9ccdca019766bf1b6 320w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/KaoLeeThao_-Photoby-BruceSilcox-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=14a59887b95d9354bd204df6eb6c3dad 540w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/KaoLeeThao_-Photoby-BruceSilcox-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=cf11024b0c6c221e04982e3870c551af 768w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/KaoLeeThao_-Photoby-BruceSilcox-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=0b5f4937d0dd21d891b69266b42579a9 1024w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/KaoLeeThao_-Photoby-BruceSilcox-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=58cd9584618b7dbd3fe470ab509141e4 1200w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/KaoLeeThao_-Photoby-BruceSilcox-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=7e5d1a21baafa711fe2ba877e9c14e43 1440w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/KaoLeeThao_-Photoby-BruceSilcox-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=d372e4968cb84c06843ca8c3e6d71f7c 1920w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/KaoLeeThao_-Photoby-BruceSilcox-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=9b011ed6d046bd35e64b6934b3f8dae3 2560w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/KaoLeeThao_-Photoby-BruceSilcox-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=e7521e55e4cfc78b31f4b920071c0d0b 3216w)
Within the vibrant strokes of this mural, the enchanting tapestry of Southeast Asia unfolds, where ancient folktales echo through lush landscapes, animals dance in harmony, and the rhythmic heartbeat of farming paints a masterpiece celebrating cultural heritage.Kao Lee Thao