Public Art in Saint Paul
Discover iconic murals, sculptures and public works that make Saint Paul such a unique destination.
An Art-Lover's Paradise
Visitors might not know about Saint Paul’s thriving local art scene, but we’re a city dedicated to all forms of expression. If you’re searching for a place to inspire you, stop in #MYSAINTPAUL and see what we have to offer.
From sidewalk poetry to murals and sculptures, it’s inevitable you’ll run into some kind of public art in Saint Paul—it accents many of our important landmarks, such as the statues and fountain in Rice Park.
Forever Saint Paul
Location: Union Depot in Lowertown
You’ll be able to spot resident artist Ta-coumba Aiken’s work all around his Lowertown neighborhood, but one of the most vibrant pieces of his work is the Lite Brite mural inside Union Depot. The mural was created with the help of 600 volunteers in 2012, but the depot became its permanent home in the spring of 2015.
Green Chair
Location: High Bridge Park
Built in 1955, this wood structure was a part of The Green Chair Project that employed Saint Paul youth to construct and market regular sized green Adirondack lawn chairs. This giant green structure weighs in at 2,500 pounds and makes for the perfect photo op to remember your time in Saint Paul.
Murals
Location: Creative Enterprise Zone
Saint Paul is host to a collection of awe-inspiring murals throughout the entire city. The most popular hotspot for these works of art is the Creative Enterprise Zone, where over 65 outdoor murals created in partnership with local and international artists decorate the neighborhood streets.
Self-Guided Mural Tour
Peanuts Characters
Location: Landmark Plaza
These statues honor the Saint Paul native, Charles Schulz. For five summers after Schulz’s death in 2000, artists all over Saint Paul designed and displayed individual renditions of Peanuts characters. Over two million people from all fifty states flocked to this tribute to Schulz. The first year featured statues of solely Snoopy, the second Charlie Brown, the third Lucy, followed by Linus, and finally Snoopy with Woodstock. The proceeds from the past Peanut statue promotions have funded the Charles M. Schulz fund, established to create and maintain the bronze sculptures.
Sidewalk Poetry
Location: All over Saint Paul
The City of Saint Paul in partnership with Public Art Saint Paul hosted the first Sidewalk Poetry Contest in 2008 where residents of Saint Paul could submit poems for a chance to have them stamped permanently into residential city sidewalks. What began as a way to create artistic expression on new sidewalk panels, is now an ongoing series that features over 70 poems across the city.
Sidewalk Poetry Locations
Skygate
Location: EcoLab Plaza
Crystalline forms of Saint Paul's historic ice palaces and garden gateway structures inspired artist R.M. Fischer to create this "New Millenium" project in the heart of the bustling downtown center. The jewel-like sphere in the center of the piece, which glows blue at nighttime, is inspired by the water and the sky.
Western Sculpture Park
Location: 387 Marion Street
Just west of the Minnesota State Capitol, the sprawling park is host to 15 permanent installations in a neighborhood that’s known for its diversity. The centerpiece work was created by National Medal for the Arts winner Mark di Suvero, and new installations to the space are always being added.
