March in the Zone
March 31, 2021
Chroma Zone Returns | Get on the Inside – Volunteer
New Developments, New Neighbors | New Park at Westgate | Creativity Unbound
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We're back, Baby! Chroma Zone returns in 2021
16+ NEW PUBLIC MURALS • 20+ LOCAL ARTISTS
22+ WEEKS OF MURAL-MAKING & COMMUNITY EVENTS
MINNESOTA’S ONLY CREATIVE ENTERPRISE ZONE
Chroma Zone Mural & Art Festival, produced by and located in the Creative Enterprise Zone (CEZ) Saint Paul, returns with new murals, programs and events this MAY through SEPTEMBER. We continue to allow for safe and socially distanced artist and audience participation.
After a year apart, we know now more than ever that public art connects and engages the people, places, and economy of our growing creative district. Join us for a reimagined summer of live painting, community collaborations, artist talks, artist-led workshops, mural tours, and more.
Keep reading to learn more, and watch for more updates in future newsletters. Share this enews with friends, too, so they get in on the fun!
Photos by Alex Olson. (TOP) 2019 Chroma Zone muralists Claudia Valentino and Daniela Bianchini working on “Empowering Generations” at Precision Coatings, 2313 Wycliff St.. (ABOVE) "The Air at NIght" by 2019 Chroma Zone muralist and international artist Fadlabi, on north side of The Wycliff, 2327 Wycliff St.
Watch for the 2021 CHROMA ZONE ARTIST LINE-UP in MAY
This year’s slate of 2021 Chroma Zone muralists was selected by invitation in consultation with our creative partner Forecast Public Art. All of the muralists are local and will work in a pandemic-safe and socially distanced environment.
We look forward to resuming our ARTIST OPEN CALL once again in 2022, and welcoming a new line-up of local, national and international muralists selected through a jury process. If you are an artist who applied to be part of the postponed 2020 Festival, you may be asked to resubmit your application when next year's open call dates are announced.
Watch for our 2021 Chroma Zone artist announcement and more at ChromaZone.net. #CEZmsp #MakeItHere
Photo by Darin Kamnetz. Chroma Zone artists and crew at NewStudio Gallery, September 2019.
Chroma Zone EVENT CALENDAR – save these dates!
While we are not ready to announce ALL our Chroma Zone festival events yet, we can tell you a little bit about our plans to kick things off this Spring:
BANG IT! MURAL MEET
- @ Bang Brewing Company, 2320 Capp Road, Saint Paul
- MAY 20–23, 2021 during daylight hours
- Four days of live painting (at the corner of Capp Road and Hershey Street) by early-career street and graffiti artists transitioning to muralism. Curated by Peyton Scott Russell of House of Daskarone and SPRAYFINGER, an internationally recognized Minnesota artist whose own practice reflects over three decades of weaving graffiti with fine arts.
Watch for our first-ever 2021 BANG IT Mural Meet artist line-up coming soon!
CHROMA ZONE SPRING KICK-OFF EVENT
- @ Bradford and Endicott Streets, Saint Paul
- Saturday, May 22 1:00–5:00 p.m.
- Join The Wycliff, Bang Brewing Company, Urban Growler Brewing Company & Deneen Pottery for an afternoon of family-friendly art activities, performances, art demonstrations and self-directed CEZ mural tours. Face masks and social distancing required.
MURAL MEET ARTIST TALK
- @ Bang Brewing Company, 2320 Capp Road, Saint Paul
- Sunday, May 23, TIME: TBA
- Learn about this dynamic crew of early career artists, from their roots in graffiti and street art to their transition to murals.
Watch for more exciting 2021 Festival event and details, including:
A MIDSUMMER MURAL CELEBRATION - (TBD June/July)
FESTIVAL CLOSING PARTY - (TBD, September/October)
Become a Chroma Zone Sponsor, Make a Donation
How does an all-volunteer, board-led nonprofit organization with a part-time director produce Minnesota’s largest mural and art festival?
We look to our community and the support of our philanthropic partners, corporate sponsors, family foundations, CEZ businesses and individuals like you. Help us build an identity for our unique community and further our vision of being a thriving district of creativity and innovation centered in an equitable and just community of economic and environmental well-being. Make a gift today to support the CEZ and Chroma Zone.
To become a festival sponsor or partner, contact Angela Casselton at director@creativeenterprisezone.org or by phone at 612-205-7915.
Have a wall to donate, contact Angela or go to Chromazone.net to learn more.
#MakeItHappen
Photo by Alex Olson. Brooklyn based artist and 2019 Chroma Zone muralist Cey Adams in front of "Love" on the north side of Hampden Park Co-op at 928 Raymond Ave.
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Want to get on the inside? Have time to give? VOLUNTEER!
It takes a village and we want you to be part of ours. Give us an hour or give us 10. There is always work to be done around CEZ public space initatives. For the 2021 Chroma Zone Festival, we will need......
- People who like hard work and getting dirty (aka scrape and prep walls)
- People who smize (smile with their eyes) and like to help other people
- People who like to imagine creative events and coordinate on-site logistics
- People who like social media (and have the network to prove it)
- People who like to ideate and execute guerilla marketing (not actual gorillas)
- People who know people (“I gotta guy….” types)
- People who can still read a map (or get “The Google” to do it for you)
- People whose creativity cannot be contained
- People who like to support creative people and things
- People who understand the importance of event signage
- People who can carry and deliver event signage
- People who are trending on TikTok (and know how to spell it)
- People who are good at giving and can encourage others to give
- People who can carry heavy (and sometimes dirty) things
- People who like to set up tents and take down tents (campers?)
- People who can paint within the lines (but only if the task requires it)
- People who like to control traffic and use of cones and barriers
- People who can control the weather (no questions asked)
- People in tech support, who know tech and own tech
- People who think communities should foster well-being and belonging
- People who think a mural festival is a good idea
- People that like to volunteer and like to organize volunteers
Drop us a note telling us how you can help, or look for upcoming volunteer job descriptions and festival updates on our Chroma Zone volunteer page.
A happy 2019 Chroma Zone volunteer and the "official" Chroma Zone tour bus, on view at 755 Prior Avenue N.
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New Developments, New Neighbors
Rendering of The Mason Apartments, now under construction on Territorial Road.
The Mason Apartments — Under construction at 2424 West Territorial Road, The Mason is the latest CEZ housing development by Exeter Group, the team behind the award-winning C & E Flats and Lofts (Raymond and University Avenues) and the Mission Building (the former Minnesota Chemical Building) at 2285 Hampden Ave. Located on the former site of the Children’s Simulation Center, The Mason will bring an influx of new residents to this creative cluster of unique shops and restaurants. Exeter has offices at 2303 Wycliff, which is also home to NewStudio Architecture and Gallery. Learn more at Exetermn.com.
TOP: The US Bank branch at Raymond & University, prior to demolition last fall. (ABOVE) Rendering of new housing by Kraus-Anderson Development Company, at Raymond & University Aves.
Kraus-Anderson development — Construction is well underway at the corner of Raymond and University Avenue. Gone is the empty and heavily tagged US Bank branch location, making way for a new six-story, 220-unit multi-housing project (pictured above) by Kraus-Anderson Development Company. “We are thrilled to build on the history and character of the St. Anthony Park neighborhood,” said Tim Marco, Director of Development for KA. “We’ve worked closely with the St. Anthony Park Community Council and with the guidance of the City’s Heritage Preservation Commission to deliver a vision that will enhance and complement this strong and invested community.” With rental offerings ranging from 500 to 1,100 square feet, complete with underground parking, a courtyard pool and rooftop patio, construction is scheduled to be complete by summer 2022. More at www.krausanderson.com.
2227 University Apartments — Situated on University Avenue just east of Hampden Avenue, Paster Properties and Yellow Tree have broken ground on 2227 University Ave, a 147-unit development (pictured below) located on the former Paster Property offices next to McDonalds. Slated to open spring 2022, the 5-story mixed-use building will offer a range of units from studios to 3-bedrooms, with a range of amenities, including a roof deck and covered parking. Learn more at Yellowtreecorp.com and Pasterprop.com
Rendering of 2227 University Avenue.
Welcome Platform Residents!
Platform Apartments —The new Platform Apartments at 747 Hampden Ave. (& University Ave.), welcomed its first tenants this past November. The locally designed, created, and managed apartment complex offers a wide array of amenities including a pool terrace and year-round spa, EV car parking stalls, and — just in time for the pandemic — naturally lit coworking spaces that offer “semi-enclosed booths, private offices, and a conference room with TV and video capabilities'' for working solo or with your team. Take a virtual tour at platform747.com.
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New Park at Westgate
The City of Saint Paul is developing a new 1.5-acre park on the far southwest edge of the Creative Enterprise Zone and St. Anthony Park, at the corner of Sharon Ave SE and Emerald Street SE. As part of the Station Area Planning process for the Westgate light rail station, the need for park space was identified to better serve residents and businesses in this growing area of the city. Dominium, an affordable housing developer, acquired the 12-acre Weyerhauser lumber site, including this new park site. Affordable-housing apartments for seniors and working families are now open to the north of the park site.The City is currently advancing plans for construction of the new park at Westgate, including looking for a name. More on the City of Paul website here.
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Creativity Unbound
Nothing makes us happier than discovering all the amazing people making their living by their creative capacities in the CEZ. Here are just a few to watch:
Photos courtesy of Kala Vandanam Dance Company
Kala Vandanam Dance Company — As a dedicated Bharatanatyam artist for nearly 35 years, Suchitra Sairam is many things, including a dancer, choreographer, teacher and founder of Kala Vandanam Dance Company. Adhering to a classical dance style of India known for its “geometry and precision of technique, subtle expressional dance, and keen sense of aesthetics, Kala Vandanam looks to expand creativity within the framework of this exquisite dance form, both artistically and in its delivery.” You can find the Kala Vandanam Dance Company in their studio at The Wycliff or online at kalavandanam.com.
 
Photos courtesy of Marisa Martinez Jewelry.
Marisa Martinez Jewelry — While classes and workshops in her light-filled Midway (Triangle) Building studio, are on hold during the pandemic, artist Marisa Xiukuauhtli Martinez can still be found creating the deeply personal art, custom jewelry and adornments that connect to her rich, Indigenous and Mexican cultural heritage. Read about her journey as an artist, mother and teacher, and shop her handcrafted metal jewelry at marisa-martinez.com
Holl Studio — With a picture-perfect view from their custom woodworking shop at The Wycliff, principals Michael Casler and Thomas Lindholm of Holl Studio are pushing the limits on material and design. Follow them @holl_studio to discover the artistry of their craft and how their unique perspective is transforming the ordinary into extraordinary. Read Exotic Wood Zone's interview with Michael here and learn more at hollstudio.com.
 
The lobby at The Wycliff, featuring custom Holl Studio furniture. Photos courtesy of Holl Studio.
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“Public art has an economic aspect, but it also has a civic asset in that it contributes to a public sense of well-being, pride, pleasure-in-place that is life-enhancing.”
Art historian Michele Bogart, Stony Brook University in New York
Your investment in the Creative Enterprise Zone — the district and the 501(c)3 organization — supports community-driven programs, investments, and public initiatives that attract and support creative people and businesses to #MakeItHere.
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