A new mural has been installed at the Wilmes Lake Alum Treatment Facility in Woodbury, MN.
The painting, by local Native artist Nipinet Landsem, is a celebration of the connections between us and our water in mural form. The design features the Mississippi River and St. Croix River, which border the South Washington watershed, colorful native plant species, and a star quilt.
Landsem is a direct descendant of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa and a citizen of the Manitoba Métis Federation. They explain that the star quilt symbolizes honor and pride, and is a common motif in their community and in other Dakhóta communities. Star quilts are often given as gifts that recognize achievements. Here, it recognizes the progress made to improve water quality and protect the watershed. It also celebrates the watershed as a point of connection.
The native plants in the design, featuring *insert list of plant species*. These plants can be found in the restored area near the path and the Alum Facility.
The artist, Nipinet Landsem, is a muralist, illustrator, and tattoo artist based in Minneapolis, MN. Much of their work involves water and our relationship to it as part of a larger network that includes plants, animals, and humans. They are deeply drawn to the history of the lakes and prairies they grew up on in Minnesota and the surrounding states.
Landsem was selected in early 2025 from a pool of applicants and underwent a thorough review process. The review incldued SWWD’s staff, Citizen Advisory Committee, and Board of Managers, as well as City of Woodbury staff and the City of Woodbury Parks and Natural Resources Commission. The mural is installed at the north end of Wilmes Lake on a existing screening wall at the facilties lift station.
After Landsem was selected, a final design concept was reviewed and approved.
The mural is acyrlic paint on polytab mural cloth. Polytab is a non-woven polyester fabric typically used in large-scale artwork. The final design was divided into five 8-foot by 14-inch sections to make transport and installation easier. Each panel was efixed on top of the exisiting wall, creating a blank canvas for the polytab fabric to be adhered to. The painting began in Nipinet’s home studio, and later finished on site at Wilmes Lake. Once the painted polytab sections were applied and completed, a protective sealant was applied over the entierety of the mural. A didactic panel will be installed at a later time.
Nipinet Landsem is a muralist, illustrator, and tattoo artist based in Minneapolis, MN. More information can be found on their website, anaamibiig.com.
Questions? Contact Kyle Axtell, Watershed Project Manager, at [email protected].