Fabric of Winona
The Fabric of Winona is a series of public murals designed and created by the community facilitated by Winona’s Creative Laureate, Sarah Johnson. The murals aim to lift and amplify under-told stories to make Winona a more vibrant and welcoming community.
We are honored to be a partner in this community public art project. Three murals hang on the brick wall overlooking the Winona County History Center parking lot along 4th Street. The design process was started in 2021 as part of the #winonacolorproject in partnership with Project FINE.
The History Center Murals: Flags, Butterflies & County Quilt
• Flags that are meaningful or represent country of origin for individuals, families and ancestors.
• Butterfly colors represent different reasons people, past and present, came to this place.
• County quilt squares have significance and symbolism imagined by community painters. There are 288 squares.
We are honored to be a partner in this community public art project. Three murals hang on the brick wall overlooking the Winona County History Center parking lot along 4th Street. The design process was started in 2021 as part of the #winonacolorproject in partnership with Project FINE.
The History Center Murals: Flags, Butterflies & County Quilt
• Flags that are meaningful or represent country of origin for individuals, families and ancestors.
• Butterfly colors represent different reasons people, past and present, came to this place.
• County quilt squares have significance and symbolism imagined by community painters. There are 288 squares.
Check out the murals on the History Center’s brick wall! (English)
¡Mira los murales en la pared de ladrillos del Centro de Historia!! (Spanish)
Mus saib cov ntaub uas nyob rau ntawm History Center phab ntsa tsev! (Hmong)
¡Mira los murales en la pared de ladrillos del Centro de Historia!! (Spanish)
Mus saib cov ntaub uas nyob rau ntawm History Center phab ntsa tsev! (Hmong)
Translations thanks to Project FINE staff!
We Are Water Community Art
As a river town, Winona is deeply connected to water. At Prairie Island Campground you will find the murals painted by community members during the summer of 2022. An annomynous artist also has a roadside haiku sign along Prairie Island Road. It reads:
"Remember the time
Sitting by so much water
When we all just laughed"
The murals and other art using language as a medium all are inspired by water.
"Remember the time
Sitting by so much water
When we all just laughed"
The murals and other art using language as a medium all are inspired by water.
We asked participants to fill in the blanks: "Remember the time....by so much water When we all just...."
Cried…
And let the river console us and take our grief in her wise, deep waters…
Raged…
Wondered…
If our veins swell when the rivers flood
How it feels to dwell in the silt of the river bed…in the murky murky depths
Hoped…
For the world to heal
Each day I would walk to the Mississippi when I was pregnant with my daughter. I took here there to “baptize” her.
Grieved…
I carried a huge piece of driftwood up from the Mississippi past Friday night restaurant–goers in Minneapolis. My eyes were wild, I felt a part of something animal, other
Rested
Connected
One of my favorite childhood memories is having Christmas lunch as a picnic on a boat at the lake and were were the only people there
Danced…
And the sand reflected the trails of our spins and jumps and joyful cavorting
Breathed…
Just listened to the water waves under the boathouse as a child just breathing with the waves and falling asleep.
Experienced
Cried…
And let the river console us and take our grief in her wise, deep waters…
Raged…
Wondered…
If our veins swell when the rivers flood
How it feels to dwell in the silt of the river bed…in the murky murky depths
Hoped…
For the world to heal
Each day I would walk to the Mississippi when I was pregnant with my daughter. I took here there to “baptize” her.
Grieved…
I carried a huge piece of driftwood up from the Mississippi past Friday night restaurant–goers in Minneapolis. My eyes were wild, I felt a part of something animal, other
Rested
Connected
One of my favorite childhood memories is having Christmas lunch as a picnic on a boat at the lake and were were the only people there
Danced…
And the sand reflected the trails of our spins and jumps and joyful cavorting
Breathed…
Just listened to the water waves under the boathouse as a child just breathing with the waves and falling asleep.
Experienced
You are Here... Be Here Now...What Was Here
Winona is about to get more mindful and colorful through a grant funded by the Minnesota State Arts Board. Coming this spring you will find signs in public spaces and parks throughout Winona. Each were painted by community groups and feature a mindfulness activity. We added a bit about "What Was Here" for each location. Find more information at The Joy Labs and check back for more here soon!
