Our city’s approach towards displaying art in Minneapolis has allowed for a vibrant feel that attract so many people. During our visit, Olivia Thiss, a student in Vantage, found the murals as a “form of attracting visitors while enhancing an urban space.”

The Uptown area has created a major hub for the artistic community by displaying an array of murals and urban art. While some see a large brick wall, an artist sees a beautifully blank canvas.

Walking through uptown, we often witnessed people stopping and looking at these murals.This method of social interaction allows for murals as a means of social progress; the city of Minneapolis has displayed a collection of murals in order to promote racial diversity and historical education. During our visit to Uptown, we noticed electric boxes painted in art and wrapped with photography. We also came across a mural named “Sing a Song,” displaying the culture of music through vivid colors. Afterwards, we noticed that Fuji Ya, a Japanese restaurant, uses murals to display their culture and attract customers to their restaurant. In order to display culture and attract people, cities nationwide should consider adding murals to their urban spaces

Lastly, we found ourselves at the Martin Luther King Park where a building displays a mural of MLK, along with an array of mosaics and a historical mural named “Nicolet Field.” These murals remind us of our past and educate the residents, while beautifying this city.

These forms of art displays prevent vandalism and graffiti while promoting the arts. We often see graffiti layered on building sides, trains, and under road passages; however, with the use of murals and street painting, we see a new avenue for these people to take their art. Instead of encouraging graffiti, people are now able to use their talent for beautiful murals we see covering Uptown and Minneapolis as a whole. They take a more progressive approach in uptown and allow artists to beautify the buildings, therefore vitalizing an urban space.

Overall, Minneapolis proves the benefits of murals in an urban space. Murals and urban art attract people and stimulates economy, while preventing vandalism and educating about cultures.