Five Renowned Artists to Transform Midtown Greenway into Nation’s Best Cultural Bikeway

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided

Melodee Strong is one of the 5 artists who will create murals along the Midtown Greenway.

A Discussion with Soren Jensen, Executive Director, Midtown Greenway Coalition

One of our favorite urban bike trails - The Midtown Greenway - is about to get even more vibrant with the additional of five cultural murals. The project will celebrate community, creativity, cultural diversity, and the power of public art to inspire and connect. We wanted to know more about this project and sat down with Soren Jensen, Executive Director of the Midtown Greenway Coalition to discuss the artists, selection process, funding and the many ways you can be involved. 

Soren JensenQ:  Please tell us more about the project to add murals to the Midtown Greenway.  

A:  We’ve received funding from the Minnesota Humanities Center to install five new murals in the Greenway this spring. Combined with our existing murals, we’ll have over a dozen murals along the Greenway, creating what we believe will arguably be the nation’s best Cultural Bikeway, celebrating the diverse cultures that live along the trail and creating an even more welcoming trail.

The murals will be completed by June 2025, thanks to the dedicated work of these remarkable artists:

Cadex Herrera Cadex is an internationally acclaimed artist known for his vibrant murals and social justice-themed artwork. Originally from Belize, Herrera gained worldwide recognition as one of the artists behind the iconic George Floyd mural in Minneapolis. His work often explores themes of identity, resilience, and community, making him a perfect fit for this project.

Geno Okok Geno is a Nigerian-born artist whose dynamic portraits and vibrant use of color capture the essence of his subjects. Okok’s work reflects his passion for storytelling and his commitment to uplifting underrepresented voices. His murals can be found across the Twin Cities, each one a testament to his artistic vision and cultural heritage.

Constanza Carballo Constanza is a multidisciplinary artist originally from Argentina, now based in Minneapolis. Her work often incorporates elements of nature and abstract design, blending organic forms with bold, geometric patterns. Carballo’s murals are celebrated for their ability to transform public spaces into immersive artistic experiences.

Melodee Strong Melodee is a Minneapolis-based artist and educator with a passion for empowering communities through art. Her murals often highlight themes of diversity, inclusion, and social justice. Strong’s bold, illustrative style brings a unique energy to her work, making her a standout in the Twin Cities art scene.

Natalie Shugailo Natalie is a greater Chicago-based artist specializing in intricate, nature-inspired designs that draw from her Ukrainian heritage. Her work often features detailed patterns and motifs that celebrate cultural traditions while embracing modern aesthetics. Shugailo’s murals are known for their meticulous craftsmanship and timeless beauty.

Q:  Will we be able to watch the muralists in action?

A:  Yes, the public will be invited to watch the murals being installed in the Greenway between May 24 and June 1. Sign up for our e-newsletter by emailing soren@midtowngreenway.org or watch for posts on Facebook, X, and Instagram. We also plan to have an unveiling celebration to recognize the completion of all the murals – it will happen in June, date and time to be determined.

Q:  Please tell us about the selection process for the five artists.

A:  Happy to report that we received over 80 applications! Most of them were from local artists, but we received several from other states. Of the artists we selected, four are local and one is from the Chicago area.

To review all of the applications, we convened a diverse panel of community volunteers, including several Midtown Greenway Coalition board members and local artists. They reviewed and scored each application, then met in person to keep narrowing the list down to five artists. It was very hard! The quality of the artists and applications were outstanding. The panel narrowed the list down to 8 artists, then online interviews were held to select the final five artists.

The new murals will join current murals such this one, created in partnership with MCAD, Little Earth of United Tribes, and artist Melodee Strong. Photo provided by the Midtown Greenway Coalition.

Q:  How did the partnership with the Minnesota Humanities Center come about?

A:  We received a grant. The Minnesota Humanities Center has grants made possible by the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund that was created with the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008.  

Q:  Shifting gears a bit, what is your long-term vision for the Midtown Greenway, and how do you see it evolving over the next 5–10 years?

A:  Our mission is to protect and enhance the Midtown Greenway and keep it the nation's best urban bike trail. We will continue to work to keep the trail safe, clean, green, and full of public art.

In addition to our mural project that will create the nation's best cultural bikeway, we are also working to create the nation's best urban pollinator pathway. This summer we will be installing 15 new pollinator gardens for rusty-patched bumblebees and monarch butterflies, creating a 5-mile-long pollinator pathway.

We also have a new initiative called the East Phillips BikeMore Project, which will give out over 100 free bikes to youth in East Phillips and provide programming to teach them how to bike safely.

Our major arts event, the Greenway Glow Arts Festival, will be held on September 6th. The Glow is one of the longest running free arts festivals in Minneapolis. It features dozens of interactive displays and performances by local artists.

One of our most important efforts is to extend the Greenway over the river and through Saint Paul. We are making slow but steady progress! The Met Council is currently studying the bridge over the river, to determine how much it would cost to repair the bridge and extend the trail into Saint Paul. Once the report is finished this fall, we expect to be able to use it to encourage government leaders to get to work to extend the Greenway!

Q:  What are the primary sources of funding for the Greenway, and how do you address financial challenges?

A:  We are a nonprofit organization and receive no annual operating funds from the government. We raise all of our funds from individuals and organizations that love the Greenway and want to keep it the best urban bike trail in the nation.

Q:  OK, I hear you. How can the public support the Greenway’s initiatives - through advocacy, donations, or volunteering? How do we follow your news?

A:  Thank you! Tax-deductible donations can be made via GiveMN.org or through our website at www.midtowngreenway.org. We also welcome volunteers! The best way to find out about volunteer opportunities and how to support our work is to sign up for our e-newsletter by emailing Soren@midtowngreenway.org. We also post to our social media pages on Facebook, X, and Instagram.