USING LOCAL TALENT & RESOURCES
TO CREATE INSPIRING PUBLIC ART
TO CREATE INSPIRING PUBLIC ART
PROJECTS & EDUCATION
WHAT WE’RE DOING
MAAC INITIATIVES
We believe public art is essential to a healthy and vibrant community, and we are committed to providing opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to experience the joy of art. Below you’ll find current and future projects we’re working on.
What do you want to see done in our city for arts and culture? Let us know, and get involved!
BUILD GREAT THINGS WITH US
PUBLIC ARTS PROJECTS
We have many exciting art education and art experience projects in the works, which are listed in no particular order.
MONUMENTAL WELCOME SIGN
We have built a Welcome Sign downtown, in partnership with the City of Melrose and the Melrose Lions Club. The Melrose Feed Mill has donated the land and Sign Lava has donated their expertise in its development. The sign is a work of art that reflects the community’s unique character and history. Three Melrose area artists (Barb Dettler, Joyce Westendorf, and Ahna Matt) were selected to create mural artwork that embodies their interpretation of the Melrose motto, “Strong Diverse Connected”, to appear on the back of the sign. Thank You to those who joined us on September 29th for its unveiling! Here are some photos from the event.
ART PROGRAM FOR YOUTH
In partnership with Birch Hills Community Youth Center, we offer an art education program for youth that teaches them about different art forms, such as painting, drawing, and sculpture. We meet on the first Tuesday of every month during the school year at 330 West Riverside Avenue in Melrose. The program is a fun and creative way for young people to express themselves! The youth have also formed their own Youth Arts Council to advise MAAC.
ART PROGRAM FOR SENIORS
We offer an art education program for seniors that teaches them about different art forms, such as painting, drawing, and sculpture. The program is a fun and creative way for seniors to stay active and engaged. This program is held in the Senior Center, which is on the lower level of the City Center. Watch for dates and times!
ART AT THE FARMERS MARKET
Every Wednesday in the summer at the Melrose Community Farmers Market, we offer youth art projects, including painting, drawing, crafts, and more. Find us June through September along the Wobegon Trail, next to Coborn’s. During the Summer of 2023, we will feature special events on June 14, July 5, and August 2 which will include music and food to celebrate the various cultures that form our community.
POSSIBLE FUTURE PROJECTS
EDWIN CLARK BRIDGE
MAAC – along with the Melrose Historical Society – has helped advocate for naming our new bridge after Edwin Clark, the founder of the city of Melrose. The bridge will be a beautiful and lasting tribute to Clark’s contributions to the community. We wish to supply a unique plaque or marker to commemorate his name.
MURAL PAINTING OF EDWIN CLARK
We dream of painting a mural of Edwin Clark, the founder of Melrose. The mural will be a beautiful and educational way to honor Clark’s legacy.
SPREAD PUBLIC ART
We plan to work with surrounding communities like Freeport, Greenwald, Meire Grove, New Munich, Spring Hill, and St. Rosa to bring public art to their areas. We believe that public art can be a powerful tool for economic development, education, and community revitalization.
We are excited about these projects and we hope that you will join us in supporting the arts in Melrose!
ART ON THE WOBEGON TRAIL
Public art installations along the Wobegon Trail can be enjoyed by people of all ages. The art will be a way to beautify the trail and make it more inviting.
MELROSE AREA ARTIST SHOWCASE
Melrose area artists will be able to share their work with the community via showcases. The showcases will be a way to support local artists, increase public awareness of specific artists, and promote the arts in the community.
ART SHOWS AT SENIOR LIVING FACILITIES
A traveling art show could be displayed in CentraCare Melrose’s Park View Place and Pine Villa Nursing Home. The art show will be a way for seniors to enjoy the arts and reconnect with their community.
GRAFFITI WALL
We plan to create a designated graffiti wall – a place for people to express themselves creatively through the art of graffiti. The graffiti wall will be a fun way to channel youthful energy that benefits the community.
GREEN PERFORMANCE SPACE
A green space in the heart of Melrose would include a performance area for theater and music productions. The green space will be a gathering place for the community to come together and enjoy the arts.
BANDSHELL
A community bandshell can be used for summer concerts and other performances. The bandshell will provide a beautiful and acoustically-pleasing setting for music lovers of all ages.
HISTORICAL & MURAL PAINTINGS
Historical and mural paintings on various buildings in town will be a beautiful and educational way to preserve the community’s history.
SPLASH PAD
The families of Melrose deserve a water feature like a splash pad, which can teach them the art of relaxing and bring new energy to the community.
