Cedar Field Park art project

This public art project is part of the Cedar Field Park renovation.

Project details

Partners

Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board,

Little Earth

Budget

$225,000

Status

Community engagement

About the project

Cedar Field Park is a two-acre open space located at 2500 Cedar Avenue South. The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is renovating the park. The renovation includes an elders’ garden and playground. Construction begins in 2026.

Little Earth is next to Cedar Field Park. It is a 9.4-acre housing development. Twelve hundred Native people and over 35 tribal nations call Little Earth home.

This project will create art with and for the Indigenous people of South Minneapolis. 

 

A collage showing new stamped pavement, colorful playground equipment, and clear blue skies.

Goals

  • Uphold cultural heritage.
  • Preserve significant events in Native history.
  • Emphasize the importance of nature for Indigenous communities in urban settings.
  • Develop the park as a work of art that reflects stories, languages, and identities.
  • Focus on restoration, inclusivity, and active engagement in the park.
  • Create spaces to empower Little Earth residents and neighbors.
  • Engage elders.
  • Inspire and bring hope to future generations.
  • Be visible to visitors.
  • Emphasize Little Earth as a meaningful and welcoming Native place.
  • Honor Native people’s ties to land, water, and migration.
  • Acknowledge the impact of relocation and the creation of the urban Indian community.

Artist selection

Artist are chosen using the City's artist selection policies. This project used the new criteria developed for Native-American Focused projects. 

Read Appendix D of the policy

An independent selection panel included Native American: 

  • Educators
  • Artists
  • Culture bearers
  • Elders
  • Community Activists

The artist team selected: 

  • Holly Henning
  • Willard Malebear
  • Rock Martinez

Artists

Holly Henning is Oji-Cree Anishinaabe. She is an enrolled member of the Marten Falls First Nation. She has family ties to Constance Lake First Nation in Ontario, Canada. Willard Malebear is Húŋkpapȟa Lakȟóta. He is an enrolled member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe in North Dakota. Rock "CYFI" Martinez is based in Minneapolis. He has studios in the Twin Cities and Tucson, Arizona. 

Learn more about each artist

Cedar Field Park artists headshot images

 

Community engagement 

The artists are currently doing in-depth community engagement. 

To learn more about upcoming engagement events, sign up for our newsletter. 

Contact us

Lydia Four Horns

Arts & Cultural Affairs Department

Email Lydia Four Horns

Address

Public Service Building
505 Fourth Ave. S., Room 510
Minneapolis, MN 55415