Photos: Chris Emeott
Stillwater’s Union Art Alley has real community impact.
Towns like Stillwater offer historic charm, river vistas and thriving downtown businesses. These familiar, cozy comforts are sources of pride for locals and sought-after qualities for out-of-towners. Every once in a while, a new idea comes up that gets everyone excited and introduces a new mindset about a place like Stillwater.
“What we are growing in is that vibrant here-and-now quality,” says Sara Jespersen, Stillwater business owner and creative mind behind Union Art Alley—an art-adorned stretch of alley tucked just a block from the main drag.
Jespersen and Heather Rutledge, executive director of ArtReach St. Croix, officially introduced Union Art Alley last June. The alley was previously known as “garbage alley,” and it took some heavy lifting to get this idea of an outdoor art gallery off the ground. Now, when you visit the alley and its bright, unique works of art, you can see why it was worth it.
Union Art Alley, once known as “garbage alley,” is now a community center of color and conversation.
To Jespersen and Rutledge, it’s about more than just having a place for photo ops and outdoor dining—although that’s definitely part of it. It’s about creating sustainable opportunities to engage with artists and providing locals and visitors with a distinct place to return to year after year.
Jespersen is especially excited about the Art Alley’s impact over time. “I want to get to know people, have them come back the following year, see that familiar face,” she says. The idea is to continue bringing the art further south in the alley and then start back at the beginning with new murals.
Mushrooms, butterflies and snails are larger-than life in a mural by Taylor Berman of New Richmond, Wisconsin.
“My personal philosophy is that it should not be permanent,” Rutledge says. “I love the idea of doing a mural, working with an artist, paying the artist what they deserve and then giving other artists opportunities in the future. That kind of changing visual landscape also reminds people in a historic place that things are always changing.”
Stillwater’s historic features are a source of pride and interest, and Union Art Alley is no exception, despite its fresh look. It’s a tucked-away gem waiting to be found. “There is a little element of reward for people who are curious and observant and looking for the unique space in our town,” Rutledge says.
Art by Mahtomedi High School senior Ella Kraai depicts two hands reaching for each other.
The artists have to work around various historic building protections and use the surfaces that are available. This is an opportunity for artists to be creative, try 3D and get people thinking.
“There are preservation elements in place that we want to honor and teach the city that we can have contemporary art and mural-making and historic preservation in a really cool way, and that is what Union Art Alley has done successfully,” Rutledge says.
The pair agrees that the project has created the momentum they hoped to see, and they don’t plan on stopping anytime soon. “I feel like it’s a tenth of the way to its full potential,” Jespersen says.
Union Art Alley’s current art was created by Denise Beiermann, Lindsay Belland, Taylor Berman, Deneena Hughes, Andy Shackle, Joseph Taylor, Adam Turner, Jean-Luc Mette, JoJo and student artists Ella Kraai and Makenzie Jorgensen.
Union Art Alley
Union Alley, Stillwater
Facebook: Union Art Alley
Instagram: @unionartalley
