Medcalf Beauty of the neighborhood will be on display at Northside Arts Fest

Melodee Strong organizes the inaugural MPower Northside Arts Fest to highlight the artistic talent in North Minneapolis and change prevailing narratives about the area. The festival, taking place on Saturday, will offer a scavenger hunt, craft stations, and a community mural, aiming to engage residents of all ages. Strong notes that the North Side often receives negative attention, and she hopes the event will showcase its beauty and cultural richness. The festival is a response to the cancellation of the Flow Northside Arts Crawl earlier this year, with Strong committed to finding permanent homes for the murals created at the event. Local business owners have agreed to display the murals, providing validation for the participating artists.

Strong, who has a personal connection to the community as a teacher, wants her students to take pride in their neighborhood. As a Latina artist, she aims to inspire future generations by showcasing diverse perspectives through art. The event is backed by a grant from the City of Minneapolis, reinforcing its significance in the local community.