DOWNTOWN ST. CLOUD TRANSFORMS WITH PRISM PATH PUBLIC ART MURAL
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Community-Engaged Art Project Launches "Alleyway of Art" Initiative
Current Wall behind Books Revisited, Downtown St. Cloud
St. Cloud, MN — Heijeu Arts announces Prism Path, an ambitious community-engaged public art mural project that will transform the alleyway behind Books Revisited into a vibrant, immersive art experience. This project marks the beginning of the "Alleyway of Art" initiative, celebrating and activating overlooked urban spaces through innovative public art.
Inspired by prisms and the limitless spectrum of color, Prism Path responds directly to the fish-scale texture of the alley wall, with a composition flowing from wall to ground to create a fully immersive environment. The mural will explore themes of transformation, diversity, and the vibrancy of underappreciated spaces—proving that hidden corners of downtown hold unlimited creative potential.
"This mural is more than art on a wall," says Heidi Jeub, Lead Artist and Director of Heijeu Arts. "It's an invitation for our community to see downtown differently, to engage with art in unexpected places, and to recognize the beauty in spaces often overlooked. Every color, every mark will carry the vision of community members who participated in creating it."
This project is supported by the Central Minnesota Community Foundation and the Downtown Fund.
COMMUNITY AT THE CENTER
What makes Prism Path unique is its deep commitment to community engagement. Rather than installing a top-down artist vision, Heijeu Arts is inviting residents to co-create the mural's design through four interactive workshops where participants explore color theory, mix paints, and create painted panels that directly inform the final composition.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT WORKSHOPS (FREE - ALL AGES WELCOME)
At Books Revisited Bookstore:
July 21, 2026 | 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM | Hands-on color mixing and panel painting
July 25, 2026 | 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM | Color exploration and design inspiration
At St. Cloud Farmers Market Pop-Up:
August 15, 2026 | 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Color theory workshop and panel creation
August 29, 2026 | 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Prism-inspired creative exercises
All workshops are free, accessible, and appropriate for all ages and abilities. No art experience necessary. Books Revisited will feature literature connected to color theory and perception.
Participants will receive a specially designed postcard with project details and be invited to the September 17 dedication event to see their creative contributions come to life.
NOW HIRING: ARTIST ASSISTANTS
Heijeu Arts is recruiting 3 Artist Assistants to join the professional mural painting team during installation. This is a paid opportunity ($400) ideal for high school and college-level artists seeking hands-on professional experience.
Position Details:
Dates: September 1-15, 2026 (flexible scheduling, weather-dependent)
Responsibilities: Paint exterior wall using ladders and scaffolding, mix colors, maintain work site, support lead artist
Requirements: Comfort with heights, flexibility, strong work ethic, genuine interest in public art
Compensation: $400 (approximately 10 hours work)
Benefits: Professional mentorship, portfolio-building opportunity, social media credit, potential letter of recommendation
This position offers valuable experience in large-scale painting techniques, professional collaboration, community art, and project management—skills rarely taught at the high school or college level.
To Apply: Email info@heijeuarts.org with subject line "Artist Assistant Application - Prism Path Mural"
Include: name, contact info, art background, confirmation of schedule flexibility, and optional portfolio link
Application Deadline: August 15, 2026
INSTALLATION & DEDICATION
MURAL INSTALLATION
September 1-15, 2026 Professional installation of the community-designed mural on the exterior wall of the alley behind Books Revisited. The public is welcome to observe (at safe distance) as the mural comes to life. Details on viewing times and site safety will be shared in early September.
COMMUNITY DEDICATION & CELEBRATION
Thursday, September 17, 2026 | 4:00 PM - 6:00 PMLocation: Alley behind Books Revisited, Downtown St. Cloud
Join us to celebrate the completed Prism Path mural! This family-friendly event will feature:
Artist talk with Heidi Jeub discussing the creative process and vision
Display of community participant panels created during workshops
Ribbon cutting ceremony with city officials and community leaders
Photo opportunities with the vibrant new mural
Light refreshments
All community members are invited. This is a moment to celebrate what happens when creativity, community, and place come together.
ABOUT THE PROJECT
THE VISION
For five years, downtown business owners and community leaders have envisioned activating alleyways through public art. Prism Path represents a concrete step toward that vision. By transforming an underutilized passage into a vibrant, community-driven art experience, the project aims to shift perceptions of downtown St. Cloud and contribute to a more accessible, engaging, and connected urban environment.
Beyond artistic impact, the project responds to broader community priorities:
Walkability: Enhanced alleyways improve connectivity between parking areas and local businesses
Safety & Perception: Vibrant, welcoming spaces encourage pedestrians to use alley passages
Economic Vitality: Visible public art supports downtown revitalization and attracts visitors
Community Pride: When residents contribute to their spaces, they invest in maintaining and caring for them
THE LOCATION
Books Revisited has been a cornerstone of downtown St. Cloud for decades. Its steady daytime foot traffic, beloved status in the community, and large, continuous wall surface make it the ideal anchor for launching the Alleyway of Art initiative. The alley entrance currently presents an opportunity for meaningful transformation into a more welcoming and engaging space.
THE ARTISTIC APPROACH
Lead Artist Heidi Jeub brings a background in abstract painting, public art, and community engagement. Her previous public art projects include the Sartell Paper Mill Project (2013), Dino-Walk wayfinding initiative in Staples, MN (2020), and three projects in Little Falls partnering with local organizations. Her work emphasizes deep connections to place and people—characteristics central to Prism Path's success.
The mural composition will use durable acrylic epoxy paint designed to withstand Minnesota winters, maintaining its vibrancy for 7+ years. The wall-to-floor transition is a hallmark of Heidi's work, encouraging viewers not just to observe the mural, but to physically enter and experience it.
PROJECT TEAM
Heidi Jeub, Lead Artist & Director
Heijeu Arts | info@heijeuarts.org | (320) 828-1437
www.heijeuarts.org
Tyler Bevier, Community Engagement Assistant & Project Administrator
Downtown St. Cloud community leader, board member of the St. Cloud Farmers Market and Stearns History Museum
Community Partners:
Jon Lee, Books Revisited (project host, literature partnership)
St. Cloud Farmers Market (workshop venue, community promotion)
City of St. Cloud Parks & Planning (permits, logistics, site safety)
Heijeu Arts volunteers and teaching artists
