The new Bloomington South Loop community garden behind Fire Station 3 stands out with a fresh artistic touch: three cyanotype banners that form an integral part of a creative placemaking effort to celebrate local culture, nature, and history.

The cyanotypes, known for their distinctive blue color, are the brainchild of Dakota artists Erin Genia and Sheila Novak. According to Bloomington's official announcement, these artworks are designed to powerfully reflect and share the land's story. They honor the sun and water while acknowledging the significance of the Minnesota River Valley and its indigenous communities. The project was coordinated by Bloomington Creative Placemaking Director Alejandra Pelinka, who has a knack for weaving art into the fabric of local development.

As part of an initiative to foster community engagement and beautify commonplace spots, the city's push for creative placemaking paints a new picture of what a community garden can embody. It's not solely about yielding tomatoes and tulips anymore, but also about cultivating a sense of place and shared heritage through artistic expression. This innovative spin on community spaces comes from a city vision that feels straight out of a brainstorming session at the MoMA, rather than a municipal building.

For those interested in working among these blue banners, Bloomington has made garden plots available for reservation starting in March. Locals can look forward to sinking their spades into the soil while soaking up the ambient tales told through art. Information on snagging a plot in this art-infused green space can be found on the Bloomington website for those eager to be part of the narrative.