Wright-Dunbar Business Village News

Minneapolis' National Search Ends in the Wright-Dunbar Business Village

Willis "Bing" Davis was selected from a nationwide contest for a new public art piece that will serve as the gateway to the north side of Minneapolis. The Minneapolis "Art In Public Places" worked with community groups and the Obsidian Arts to develop the John Biggers Seed Project, a major new public artwork. The piece will honor the legacy of the life of master artist Dr. John Biggers and his 'Celebration of Life' mural.

Davis was chosen from fifty African-American artists who submitted proposals for the project in 2004. Davis asked Jon Onye Lockard, one of the leading muralists in America from the University of Michigan, to team up with him on the proposal. The national lead artist team of Willis Bing Davis and Jon Lockard will develop the public art piece using the assistance of two emerging artists in the City of Minneapolis, Seitu Jones and Tacoumba Aiken.

After the Davis-Lockard concept is approved by the city and the community steering committee, fifteen young developing artists will be hired by the city to create the public artwork under the guidance and direction of the lead artist team. Davis and Lockard will also develop and present several workshops and presentations for the developing artists in areas of artistic and professional development.

The project is currently in the design phase and estimated to take 12 to 18 months.