Fridley’s Existing Public Art

Fridley has a long history of public art throughout the community, from civic spaces and local businesses to parks and redevelopment areas. This collection highlights art that was already part of Fridley before the Fridley Creative Arts Foundation began its current public art initiatives.

The Fridley entry monument signs are located at six entry points in the city, with a seventh sign at Mississippi Street and University Avenue. The signs were installed as part of the City’s 50th Anniversary Celebration. Funded by eight local organiza

The Fridley entry monument signs are located at six entry points in the city, with a seventh sign at Mississippi Street and University Avenue. The signs were installed as part of the City’s 50th Anniversary Celebration. Funded by eight local organizations and the Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA), the signs were inspired by sandblasted clear heart redwood signs with gold leaf lettering seen during a family trip to Maine in the late 90s taken by long-time Fridley Community Development Director Scott Hickok. The signs feature imagery of the Banfill house, the oldest in Anoka County, and the river, emphasizing Fridley’s identity as a river city.

INCOMPARABLE in the Fridley City Hall lobby is a tribute to the historic Columbia Ice Arena, which stood on the site from 1968 to 2015. The letters spelling INCOMPARABLE are the original letters from the Columbia Arena sign, preserving a tangible pie

INCOMPARABLE in the Fridley City Hall lobby is a tribute to the historic Columbia Ice Arena, which stood on the site from 1968 to 2015. The letters spelling INCOMPARABLE are the original letters from the Columbia Arena sign, preserving a tangible piece of its legacy. Set atop a hockey puck, the display honors the arena's rich hockey history, including its role as a key filming location for D3: The Mighty Ducks, the third installment of Disney's beloved hockey trilogy.

Fridley’s Northern Stacks redevelopment takes its name from the iconic stacks of Forgotten Star, a brewery housed in a former industrial facility. The stacks’ stars commemorate six Battle E awards won by the facility for supplying materials to U.S. M

Fridley’s Northern Stacks redevelopment takes its name from the iconic stacks of Forgotten Star, a brewery housed in a former industrial facility. The stacks’ stars commemorate six Battle E awards won by the facility for supplying materials to U.S. Military gunships. Initially, only five stars appeared, as the first award was represented by a white “E” on a blue banner. Developer Paul Hyde believed the sixth star should be present and had the blue paint of the banner matched and a sixth star painted. The brewery’s name honors this forgotten detail. If you look closely, the stacks’ tops resemble bottle caps, adding a unique artistic touch to their history.

After the closure of Columbia Arena, graffiti artists from across the country transformed its interior into a vibrant canvas. Before the building was demolished to make way for the Fridley Civic Campus, select pieces of this creative and colorful gra

After the closure of Columbia Arena, graffiti artists from across the country transformed its interior into a vibrant canvas. Before the building was demolished to make way for the Fridley Civic Campus, select pieces of this creative and colorful graffiti were photographed and thoroughly reviewed by police to ensure they contained no offensive or gang-related content. These works now hang in our new facility, celebrating the creativity and vibrancy of this unique art form.

The artwork, created by Bonnie Hinz, is a vibrant and flowing composition of metal and glass, inspired by the natural beauty of the Mississippi River, Rice Creek, and the colors of the Fridley logo. Mounted on a textured stone wall in the Fireside Ro

The artwork, created by Bonnie Hinz, is a vibrant and flowing composition of metal and glass, inspired by the natural beauty of the Mississippi River, Rice Creek, and the colors of the Fridley logo. Mounted on a textured stone wall in the Fireside Room of City Hall, the piece features dynamic, colorful glass elements paired with intertwining metal lines, evoking the movement of water and the connection to the local landscape.

The Spirit of Unity, designed by Greg Conboy in 1966, stands proudly on the Unity campus of Mercy Hospital in Fridley. This sculpture symbolizes the collective spirit of the community—representing the cities that united to form the hospital district

The Spirit of Unity, designed by Greg Conboy in 1966, stands proudly on the Unity campus of Mercy Hospital in Fridley. This sculpture symbolizes the collective spirit of the community—representing the cities that united to form the hospital district that established Unity in the region. These cities include Blaine, Fridley, Hilltop, Mounds View, and Spring Lake Park.

This iconic artwork, originally created by Leonardo Da Vinci around 1490 and famously known as the Vitruvian Man, embodies the concept of the "perfect man" based on ancient studies of human proportions. A striking interpretation of this masterpiece n

This iconic artwork, originally created by Leonardo Da Vinci around 1490 and famously known as the Vitruvian Man, embodies the concept of the "perfect man" based on ancient studies of human proportions. A striking interpretation of this masterpiece now resides on the Medtronic campus in Fridley. The sculpture symbolizes the ideal of health and human form, making it a fitting centerpiece for Medtronic—a company deeply rooted in advancing health and striving for excellence.