UTILITY BOX ART WRAP PROGRAM

Fridley’s Utility Box Art Wrap Program is transforming six utility boxes along University Avenue/Hwy. 47 into distinctive works of public art. The selected designs were chosen from more than 50 submissions and represent a variety of artistic styles, subjects, and perspectives.

MnDOT installed six electrical utility boxes between I-694 and 85th Avenue, and artists transformed them with artwork selected through a community call. The project celebrates local creativity while adding color, character, and visual interest to one of Fridley’s most traveled corridors.

About the Project

Fridley’s Utility Box Art Wrap Program is transforming six utility boxes along University Avenue/Hwy. 47 into distinctive works of public art. The program was created to make public art more accessible, strengthen civic pride, and give artists a highly visible place to share their work.

More than 50 designs were submitted through the community call for art. The Fridley Public Arts Commission reviewed the submissions and selected six works representing a variety of artistic styles and subjects, as well as both adult and youth artists.

Selection considered artistic quality, originality, creativity, visual impact, and each design’s contribution to a sense of place in Fridley. Preference was also given to artists who live in Fridley or have a strong connection to the community.

Each selected artist received a $500 stipend, funded by the Fridley Creative Arts Foundation. The selected artwork is being reproduced as durable vinyl wraps for installation on the six utility boxes.