Infuse Detroit Lakes with color & delight!
- Murals
- Power Box Wraps
- Art Surprises
- The Poetry Walk
- Sculptures
Gifting the area
with Public Art
With a generous grant from the Blandin Foundation and additional financial support from our Wave Maker donors, Project 412 formed Create DL, a partnership with the Historic Holmes Theatre that will spread public art across Detroit Lakes.
In Partnership with
Imagine. Inspire. Connect
Focus Area
Our goal is to help Detroit Lakes become the best place to visit, live, work, start and grow a business, and raise a family.
With additional funding, we will add more projects to the Create DL initiative. In total, we hope to spread public art to all corners of our community. Support Project 412 by donating or signing up to volunteer!
Creating Places & Events that Inspire
The most vibrant communities create a sense of place that inspires and is welcoming and memorable.
Detroit Lakes is competing with communities around the country and world to attract visitors, workers, and residents.
Creating a place that people want to be is critical, and we have the opportunity to invest in Detroit Lakes as a place by investing in public art, recreation, and events and experiences.
Investing in Public Art & Visual Appeal
Public art investments increase creative energy in communities. Visitors exploring public art spend more money at local shops and restaurants. The added vibrancy also adds excitement that gets more residents thinking about their own businesses and creative projects. By spreading art across the city, Create DL will encourage residents and visitors to explore more pockets of our community, supporting economic development in more places.
Featured 2024 Artist
Thomas Dambo
2024 Trolls in DL
Danish recycle artist Thomas Dambo is on a mission to save the world from drowning in trash!
Dambo uses reclaimed wood and scraps from landfills to create giant statue-like trolls – unique characters, each with a story. He has already installed trolls in 17 countries throughout the world.
Thomas Dambo and his crew of artists arrived in Detroit Lakes on May 6 for a month-long build of six giant troll sculptures made of recycled materials.
Thomas Dambo
Troll Artist
Troll Artist
Summer Art Experiences
Through grant from Lakes Region Arts Council
Stumble Upon Art
Youth Program
Project 412 is excited have received a grant from the Lake Region Arts Council to partner with HIKEhoppers to offer “Stumble Upon Art” experiences as part of a summer youth program through Detroit Lakes Public Schools and the Historic Holmes Theatre!
Stumble Upon Art
Youth Program
Youth Program
2023-2024
Featured Artists
The featured artists below shared their artistry in response to an artist’s call for Project 412 public art opportunities. These artists have their own art enterprises and are not under the employ of Project 412.
We are delighted to share their information with you and are so grateful for the talents they share in our community.
Lilly Baethke
Mural Co-Artist
Mural Co-Artist
Jessica Dretsch
Power Box Artist
Power Box Artist
Kent Estey
Power Box Artist
Power Box Artist
Hans Gilsdorf
Mural Artist
Mural Artist
Darlene Harrison
Power Box Artist
Power Box Artist
Deneena Hughes
Mural Artist
Mural Artist
Paul Johnson
Mural Artist
Mural Artist
Anna Lassonde
Power Box Artist
Power Box Artist
Chloe Leegard
Mural Co-Artist
Mural Co-Artist
Aryn Lill
Mural Artist
Mural Artist
Shakuntala Maheshwari
Power Box Artist
Power Box Artist
Kara Schumann
Power Box Artist
Power Box Artist
Hannah Spry
Art Surprise Artist
Art Surprise Artist
Marin Westrum
Power Box Artist
Power Box Artist
Zach Schumack &
Ian Molloy-Busse
Sculptors
Sculptors
Kent Estey
Power Box Artist
Power Box Artist
Hans Gilsdorf
Mural Artist
Mural Artist
Darlene Harrison
Power Box Artist
Power Box Artist
Deneena Hughes
Mural Artist
Mural Artist
Paul Johnson
Mural Artist
Mural Artist
Anna Lassonde
Power Box Artist
Power Box Artist
Chloe Leegard
Mural Co-Artist
Mural Co-Artist
Aryn Lill
Mural Artist
Mural Artist
Shakuntala Maheshwari
Power Box Artist
Power Box Artist
Kara Schumann
Power Box Artist
Power Box Artist
Hannah Spry
Art Surprise Artist
Art Surprise Artist
Marin Westrum
Power Box Artist
Power Box Artist
Create DL Gallery
Click on photos to enlarge into full scene
Hannah Spry on a ladder painting the "Free Rides" UFO mural • Precision Printing building • Artist: Hannah Spry
"Free Rides" UFO mural closeup image of aliens in a spaceship • Precision Printing building • Artist: Hannah Spry
Precision Printing of MN staff standing in front of the "Free Rides" UFO mural • Precision Printing building • Artist: Hannah Spry
Aryn Lill painting "The Dream" mural on the wall of Noah's Home Furnishings
"The Dream" Mural on the wall of Noah's Home Furnishings • closeup of a Loon in the grass • Artist: Aryn Lill
"The Dream" mural on the wall of Noah's Home Furnishings • the sunset and loon scene • Artist: Aryn Lill
"Love is the Boys & Girls Club" mural • Project 412, Boys & Girls Club Thrift Store & MORE store, and Boys & Girls Club leaders and youth standing in front of a segment of the art • on the exterior wall of the Boy & Girls Club Thrift Store & MORE • Artist: Paul Johnson
"Love is the Boys & Girls Club" mural • a segment of the art • on the exterior wall of the Boy & Girls Club Thrift Store & MORE • Artist: Paul Johnson
"Love is the Boys & Girls Club" mural • the full scene of the art • on the exterior wall of the Boy & Girls Club Thrift Store & MORE • Artist: Paul Johnson
Artists Deneena and Sophie Hughes painting the "Embracing Equinox" mural on the wall of the Becker County Human Services Center building (closeup)
"Embracing Equinox" mural • on the wall of the Becker County Human Services Center building • Artists: Deneena & Sophie Hughes
"Embracing Equinox" mural • corner tree art segment of the mural • on the wall of the Becker County Human Services Center building • Artists: Deneena & Sophie Hughes
"Out of Many, One" mural • eye reflection segment of a portrait • on the wall of the VFW Post 1676 • Artist: Hans Gilsdorf
"Out of Many, One" mural • Hans Gilsdorf on a scaffold painting title segment • on the wall of the VFW Post 1676 • Artist: Hans Gilsdorf
"Out of Many, One" mural • Hans Gilsdorf smiling in front of the mural • on the wall of the VFW Post 1676 • Artist: Hans Gilsdorf
"A Walk Underwater" mural • on Dunton Locks Pathway • Artists: Lilly Baethke & Chloe Leegard
"A Walk Underwater" mural • on Dunton Locks Pathway • Artists: Lilly Baethke & Chloe Leegard
"A Walk Underwater" mural • on Dunton Locks Pathway • Artists: Lilly Baethke & Chloe Leegard
"Minnesota Wildflowers" power box art wrap • Artist: Marin Westrum • Power box created in coordination with Arts & Culture Commission and the City of Detroit Lakes Public Utilities
"Minnesota Wildflowers" power box art wrap • Artist: Marin Westrum • Power box created in coordination with Arts & Culture Commission and the City of Detroit Lakes Public Utilities
"Minnesota Wildflowers" power box art wrap • Artist: Marin Westrum, standing next to the art • Power box created in coordination with Arts & Culture Commission and the City of Detroit Lakes Public Utilities
"Worm's View" power box art wrap • Artist: Kara Schumann • Power box created in coordination with Arts & Culture Commission and the City of Detroit Lakes Public Utilities
"Worm's View" power box art wrap side panel • Artist: Kara Schumann • Power box created in coordination with Arts & Culture Commission and the City of Detroit Lakes Public Utilities
"Worm's View" power box art wrap side panel • Artist: Kara Schumann • Power box created in coordination with Arts & Culture Commission and the City of Detroit Lakes Public Utilities
"Winter with Blooming Orchids" power box art wrap • Artist: Shakuntala Maheshwari • Power box created in coordination with Arts & Culture Commission and the City of Detroit Lakes Public Utilities
"Winter with Blooming Orchids" power box art wrap at night • Artist: Shakuntala Maheshwari • Power box created in coordination with Arts & Culture Commission and the City of Detroit Lakes Public Utilities
"Winter with Blooming Orchids" power box art wrap • Artist: Shakuntala Maheshwari • Power box created in coordination with Arts & Culture Commission and the City of Detroit Lakes Public Utilities
"Gone Fishing" power box art wrap fisherman in a boat paddling • Artist: Anna Lassonde • Power box created in coordination with Arts & Culture Commission and the City of Detroit Lakes Public Utilities
"Gone Fishing" power box art wrap side panel of swimming fish • Artist: Anna Lassonde • Power box created in coordination with Arts & Culture Commission and the City of Detroit Lakes Public Utilities
"Experiencing Detroit Lakes II" power box art: winter scene panel • Artist: Darlene Harrison • Power box created in coordination with Arts & Culture Commission and the City of Detroit Lakes Public Utilities
"Experiencing Detroit Lakes II" power box art: summer jetski & swimmers scene panel • Artist: Darlene Harrison • Power box created in coordination with Arts & Culture Commission and the City of Detroit Lakes Public Utilities
"Summer Sunset No. 1" & "Best of Times" power box art wrap • Artist: Kent Estey • Power box created in coordination with Arts & Culture Commission and the City of Detroit Lakes Public Utilities
"Summer Sunset No. 1" & "Best of Times" power box art wrap panel • Artist: Kent Estey • Power box created in coordination with Arts & Culture Commission and the City of Detroit Lakes Public Utilities
"Summer Sunset No. 1" & "Best of Times" power box art wrap • Kent Estey next to the power box art • Artist: Kent Estey • Power box created in coordination with Arts & Culture Commission and the City of Detroit Lakes Public Utilities
"The Fabulous Four Seasons" power box art wrap • behind Sanford clinic • Artist: Jessica Dretsch • Power box created in coordination with Arts & Culture Commission and the City of Detroit Lakes Public Utilities
"The Fabulous Four Seasons" power box art wrap • behind Sanford clinic • Artist: Jessica Dretsch • Power box created in coordination with Arts & Culture Commission and the City of Detroit Lakes Public Utilities
"The Fabulous Four Seasons" power box art wrap • Jessica Dretsch on top of the power box • behind Sanford clinic • Artist: Jessica Dretsch • Power box created in coordination with Arts & Culture Commission and the City of Detroit Lakes Public Utilities
Hannah Spry painting the "Nightcap" art surprise brick wall painting • Artist: Hannah Spry
"Nightcap" art surprise brick wall painting • Artist: Hannah Spry
"Slopes" art surprise wall painting • Artist: Hannah Spry
Brick wall art surprise painting: "Floaty" • a frog in a floatie gazing at a running faucet • Artist: Hannah Spry
Brick wall art surprise painting closeup: "Floaty" • a frog in a floatie gazing at a running faucet • Artist: Hannah Spry
"Manhole Marve" art surprise sidewalk painting • Artist: Hannah Spry
Zug Zug created by Zach Schumack and Ian Molloy-Busse of the Leonic Collective
Caveman Zug in ice sculpture by on Detroit Lake in front of The Pavilion • Artist: Leonic Collective
Zug the caveman in ice sculpture on Detroit Lake during fireworks on the lake • Artist: Leonic Collective
Zug the caveman in ice sculpture on Detroit Lake at sunset • Artist: Leonic Collective
Zug the caveman in ice sculpture on Detroit Lake at sunset • Artist: Leonic Collective
Ribbon Cutting of "Mashaal the Mammoth" sculpture at Detroit Mountain • Artist: Leonic Collective
"Mashaal the Mammoth" sculpture at Detroit Mountain • Artist: Leonic Collective
"Mashaal the Mammoth" sculpture at Detroit Mountain • Artist: Leonic Collective
"Mashaal the Mammoth" sculpture at Detroit Mountain lit up in red light • Artist: Leonic Collective
2024 Light Up DL Sponsors
Light Up DL 2023 ariel view • drone image by Brian Merritt
Light Up DL 2023 ariel view • drone image by Brian Merritt
Light up the Park 2023 orchestrators • Miller Yard Care and Malstrom Electric • drone image by Brian Merritt
2024 Bollard Light • on the beach walk near the Pavilion • Artists: Hans & Mary Beth Gilsdorf
2024 Green Bollard Light • on the beach walk near the Pavilion • Artists: Hans & Mary Beth Gilsdorf
2024 Pink Bollard Light • on the beach walk near the Pavilion • Artists: Hans & Mary Beth Gilsdorf
Light Up the Park • Detroit Lakes City Park 2022
Light Up the Park • Detroit Lakes City Park 2022
Light Up the Park • Detroit Lakes City Park 2022
Polartry Poetry Walk 2024 • List of Poets
Polartry Poetry Walk 2024 sign
Poetry Walk 2023 • Flowerpot Poetry by Jessica Dretsch
Poetry Walk 2022 • List of Flowerpot Poetry Poets
Poetry Walk 2023 • Flowerpot Poetry by Jessica Dretsch
Poetry Walk 2023 • Flowerpot Poetry by Jessica Dretsch
Polarty Poetry Walk 2023 Poem
Polartry Poetry Walk 2022 sign
2023 Flowerpot Poets
Life is short. Share your poetry.
