Guido van Helten, the world-renowned mural artist behind the Union Silos Public Art Project, is officially kicking off his community engagement period in Minot. The Union Silos Public Art Project will transform the Minot Farmers Union grain silos located at 318 1st Ave. NE into North Dakota’s largest mural and public work of art.

Originally from Australia, van Helten has completed similar works all around the world and across the United States. Each piece transforms a silo or similar structure into a larger-than-life mural, uniquely inspired by the community. In order to make the work unique to Minot, the project begins with a community engagement period, which will take place over the next few weeks.

This includes a public social, one-on-one conversations, attending community events and gathering photos and videos of the Minot community.

Community members are invited to a Silos Social on Thursday, April 25, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. in the Silhouette Room at 10 N. Main Reloaded in downtown Minot. Attendees will learn more about the project, hear from van Helten about his artistic process and help inspire the work that will become Minot Union Silos mural. This event is open to all ages.

“We’re looking forward to sharing our community with Guido,” said Union Silos co-organizer and community builder Tim Baumann. “This project will change the skyline of Minot for the better for years to come and I cannot wait to see this one-of-a-kind work become a reality.”

Following the community engagement period, van Helten will translate his inspiration images into a cohesive vision for the mural. The artwork will be approved by the Union Silos Public Art Project team and painting is set to begin this summer.

This project will be part of van Helten’s Monuments project, which is designed to create one unique artistic tourist destination is each of the 50 states. The Union Silos project will be North Dakota’s only mural of this kind and scale by van Helten.

The Union Silos Public Art Project has raised 74.4% of the total funds needed to fully fund this project. Donations are welcomed to help push the project to completion.