Printmaker Eric A. Johnson has transformed his artistic canvas from the confines of a printing press to a massive 15-by-17 foot mural that now adorns downtown Kindred, North Dakota. The vibrant community art project, completed this summer, covers the side of a building next to 701 Spirits and Grill on the town's main drag, showcasing local history and identity through bold, colorful imagery.
Johnson, who lives in Hillsboro, North Dakota, was inspired to seek a community partnership after attending a workshop on creating public art. He found the perfect collaboration in Kindred, where he had previously served as an artist-in-residence. Working alongside the Kindred Arts Partnership and community booster Jen Swenson, Johnson developed a project that would engage residents in celebrating their hometown.
The mural project received extensive community support, backed by Kindred Parks and Recreation, the Kindred Community Club, the Kindred Days committee, and the Kindred Area Arts Partnership. The initiative also secured funding through a grant from the North Dakota Council on the Arts, ensuring the project had the resources needed for completion.
Finding the right location proved challenging initially. Johnson originally wanted to paint on the east-facing wall of Hawks Market and Bodega, but discovered the brick was deteriorating. The solution came when Rick Nymark generously offered the street-facing side of his building as the perfect canvas for the community artwork.
Swenson played a crucial role in connecting Johnson with various community members, businesses, and organizations. Through these conversations, the artist gathered insights about what made Kindred special to its residents. "I took that and basically came up with the design," Johnson explained, standing before the completed mural in late August.
The artwork features numerous local landmarks and symbols that define Kindred's character. Johnson points out the flour mill on the Sheyenne River, the grain elevator, and agricultural elements including a type of barley that was developed locally. Sugar beets, corn, and wheat are prominently displayed, representing the area's farming heritage. When someone noted the absence of soybeans, Johnson responded with humor: "Soybeans are back in one of those fields."
Additional elements include an airplane representing the town's airport and Viking shields honoring the Kindred High Vikings. A decorative black border contains words that residents felt reflected their community's values, including "home," "play," "team," and "kind." Johnson noted that this border allowed for broader community input beyond just visual elements, incorporating words like "hope" and "heart" that appear multiple times throughout the design.
The mural showcases Johnson's distinctive artistic style, featuring bold colors separated into distinct areas with dark edges. The non-geometric shapes create an overall effect reminiscent of stained glass windows. "I've never done stained glass, but that's kind of how I think of it a little bit," Johnson explained. This unique style developed years ago when he observed raindrops on a car sunroof, noting how they held their shape while creating patterns and reflecting light and color.
For the project's execution, Johnson established a temporary studio at the local high school in late July. He drew the design on material sections measuring approximately 5-by-5 feet each, labeling areas like a paint-by-numbers project. Community members were then invited to participate in the actual painting process, making it a truly collaborative effort.
The individual painted sections were assembled and adhered to the building using special gel in mid-August. According to Swenson, approximately 60 volunteers contributed their time and effort to the project, creating a sense of shared ownership and pride in the final result.
Bethany Johnson was among the community volunteers who picked up a paintbrush for the project. "That was really cool to be a part of," she said while visiting the mural with her children. "It's amazing how he took all those pieces and made one whole, cohesive picture. You can see the texture of the brick underneath and that is really amazing." She praised both the artistic technique and the meaningful design, noting that her favorite words in the border are "faith" and "safe."
Swenson emphasized the mural's agricultural themes, reflecting the community's foundation. "Everybody will have a different view of home, but you can't argue that we're built on agriculture," said Swenson, whose family farms in the local area. "I think when you get into that picture by the sun there, it can be what it is for you. So I think it'll be long lasting that way."
Future plans for the mural site include adding informational signage to acknowledge donors and supporters while providing context for the imagery depicted in the painting. This addition will help visitors and residents alike understand the deeper meaning behind the various symbols and elements that make up this celebration of community pride and local heritage.
