Midtown Murals: Celebrating Community and Culture on Lake Street
For 25 years, YWCA Minneapolis has called Lake Street home. Our Midtown facility sits at the heart of a vibrant, culturally rich neighborhood that continues to evolve and inspire. As we look to the future, we're proud to contribute to the transformation — and to share how Midtown murals, including a vibrant new one on our own building, are bringing bold color and renewed energy to Lake Street.
Where We All Shine
Moon Juice Art and artist Hibaaq Ibrahim are painting the vibrant mural “Where We All Shine” on the west end of Midtown. A longtime resident of the neighborhood, Hibaaq worked to incorporate local cultural symbols and traditional clothing styles into the design. The mural includes representations of Hmong clothing, the Native sun symbol and Somali patterns — celebrating the rich diversity of the Lake Street community.
“I did my first mural in 2020,” Hibaaq said. “A lot of Black artists were doing them. My first one was at Seward Pharmacy. I went in for some cat food and asked Mo if he’d like a mural on his building. He bought the paint, and I worked with youth from Franklin Library 4-H club to bring it to life.”
In addition to living in the neighborhood, Hibaaq previously worked for YWCA Minneapolis in the Beacons program at Roosevelt High School. An experienced muralist who has taught classes at the Walker Art Museum, Hibaaq usually paints two exterior murals a year.
The mural features vibrant textiles, celestial themes and joyful movement — a reflection of the many cultures, families and individuals who make this neighborhood their own.
“Exterior walls are often very large, and require a lift,” Hibaaq said. “In addition, brick tends to use twice as much paint.”
Midtown Murals Bonanza
You may have noticed a number of murals being painted on Lake Street throughout June 2025. These murals, including ours at Midtown, are part of Lake Street Council’s Lake Street Lift Mural Bonanza.
The initiative — backed by $8 million in funding — supports local businesses, fosters public art and invests in community-building through creativity and connection.
Embracing Diverse Audiences
Just as the mural celebrates the diverse people of Lake Street through art, our programming uplifts these same communities through action.
Within group fitness classes, several of our instructors use bilingual skills to embrace Spanish-speaking members. Among youth development programs, our Strong Fast Fit program invites BIPOC youth to gather and celebrate and explore food and wellness within past and present cultural traditions. In our child care programs, we celebrate the vibrant cultures of our community through inclusive classroom environments, diverse books and materials and staff who reflect the families we serve.
Midtown General Manager Andrew Hossalla explained how the mural helped bring the diverse population at Midtown to life.
“We love how the mural is so vibrant and full of life,” Hossalla said. “The diversity represented in the design reflects the many incredible people who use our facility regularly.”
Looking Forward to the Next 25 Years
As we continue to serve the Lake Street community, we’re honored to be part of this colorful new chapter in Midtown’s story. Public art is more than decoration — it’s a reflection of the people who live, work and thrive here.
The mural is more than just art — it reflects the community’s strength and shared future.
“These Midtown murals are a visual reminder of the joy, resilience and diversity that define our Midtown community,” said Shelley Carthen Watson, President and CEO of YWCA Minneapolis. “We’re proud to be part of a movement that lifts up artists, celebrates cultural identity and strengthens connection across our city.”
Come visit us on Lake Street and see how community, color and creativity come together at Midtown.