about
meet the artists
we asked the members of our team some questions about the project.
scroll to see what they have to say.
Jordan
I've lived in Minnesota for all my life and seeing that Floyd's murder happened so close to my high school it felt like it was time to take some action.
The Minneapolis Lily Project is lead by a great group of students who are passionate about social justice and change. I'm super excited to work more with them and get started with the murals.
Spokesperson Co-Lead & Digital Art Lead
Ella
I'm very passionate about art & change, so I decided to join
I'm very excited about this project. i hope it makes a difference in our community.
Artist & Activist
Reese
I decided to get involved because i felt a need to use my white privilege to create change in our world. Racial injustice has been a barrier of so many peoples lives, and it makes me furious that the color of someone’s skin can determine how they are treated in society. Everyone needs to take action and speak out!
I am so incredibly happy that we are able to come together and make something beautiful. It is going to be amazing.
Social Media & Team Communications
Mia
I wanted to help create a project that combined my love of art and my want to become a more active activist in my community.
I am very hopeful that our project will not only become important in our communities in Minneapolis and Saint Paul, but throughout the entire country.
Spokesperson Co-Lead & Artist Outreach Co-Lead
Ezra
I wanted to be a part of a creative change-making organization in Minneapolis and when [MLP] came up I immediately became apart of it's creation and organization.
I think it has the capacity to make a huge impact and spread across the world. The idea that so many individual artworks can be a part of a larger singular mural could theoretically make it one of the largest murals in the world if all goes well and the lilies spread and are seen in dozens of countries and hundreds of cities.
Fund & Donation Lead
" It is really empowering to see so many young people so enthusiastic about the project and throwing their time and energy into it. I’m excited to meet new artists and show the beauty of Minneapolis. As young people we are told our power is limited,
but here and everywhere there is proof that with determination and passion, when we assemble we can
create change."
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- Ava Bur
Galen
I wanted to do my part as a member of my community. Having been involved in many youth activist groups and projects beforehand, the idea of getting together with other kids in my school district to create something meaningful was very appealing.
I truly think this has the potential to become not only a transformative movement, but a platform in our local communities, of which expression through the means of art and creativity can prosper.
Business Outreach
Co-Lead
Lauren
I wanted to help make a difference in our city and speak up for the Black Lives Matter Movement.
I think this project is a great way to use art to spread a powerful message. I also like that it is entirely youth led.
Non-Monetary Donations
Zoe
I decided to get involved because I was very frustrated with the discrimination going on in our country and as a young activist my resources were limited to make change. This project gave me a creative outlet to hopefully make a lasting impact on society.
Artist Outreach &
Project Photography
Maggie
I wanted a creative way to express the feelings and importance of the movement in our neighborhoods. Art is one of the best, most inclusive ways to spread a message. It makes it easy for everyone to understand and get involved.
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I think it is going to turn out beautiful, there are so many dedicated and talented people involved.
Artist & Activist
Jojo
I am so excited about all the people that have reached out. I hope we can keep the project moving forward & I can't wait to make this all happen.
Social Media &
Business Outreach
Cicely
This was something that I felt like I, as a young person, could do apart from signing petitions and protesting. I wanted to do something that would make a long-term impact, and the original idea for the project seemed like it would do that.
It has been a lot of fun connecting with other people around my age who all have the same goals and hopes for the future of society. The project itself has the potential of making change, and inspiring others to make change as well.
Artist Outreach Co-lead
Lily
I heard about [MLP] through an amazing friend and I was already searching for ways to get involved after the recent tragedy in our community.
I’m so excited to be involved in something that was solely created by the teens in my community.
Artist & Activist
Andrew
I got involved because these issues are very important to me and I would like to find creative ways to make a difference no matter how small in my community for POC.
Artist & Activist
Lily
I’ve always been really into painting. I really wanted to make a difference during these recent stressful events, and I thought this would be an amazing opportunity to do so, while also meeting some new people.
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Social Media &
Artist Outreach
" This project has a lot of meaning to all of us. We are all so passionate in every aspect of what we’re trying to accomplish. This isn’t just a bunch of teenagers wanting to paint stuff on walls. We want to make a difference, and inspire our communities. Our voices as young people often become stifled, but this will hopefully make us heard. We are trying to work with as many BIPOC artists and small businesses as possible to uplift other voices that get drowned out in our society."
- Lily Do
Amelie
A friend posted on her Instagram that she was looking for people to do murals. I said I would love too and that evolved into The Minneapolis Lily Project.
I think MLP is an excellent chance for me to involve myself in something over the summer. I love the cause and I think that we are going to make a great community.
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Digital Art
why did you get involved?
what makes this project special?
Willa
It [MLP] seemed like a really cool thing to do, and I was looking for a way to get even more involved with protesting. What our artists are doing/going to do is amazing and I am so grateful to be a part of it.
It is a beautiful way to memorialize George Floyd and others who were murdered through police brutality, and inspire change
Business Outreach
Lucia
I wanted to take action.
The Minneapolis Lily Project is a great way to bring the youth together to raise awareness and support the Black Lives Matter movement.
Artist & Activist
Ava
I love Minneapolis with my whole heart and have always admired the diversity and progressiveness of the people. The ugly truth that Black communities face each day and have been subjected to is not something I can be ignorant of. I’ve done a lot of environmental activism work and gotten really involved in the aspects of environmental education and policy, and to say that racial justice isn’t an aspect of that would be false. There is no just society when we ignore the issues surrounding systemic racism.
I want to let people know that this is a reality that we have a responsibility to change.
Social Media Lead
Aeva
I saw the opportunity and took it. I love everything the South Minneapolis community is doing right now for Black Lives Matter and thought this would be a great place for me to contribute.
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I’m SO amazed how fast it has moved. I’m so happy I got to be apart of it and am so extremely excited. It’s super cool students like me organized something so powerful.
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Artist & Activist
& see how you can get involved
Maddie
This project has already been so empowering to be a part of. I'm amazed by the dedication and drive our little (but growing) team has brought to the table. I've already learned so much from people I didn’t even know a month ago. Their energy is contagious and I think that excitement is exactly what is going to create real change. When everyone has that same level of commitment to learning and growing and working together, something amazing is bound to happen.
Website Lead &
Paint Drive Organization
& see how you can get involved
Juan
I decided to join because it seemed really interesting, and it’s art. Everyone is talented and a lot of people have some good sketches
Artist & Activist
Yasemin
I wanted to be involved in the BLM movement in a meaningful way. Art is a big part of my life, and I wanted to incorporate it into my activism.
I think what we are doing is going to make a really big impact, especially using our symbol of the Lily.
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Non-Monetary Donations
Maya
I really love art and I thought murals would be a great way to spend the summer & be a part of a great community that wanted change.
It’s [MLP] a great community of artists and activists that love what they do. We want to make a long lasting difference that gives a voice to people who don’t have it.
Business Outreach
Co-Lead
& see how you can get involved
Basilia
I love art, and I have always wanted to be a part of a mural
It has been really fun so far, and I am excited to start painting.
Social Media &
Artist Outreach
want to learn more?
get in touch with our project leads.
& find out how you can get involved
check out our personal work & mural
concept art
Mayla
I first learned about this project from a friend and I thought it was really great idea. I love all the meanings behind designs and how open everyone is to new ideas and concepts.
I'm thankful for all the hard work everyone has put into making this happen. This project means so much to so many people. I'm proud to participate & help
make this reality.