Since 2021, a loon has watched over this corner of Minneapolis — wings outstretched, colors rippling like water, a familiar and beloved presence in the neighborhood.
Created by artist Yiqiao Wang, the mural transformed a recognizable Minnesota symbol into something expansive and alive. Long rooted in Minnesota’s identity, the loon has taken on renewed meaning in recent months, emerging as a symbol of strength, unity, and hope.
When McKnight moved into our new headquarters last year, the loon was already here as part of a rotating art series commissioned by the building’s previous tenants. While the installation was always meant to be temporary, we loved it so much that we decided to keep it while we developed plans for what would come next.
During its time here, the loon became something special. People stopped to photograph it. Neighbors shared it with visitors. It brought a moment of surprise, beauty, and connection to thousands of passersby. We’re deeply grateful for the joy the loon brought to this place and to our community and visitors.
As we continue to make this building our home, we’ve been thinking a lot about what comes next for this wall — and how it can reflect who we are and what we value. Public art is woven into Minnesota’s civic and cultural life, from the bold murals in downtown Minneapolis to the vibrant works that line West Broadway, Lake Street, and the West Side of St Paul – as well as other communities across the state. These artworks reflect who we are, help us process moments of challenge, and invite us to imagine what could be.
At McKnight, public art is one way we can make our mission visible and tangible, honoring our long history of supporting Minnesota’s arts ecosystem, and creating a place that welcomes curiosity, reflection, and connection.
Next month, we’ll carefully uninstall the loon to make way for a new original mural by Leslie Barlow and the launch of McKnight’s own rotating public art series. Each cycle will showcase the work of a different artist, offering a large (literally) and highly visible platform to share their vision with our neighborhood and visitors.
We’re excited to share Leslie’s work as it comes to life. Stay tuned for teasers in the coming weeks and a final reveal once it is installed.
As the loon takes flight from our building, we send it forth with immense appreciation and gratitude — and with excitement for what comes next.
Thank you, loon. Fly onward.
As we continue to make this building our home, we’ve been thinking a lot about what comes next for this wall — and how it can reflect who we are and what we value. Public art is woven into Minnesota’s civic and cultural life, from the bold murals in downtown Minneapolis to the vibrant works that line Lake Street and communities across the state. These artworks reflect who we are, help us process moments of challenge, and invite us to imagine what could be.
At McKnight, public art is one way we can make our mission visible and tangible, honoring our long history of supporting Minnesota’s arts ecosystem, and creating a place that welcomes curiosity, reflection, and community.
Next month, we’ll carefully uninstall the loon to make way for a new original mural by Leslie Barlow and the launch of McKnight’s own rotating public art series. Each cycle will showcase the work of a different artist, offering a large (literally) and highly visible platform to share their vision with our community.
We’re excited to share Leslie’s work as it comes to life. Stay tuned for teasers in the coming weeks and a final reveal once it is installed.
As the loon takes flight from our building, we send it forth with immense appreciation and gratitude — and with excitement for what comes next.
Thank you, loon. Fly onward.
About the Artist Yiqiao Wang
Originally from Beijing, China, Yiqiao Wang is a senior artist and creative designer at Gallaudet University’s Science of Learning Center on Visual Language and Visual Learning in Washington, DC. She holds an MFA from the Savannah College of Art and Design and expresses her artistic vision through a range of media, including hand drawing and digital work. Her creative practice is grounded in the expressive use of color.
Yiqiao has designed several prominent murals, including the Academic Life mural at Gallaudet University’s Welcome Center in Washington, DC; the Loon mural in downtown Minneapolis, MN; the Vibrant mural at the United States’ first signing Starbucks store at 625 H Street NE, Washington, DC; the Deaf AAPI Experience mural on the Fifth Street side of Union Market, Washington, DC; and the We Share: DC’s Sign mural along the Metropolitan Branch Trail, Washington, DC.
She has also created a mural featuring eight busts of significant Deaf figures at the Columbus Colony Housing 1 building in Ohio. Additionally, Yiqiao collaborated with Starbucks to create the ASL Connectedness drinkware collection, which was released nationwide in 2023.
