The Village Reclamation Festival was formed in response to the exuberant desire of many to continue with the bold and creative work that will shift our city closer to it’s wildest potential.

One week at the end of June, three main catalyst community projects in three different South Minneapolis neighborhoods. We recognize that creating tangible beauty in the commons is secretly an excuse to experience a greater depth of what it means to be an engaged citizen. We invite you to join us.

·       Elliot Park Neighborhood Mural: we will utilize the tools of large-scale mural making to honor the multiple cultures that reside in this historic neighborhood.

·       Phillips Neighborhood Permaculture Block Reclamation: we will work to transform a city block through permaculture design, and adaptive reuse to leave functional beauty in our wake.

·       Seward Neighborhood Natural Building and Art Bash: we will use an ancient building technique that uses clay, sand, straw and water to craft a form that is as sculptural as it is structural.

All events are free or by donation and open to everyone!

The Village Reclamation Project:

In Elliot Park: 736 East 16th St. 

Saturday June 23^rd 

10 am: Opening Ceremony:

11am - 4pm: We paint the mural – to unite cultural identities in a neighborhood that is as diverse as it is historic.

Sunday June 24th:

10am - 4pm: The mural painting continues on…

7:00 – 8:30 Presentation by Special Guest: Holy Rosary Church 2424 18^th Ave. S.

Mark Lakeman, Co-founder of The City Repair Project in Portland OR.  Mark will speak about his lifetime's work of creatively transforming the urban environment. City Repair stands as a guide post for those of us intent on utilizing our creative resources, capable hands and bold vision for what our city already is and what it could become.

Monday June 25^th:

Day of rest and preparation, no scheduled events on this day.

In Phillips: 2416 17th Ave. S. 

Tuesday June 26^th:

12 – 5pm: We’re going to build ourselves a Greenhouse out of pallets. Come build with us!

6 – 7:pm:  Permaculture Garden Tour/Block Reclamation Showcase. Root cellar workshop, children's activities.

7 - 10pm:  Feast provided by Sister's Camelot, Celebrations galore!

Wednesday June 27^th:

The Permaculture Continues…

12 - 5pm: Complete greenhouse...

6 -7pm Permaculture Garden tour/Block Reclamation, children’s activities, herbal medicine and root cellar workshop, vermiculture, self reliance exploration. 

7:30 Ceremony: Honoring Community - Where Spirituality meets Activism. 

8 - 10 pm Movie screening in the Garden followed by a performance by Doc. Muskrat and His Mississippi Mudsteppers. 

In Seward: 2618 E 22nd St. 

Friday June 29th

12 - 6: Come build a sculptural poetry plaza out of cob (ancient building technique using clay, sand, straw and water.) Building with cob is incredibly fun, inspiring of the senses and approachable for the littlest to the biggest of human beings.

7 - 11 Cultural Exchange and Open Mic at 2nd Moon Cafe (2225 Franklin Ave.) How do we begin to live genuinely in community with the many different cultures that exist in Seward? Followed by an Open Mic. 

Saturday June 30th: 

12 - 6: The Cob building continues

6 - 7ArtiCulture (2613 E Franklin Ave.) our local Art's Laboratory will host an Art Party. Playing has never been so constructive!

7:30 - 9 Closing Ceremony, Cantastoria Puppet Show and Lantern Release down at the White Sand Beach (W. River Parkway, just past 26th St. Follow the stairs down.)