Paul LaJeunesse’s mural Northlands, installed in 2020 at the St. Louis County Government Services Center in Virginia, Minnesota, is a 15-foot by 40-foot acrylic painting on PolyTab. Commissioned by St. Louis County and facilitated by Forecast Public Art, the mural serves as a vibrant homage to the region’s rich history and cultural heritage.
The artwork is a collage that encapsulates Virginia’s industrial past and community spirit. It features imagery of ironworkers, miners, and loggers, reflecting the area’s foundational industries. Additionally, the mural pays tribute to the Northland Building’s eclectic history—once a curling and hockey facility built in 1923, later transformed into a shirt factory in 1947, which became one of the area’s largest employers of women during a time when full-time work opportunities for women were scarce. LaJeunesse incorporated elements such as boys playing hockey, a curling target, and two women sewing to represent this legacy.
Regional art is showcased throughout, including terrazzo floors decorated with river and fish scenes, and an outdoor mural by artist Paul LaJeunesse that pays homage to the historic building that stood here and the things important to the community: mining, hockey, the environment and more.”— The Minnesota Star Tribune
The mural also emphasizes the community’s connection to nature, depicting spruce trees and a woman’s face to symbolize reverence for the Northland’s woods and the importance of environmental stewardship. This integration of industrial and natural elements underscores the community’s multifaceted identity.
Installed on the exterior of the Government Services Center, Northlands not only enhances the building’s aesthetic appeal but also serves as a visual narrative of Virginia’s history, celebrating the resilience and diversity of its people.