Public Art at Lake Superior College
Paul LaJeunesse
Title Praxis
Artist Statement
he word Praxis originates from Ancient Greek and can be translated as the exercise or practice of an art, science, or skill. This mural attempts to capture the energy and creative spirit of the community, reflect the natural beauty of the LSC campus and Northlands and honor the Native Peoples upon whose land the college is located. The imagery connects to Lake Superior College programs, mission, the landscape of the Northlands, and Anishinaabe cultural knowledge. The artwork is designed to be experienced as you move through the main foyer in a counterclockwise path. It begins on the narrow wall near the windows and ends on the largest wall opposite. While each
wall is visually distinct, the composition is intended to read as one continuous environment.
The first panel pairs imagery of manoomin (Zizania palustris, wild rice) and wheat, the source of sustenance and symbol of life, spirituality, place and identity for Anishinaabe and Western cultures, respectively. Presented together, they acknowledge both distinct cultures and their shared dependence on land. This panel connects around the corner with the Minnesota state tree, the red pine (pinus resinosa) grounding the artwork in regional ecology. These honor Anishinaabe knowledge of living systems, ecological sciences and our collective responsibility as stewards of the world we all share.
Above the doorway, the painted turtle shell evokes Turtle Island and Anishinaabe Creation teachings. Forms drawn from the Thunderbird reference spiritual power, protection, and the forces that maintain balance. These are layered over a Duluth sunrise alluding to change, renewal and growth. Positioned at a threshold, this panel marks entry into a space of learning not only as intellectual pursuit, but as development of mind, body, and spirit.
The next panel combines Lake Superior, mathematical shapes, Gaia, and the grass of manoomin, together representing abstract thought, creativity, and invention. Scientific and mathematical abstraction placed in relationship with land-based knowledge suggests that innovation emerges through a deep relationship with the natural world. The final panel captures the energy and activity of physical production, emphasizing that creativity is communal and is sustained through collective effort.
Shapes and colors extending beyond the foyer reference the contemporary Anishinaabe Medicine Wheel, reinforcing cycles of balance, interconnection, and holistic learning. The painting illuminates the creative process as a form of education rooted in relationship to land, to culture, and to one another. It invites recognition that Western institutions exist within Indigenous homelands and that honoring Anishinaabe knowledge is part of how we learn to live and create together with greater awareness and respect.
Location Floor 1
What is Public Art?
These projects were funded by the Minnesota Percent for Art Program through the Minnesota State Arts Board. This program acquires works of art to be exhibited in and around state buildings in areas regularly accessible to the general public. The program is administered by the Minnesota State Arts Board in cooperation with the Minnesota Department of Administration. Percent for Art secures artwork in two ways: by purchasing existing work, or by commissioning artists to create new work especially for the state building or site. In order to reflect the rich diversity of the citizens of Minnesota, the Percent for Art program chooses artwork that represents a wide range of social, cultural, and historical values.
How is Work Selected?
For each site, the Minnesota State Arts Board convenes a site selection committee made up of representatives who are users of the building, the architect in charge of the project, and artists or other arts professionals. The committee examines construction plans and determines possible locations for artwork, and then reviews the images of artwork by artists whose work might be appropriate for the project.
Art Transfer Pathway
The Art Transfer Pathway offers students the opportunity to complete an Associate of Fine Arts degree with course credits that directly transfer to designated art bachelor’s degree programs at Minnesota State universities. The curriculum has been specifically designed so that students completing this pathway degree and transferring to one of the seven Minnesota State universities enter the university with junior-year status.
Kat Ramsland Memorial Art Scholarship
Kat Ramsland was a beloved art instructor, touching the lives of hundreds of students. She taught digital photography, art history, art appreciation, and ceramics among others over her 14 years at Lake Superior College. Her tragic death has prompted friends and family to create the Kat Ramsland Memorial Art Scholarship.
