Elk River Residents Can Enjoy a Public Art Piece by Contemporary Artist Carey Dean

The City of Elk River Economic Development Authority (EDA) debuted a new public art piece inside the Furniture and Things Community Event Center. The mosaic-inspired art, called Where Energy Flows, was created by Carey Dean and inspired by views of the Mississippi River in Elk River.

“I wanted to combine the ideas of the energy of the river, the dynamic downtown area, and the name Energy City that was given to this town in the late 90s,” says Dean.

This piece reflects the continued investment in public art by the EDA, which supports the quality of life of Elk River and highlights the beauty of this region of Minnesota. Learn more about this piece and why it is so valuable. 

Get to Know Where Energy Flows

Dean has embraced two art forms in her career. She creates realistic landscapes for various communities but has also explored abstract art. She thought an abstract mosaic would be a better idea for the City of Elk River because it captures the movement and energy of the region. The name, Where Energy Flows, actually came to her before the design.

“When I read the proposal, the first thing that came to mind was to do something with the river and river imagery,” says Dean. “When I think of the City of Elk River, the river is the first thing that comes to mind for me.”

Her plan was to do an abstract parallelogram mosaic that reflected the community. She went to the conservation areas and local parks but was really inspired by downtown. The mosaic is not one specific viewpoint in Elk River but rather inspired by the vibe of this city.  

“Carey Dean was a pleasure to work with,” says Josh Mollan, Economic Development Specialist for the City of Elk River. “She was clearly a professional who has done this before and it makes me look forward to working with other artists in the future.” 

This Piece is Made Possible Through a Central Minnesota Arts Board Grant 

The Elk River EDA took the first steps to create this public art piece in December 2023. It started with a request for proposals (RFP) to create art that reflects Elk River's history, community, and natural resources. Out of multiple applicants, Dean’s stood out to the Beautification and Public Art Committee who were tasked with reviewing the proposals and recommending a piece to the EDA. From there, the EDA applied for a grant from the Central Minnesota Arts Board (CMAB), which was reviewed and approved in May 2024.  

“We were already familiar with the application process and the organization, so it was an easy choice to apply for the CMAB grant,” says Mollan.

Once the grant application was approved, Dean was able to start work on Where Energy Flows. She recently finished the piece and debuted it in an official ceremony with the mayor, city staff, and members of the Elk River community. Any Elk River resident or visitor who stops into the Furniture and Things Community Event Center can appreciate the mosaic art and how it interacts with the space around it.   

Art is Valuable to Economic Development

The Elk River EDA has a history of budgeting for public art and, with the help of the Beautification and Public Art Committee, plans to continue prioritizing public art for the community.

“Our EDA believes public art is an asset,” says Mollan. “It gives people a reason to come to Elk River while also giving residents a better sense of community through art. The EDA is really excited to add to the existing public art inventory in Elk River.”

Mollan emphasizes that this public art piece is only one part of the Elk River arts community. Several creative individuals contribute to and help the arts ecosystem thrive. There is plenty of space for entrepreneurs to bring their art businesses and passions to the area and a strong local population that is eager to appreciate creative efforts.  

“Art is found throughout Elk River, from private studios and shows, to vendors at the farmer’s market and the various maker’s markets,” says Mollan. “This community is open to all sorts of artists and makers to share their work, sell their work, and grow their careers.” 

Discover Other Public Art Installations in Elk River

Where Energy Flows is a beautiful asset to the City of Elk River, but it is one of many public art installations across town. Explore other public pieces whether you are visiting Elk River for the first time or have lived here all your life. It is just one of many quality-of-life investments by the EDA, Chamber, and residents who care about this town. Elk River is a beautiful place to live, from the stunning natural environment to the public art creations by creatives who were inspired by it.

To learn more about what Carey Dean has to say about Where Energy Flows, check out this informative video. 

Where Energy Flows was made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Central MN Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.