Thanks to Zak’s Auto Service and Bisanz Brothers for their support.
Artist Ifrah Mansour, Dakota County’s Artist in Residence through the statewide Minnesota Parks Artist in Residence program, will lead multiple weaving workshops called “Weaving Abundance,” a multi-site participatory public art project. Held at locations including Thompson Park, the workshops invite people to connect with the land, local materials, and one another through weaving.
Where and when:
- Workshop: Lebanon Hills Regional Park on Saturday, July 26 and Sunday, July 27 from 10 a.m.-noon
- Workshop: Thompson County Park on Saturday, Aug. 9 and Sunday, Aug. 10 from 10 a.m.-noon
- Community celebration: Spring Lake Park Reserve on Friday, Aug. 22 from 4-8 p.m.
- Self-guided tour: Spring Lake Park Reserve on Saturday, Aug. 23 and Sunday, Aug. 24
What to bring: Admission is free, and all ages are welcome. Materials will be provided; however, the events are outside, so dress for the weather.
About the artist: Ifrah Mansour is a Somali artist who creates nature-based art, specializing in weaving. She uses locally sourced materials and draws inspiration from her cultural heritage and connection to nature. She aims to inspire creativity and community connection through her art.
“I want people to reimagine things that they would put in the trash and make something beautiful with it,” Mansour said. “We want to remind people that we are abundant and we have the capacity.”
What to expect: In the weaving workshop, participants will create art using natural and everyday materials, learning to weave and transform waste items into functional pieces. The workshop is hands-on, family-friendly, and designed to help people discover creativity by exploring ideas like abundance and sustainability.
“I hope people feel wonderful, accomplished, at home, whole, and inspired at the end,” Mansour said.
Aug. 13, 2025 Update: Abundance Eggs
Here’s a look at temporary art in Thompson Park from last weekend’s Weaving Abundance workshops. These Abundance Eggs were created by Ifrah Mansour and travel with the exhibit. They’ll move to Spring Lake Park next week for the final exhibit.
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(Photo credit: Bakar Elmi and Ifrah Mansour)