Grygla Coop mural painted in Hallock

Last fall, Betsy Saurdiff, Cheryl Sistad and Amy Holte began working on grants for the Grygla Centennial from the Northwest MN Arts Council. They contacted Beau Bakken, of Hallock, MN, back in October of 2016 because Betsy knows him and knew that he had painted murals for cities in NW Minnesota. Bakken agreed to paint a mural for the Centennial celebration and you’ve probably seen it (and been in awe of it) on the side of the Grygla Coop grocery store. 

Beau Bakken is the Northwest MN Arts Council 2016 Artist of the Year. He learned art creation from his father, artist Rock Bakken, but also credits his sixth-grade teacher with his favorite lesson: “Paint what you see, not what you think you see.” Beau says he has always done pencil drawings from as far back as he can remember and started painting in his early 20’s. He sold his first painting about ten years ago. Over the years, he has been interested and influenced in his art by things like Japanese Manga comics to 40’s advertising to pixelated videogame art. His artwork includes wall murals throughout the NW MN region and award-winning acrylic paintings. 

A grant was written specifically for the mural and was later approved and funded. Bakken received the original photo and designed a mural 16 feet by 8 feet. It was painted in his garage on four 4x8 sheets of plywood and sealed to protect it from the weather. He also made a 2x4 frame to go around it. Beau arrived in Grygla to hang it on Saturday, August 19th, with help from Lee & Betsy Saurdiff, Wayne Thomas and Amy Holte. It was quite the sight to see and was hung right in time for the Grygla Centennial celebration that was held August 25-27.