Sixteen large-scale alebrije sculptures have taken up residence on St. Paul’s Raspberry Island, transforming the riverfront into a zoo of multicolored, mythical creatures. Adorned with horns, wings, scales, jagged teeth and bulging eyes, the papiermâché animals are part of a new outdoor art show from the Minnesota Latino Museum.
The show “Alebrijes: Keepers of the Island,” features works by four Mexico City-based papier-mâché artists. It’s an ambitious project for the young museum, which is still trying to raise money for a permanent space.
The show faced a last-minute roadblock when the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) abruptly terminated a $30,000 grant on May 2, just weeks before it was installed. The grant was one of just two “Our Town” grants awarded in Minnesota in fiscal year 2024…