The City of Northfield has approved a public art project for the Northfield Ice Arena as part of its “1% for the Arts” program. The total budget allocated for the project is $194,702, with approximately $165,000 currently under contract for artwork at the arena. The selected piece is planned as a large ceramic mosaic mural made from recycled and donated ceramic kitchen and bathroom tiles, as well as dinner plates, and is intended to be installed on the arena’s largest and most prominent wall. The artist has specifically outlined a request for donated recycled ceramic tiles and dinner plates to be incorporated into the design.

We, the undersigned members of the Northfield hockey community, including players, parents, coaches, and supporters, respectfully submit this petition regarding the mosaic tile mural chosen by city officials for installation in the Northfield Ice Arena.

While we support the value of publicly funded art and recognize the City’s efforts to enhance community spaces, many members of the hockey and skating community were unaware of the project until after the design had already been selected. The Northfield Ice Arena serves as a central hub for youth and high school hockey, as well as other skating programs, and represents decades of commitment, teamwork, and community pride.

Supporters of this petition feel the currently selected mural does not reflect the unique shared experiences, history, or accomplishments of the Northfield hockey community. Because of the arena’s importance to the athletes, families, and visitors who gather there, we believe artwork of this scale and prominence should better reflect the identity of the community that uses the facility most.

In addition, members of this community believe there are alternative approaches that would be both more relevant to the arena environment and significantly less expensive, while still celebrating Northfield athletics, skating programs, and community pride.

For these reasons, we respectfully request that the City pause the installation of the currently selected mural and restart the selection process. We ask that the City review artwork from other newly built or renovated ice arenas and create an opportunity for broader input from the Northfield hockey and skating community, the facility's primary users.

We believe that a more collaborative approach will lead to a result the entire Northfield community can support and take pride in.