The Northfield Arts and Culture Commission and the Friends of Downtown Northfield are pleased to announce the winning design for new downtown banners in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. Corn Connections by Constanza Ocampo-Raeder and sons Emiliano and Joaquin was selected by a volunteer public art review committee in July out of 12 outstanding submissions from local and regional artists.

The banner depicts different kinds of corn that bear significance and speak to cross-cultural connections: Joaquin and Emiliano’s favorite Oaxacan corn (purple), sweet corn (yellow), and heritage Native American popcorn (red). The sun represents both the beautiful sunsets as well as the joys of eating corn tortillas with every meal.

The banners will be displayed on light poles along Division Street in time for Northfield’s sixth annual Hispanic Heritage Celebration on September 15, remaining for Hispanic Heritage Month and into November.

A brief dedication will take place at the Third Thursdays Downtown event hosted by Friends of Downtown Northfield and Riverwalk Market Fair on September 21 at 6:30 p.m. Remarks by Mayor Rhonda Pownell and Arts and Culture Commission Chair Paula Granquist will be provided in Spanish and English.

Hispanic Heritage Month, observed September 15 to October 15, is an annual celebration of the histories, cultures and contributions of Americans whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America or other regions that identify with the aforementioned cultures.

Learn more about the artist and design in the banner’s virtual dedication video.