MINNEAPOLIS — Prince vetoed a statue, too concerned that people might deface it. But the unpredictable, controlling music icon was OK with somehow being commemorated in his hometown. Well before he died, he approved a mural that will finally come to fruition next month on a downtown Minneapolis parking ramp.
"This has been long, arduous, tedious process," said Sharon Smith-Akinsanya, the force behind the project. "We actually started figuring out a way to give him his roses while he was here. Of course, we had no idea that in 2016 we would lose him. We've been working on this for seven years. We're going to get it done."
The painting is scheduled to begin on May 16 on Ramp A, on First Avenue N. and Eighth Street, with a dedication and block party set for June 2. The public can view the progress on the exterior wall opposite the Hampton Inn & Suites.
