On Memorial Day, 2012, an explosion ripped through the Verso Paper Mill causing the death of one worker and injury to several others. This explosion also led to the permanent closure of the mill. The Sartell Mill Art Project was born out of a desire held by community members to memorialize the plant, its former employees and its importance to Sartell’s history.

The Project has empowered a team of local artists and fabricators to repurpose materials taken from the mill into art pieces. Artists were able to tour the plant during the demolition in order to remove some of the most interesting pieces, including gears, metal pieces and a large part of a metal coal chute. Finished pieces will be installed in Watab Park, Val Smith Park, and at a location near Sartell City Hall.

Artistic Team

Heidi Jeub, Artistic Lead

Kyle Fokken, Public Artist and Sculptor

Christopher Zlatic, Painter

Joshua Fay, Painter and Sculptor

Joe Schulte, Community Leader, Welder, Sartell HS Teacher

Process documented by photographers Todd Myra and Bill Jones

 

Fabrication Team

 

Bob Craven, Northside Welding

Jacob Smith

Sponsors

City of Sartell

Northside Welding

Former Mill Workers Alumni

Sartell American Legion

Karel and Mike Helgeson

Xcel Energy

Roland Weis

AIM

Lions Club

Community supporters

HBH Consultants

Retired Firefighters of Sartell

Dennis and Rose Molitor

Ryan Fitzthum, CH Robinson

Judy and Michael Murray

Anita Rasmussen


Research and Background Information:

For information on the Sartell Paper Mill, please visit our friends at the Stearns History Museum or the Benton County Museum! 

Visit us on Facebook for relevant information on supplies, history and news related to the mill:

www.facebook.com/sartellmillproject

Press

Sartell Newsleader http://www.thenewsleaders.net/2014/07/31/former-mill-workers-memories-needed/

St. Cloud Times http://www.sctimes.com/story/news/local/2014/07/28/artists-hear-stories-former-sartell-mill-employees/13266127/