Midtown Mural - The Moon Also Rises
Anna Johnson
Painted by Fargo-based artist Anna Johnson, this 9x46-foot mural stretches along the Southside Center strip mall at 1557 University Dr. S. Celebrating Fargo’s emerging cultural diversity, The Moon Also Rises weaves floral collage, landscape and moon imagery to honor Indigenous representation and spark community pride in a neighborhood beyond the traditional arts core.
The mural began with a conversation over cheese, when Anna overheard Luna’s owners discussing the possibility of public art. Having previously exhibited work inside Luna, she offered to collaborate on an outdoor piece and the project quickly gained momentum. Drawing from her background in printmaking and collage, Anna designed and painted the mural over eight weeks while managing the challenges of her first outdoor installation.
This project reflects Anna’s belief that public art should not serve as marketing or signage – it should belong to the people. With support from a community grant written by Luna co-owner Nikki, the mural became a symbol of accessibility, visibility and pride for the area’s Indigenous residents and wider community.