Leading Latino Artist Receives Big Honors

Hopkins-based Jimmy Longoria mentors teens and builds peace with community-created murals.

Hopkins Artist Jimmy Longoria Getting Widespread Attention

He’s being recognized with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board’s ‘Living the Dream’ award and is showing his works in a variety of venues.

You may have caught Jimmy Longoria’s work when it was shown at the Hopkins Center for the Arts. But the Hopkins artist isn’t exactly confined to pristine galleries. He’s best known for using murals to combat gang violence. He partners with residents in rough neighborhoods to paint colorful, swirling murals that make it nearly impossible for gang members to see rival graffiti. Last summer, he worked with Minneapolis’ STEP-UP Summer Jobs Program to help youth develop work skills. He even painted the Obama field office and saw one of his works used on an exclusive batch of messenger bags given to corporate executives. Longoria’s work hasn’t gone unnoticed. The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board has awarded him this year’s “Living the Dream…

•  1 Comment
• Photos (1)

Hopkins Artist Decorates Obama Field Office

Jimmy Longoria painted a mural in the Mainstreet location.

The west metro regional field office for President Barack Obama’s reelection campaign will have a little more color thanks to a Hopkins artist. On Wednesday, Jimmy Longoria and others finished a mural in the soon-to-be-open field office at 1007 Mainstreet. The mural combines Longoria’s characteristic swirls, used in other areas to combat gang graffiti, and Obama’s campaign logo. The office’s grand opening is scheduled to take place from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. March 27. Minneapolis Mayor RT Rybak will be the featured speaker, Longoria said.

• Photos (1)