By Joey Peterson —
Leslie Barlow, a 2011 University of Wisconsin-Stout graduate, has been one of 34 artists to feature their artwork at the new Minnesota Vikings football stadium. Barlow was one of the artists selected from almost 1100 artists that submitted their work. The new stadium, U.S. Bank Stadium is set to open in 2016 and is also scheduled to host the Super Bowl, two years later in 2018.
Barlow grew up in the Minneapolis area, before earning a degree in Studio Art with an emphasis in painting, and minoring in business. She is also currently in school in the Masters of Fine Arts at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design while also working as a gallery manager.
This opportunity was presented to her and she took full advantage of it. “I think someone had sent the call for artist’s online link to me on Facebook, I can’t remember exactly, but right when I saw it I applied immediately,” As for the process of applying for this opportunity to showcase her work, she applied like she would have for anything else. “I applied to have my artwork in the Vikings stadium like I would apply for any sort of gallery show or feature, in the hopes that the selection panel enjoyed what they saw,” said Barlow.
“The Vikings put out a call online for artist submissions and I sent in my work. I honestly didn’t know what to expect, or how many people were submitting artwork, or what my chances were,” said Barlow. “It turns out around 1100 people applied with their artwork, and I just happened to be one of the lucky ones that got an email back.”
As for what the paintings will be of, Barlow is still unsure exactly of all the details that go along with them. “I am painting a series of six portraits of iconic Vikings players. They will be 24″ x 24″ each,” said Barlow. She is unsure of who the iconic Vikings players will be other than she knows one of the paintings will be of Viking player Cris Carter who played for the team from 1990 through 2001 and is now an ESPN analyst.
Additionally, Barlow is not exactly sure where each of her paintings will be placed in the new stadium “They haven’t revealed to me yet where the paintings will be in the stadium. They could honestly be anywhere” said Barlow.
