Hastings’ New "Welcome" Mural: A Community Masterpiece Honoring Past, Present and Future
Mary Fasbender, Mayor of Hastings, Minnesota, and Randy Stenger, owner of The Quarry Taphouse & Rock Range, share their thoughts on the spectacular new mural that has recently been unveiled in the heart of historic downtown Hastings, Minnesota. Both express their enthusiasm for the vibrant addition to the community’s cultural landscape.
HastingsNow.com — Published August 5, 2025
Cross the Highway 61 bridge into Hastings today and you’ll encounter an explosion of color where a weather‑worn wall once stood. On July 10, 2025, muralists Dena Young and Kada Goalen signed their names to a new “Welcome to Hastings” mural on the south wall of The Quarry Taphouse & Rock Range. Their signatures marked the end of a six‑week community art project — and the beginning of a fresh chapter in Hastings’ visual identity.
This is the story of how a small Minnesota city rallied to refresh a beloved landmark, why two young artists were entrusted with the task, and how a mural became a canvas for community pride.
Farewell to a Faded Friend
For 26 years, a panoramic riverfront scene painted by local artists David Youngren and Tim Blough greeted drivers crossing the bridge into downtown. Their 1998 mural celebrated Hastings’ Spiral Bridge, riverboats and historic buildings. It grew into a sentimental landmark — a backdrop for prom pictures and family selfies — and “became as much a part of Hastings’ identity as the bridge itself”.
Time and Minnesota winters, however, took their toll. By 2024 the stucco wall was cracking, its paint had faded, and the building (now The Quarry Taphouse) needed repairs. Because the masonry work required stripping the paint, the beloved mural had to come down. As Youngren said later, he and Blough were lucky to watch their artwork “get old and worn out” — an experience not every muralist gets to witness. With the old scene gone, Hastings faced a decision: replace the wall with blank stucco or reimagine a welcome message for a new generation.
Passing the Torch: Enter Kada Goalen & Dena Young
Rather than repaint the same scene, Stenger commissioned two professional muralists to design and execute a new artwork that would honor the past while looking toward the future. Kada Goalen, a Twin Cities artist with two decades of large‑scale experience and classical training in Italy, approaches every mural as a unique challenge. She told HastingsNow that what stands out about Hastings is “the overwhelming sense of local pride”. Dena Young, based in River Falls, began painting murals right out of high school in 2013. She sees public art as “a chance to spark pride, connection and joy”.
These two artists were chosen not only for their skill but also for their community‑minded ethos. They met several times with original painter David Youngren, pored over Facebook comments and suggestions, and wove “crowd favorites such as City Hall, the Leduc Estate and the evolution of Hastings’ bridges” into their concept. When Youngren checked their portfolios, he was relieved. He discovered that the pair’s vibrant public art “eased [his] mind immediately” and that the beloved welcome mural was being reborn by artists who respected its importance.
Painting with Purpose: From Design to Brushstrokes
The muralists’ collaborative process began long before any paint touched the wall. They worked with Quarry Taphouse owner Randy Stenger, the Hastings Area Historical Society and the city’s Arts & Culture Commission to develop a theme that would capture both history and hope. Their original sketches were posted online, inviting locals to weigh in on “must‑have” elements. According to Dena, they collected community feedback, sifted through comments (some heartfelt, some humorous) and even kept a spreadsheet of ideas to incorporate.
The final design is a vivid time‑capsule: City Hall and the LeDuc Historic Estate anchor one side; silhouettes of cyclists, Vermillion Falls and eagle‑filled skies depict outdoor life; and portraits of the new High Bridge and old Spiral Bridge acknowledge the town’s transportation heritage. The artists also hid three “Easter eggs” for locals to discover:
A Gumby and Pokey silhouette above the letter “a,” honoring the clay figurines once manufactured in Hastings.
A tiny bridge kitten tucked onto the bridge railing, a nod to the story of a stray kitten rescued from under the bridge and adopted by the community.
A small raccoon peering from a City Hall window — in honor of the Hastings Raiders’ old raccoon mascot.
From June 6 to July 10, passers‑by watched the muralists work daily. The duo projected outlines onto the wall under “milky Midwest moonlight,” then returned by day to fill in color. Dena later shared that the fine detail work — painting waterfalls, buffalo florals and butterflies — felt quick and enjoyable, while the seemingly simple crisp lines (like the cyclist’s silhouette or the highway map) “took hours and hours to get right.” Kada’s favorite tool on this project was a level, indispensable for maintaining perspective and clean lettering. Both artists credit their “fabulous synergy” for making the large‑scale project feel seamless.
Community Canvas: How Hastings Came Together
Public art only thrives when the public takes ownership, and Hastings embraced the mural from day one. Dozens of residents stopped by in the first hours of painting; Dena remembers that her mother‑in‑law was the very first visitor, with a representative of the Historical Society and Mayor Mary Fasbender following close behind. Throughout June, children on scooters, retirees with cameras and out‑of‑town visitors paused to watch the artists layer in color. Families picnicked at The Quarry’s patio just to get a front‑row seat.
The City of Hastings and The Quarry Taphouse backed the project financially through the Community Investment Fund, a grant program designed to support projects that improve public spaces. In his April finance report, the city manager recommended allocating $30,000 toward the mural, with the restaurant matching funds — a joint effort that underscores how businesses and municipal programs can collaborate to beautify downtown. Mayor Fasbender praised the project as “visionary” and noted that the Community Investment Fund is helping Hastings “check things off of our list” while supporting creative projects.
HastingsNow’s coverage also played a role in building momentum. Photographer/Videographer Ashley Slapnicher captured thousands of images, posting daily galleries on HastingsNow.com for those who couldn’t make it downtown. Drone pilot Rob Grosse provided aerial footage that showcased the mural’s scale and context along the riverfront. Social media lit up with hashtags like #QuarryMural as locals shared selfies and progress shots. Comments ranged from “beautiful!!” to “I love it so far!!” and even the original artist David Youngren dropped by to marvel at the projection technology and speed of the modern process. As our sister site’s deep‑dive podcast noted, community‑driven murals like this strengthen place identity and can even lift foot traffic and local revenue.
A Living Landmark Built to Last
Although the new mural honors the past, it’s built with the future in mind. Advances in materials mean today’s exterior paints are far more durable than those available in 1998. The artists used high‑quality, weather‑resistant pigments designed to withstand Minnesota weather. Original muralist David Youngren believes that with proper prep and superior paint, “this painting could still be here in 50 years”. In other words, the community’s investment isn’t just for the next few summers — it’s for future generations who will grow up seeing the same warm welcome when they cross the bridge.
The project also demonstrates Hastings’ broader commitment to public art. The city’s Arts & Culture Commission has been exploring locations for additional artwork, even along Highway 61, which is slated for redevelopment. Recent years have already brought a nature‑themed mural of hawks and wildflowers on Second Street, and the Commission is soliciting designs for a massive Civic Arena mural to greet hockey fans at Highway 61. In this context, the Quarry Taphouse mural is part of a growing movement to embed art into the fabric of Hastings.
Scenes from Signing Day: July 10, 2025
On the final afternoon, Mayor Mary Fasbender returned to the site, delighted by how the finished mural “captivated the whole community” with its variations of Hastings life. She said she looks forward to seeing people stage photo ops and discover the hidden treasures embedded by the artists.
Dena Young reflected on the painting process, admitting that the simplest shapes often proved the most challenging and that the support of family, officials and random passers‑by fueled her. She hopes locals will have fun hunting for Gumby, the bridge kitten and the raccoon.
Kada Goalen emphasized how seamlessly she and Dena collaborated and encouraged aspiring muralists to reach out to experienced artists like her. “Say yes to everything in the beginning of your career,” she advised, adding that she’s eager to mentor the next generation.
Business owners Randy and Sara Stenger shared how meaningful it was to play a part in Hastings history. Randy noted that investing in the community is “always a good thing” and that the mural helps The Quarry Taphouse reflect better on the town. Sara, who grew up nearby, lit up at the thought of future kids driving over the bridge and seeing the mural just as she did decades ago. Their willingness to sponsor the project — and to invite artists to work as a team rather than compete — demonstrates how local businesses can be catalysts for public art.
Gratitude and Next Steps
The new mural is more than paint on stucco; it’s a love letter to Hastings. It celebrates the Mississippi and Vermillion Rivers, honors historic architecture and invites viewers to imagine themselves biking the trails or fishing the waters. It was made possible by the city’s forward‑thinking Community Investment Fund, the dedication of The Quarry Taphouse owners, the talent and collaboration of Dena Young and Kada Goalen, and the enthusiasm of a community that stopped by to cheer them on. Special thanks also go to Rob Grosse for his stunning aerial videography and Ashley Slapnicher for her daily photography; their documentation has created a visual archive of the project.
As the paint cures and the signatures dry, the next chapter begins. HastingsNow invites everyone to visit 106 2nd Street E., stand before the new mural, and see which details speak to you. Bring the kids and let them hunt for Gumby& Pokey, the bridge kitty and the raccoon. Snap a selfie and share it with #QuarryMural. Order a burger or a craft beer inside The Quarry, then toss a rock at the Rock Range and toast to a job well done.
Finally, look ahead: with the Arts & Culture Commission eyeing future projects and the Civic Arena mural on the horizon, Hastings is positioning itself as a small town with big art ambitions. Our new mural not only says “Welcome to Hastings”; it declares that our community values creativity, heritage and the joys of working together. Here’s to another 26 years — and beyond.
