May 9th at 5:30PM

Paul LaJeunesse creates large-scale, site-specific murals that reflect the historic, identities, communities and locations. His work is rooted in research, collaboration and storytelling. Through his process he transforms public spaces into a shared narrative.

“My research revolves around the concept of place and how places are assimilated with personal values to create meaning for our lives.”

Join us to welcome this talented artist into the Halcyon House gallery. Meet Paul, drink some tea, have fun, look at inspiring art.

Framed prints available for purchase for a limited time at Halcyon House.

• Framed: $150
• Print Only: $75

Paul LaJeunesse: Contemporary Landscape Painter and Public Mural Artist

First and foremost, Duluth-based artist Paul LaJeunesse has established a distinguished career spanning fine art education, international fellowships, and massive public art installations. His academic journey culminated when he received his Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in painting from Bowling Green State University in 2006. Shortly after earning his degree, his technical mastery earned him the prestigious Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation grant. Consequently, this initial success paved the way for a 2007 Fulbright fellowship in Iceland, where he fully immersed himself in creating a celebrated body of Nordic landscape paintings.

International Exhibitions and Academic Leadership

In addition to his early-career milestones, LaJeunesse has developed a prolific exhibition record both nationally and internationally. For instance, he has held solo fine art exhibitions in states like Oregon, Idaho, Washington, Missouri, Indiana, and Minnesota, as well as solo showcases abroad in Iceland. Furthermore, his work has been featured in high-profile international group exhibitions, specifically within major cultural hubs like Saitama and Tokyo, Japan.

Alongside his studio practice, LaJeunesse is a highly regarded fine art educator. Over the years, he has shared his expertise across multiple institutions, having taught at:

• Western Oregon University
• Georgia State University
• The College of St. Scholastica
• Leading creative spaces like the Anderson Ranch Arts Center and The Grand Marais Art Colony

Currently, he serves as an Assistant Professor of Painting at the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD), where he continues to mentor the next generation of contemporary painters.

Community Impact Through Public Art and Murals

Meanwhile, LaJeunesse has significantly expanded his creative footprint into the realm of community-driven public art. To date, he has designed and executed seven major site-specific public murals, along with numerous collaborative community paint projects. By utilizing research, public collaboration, and historical storytelling, his large-scale murals actively transform ordinary public venues into deeply meaningful, shared spaces.

Ultimately, whether working on a canvas or a city wall, his artwork investigates the intricate relationships among individual memories of time, space, and place. In this way, he uses visual storytelling as a medium through which we assign meaning to our human experiences and actively construct our sense of identity.