Now You Know Where The AICHO Building Downtown Is Located

Giclee reproductions of work by Rabbet Strickland can be found here.

For the past five years I have been writing and telling people about events at the AICHO, former YWCA that houses the newly named Dr. Robert Powless Community Center. All too often I'm met with blank expressions. "Where's that?"

Well, now we know. As you drive East on Second Street from Mesabi and past the courthouse, we've got a landmark. Here's the backstory from yesterday's DNT regarding the new mural on the West-facing side of the AICHO property.

Now that you know how to find it, I'll mention again the Indigenous Arts shop inside where you can find gifts and various items created by local

Detail from Leah Yellowbird piece.

artists and craftspersons.

KBJR also produced this account of the new mural.

But art is not the only thing happening here. Housing for homeless families has been created, along with a deepened sense of community.

When I met with director Michelle LeBeau last week I learned that AICHO now owns five properties, including a battered women's shelter and a new facility in the developing West End that includes a larger gift shop and laundromat, along with more housing. Low income housing is a critical need here in the Twin Ports.

Moira, on staff here, is a superfine artist in her own right.

"Creation Story" by Karen Savage.

Here's my original story on the mural, and what follows are some additional photos from the roof and inside the gift shop.

Meantime, art goes on all around you. Get into it.