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Our Story
In the aftermath of George Floyd's murder, the urgent need to rescue the city's influential street art became clear. Kenda Zellner-Smith, a then 23-year-old Minneapolis resident, led the charge despite her inexperience in formal preservation. With a groundswell of community support, she saved over 500 plywood boards and murals—tangible records of the 2020 uprising.
Driving through the streets of my community seeing anger, pain, fear, and hope expressed on the plywood boards mounted on buildings throughout the city became my way of coping with the violent reality we were living.
These plywood canvases became resistance art that portrayed the pain of our community in response to the unjust murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer.
I recognized their potential as tools for healing, learning, and reflection, unbound by location. I envisioned activating these boards throughout the Twin Cities—at exhibitions, community events, workshops, and speaking engagements—to foster dialogue and reflection on their vital role as a testament to our stories and our resistance against state-sanctioned violence.
Our Vision
Save the Boards exists to preserve and share the powerful stories within street art, uplifting artists and creating accessible spaces for community reflection. We foster personal connections with street art through shared experiences and narratives. We ensure these boards continue to resonate through digital preservation and public reactivation.
Our Values
Art has historically been a response to social unrest, sparking vital conversations on racism, cultural understanding, and justice. We acknowledge that museums have often perpetuated marginalization. In preserving these street art pieces, we are committed to confronting the biases and inequities that have historically influenced the presentation and preservation of art.
