Before the first guitar chord rings out or the first encore brings thousands of fans to their feet, artists arriving at the new Mystic Lake Amphitheater in Shakopee will be greeted by something unmistakably Minnesota.
A vibrant new backstage mural, designed by illustrator Brent Schoonover and brought to life by muralist Adam Turman, serves as a colorful welcome to the Land of 10,000 Lakes—and a lasting tribute to the state’s creative spirit.
The collaboration began as something much smaller.
“The project originally started as just a poster commemorating the first year of shows at the new venue,” Schoonover explains. “As the poster began to take shape, Live Nation really liked it and asked if it could be turned into a mural.”
Schoonover adjusted the design to fit the wall, but the concept remained rooted in Minnesota iconography and pride. The centerpiece is a giant outline of the state, which carries a special purpose beyond simply looking good.
“The plan is for all acts to sign inside the shape of Minnesota, filling it up as the years go by,” Schoonover says.
The result is part guestbook, part artwork, and part time capsule.
While Schoonover is no stranger to celebrating Minnesota culture—Minnesota Monthly readers may remember his Nov/Dec 2024 cover illustration featuring Paul Bunyan playing pickleball with Babe the Blue Ox while Goldy Gopher cheered from the sidelines—he knew this project called for a collaborator.
“I am not the most experienced in creating murals, but luckily I’ve been friends with Adam Turman for a long time and suggested a collaboration,” Schoonover says. “We’ve talked about finding a project like this for a while, and it was awesome that he had time in his schedule to make it work.”
Turman was a natural fit. Known for his bold, colorful interpretations of Midwestern culture, the artist has built a devoted following by transforming familiar regional icons—from the Boundary Waters to Babe the Blue Ox—into instantly recognizable works of art. His murals can be found throughout Minnesota and across the Midwest, celebrating everyday places and traditions with a distinctly local perspective.
Together with his daughter, Mae, Turman tackled the bulk of the painting. “Him and his awesome daughter, Mae, went out and did the bulk of the painting, and I came in on the last day to help put some finishing touches on it,” Schoonover says. “Truly an awesome experience with a good friend and awesome artist.”
The mural arrives just as Mystic Lake Amphitheater prepares for its inaugural season. On June 20, the venue will officially debut with a $20 opening-night celebration featuring Motion City Soundtrack, Ber, Rocket Club, rising musicians from School of Rock, and hosting duties from St. Paul native and Saturday Night Live cast member Tommy Brennan. A portion of proceeds will benefit The Salt Cure Restaurant Recovery Fund.
The amphitheater’s first full season is expected to bring a steady stream of major touring acts to Shakopee, helping establish the venue as a new summer concert destination for the Twin Cities. Upcoming shows include Dave Matthews Band, Bob Dylan, Hilary Duff, Chris Stapleton, and more.
Long before those artists take the stage, however, they’ll pass through backstage and see a mural that instantly tells them where they are. It’s colorful, playful, proudly local—and soon it will be covered in signatures from musicians, comedians, and performers who help write the next chapter of Minnesota’s live music story.
Not a bad welcome to Minnesota.
