Hastings’ beloved 1998 “Welcome to Hastings” mural is getting a worthy successor.
Meet Kada and Dena, two talented local muralists who have been entrusted with the exciting task of helping to transform the historic downtown area of Hastings, Minnesota. Their creative vision and artistic skills are poised to breathe new life into the community, making the vibrant essence of the town shine even brighter.
Over the past two weeks, Quarry Taphouse owners Randy Stenger and a powerhouse duo of muralists—Kada Goalen and Dena Young—have been transforming the freshly refaced south wall at 106 2nd Street E. into a brighter, more detailed gateway to downtown. The project fuses local history with forward‑looking energy, invites the community to watch every brushstroke, and is already drawing visitors who linger for burgers, craft taps and a few throws at the restaurant’s one‑of‑a‑kind indoor Rock Range. hastingsjournal.news, quarrytaphouse.com, quarrytaphouse.com
A Landmark Re‑imagined
Why now? The original scene, painted by David Youngren and Tim Blough in 1998, had weathered badly; repairing the cracked masonry meant saying goodbye to a 26‑year icon. hastingsjournal.news Owner Randy Stenger explains that preserving a landmark feel was non‑negotiable: “We’ve gotta continue this tradition, so people still have a destination and a landmark for the city.”
Heritage in the Design
Kada and Dena met repeatedly with Youngren, mined the restaurant’s Facebook comments, and wove in crowd favorites such as City Hall, the Leduc Estate and the evolution of Hastings’ bridges. hastingsnow.com, hastingsnow.com, kada-creative.com, denajunecreations.com A tiny “easter‑egg” tribute to the 1998 mural hides in plain sight—locals will have fun hunting for it.
Meet the Artists
Kada Goalen – 20+ Years of Murals
A Twin Cities artist who studied in Italy, Kada brings two decades of large‑scale experience and her signature bold color theory to the wall. “Every mural is a new challenge … the bigger and more detailed, the better,” she told HastingsNow after a late‑night sketch session.
“Each project is unique, but what stands out about Hastings is the overwhelming sense of local pride. You can feel how much people care about this community, and that energy makes the work even more meaningful. The visibility and scale of this mural make it extra special. It’s not just public art, it’s a landmark. Being part of that is both humbling and inspiring.”
Dena Young – “One Brushstroke at a Time”
River Falls‑based Dena, whose community‑minded ethos has landed her on KSTP‑TV and local Facebook groups, says public art is “a chance to spark pride, connection and joy.”
“I painted my first mural in 2013, right out of high school. I was paid $500 and unlimited frozen yogurt - and at the time, I honestly thought that was the peak of my art career. I’ve loved art for as long as I can remember, a passion nurtured by my grandma Junie, who was an elementary school teacher. While I went on to earn a degree in Marketing Communications from the University of Wisconsin - River Falls, learning all about business and how to tell a brand’s story, I never imagined mural painting would circle back into my life in such a big way.”
Watch the Process Live
The duo works top‑to‑bottom, background‑to‑foreground, often projecting outlines under “milky Midwest moonlight,” then returning by day to layer in color and crisp linework. If you stop in during the next week or two, grab a patio seat, order from Quarry Taphouse’s just‑launched summer menu and watch art happen in real time. quarrytaphouse.com, quarrytaphouse.com
Pro‑tip: Check HastingsNow’s running photo galleries (Gallery 2–7) for progress shots and quick video interviews pinned at the top of each set. hastingsnow.com, hastingsnow.com
Community Canvas
From the start, the artists crowdsourced suggestions through social media threads where residents reminisced about the old wall and pitched new ideas. facebook.com That dialog exemplifies research showing that community‑driven murals strengthen place identity, increase foot traffic and even lift local revenue. researchgate.net, researchgate.net, researchgate.net
Beyond the Paint: A Full‑Circle Destination
Quarry Taphouse’s “blue‑collar‑bougie” vibe pairs scratch classics with Extreme Sandbox‑inspired fun—where else can you sip local craft beer, then hurl rocks at metal targets? quarrytaphouse.com, extremesandbox.com The new artwork completes the experience, turning the building itself into a selfie‑ready billboard for Hastings tourism.
How to Join the Story
Visit & Cheer – Drop by 106 2nd St E. this week; applause and questions fuel the painters.
Share Your Shots – Tag photos #QuarryMural and @HastingsNow for a chance to be featured in the next gallery update.
Bring the Kids – Hidden details (can you spot the spiral‑bridge cameo?) make a fun scavenger hunt.
Support Local Art – Follow @kada_creative and @denajunecreations, commission a mini mural, or tip the artists on site.
Why We’re Covering Every Brushstroke
HastingsNow launched a deep‑dive podcast on mural history to frame the project in a global context, then embedded nightly at the wall because stories are richer when readers witness them unfold. hastingsnow.com
