In the library, there is an ongoing project to create a worm’s-eye view of several raptors of Minnesota. Based on the current trajectory, it will fly onto the library’s atrium in the second semester. The idea was born two years ago when Will Bohrnsen saw a flyer from Cornell Labs teaching about the raptors of North America. Bohrnsen leads the painting project along with Bethany Winter, whom he spoke to last year about recreating the various birds on the flyer out of cardboard.

The project encompasses many raptors. The flock in the atrium will only be raptors that live in Minnesota, rather than North America as a whole, as a learning opportunity close to home. Students have helped the raptors. 

The area where the finished birds will be displayed is going to be called a “vertical gallery,” and after the birds are taken down, there will be room to hang other art pieces, such as a dragon for Chinese New Year, streamers, or independent student art. Currently, the focus is on the birds. Bohrnsen said, “Birds are a really cool avenue to explore all different disciplines. People write literature about birds, and historical reports, and there’s a lot of cool scientific reports.” He hopes for the raptor project to be multidisciplinary.