Annunciation memorial bows will become students' works of art

Eleanor Hildebrandt, The Minnesota Star Tribune on Oct 26, 2025

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The blue and green ribbons adorning trees and lampposts across the Twin Cities in support of those affected by the shooting at Annunciation Church and School soon will be made into an art project.

Bows of Love, the volunteer project that distributed and tied the bows, is beginning to remove them across Minneapolis. The organization is asking residents for their help in removing and preserving bows that are on public property.

Students from Annunciation, alongside their art teacher and a local artist, are planning to use the bows for an art project.

Residents who take down bows are encouraged to email Bows of Love regarding ribbon preservation. Volunteers should not drop off the bows at Annunciation Church. The church does not space to hold on to the ribbons.

The bows that are on public property will be removed by public works crews starting Oct. 31 since Minneapolis city ordinances limit how long memorials can be displayed.

“The city will not proactively remove the bows,” the city said in an email, “but may take them down if they come across them during their regular routes or routine maintenance.”

The volunteer group suggests anyone wanting to put up bows to tie them on private property moving forward.

Ribbon collection outside Minneapolis has also begun. The bows need to be cleared from Edina and Richfield before Nov. 8, according to the project’s website, and from St. Paul by Nov. 15.

A gunman opened fire on the Annunciation school children, staff and others at a back-to-school Mass at the church on Aug. 27, killing 8-year-old Fletcher Merkel and 10-year-old Harper Moyski, and injuring 28 others.

A benefit concert also is being held in St. Paul for the families affected by the shooting. The concert is set for 7:30 p.m. Oct. 30 at the Cathedral of St. Paul.

The concert is free and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to make a donation to the "Annunciation Hope and Healing Fund,” run by the Catholic Community Foundation of Minnesota.

According to the Cathedral of St. Paul, the donations will “benefit rebuilding efforts, families directly affected by the tragedy, and organizations supporting community recovery and safety.”

The Cathedral and St. Cecilia’s Children’s choirs, the Minnesota Orchestra, and the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra will perform.

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