We believe art is a tool for social change. Art can and has changed lives! Minnesota is a supportive arts state. However, not everyone feels welcome or included in traditional art spaces. We provide opportunities for people from various walks of life to engage with the visual arts, including bringing art to the people. We support the creating, exhibiting, and selling of artwork to benefit our projects and artists. We believe it's vital to listen to those who are othered, marginalized, over-looked, and use our privilege to create spaces and opportunities through our access points.
TEACHING ARTIST RESIDENCIES
Sarah Drake is a rostered* teaching artist with almost 10 years experience. She works with all ages and abilities to create a unique and safe learning experience. The target audiences of residencies are marginalized groups who don't typically have access to the visual arts, i.e., people of color, lower socioeconomic status, and various abilities. Although she is strictly an author and collagist now, Sarah teaches using paper, paint, and mixed media in creating.
HIGHLIGHTED RESIDENCIES
Symbols in African Arts* was a teaching artist residency by artist Sarah Drake with Mrs. Lyndgaard's 6th graders at Holdingford Public Schools (ISD738) to learn about symbols used in African arts. The residency went virtual in spring 2020 because of Covid-19, and with the cancellation of the exhibition during Fred Yiran African Arts Day, this video allows you to view their artwork. It also includes interviews with artists Bernard Tano and Harouna Ouedraogo.
Collaged Identities** was a teaching artist residency by artist Sarah Drake with Holdingford Public Schools and South Junior High School during the 2019-2020 academic year. It moved online because of Covid-19, and this video replaces the in-school exhibitions. Students were taught paper collage techniques but used whatever materials they had access to at home to tell their ancestry stories or share a story about a family tradition.
African Mural Art* was a teaching artist residency by artist Sarah Drake with BIPOC youth in the St Cloud area to learn the business side of art-making. They worked with the owner of African Yen to create murals that would reflect positively in the restaurant. Watch what they learned and created.
Sarah Drake is a rostered* teaching artist with almost 10 years experience. She works with all ages and abilities to create a unique and safe learning experience. The target audiences of residencies are marginalized groups who don't typically have access to the visual arts, i.e., people of color, lower socioeconomic status, and various abilities. Although she is strictly an author and collagist now, Sarah teaches using paper, paint, and mixed media in creating.
HIGHLIGHTED RESIDENCIES
Symbols in African Arts* was a teaching artist residency by artist Sarah Drake with Mrs. Lyndgaard's 6th graders at Holdingford Public Schools (ISD738) to learn about symbols used in African arts. The residency went virtual in spring 2020 because of Covid-19, and with the cancellation of the exhibition during Fred Yiran African Arts Day, this video allows you to view their artwork. It also includes interviews with artists Bernard Tano and Harouna Ouedraogo.
Collaged Identities** was a teaching artist residency by artist Sarah Drake with Holdingford Public Schools and South Junior High School during the 2019-2020 academic year. It moved online because of Covid-19, and this video replaces the in-school exhibitions. Students were taught paper collage techniques but used whatever materials they had access to at home to tell their ancestry stories or share a story about a family tradition.
African Mural Art* was a teaching artist residency by artist Sarah Drake with BIPOC youth in the St Cloud area to learn the business side of art-making. They worked with the owner of African Yen to create murals that would reflect positively in the restaurant. Watch what they learned and created.
MENTORING WITH ARTISTS OF COLOR (MAC)
MAC*** is a mentorship project for artists of color in the St Cloud area. It provides mentoring, learning, and network opportunities, so artists of color can build their portfolios, confidence, and networks to exhibit and sell their artwork. The broader community learns new perspectives through the artwork created by the artists and meeting them at exhibitions. By connecting those who are marginalized with the desired information and an opportunity to network with those who have knowledge and opportunities, artists of color become more visible, active, and feel more welcome in the St Cloud art scene.
ART EXHIBITIONS
Do you have a space that can house artwork? Art you an artist that needs space to exhibit your artwork? We help spaces and artists meet! We currently manage the Falcon National Bank art gallery and assist the coordination of the St Cloud Art Crawl.
Do you have a space that can house artwork? Art you an artist that needs space to exhibit your artwork? We help spaces and artists meet! We currently manage the Falcon National Bank art gallery and assist the coordination of the St Cloud Art Crawl.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Working with other organizations/events to create a better community is essential. We actively participate in annual events and well as many other community happenings.
Working with other organizations/events to create a better community is essential. We actively participate in annual events and well as many other community happenings.
- Dexter R. Stanton MLK Art & Essay Contest as part of the St Cloud MLK Community Celebration
- Operation Baby New Year
- Fred Yiran African Art Day
AWARDS
Salifoura Harmony Social Justice Art Award
This award is for artists in USA & Burkina Faso who use art to discuss social topics. The award honors Sarah’s friend from Burkina Faso, who has passed.
Polaha Service Award
This award is for people who give of their time and service to social causes. The award honors actor Kristoffer Polaha, who called his actor friends into action and has helped raise over $15,000 in 4 years.
Salifoura Harmony Social Justice Art Award
This award is for artists in USA & Burkina Faso who use art to discuss social topics. The award honors Sarah’s friend from Burkina Faso, who has passed.
Polaha Service Award
This award is for people who give of their time and service to social causes. The award honors actor Kristoffer Polaha, who called his actor friends into action and has helped raise over $15,000 in 4 years.
Special thanks to funders who have made these activities possible!
*This activity is made possible through a grant from the Central Minnesota Arts Board, thanks to funds provided by the McKnight Foundation.
**This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Central MN Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund, and also with support from the District 742's Equity Services Multi District Collaborative Council.
***Nine months of this activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Central MN Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund and funding from Voices Black Business Resource Group at Capital One. It currently is a volunteer program and as artists state a need.
*This activity is made possible through a grant from the Central Minnesota Arts Board, thanks to funds provided by the McKnight Foundation.
**This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Central MN Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund, and also with support from the District 742's Equity Services Multi District Collaborative Council.
***Nine months of this activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Central MN Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund and funding from Voices Black Business Resource Group at Capital One. It currently is a volunteer program and as artists state a need.
