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Art to Change the World (ACW) is a diverse non-profit coalition of change makers employing the arts in service of positive social change.
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Message from the Director
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ACW Evolves
As some of you may have noticed, we are receiving a Vision award from the Northeast Minneapolis Arts District on Oct 2. I hope you noticed, I said WE. My dream of creating an arts organization which was a true collective seems to be working! ACW’s super-power AND Achilles Heel is the diversity of our membership. We are 18-103 and from every cultural and divergent point of view imaginable. Sometimes we disagree. It causes us to experience cognitive dissonance, which occurs when what you believe to be true is in direct conflict with what you see to be true. It happens when you realize that your truth is A truth- not THE truth. REAL social change can be affected when the participants collect data from each other, participate in authentic dialogue AND commit to action plans.
On October 1st, 20 leaders of ACW will be coming together for the first annual Project Management Training session. We will be identifying the policies, procedures and processes ACW will be using to plan for and stage our events. Having multiple trained project managers will kick ACW up into the next level of service. In the picture above you see my own hands making the heart for you.
Congratulations to YOU!
Barbara
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Two ACW Members Earn Northeast Minneapolis Arts District Vision Awards
You are Invited to the Party!
By Barbara Bridges
Join us on Oct. 2nd to celebrate ACW Board of Director member, Herman Milligan, and ACW Director, Barbara Bridges, as they are presented with a Northeast Minneapolis Arts District's Vision Award. It's very exciting to see ACW celebrated.
“When I decided I wanted to make one more contribution to the arts community in my sunset years, I reached out to several people to float my ideas. One was Craig Harris who then, and now, has been an invaluable resource for us. The second person who was instrumental in shaping what ACW is today was Herman Milligan. He is the source for the idea of our major donor (over $500) benefit. The famous (infamous?) Maine Seafood Chowda’ feed in my funky back yard has become an annual event. I fly the seafood in from Maine. More importantly, Herman has served on every board in town and seems to know everyone I need to meet! He is an accomplished musician and a Managing Partner with The Fulton Group, LLC, an independent consultant firm specializing in marketing research, competitive intelligence, non-profit organizational development, and culturally-specific initiatives. The success of ACW is as much his achievement as it is mine. Last, but not least, the powerhouse who is ACW Board chair, Layl McDill, has been instrumental to the success of ACW. ”
Read More about Herman: https://www.arttochangetheworld.org/herman-milligan
Read More about Barbara: https://www.arttochangetheworld.org/barbara-bridges
Read more about Layl: https://laylmcdill.com
Join us at the Ritz Theater, 345 13th Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413 on Monday, October 2nd at 6:00pm. This is a free event with no tickets necessary. You are also invited to meet and greet all the winners afterwards with FREE food and beverages two doors down at the Rogue Buddha Gallery. Nick puts on a good spread. Don’t miss it!
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ACW member Anna Karena will be Participating in this Competition
Art Battle - Minnesota
Bloomington, MN
Wisdom Gaming Studios
402 South Avenue
Friday, October 6th
Doors open to the public: at 7:00 PM Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door.
There are three rounds of 20 min paintings and the winners are determined by the audience. The more support the better. Attend and cheer for Anna!
More information can be found at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/art-battle-minnesota-october-6-2023-tickets-706775664037
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Call for Musicians, Dancers and Performers and a Designer for an Image for This Project!
Echoes of Tradition, is a remarkable showcase of local history, live music & dance. A captivating journey celebrating a harmonious fusion of Jazz, Latin, Modern Dance, Native American & Hip Hop intertwined to create an unforgettable cultural past and present Twin Cities experience. Echoes of Tradition includes an education/workshop component which will invite emerging artists to show what they have to bring to the conversation and earn an invitation to perform in the Echoes of Tradition Performance.
This will be an event staged at the Walker, Guthrie, Weisman, Orpheum or Luminary Arts Center at the MN Opera or a similar high-prestige venue. Participants will be working directly with Walter Chancellor and Kelly Frankenberg to design and implement the event. See Walter and Kelly’s bios below. Stipends will be paid to all performance participants. $300- $500.
Possible Dates:
Call for Participants by April 1 2024. Selection by May 1, 2024
Workshop June 2024
Echoes of Traditions Performance Late -September 2024
Contact info@arttochangetheworld.com f or more information.
Walter Chancellor Jr.
Professional saxophonist, multi-instrumentalist, educator, arranger, mentor and music producer. Walter Chancellor has been a mainstay in the Twin Cities contemporary Jazz and R&B music scene for the past 25 years. After constant touring during his formative years he decided to relocate to musically successful Minneapolis from Des Moines, Iowa and lesson the necessity of so much traveling to perform. Not long after his arrival in Minneapolis, Walter performed and recorded with Prince, earning him a Double Platinum Record for his participation on Prince’s “Emancipation” CD in 1996.
Additionally, Walter has performed, recorded and has shared the stage with such artists as Chaka Khan, Willie Nelson, Maceo Parker, Candy Dulfer, Chance Howard (Prince, Candy Dulfer & Brian Culbertson), Brown Mark Mazarati, Musiq Soulchild, Larry Graham, the late Louis Johnson, Cameo, T he Pointer Sisters, Bobby Lyle, The Platters and Producer greats as Chris “Big Dog ”Davis, Andre Fischer and Jack Douglas j ust to name a few.
Kelly Frankenberg ACW Assistant Director
Kelly has jumped into every kind of art she can find whether it’s music, film, fashion, painting, sculpture, glass, woodworking, or performance. Kelly’s travels across the globe are her inspiration for her photography and painting. Her abstract work comes from memory and her influential art comes from her passion for unity and inclusivity and reform in a world of vast cultural diversity. Her spiritual art comes from meditation and channeling the subconscious and source energy.
Some classes Kelly has taught include Drawing, Watercolor, Piano, Guitar, Clarinet, Critical Thinking, and other humanities and sciences. Her educational background consists of a BFA in Illustration from MCAD and a MFA in Creative Writing from the University of New Orleans with studies in Ireland, Scotland, and Italy in Poetry, Creative Non-Fiction, Screenwriting, and Visual Art.
Some local clients for books, illustrations, and murals have included Minnesota’s Governor’s Residence Council, Minnesota Children’s Theater, and the Islamic Center of Minnesota. Some national clients for live performances, courtroom sketches, and 3D art have included the National Architecture Convention, Fox National News, Macy’s, and Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.
Kelly’s work has appeared in film, TV, books, newspapers, magazines, on the radio, on walls, windows, pianos, mailboxes, and electrical boxes. During the year her work is displayed in solo and group gallery shows, and is for sale at local art festivals. She is currently finishing her screenplay and feature-length film. Www.kellyfrankenberg.com
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Art to Change the World’s Maker Space Project is Partnering with Emma Norton Services
Approximately twenty local artists will be selected by a jury process to create new or sell existing artwork for the Emma Norton Restoring Waters Call for Artists project. Each artist will have the opportunity to create or sell up to four artworks. Emma Norton Services provides transformational housing and growth for women and families on their journey of recovery. Restoring Waters will provide supportive housing to individuals and small families who have often experienced homelessness and trauma, and who have a mental health diagnosis, chemical dependency and/or other chronic health condition or disability. Read More: https://emmanorton.org. Best efforts will be taken to offer these opportunities to at least 50% BIPOC/LGBTQIA and other under-represented artists.
Emma Norton Services is looking to purchase approximately 80 medium size works @ $300 each (predominantly 2-D and hanging sculptures). Restoring Waters is being built through a trauma-informed lens and Emma Norton is seeking artwork that will promote healing and empowerment, while also helping residents feel safe and supported. (More details will be provided in the full Call for Artists to be available in November). The works will belong to the new Restoring Waters residents for their new apartments. There may also be opportunities to create or sell larger works for common spaces. In addition to creating artwork for residents, another objective is to create community among the residents and staff of Emma Norton and the ACW artists for further collaboration in the new space. You do not need to be an ACW member to apply. Help with applications provided. Applications will be reviewed by a diverse jury.
Read about the Maker Space Project: https://www.arttochangetheworld.org/maker-space-project/ Join this project if you want to really demonstrate how Art Can Change the World!
Artists interested in this project should post Layl McDill for more information layl@claysquared.com
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Artful Holiday Exchange
ACW is having a new, and, of course, FUN, annual event!
WHAT: -A celebration for new and old members to meet up.
-Launches of our new programs:
SWAP + Barter where we buy, sell, or trade services for art
Club Critique’s new vamped up style
ACW’s Kiosk with recycled art for sale
Winter Zoom Programming
-Opportunity to sell your work
-Opportunity to have your work critiqued
WHEN: November 19th 2-6pm
WHERE: Solar Arts Building 711 15th Ave NE Minneapolis
BRING: Yourself! (optional: business cards, art to sell or swap, art to critique)
Contact Kelly with questions. kellyfrankenberg@gmail.com
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THE ACW TASK FORCE
What is it?
Should YOU attend?
Here is what some members of the Task Force have to say about the monthly 1 hour online ACW meetings.
“Attending the task force meetings is an opportunity to stay abreast of current and upcoming ACW projects. By joining, I have found a fellowship of artists of all genres that can be called on to share ideas, project concepts and most of all, friendships.” -Becca David
“Being part of Art to Change the World has been fun and exciting. I enjoy being part of the action. The task force is where the action happens, decisions are made, plans created. Join us in our monthly meeting, it is great opportunity to collaborate with the community of ACW.” -Katie Palmer
“I enjoy the task force meetings because, in attending, I feel that I am truly engaged in the plan process and dynamic. It's always great to see plans that are followed through to the actual event/outcome. It's also fun to hear new proposals and to find out who is involved with what project. I enjoy witnessing the diverse set of skills and interests that the people in our community possess.” -Deb Ripp
If you’d like to be a part of the action and decision making, meet the members and leaders, ask questions, and get more involved, get on the invitation email list by emailing Barbara at info@arttochangetheworld.org Next Task Force Meeting is October 19th at 6 pm on Zoom.
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Colonization Conversations
by Laura Mann Hill - ACW Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator
Colonization has been a force on the globe for thousands of years and is a complex subject to unravel. My 13-year-old daughter and I recently attended a play that puts a personal story at the center of a this global issue. Despite her initial wariness about the topic, we left with so much to talk about it and she loved it. My lived experiences and relationship to privilege, race, gender, colonization, and other systems of oppression impacted my daughter and I differently - yet we found common threads to discuss. Approaching the ongoing harms of colonization through the lens of storytelling and theatre is one pathway toward new ways of existing on this planet.
Passage, by Christopher Chen is an Exposed Brick Theatre and Pillsbury House + Theatre collaboration and continues until October 15 with four talk-back opportunities with local organizations that dive deeper.
More info: https://pillsburyhouseandtheatre.org/passage
Decolonization is not a metaphor by Eve Tuck and K. Wayne Yang link and more included on https://decolonizethisplace.org/resources
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Art to Change the World has been invited to see the play ANON(YMOUS) by Naomi Iizuka
It is running from Nov 1 to 19 at Park Square Theater.
We have a chance to go together as a group to see this play. If you would like to join us email Layl@claysquared.com and she will put together a date that works for everyone interested. No charge! If you need transportation let Layl know.
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Join us for Melodee Strong’s Artist Talk OCT 29
Solo Exhibition Curated by ACW Member Lynnette Black
Melodee Strong is an artist, educator, children’s book author and illustrator who has painted dozens of community murals in the Twin Cities.
Exploring her identity and mixed cultural heritage, Melodee’s art uses the colors and symbols of her Peruvian immigrant mother, American Viet Nam veteran father, and her Minnesota roots.
Artist Talk October 29, 10:00 am - 10:45 am Plymouth Congregational Church, Minneapolis Main entrance on Franklin/LaSalle.
Exhibit up through December.
View her interview and murals along Lake Street Corridor:
https://youtu.be/u1laGUelWCE?si=wmhG_pAB78EMVieu
View Images and Artist Statement:
https://www.plymouth.org/explore/arts/
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Contact Frances Bates francesbates22@gmail.com with Questions.
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Record Release at Mojo’s Coffee Gallery!
ACW member Dave Dvorak is excited to unveil a brand-new music endeavor called WonderCurrent. Over the past 9 months, Dave has collaborated with the talented musician/producer J.J. Benson to create and record an album of fresh original songs with an intimate and introspective vibe. You are invited to attend the record release celebration on Sunday, October 15th, 6:30-9 p.m., at Mojo Coffee Gallery, 2205 California Street NE, Minneapolis. More information at www.wondercurrent.com
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The Art of Drag
By Frances Bates
Drag shows are about entertaining you of course, but our show happening on November 3rd will have a twist to it. Art to Change the World wants to teach people about how deep social justice runs in the history of the art of drag. The Art of Drag is an ACW intern project that I designed to show people an inclusive drag show experience.
This article will give you a sneak peek of some of the history you might learn during my drag show. Let’s start with what is drag – It’s an exaggeration of gender. An entertaining performance, a show, with incredible outfits, unique choreography, and fantastic makeup. Anyone can do drag whether you want to be a queen, king, or just an entertainer.
You can find many examples of drag throughout history. Some of the more influential people in drag are Annie Hindle, Crystal LaBeija, Divine, Marsha P. Johnson, Stormé Delarverie, William Dorsey “The Queen” Swann, and Willi Ninja. Some of the first documents drag performers were Annie and Swann. Marsha and Stormé were instigators in the Stonewall Riots. LaBeija was the founder of the first drag house and Willi was the creator of voguing. Divine was known for roles in Pink Flamingos and Hairspray as well as being the inspiration for Ursula.
Drag has always pushed the boundaries of what society is comfortable with but the drag community continues on. Starting in the 1860s you had drag balls, where participants took part in competitions, danced, and played around with ideas about gender. By the 1960s they had transformed into other styles of this party type drag which is when you get the creation of drag houses. These houses helped bring people together, so no one went hungry or homeless. Today a drag house is more about who you might be connected with in the drag world.
In 1965, the Imperial Court System was founded to build community in an anti-LGBTQ world. Then the Stonewall Uprising happened in 1969. This was during the time of the three-article law. People had to be wearing at least three items of clothing that matched their supposed gender otherwise they would be arrested. A well-known gay club called The Stonewall Inn located in New York was raided by police which sparked riots. The Stonewall Riots ended up becoming the first Pride march.
After that, we had the beginning of the age of RuPaul’s Drag Race starting in 2009. “It is a competition-style reality series where drag queens compete for the title of America's next drag superstar. Since the show's premiere in the U.S., it has inspired spin-off shows such as RuPaul's Drag U and RuPaul's Drag Race: All Stars as well as international incarnations including the UK, Australia, Canada, and other non-English-speaking countries around the world.” (2)
Now we have a variety of drag-related experiences going on. There are gay bars, drag brunches, drag story hours, and Pride marches/festivals. Depending on what you are in the mood for there is a drag performance for you. Looking to go to a drag show soon? Check out The Art of Drag on November 3rd from 7-10 pm at LUSH Lounge and Theater - 990 Central Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413.
More info: https://www.arttochangetheworld.org/the-art-of-drag/
Frances Bates (she/her)
francesbates22@gmail.com
https://francesbates22.wixsite.com/portfolio
Sources
(1) https://www.arttochangetheworld.org/the-art-of-drag-resources/https://www.cbc.ca/comedy/the-history-of-drag-on-screen-strutting-from-ancient-times-to-cbc-s-queens-1.5699542
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Book Release
Christi Furnas, release and reading of Crazy Fox Tales: Therapy Shopping. - Wednesday, October 4, 6-8 PM at Soo Visual Arts Center 2909 Bryant Avenue South #101, Minneapolis, MN.
In 2016, Soo Visual Arts Center hosted Christi’s first reading of her mini-comic; Crazy Like a Fox: Adventures in Schizophrenia. That mini-comic is now a full-length graphic novel, out from Street Noise Books in April 2024. With a generous grant from The Arc Minnesota, Christi’s new mini-comic, Crazy Fox Tales: Therapy Shopping is a 44-page comic that explores the frustrations of finding help from mental health professionals when it is needed. This is a light-hearted look at what the author has experienced while navigating the healthcare system and living with a chronic mental illness. There are a couple of swear words. FYI.
Christi Furnas is a queer cartoonist, illustrator, oil painter, and disability rights advocate. She has exhibited in galleries across Minnesota and in New York City. Her comics reflect her experience with schizophrenia. She lives and draws in Minneapolis.
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Expressive Painting in Glass
Oct/Nov '23 - Video/Zoom Package
Follow along as Tim teaches the step-by-step process of creating an abstract landscape in glass. Make your own image, OR use the provided 10" x 10” design and make the exact image that Tim teaches.
Long-term access to the 2.5 hr class video with 11 chapters where Tim Carey teaches his "Alla Prima" technique, using frit and premade material (NO SLIDERS) to create an abstract image
Two Zoom sessions, the first to watch a shortened version of the video and ask Tim questions. And the second, 4 weeks later, for a critique and discussion of your work
Detailed class syllabus and access to private Facebook Group
NEW! Tim will provide office hours, bi-monthly to discuss work in progress
Online Video Access is available October 6th
More info Potekglass Glass Team kara@potekglass.ccsend.com
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