Public Art & Community Engagement
Over the years, I have had the honor of collaborating with a diverse array of artists, businesses, and organizations to elevate visual arts initiatives in our community. My efforts have included advocating for and organizing gallery exhibitions, public art installations, and vibrant public events across cities like Burnsville, Lakeville, St. Paul, Minneapolis, and Brooklyn Center. Additionally, I have played a pivotal role in coordinating events aimed at economic revitalization along East Lake Street, thanks to the generous support from esteemed funders such as the Bush Foundation, Knight Foundation, and many others. Together, we are fostering a rich cultural landscape that inspires and engages our community.
During the installation of Art : Celebrating the HeART of the City with some of the Burnsville Visual Arts Society leadership and City of Burnsville Mayor Elizabeth Kautz
ART FETE XXXVI, XXXVII & XXXVIII - Celebrating the heART of the City
Art Fete art exhibit at the Ames Center gallery encouraged high school artists to participate, creating a youth category presented by long-standing art advocate Jeanne Fournier (1927-2022)
ART FETE XXXVI, XXXVII & XXXVIII - Celebrating the heART of the City
Art Fete art exhibit at the Ames Center Gallery
BVAS & the City of Burnsville. Public Art events during Art and All That Jazz & Fire Muster Kidz Korner Festivities
As a visual artist, community engagement, and event organizer, providing intergenerational experiences to underrepresented groups, including the elders, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ community, is one of my most significant accomplishments.
Until the COVID-19 restrictions lifted, we invited the community via social media to pick materials for a six-month online art cohort.
I served, facilitated and lead as the Arts and Culture Engagement Coordinator at CLUES to promote resilience and wellness for the City of Minneapolis and St. Paul.
2020 brought a new set of challenges. To help overcome some of them, I promoted the Rainbow Campaign to instill ESPERANZA (hope) in the community by inviting children and their families to color rainbows and then place them in their windows. In collaboration with CLUES Arts and Culture Department, artist Flor Soto's paper flower-making skills created this public art installation outside gallery walls.
I organized socially-distanced outdoor events with the Entre Mujeres (Between Women) Youth Program leader to complete a youth mural in the Summer of 2020 at CLUES, St. Paul.
The mural described society's acceptance of shaming women at a young age and encouraged them to raise a healthier inner voice.
Art creation in collaboration with Monica Vega, Flor Soto, & E. Lake St community members. Installation @ Chicago and E. Lake Street, Minneapolis.
Served as leader in charge for Celebrating our Shared Waters for the Phalen Creek Project installation at the Swede Hollow Park
CLUES Mural Apprenticeship program with several Latin artists: Cadex Herrera, Raquel Calles, Xena Goldman, Jessica Estrada, Mirella Espino, Gustavo Lira,Claudia Valentino and many more.
Panamanian News with Artist Aristides Urena Ramos mural
I have had the pleasure of participating speaking engagements, and serving as juror for both Lakeville Arts Center and the 2021 East Lake Street Celebration. These have enriched my understanding of community engagement the arts, allowing me to contribute meaningfully to local initiatives.
Media Highlights
Collaboration and Partnership
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Multiple artists and community participants
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City of Burnsville
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Burnsville Fire Muster
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Art and All That Jazz
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Burnsville Visual Arts Society
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Northrup King Building Studio
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CLUES
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City of Minneapolis Great Street
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Midtown Global Market
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Chicano Latino Studies Departments (UMN)
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Lake Street Businesses
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Camino
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COPAL / Radio Jornera
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EL Colegio High School
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Minnesota Humanities Center
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Mexican Museum of Mexican Art
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Weisman Art Museum