Over a month, time was spent at the Minnesota Correctional Facility in Shakopee, engaging women in recovery and restorative justice programs. Participants shared their healing stories through portraits, leading to gratitude and self-reflection. This experience empowered voices, fostering healing and hope, culminating in an upcoming exhibit titled SOBR. Continue reading SOBR
We are sharing stories of addiction and recovery to inspire hope and healing. Recently, a public studio was established at a recovery event in St. Cloud, organized by the Recovery Community Network, featuring peer support, a meal, and entertainment. Thanks to the Minnesota State Arts Board for their support in this initiative. Continue reading SOBR
I spent a week in Grand Rapids, MN talking about legacy. I installed an exhibit at the Reif Performing Arts Center, visited high school classes, community groups, area churches. Throughout the week we set up public studios and asked, “What is the legacy you want to leave?” Read their answers below, and then scroll down to see a few shots of the public projection we … Continue reading Legacy
I tend to look forward more often than I look back. I’m driven by what’s around the next bend and curious to see the view from the top of the next mountain. I am predisposed to doing rather than being, although I’m doing my best to practice my own being in the midst of all the doing. So when I slow down to look at … Continue reading 2024 review
A Peace of My Mind’s work happens in seasons. We gather stories, we edit stories, and we share stories. Most often, the lines are blurred and we do all of those things all of the time, but one of those things always leads the way, and those seasons shift. During the pandemic, we were on the road for two and a half years. Most of … Continue reading Seasons
Earlier this month I attended a sober powwow on the Fond du Lac reservation. A celebration of recovery rooted in tradition and culture. We set up our studio and asked, “What has helped you move toward healing?” Also there, was Randell Sam, who I met a few years ago and interviewed him about his recovery and his work helping others find their way toward healing. … Continue reading Sober powwow
Lessons on the Road to Peace won the Minnesota Book Awards for best general non-fiction earlier this month. It was a wonderful affirmation of our 2-½ years on the road gathering stories from across the country and the daunting pace of writing and producing a 304-page book during most of 2023. It was also a welcome recognition of the power of the stories that people … Continue reading Winning
“When have you felt a sense of belonging?” That’s the question we asked in a small rural town in Minnesota. I’ve worked with the New York Mills Regional Cultural Center in the past. They hosted one of my earliest exhibits there a decade ago. I spent a couple weeks there for an artist residency while I was editing our American Stories book. So, when I … Continue reading Belonging 2.0
Here’s how the book was looking in the wee, dark hours of the morning today. All the pages have run through the press and are stacked on pallets, waiting to be assembled. I’ve spent much of my career producing images for magazines and newspapers, so there’s something familiar…comforting even…about walking out onto the pressroom floor, smelling the ink and hearing the hum of the rollers … Continue reading Press check
We’ve been working in North Minneapolis the past few weeks. A partnership with Northside Culture and the Center for Leadership and Neighborhood Engagement. We installed our American Stories exhibit to set the stage for storytelling, then we held several community studios and invited people to respond to the question, “When have you found strength in the midst of struggle?” People shared stories of losing loved … Continue reading Strength
