CURRICULUM VITAE
EDUCATION
2006
Minneapolis College of Art and Design, Minneapolis MN
Bachelor of Fine Arts- Illustration
2017
University of Minnesota, Minneapolis MN
Certification- Project Lead the Way, Design and Modeling
2020
University of Minnesota, Minneapolis MN
College of Education and Human Development
Masters in Arts Education- Visual Arts K-12
MURALS AND COMMUNITY ENGAGED PROJECTS
2023 Project 365 - Northside Youth Mural Project - Sanctuary Covenant Church, Minneapolis MN (CRF 2022 Grant), 35' x 8.5'
Latino Migration Mural - St. Paul City School, St. Paul MN 4' x 6'
(upcoming) 1229 East Lake Street Building, Minneapolis MN, 3,000 sq. ft.
(upcoming) Parks for All Mural - Cleveland Park, Minneapolis MN (Forecast Grant)
(upcoming) Community Banner Project - First Universalist Church, Minneapolis MN
(upcoming) Bymore Supermercado Mural Project - St. Paul, MN
(upcoming) Minneapolis Street Fest, Minneapolis MN, 12' x 6’
(upcoming) Twin Cities Marathon Family Day - St. Paul, MN
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2022 1418 East Lake Street, Minneapolis MN 600 sq. ft.
927 West Broadway Building, Minneapolis MN, 2,200 sq. ft.
Pillsbury Communities- North Market, Minneapolis MN, 9’ x 9’
Minneapolis Street Fest, Minneapolis MN, 12' x 6’
Festival for Change, Live Painting, Roseville MN
Twin Cities Marathon “Art-a-thon” Live Painting, Minneapolis MN
Nordic Building- Bike Storage Room, Minneapolis MN, 1,100 sq. ft.
Community Pop-Up Mural Project, Las Estrellas Elementary School, Minneapolis MN 5’x 3’
3M PGA Fan Village Youth Pop-Up Mural Project, Blaine MN 5'x6'
2021 720 East Lake Street Building, Minneapolis MN, 4,500 sq. ft.
Hamdi Restaurant, Minneapolis MN, 3,500 sq. ft.
Hennepin County Medical Center- Whittier Clinic, Minneapolis MN, 12’ x 8’ and 6 round panels 4’ ea.
Elevator Mural, Private contract, Minneapolis MN, 30’ x 4’
George Floyd Memorial Pop-Up Event, Minneapolis MN 8’ x 4’
Cub Foods Northside Community Room, Minneapolis MN 15’ x 10’
Protect the Boards Pop-up Event, Minneapolis MN
Singing the Hues- Roho Collective Pop-Up Event, Martin Patrick 3, Minneapolis MN
2020 Roho Collective Art Heals Event- FLOW Arts Crawl, Minneapolis MN, 8’ x 4’
Oral Histories Project- City of Minneapolis, Franklin Middle School, 24’ x 19’ x 3
George Floyd Pop-Up Mini-Murals, Franklin Middle School
K-mart Mural, Minneapolis MN 75’ x 9’
George Floyd Fathers’ Day Youth March, Minneapolis MN
Roho Collective Art Heals Event, North Market and Webber Library, Minneapolis MN 8’ x 4’
Black Lives Matter Street Mural, Minneapolis MN 200’ x 24’
2019 City of Falcon Heights, MN 45’ x 15’
Washburn High School (Phase Two), Minneapolis MN 35’ x 8’
2018 Washburn High School (Phase One), Minneapolis MN 30’ x 8’
Robins Bay Primary School, Robins Bay Jamaica
Linwood Monroe Arts Plus (Community School K-8), St. Paul MN
Roseville Area Middle School, Little Canada MN 34’ x 7’
Keewaydin Community School, Minneapolis MN 15’ x 7’
2017 The Heart of Whittier Mural, Treehouse Records, Minneapolis MN 33’ x 15’
Little Earth Mural/ Greenway Project, Minneapolis MN 400 sq.ft.
Sunset Hill Elementary School, Plymouth MN 19’ x 8’ and 30’ x 8’
2016 FLOW Mural, Clippercuts Barbershop, Minneapolis MN 20’ x 8’
Paint the Pavement Community Mural Project, Lincoln Playground, Minneapolis MN
Cafeteria Mural- Foods from Around the World, Washburn High School, Minneapolis MN
Bethune Elementary School, Minneapolis MN 25’ x 8’
STEAM Mural, Franklin Middle School 40’ x 8
Media Center Mural, Franklin Middle School, Minneapolis MN
2015 In the Heart of South Mpls Mural- Washburn High School, Minneapolis MN 17’ x 7’
Linwood Monroe Arts Plus (Community School K-8), St. Paul MN 35’ x 7’
FLOW Community Youth Mural Project, Clippercuts Barbershop, Minneapolis MN 45’ x 14’
2014 John Glenn Middle School, Maplewood MN 14’ x 10’
Linwood Monroe Arts Plus (Community School K-8), St. Paul MN 43’ x 7’
Play on Penn/ Open Streets Sponsored Community Mural, Minneapolis MN 24’ x 4’
FLOW Community Mural “Transit”, Minneapolis MN, 16’ x 4’
OH Anderson Media Center Mural, Mahtomedi MN, 17’ x 8’
PYC Arts and Technology High School, Minneapolis MN, 7’ x 8’
LC Webster Elementary School, Maplewood MN, 17’ x 8’, 4’ x 4’
2013 St. Peter Catholic School, Maplewood MN, 20’ x 8’
Maplewood Middle School, Maplewood MN, 62’ x 7’
Harmony Alternative Learning Center, Maplewood MN, 12’ x 8’
2012 OH Anderson Elementary School, Mahtomedi MN, 21’ x 8’
Lowry Ave Harvest Fest and Open Streets Event, Minneapolis MN, Billboard 8’ x 4’
FLOW Community Mural, Minneapolis MN, Billboard 8’ x 4’
Maplewood Library, Maplewood MN, two banner-style 5’ x 5’ and 5’ x 12’
Dimensions in Hair Salon and Barbershop, Minneapolis MN, Outdoor 21’ x 15’
2011 Skyview Community School, Oakdale MN, 86’ x 5.5’
John Glenn Middle School, Maplewood MN, 68’x10’, 76’x15’, and 68’x12’
Carver Elementary School, Maplewood MN, 22’ x 8’
North St. Paul High School- CREED Program, Maplewood MN, 30’ x 7’
Tartan High School- CREED Program, Oakdale MN, 20’x 7’
Phoenix Recovery Program, Maplewood MN, Three large-scale paintings on stretched canvas, 5’x 7’ and 4’x 4’ (x2)
2010 North St. Paul School District- Educational Equity Alliance, Maplewood MN, three 12’X 5’ each
Carver Elementary School, Maplewood MN, 28’x 4’
2009 First Universalist Church of Minneapolis, MN, , 4’x 13’ (x2) and 4’x 8’
St. John the Baptist Catholic School, Wayzata MN, Three wall murals, 8’x 8’ each
Gleason Lake Elementary School, Wayzata MN, 11 walls between 6’x 6’- 15’x 6’
2008 Gleason Lake Elementary School, Wayzata MN, 3 large-scale paintings, 15’x 5’ and 5’x 7’(x2)
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2023 Milestones, First Universalist Church, Minneapolis MN
(Upcoming Oct - Dec), TBD, Plymouth Congregational Church, Minneapolis MN
2022 Lineas de Sangre (Bloodlines), NE Sculpture / Gallery Factory, Minneapolis MN
2017 MCAD Highlight, MSP Airport, Minneapolis MN
2012 St. Catherine University- Minneapolis Campus Library Gallery, Minneapolis MN
Three Rooms Gifts and Art Gallery, Edina MN
FLOW 2012, Dimensions in Hair, Minneapolis MN
Melodee Strong Studios, St. Paul MN
2009 Keith Ellison Congressional Office, Minneapolis MN
Ridgedale Mall Business Office, Minnetonka, MN
Northpoint Health and Wellness, Minneapolis MN
2008 P.A.T.H. Lobby Gallery, Minneapolis MN
Children in Books: Illustrations by M. Strong, Homewood Studios, Minneapolis MN
P.A.T.H. Lobby Gallery, Minneapolis MN
Minnetonka Center for the Arts, Wayzata MN
Copp Student Center Gallery- Normandale Community College, Bloomington MN
Papa’s Pizza and Pasta, Minneapolis MN
Keith Ellison Campaign Headquarters, Minneapolis, MN
2007 Calypso Café, Minneapolis MN
2006 Senior Show, Homewood Studios, Minneapolis MN
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2023 Our Soul Shines Bright - An Exhibition of the Roho Collective, Cargill Gallery - Hennepin County Library, Minneapolis MN
2021 Art is My Weapon, MAAHM Gallery, Minneapolis MN
2021 MPLSART Sketchbook Project, Gamut Gallery, Minneapolis MN
2020 Social Justice Billboard Project, NE Sculpture Factory, Minneapolis MN
2019 Grace- A Visual History of the African American Church Hat, Hennepin Theater Trust Gallery, MN
No Boundaries- An Experience of Social Justice, Empowerment and Equality, MRAC, St. Paul MN
2018 Art is my Weapon, Homewood Studios Gallery, Minneapolis MN
Melanin Content, Copeland Art and Training Center (THOR Headquarters), Minneapolis MN
2017 6th Annual Visual Arts Faculty Show, MPS Davis Center Gallery, Minneapolis MN
Festival De Las Calaveras Art Exhibition, Intermedia Arts, Minneapolis MN
2016 5th Annual Visual Arts Faculty Show, MPS Davis Center Gallery, Minneapolis MN
In Words and Pictures- Minnesota Women Authors/Illustrators, MCAD Main Gallery, Minneapolis
Fight Like a Mother, Colorwheel Gallery, Minneapolis MN
2015 No Teacher Left Behind, Homewood Studios, Minneapolis MN
Visual Arts Faculty Show, MPS Davis Center Gallery, Minneapolis MN
Fight Like a Mother, Colorwheel Gallery, Minneapolis MN
2014 Remembering Our Leaders, Hennepin Gallery, Minneapolis MN
Northside Noir, Homewood Studios, Minneapolis MN
2013 The Culture of Balance, Rhythm, and Texture, Pope John XXIII Gallery- Basilica St. Mary’s, Minneapolis MN
2012 Faculty Exhibition: On-Location, MCAD Gallery, Minneapolis MN
Who Am I… Who Is We…? Hennepin Gallery, Minneapolis MN
Fade 2 Blaq, Sean Garrison Studios, Minneapolis MN
Black Champions Happy Hour Exhibition, General Mills Corporation, Minneapolis MN
Fight Like a Mother, Colorwheel Gallery, Minneapolis MN
2011 TAWU Exhibition of Selected Works, UROC, Minneapolis MN
Our History, Hennepin Gallery, Minneapolis MN
FLOW 2011, Emerge, Minneapolis MN
Faculty Exhibition, MCAD Gallery, Minneapolis MN
2010 Foot in the Door, Minneapolis Institute of Art MAEP Gallery, Minneapolis MN
Big Blaq, Urbanocity, Minneapolis, MN
Gratitude- A Ten Year Anniversary of Artists, Homewood Studios Gallery, Minneapolis MN
2009 Opening Eyes to the Northside, The Minneapolis Foundation, Minneapolis MN
2008 Minn-Illo, College of Visual Arts Gallery, St. Paul MN
TAWU Exhibition of Selected Works, General Mills Corporation, Golden Valley, MN
2006 Senior Exhibition, Minneapolis College of Art and Design
2003 Society of Illustrators, New York NY
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BOOKS
2021 Lake Street Speaks, Susan Shields and Rashaunea Ambers-Winston
MPLSART Sketchbook Project 2021, MPLSART.COM
2008 You are Healthy, written by Todd Snow, Maren Green Publishing
You are Helpful, written by Todd Snow, Maren Green Publishing
Lucky, Published by Avian Welfare Coalition
Tu Eres Importante, Spanish translation, Maren Green Publishing
Tu Eres Valiente, Spanish translation, Maren Green Publishing
Tu Eres Creativo, Spanish translation, Maren Green Publishing
Tu Eres Amigable, Spanish translation, Maren Green Publishing
Tu Eres Hermoso, Spanish translation, Maren Green Publishing
2007 You are Important, written by Todd Snow, Maren Green Publishing
You are Brave, written by Todd Snow, Maren Green Publishing
You are Creative, written by Todd Snow, Maren Green Publishing
You are Friendly, written by Todd Snow, Maren Green Publishing
You are Beautiful, written by Todd Snow, Maren Green Publishing
Colorful World, written by Cece Winans, Keith Thomas, and Alvin Love III, Maren Green Publishing
GUEST ARTIST, LECTURES AND APPEARANCES
2023 Keynote Presentation: Participation and Recognition- 2 Principles of Arts Equity, MN Dept of Education - Arts Educators Conference
2022 MPR News / Arts and Culture, Interview: Minneruvian Artist Explores Identity in New Minneapolis Exhibit
Minneapolis Foundation, Interview with an Artist
University of St. Thomas, Urban Mapping Project
Maxfield Elementary School, St. Paul MN, Artist Presentation and Book Reading
WCCO 4, Interview (North Market Mural Project)
KSTP 5, Interview (North Market Mural Project)
FOX 9, Interview (North Market Mural Project)
KARE 11, Interview (North Market Mural Project)
KMOJ 89.9 Radio, Interview (North Market Mural Project)
2021 BBC, A Year Later- A Reflection of the Movement
MPR News, A Movement Memorialized: Plywood Art…
Broadway Family Clinic, Art and Healing
University of Minnesota- YouthRoc, Teaching and Learning During Social Unrest
Minnesota State Legislation, Testified at the House Education Committee
2020 WCCO Radio 830AM, Interview (BLM Street Mural Project)
TPT Twin Cities/ PBS, Second Saturday “Curiosity”, (YouTube Chanel Broadcast)
MPR News, Interview (BLM Street Mural Project)
Star Tribune Video Series, Community Arts in Response to George Floyd
KMOJ, Interview (C Line Launch- Metro Transit)
2019 Artist Talk- Grace Exhibit, Hennepin Theater Trust
2018 Educators for Excellence (E4E) I Teach Love Summit, Presenter/Guest Artist
2017 KMOJ Morning Show, Minneapolis MN Melodee Strong and Mural Squad
KARE-11 Interview (Mural Squad)
KARE-11 and Lucy Laney Elementary School, Minneapolis MN A Year At Lucy Laney Segment
2015 Linwood Monroe Arts Plus, St. Paul MN AVID: Careers Conversation Series, 8th grade
Minneapolis College of Art and Design, Minneapolis MN The Nuts and Bolts of Public Speaking
PYC Arts and Technology High School, Minneapolis MN Artist Workshop: The Dream Project
KMOJ Stage/ FLOW, Minneapolis MN
KMOJ Drive Time, Minneapolis MN FLOW and the Community Mural Project (Live Broadcast)
2014 Minneapolis College of Art and Design, Minneapolis MN The Nuts and Bolts of Public Speaking
St. Mary’s University and Minneapolis Public Schools, Minneapolis MN Missing Voices Conference
2013 Minneapolis College of Art and Design, Minneapolis MN The Nuts and Bolts of Public Speaking
2012 St. Catherine University, St. Paul Campus MN Making A Career and Being A Mom Too
Minneapolis College of Art and Design, Minneapolis MN Visiting Artist Seminar Lecture
Minneapolis College of Art and Design, Minneapolis MN The Nuts and Bolts of Public Speaking
Minneapolis Public Schools, Minneapolis MN VIVA City Artist Lecture: My Career as an Illustrator
North St. Paul School District- Equity Education Alliance, North St. Paul MN
2011 Minneapolis Public Schools- Equity and Diversity Department, Minneapolis MN 100 Strong Who Care
LA Times Festival of Books, USC Los Angeles CA
North St. Paul School District- Equity Education Alliance, North St. Paul MN
Target Children’s Book Festival, Minneapolis MN
2010 Rasmussen College, Woodbury MN
North St. Paul School District- Equity Education Alliance, North St. Paul MN
Minneapolis Public Schools- Equity and Diversity Department, Minneapolis MN 100 Strong Who Care
Franklin Artworks, Minneapolis MN Big Blaq Artist Talk
Target Children’s Book Festival, Minneapolis MN
Alexandria KXRA 1490AM Talk Radio Morning Show, Alexandria MN
LA Times Festival of Books, UCLA Los Angeles CA
2009 Salvation Army Target Remodel Kick-Off, St. Paul MN
Minneapolis Public Schools, Minneapolis MN VIVA City Artist Lecture: Preparing Your College Portfolio
King Family Foundation Child Development Center, Minneapolis MN
Target Children’s Book Festival, Minneapolis MN
NY Times and Target Children’s Book Festival, Columbia University- New York, NY
Minnetonka Center for the Arts- Community Outreach, Wayzata MN
2008 KARE-11 Saturday (NBC Affiliate), Minneapolis MN
Target Children’s Book Festival, Minneapolis MN
Target Children’s Book Festival, Boston MA
Minneapolis College of Art and Design The Working Life of a Children’s Book Illustrator
Bloomington Area Schools, Bloomington MN Working as a Children’s Book Illustrator
Minnetonka Center for the Arts- Community Outreach, Wayzata MN
2007 Target Children’s Book Festival, Minneapolis MN
Twin Cities Continental Societies, Inc., St. Paul MN
Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators Fall Conference, Minneapolis MN Guest Panelist
Minneapolis College of Art and Design, Minneapolis MN Life After MCAD as a Freelance Illustrator
Minneapolis College of Art and Design The Working Life of a Children’s Book Illustrator
PATH, Minneapolis MN Diversity and Working with Children.
TEACHING POSITIONS
2015-Present Minneapolis Public Schools, Franklin Middle School
Visual Arts Teacher 6-8 grades
2021-Present Augsburg University, Minneapolis MN
Adjunct Faculty – Arts Methods K-12, Student Teacher Supervisor
2021-Present Metro State University, St. Paul MN
Community Faculty – Introduction to Drawing Advocacy in Art
2021-Present University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Campus
Adjunct Faculty – Problems in Arts Education
2009-2020 Minneapolis College of Art and Design, Minneapolis MN
Adjunct Faculty (Design and Illustration), Continuing Education, Community Outreach
2016-2017 Perpich Center for the Arts, Golden Valley MN
(Contract) Outreach Program SW MN Region: Arts Integration Mentor
2013-2015 PYC- Plymouth Youth Center, Arts and Technology High School
Visual Arts Teacher and Arts Integration Specialist
2008-2010 The Minnetonka Center for the Arts, Wayzata MN
Instructor- Youth, Teen, and Adult
Painting, Watercolor, Drawing I, Drawing II, Illustration, Design, and Building a Portfolio
2007-2009 Breck School, Minneapolis MN
Substitute Teacher, Art Department
2004-2005 Osseo Area School District, Osseo MN
(Contract) Consultant and Arts-Integration Curriculum Coordinator
2002-2004 Medtronic, Inc, Shoreview MN
Customer Service Training Coordinator
1992-1993 St. Francis School District, St. Francis MN
Summer school program- visual arts and Spanish
RECONGNITION AND AWARDS
2022 Minneapolis Educator Leadership Award
2020 Minneapolis Educator Leadership Award
2017 Educators for Excellence (E4E) Teacher Leader Awards- Finalist
2009 Teachers’ Choice Award (Colorful World)
Teachers’ Choice Award (You Are Important Board Book Series)
Mom’s Choice Award (Colorful World)
Mom’s Choice Award (You Are Important Board Book Series)
2008 Moonbeam Gold Medal Award- Music & Theatrical Category (Colorful World)
2004 Society of Illustrators LA- Illustration West 42 (5 pieces)
2003 Society of Illustrators East- (1 piece)
GRANTS
Minneapolis Educator Leadership Award, 2022
Creative Response Fund Grant, 2022
Minneapolis Educator Leadership Award, 2020
Oral Histories Grant- City of Minneapolis and ReCAST, 2019
Jay and Rose Phillips Family Foundation Innovation Grant (on behalf of Franklin Middle School), 2017
Jay and Rose Phillips Family Foundation School Grant (on behalf of Franklin Middle School), 2016
Gullickson Family/ Minneapolis Foundation Grant (annual), 2015-2019
Minneapolis Foundation 612 Youth Engagement Project Grants, 2015 and 2017
Carolyn Foundation Grant, 2017
Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community Grant, 2017
RBC Foundation: USA Grants, 2016-2018