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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 

​

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

​

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

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