Make Art, Give it Away, Help Empower Others to Make Art
The Duluth Art Institute (DAI) is a non-profit organization that has been providing visual arts programming to the Northeastern Minnesota region for more than 112 years. Their goals include nurturing the development of local artists to capture the modern human experience through their work. They then create opportunities for artists to share what they’ve created in an inclusive environment—a place where people can come together to discuss their own perspectives and interpretations.
For this project I was invited by DAI’s then Executive Director, Anne Dugan, to create artwork “live” for guests and donors to purchase at the ‘Make Your Mark’ event. My focus was a “DLH/Duluth” artists’ book design that references the physical layout of the Duluth metro area, as well as the infamous(?) lift bridge steel architecture that is a significant part of the DLH city skyline. This book was mostly created prior to event with final cuts and stitching performed and discussed with viewers at the event assembly of guests. The entire event raised more than $18,000 to apply towards quality arts programming for the Northeastern Minnesota communities.
