Winnipeg not-for-profit to send art to Minneapolis

WINNIPEG — Art City has issued a callout to creatives of all kinds for paintings and other flat artworks to show solidarity with residents of Minneapolis.

The West Broadway not-for-profit is hosting a free workshop on Monday to create and collect art to send south of the border.

“There’s a lot of feelings of anxiety because this is a situation that we have no control over and we don’t like it,” said Eddie Ayoub, artistic director of the local community hub.

As ICE operations continue to upend daily life in their sister city, Ayoub said his team wants to give residents a chance to gather, process and take action.

Art City has partnered with Articulture, an organization in south Minneapolis with a similar mandate. Its leaders are planning to mail a stack of two-dimensional works to their American counterparts to share as they see fit.

While noting a lot of beautiful artwork is created during times of stress and adversity, Ayoub said his organization is always “process-focused” rather than “product-focused.”

“A really important part of mental health is having a sense of purpose and belonging,” he said, adding that he hopes the recipients view this made-in-Manitoba package as a “small comfort” during uncertain times.

One local artist has already dropped off a watercolour-based painting with the text, “Home of the Brave” on it.

There’s been an “incredible” amount of interest — so much so his team is already thinking about organizing a follow-up event, Ayoub said.

“There’s a kinship between Manitoba and Minnesota. There’s a lot of back-and-forth visiting and shared values and, I think, that’s part of why this is landing the way it has been,” he added.

Winnipeg and Minneapolis, located roughly 735 kilometres apart, have been sister cities since 1973.

Liz Greenbaum, executive director of Articulture, said her hometown has felt “surreal” all winter. “You find yourself feeling heartbroken, sad as hell, and angry, all at the same time. It’s really hard to manage all those emotions,” she said.

Her organization recently issued a public statement mourning the deaths of Renée Good and Alex Pretti, two civilians who were shot and killed by ICE agents in recent weeks.

“Articulture is rooted in the belief that everyone deserves to grow and thrive in a safe, inclusive environment. The fear, harm, and instability caused by ICE operations in our neighbourhoods undermine this fundamental principle,” it states.

Art City’s outreach and the subsequent cross-border exhibit that’s in the works are welcome distractions, she said.

Members of the public are invited to drop-in to 616 Broadway between 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Materials for drawing, painting and block printing will be available at no charge.

The community centre will collect homemade, two-dimensional artwork until Wednesday.

» Winnipeg Free Press