Northern Lights Program Council 2018-2019
We’re excited to be working with this extraordinary group of artists and organizers of various disciplines. The Program Council has been working diligently with Northern Lights to address the challenges of racial diversity and community access throughout every aspect of Northern Spark 2019.
Aki Shibata received her BFA in Photography from the College of Visual Arts. She produces work that examines of her body and mind in public and gallery spaces. Shibata has shown at Rochester Art Center, Northern Spark 2017, and was a chosen finalist for City of Minneapolis Creative City Challenge 2018. Connect with Aki Shibata @Chibattabread
Sara Endalew was born and raised in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. She studied painting at a young age and was a professional artist in her native country. In 2006, Endalew moved to the US and discovered the challenges of navigating a new environment. Her work now is inspired by her Ethiopian culture and she has shown work at Impact Hub MSP, University of Minnesota, and Northern Spark 2017. Learn more about Sara Endalew here: saraart.bigcartel.com
Zahra Muse holds a bachelor of science degree in sociology from the University of Minnesota. Zahra is a visual artist with several and uses several mediums. Her artistic inspirations come from people, physical spaces and the relationships between the two. She uses art as a tool to connect with people and navigate the world around her.
Donald Thomas Jr. is a graphic designer with a focus on community/nature-centered consulting, logo/identity design, illustration, woven yarn/fabric installations, and mural painting. Thomas is a full-time freelance artist, working for the Coalition for Battered Women on the Real Love is Campaign, Lionsgate Academy, and as an Art Director for a Northern Lights Aquanesia project. Thomas is part of Million Artist Movement, a black/collective liberation arts organization that creates art installations for social justice organizations and their communities. Learn more about Thomas here: www.donaldthomasdesign.com
Alex Buffalohead is a graduate from Augsburg College in 2013. She majored in Studio Art with emphasizes in painting and sculpture. She graduated from the Art Institutes International Minnesota in 2015 with an Associates degree in Graphic Design. Currently, she is studying for her Master’s degree in Art History at the University of St. Thomas. Learn more about Alex here: http://alexandra-buffalohead.squarespace.com/about/
Mary Anne Quiroz is the co-Founder and co-Director of Indigenous Roots Cultural Arts Center. She is an active community organizer and part of the Kalpulli Yaocenoxtli- a Mexica Aztec dance troupe. Learn more about Mary Anne here: www.indigenous-roots.org
SEE MORE PERSPECTIVE is an MC, Producer, Spoken Word Poet, and Social Justice Educator. His work explores identity, culture, social justice, mythology, science fiction, spirituality, and the paranormal. Find SEE MORE in a cypher or a seance, pushing conversations about equity in a boardroom, singing for strangers in a living room, or sharing culture, tradition, and craft in a classroom. Learn more about SEE MORE PERSPECTIVE here: www.seemoreperspective.com
Pa Na Lor is a storyteller working in an array of multimedia and experimental animation to tell her stories – grand or minuscule. Currently, she is creating an experimental animation through digital collaging hand drawn and paint on glass animation, printmaking, and painting. Learn more about Pa Na here: https://www.instagram.com/pana_lor/