What is this project? Northeast Minneapolis Women is a project created by artist Ellie Kidder. Each participating women of project, Ellie Kidder will create a unique portrait in the classic style caricature. Past examples of this work can be found here. Portraits will be done in pastel. The artwork will be showcased, profiled, and celebrated in an exhibition (location to be determined). Original art will be available for purchase. Participating women will receive a print of their portrait.
What criteria are you seeking for a candidate? Women that lives / works in Northeast Minneapolis as defined by this link. A woman who as a story to tell. A woman who has become an advocate for their neighborhood of Northeast Minneapolis. It does not need to be deeply personal but it is my hope that during the show some women will find a source of inspiration and hope from your story.
Some questions to consider for interview: You will be formatting your own story for the show. A simple paragraph for visitors to read. I will provide the material and printing. If you use your native language other than English then you can use both languages for the show.
A question to ask yourself when writing your story: What way do you find your life experience influences the impact you have had on Northeast Minneapolis? How did it improve the quality of life for our neighbors?
Examples of impact may include but are not limited to:
Engaging Northeast Minneapolis residents for healthier lifestyle
Innovative in making neighborhood safer and feeling welcome
Mentoring teenagers that will leave them profound impact for lifetime in a positive experience
Helping elderly residents feeling being a part of neighborhood
Running a community garden and a portion of food donated to the area needed the most
It can be anything and hopefully a tie with your life challenge.
Can anyone become a candidate for WOMEN OF NORTHEAST TAPESTRY? Yes, as long as you identified yourself as a woman, regardless of sex assigned at birth.
Can I nominate any woman to be a candidate for this show? Yes, as long as this candidate either lives or work in Northeast Minneapolis. Cannot accept anyone beyond Northeast Minneapolis as define in this link. Explain why you feel this candidate deserves to be recognize in a paragraph.
Can I nominate myself? Yes, however, you would need at least 1 woman who can vouches for you or nominate you. Contact me in private and we will go from there.
What is the process for selecting a candidate for the project/exhibition? There are a few steps in this project when selecting a candidate: First stage: Email me at [email protected] with a paragraph. Second stage: I will arrange for interview for any candidate that I feel drawn to from email.
How many candidates are you seeking? Undetermined at this point. Possibly between 8 to 12 candidates.
Once candidates are selected and had interview with you, then what will happen next? This is the fun part and will be the most laborious work done with much love, high class caricature similar to a type we typically see from New York Time. a Very formal and beautiful etched work of a portrait. Those drawings will be view at a gallery. Date and location not yet determined.
What is the process of making the portrait? Ellie will be hiring a professional photographer to photograph women for this project. Participating women can choose their backgrounds and location for the phone, with preference in Northeast area.
Preparing for Meeting with a Deaf Artist
I understand you are Deaf. I never have met any Deaf person before. How can I be prepared? Many people have not either. It is understandable to feel nervous when meeting with a Deaf person for the first time. However there are many ways that may be helpful to minimize wrong approaches and to respect Deaf culture. Here are some that can help your experience be a pleasant experience whenever possible.
Do not ask if I can lipread. This is a part of oppressive systemic that values a Deaf person who speaks consider as desirable and deemed as a more intelligent. Speaking skill have nothing to do with intelligent as one often thinks."You speak well" is not consider as compliment because there is no equality in access for communication.
Please consider pen and paper as a sign for respect for a Deaf person who often has to bring it themselves. Your effort will be appreciated.
Do not ask a Deaf person if he/she/they can hear you. This puts a burden on them. A question you can ask, were you born Deaf? When did you learn ASL? Are you the only deaf person in your family? Do you go to school for the Deaf? These are ok. It gets tricky when one expects a Deaf person to comply with hearing culture.
Do not ask how do you sign for some certain words during interview. It may be fine to ask during socialization.
Do not ask if a Deaf person to write in English according to standard. Many Deaf people consider ASL is their first language. It is not a sign of respect and considers ASL somehow less desirable than an English skill.
Do not ask a Deaf person to bring interpreter at anytime during interaction. For this project though an interpreter, will be made available for interview and Ellie will confirm with funding resources.
I hope you will find this interview a pleasure and will view it as an honorable experience to have. A sense of humor helps.:-)
Could I have a copy of a certain portrait? Again, that would depend on each candidate. If a candidate give permission for copies in print then it will become available for sale in print. It will needs to be arranged.
What will happen to all the drawings that have not been sold? It is my hope that it will be sold since it is my living hood as an artist. Otherwise, my wish to see this goes to a historical museum for preservation.
How important is it have a diversity when selecting a candidate? Critically important. Each race and identities are often underrepresented in community and their contribution for community went unrecognized historically speaking. Each selected candidate deserves their day to be seen and heard. Diversities included such as : LGBTQIA+ that includes all such as non-bindery, pansexual and others Women with disabilities including neurodiversity and mental illness Women with faith such as Muslim, Jewish and others. Immigrants Refugees Women with felony Women with non-traditional relationship Older women Female youth BIPOC Transplanted from other city/county or state. ( Must be at least 3 months as a resident of Northeast Minneapolis) Native American women and BIPOC are encouraged to participate Women with low income