Anniessa Antar (she/they)
Artist Career Consultant, Minneapolis
Workshops: Website Basics for Artists
Bio: Anniessa is a software engineer, educator, and cultural organizer. She has worked at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, Saint Catherine University, the Minneapolis Institute of Art, and with organizations such as Mizna, Confluence: An East Lake Studio for Community Design, the Minnesota Marine Art Museum and the School for Poetic Computation. Her practices center on the power of creative, playful, and collective work to confront and heal systemic oppression.
Alison Bergblom Johnson (she/her)
Artist Career Consultant, Minneapolis
Workshops: Work of Art
Bio: Alison Bergblom Johnson is an artist whose work explores disability and joy. She collaborates with numerous community care and art organizations (some examples: Fresh Eye Gallery, Strike Theater, the Loft Literary Center, Springboard for the Arts, and the Walker Art Center). With Mixed Blood Theatre she created a theater piece with other people with disabilities about disabled lives. Her collage, storytelling and essays often approach taboo topics (disability, sexuality) in inclusive ways. Visit her website at alisonbergblomjohnson.com
Anitra Budd (she/her)
Artist Career Consultant, Minneapolis
Workshops: Artful Organization, Work of Art
Bio: Anitra Budd is an experienced freelance editor, copywriter, consultant, and public speaker whose clients include Fortune 500 corporations, literary publishers, marketing agencies, universities, and local and national magazines. Over the course of her career, she’s presented workshops on publishing, editing, and organization for artists at a variety of venues. She holds BA and MA degrees from the University of Minnesota. Visit her website at www.colfax wordsmiths.com.
Mikha "Mikhamik" Dominguez (they/them)
Artist Career Consultant, Minneapolis
Workshops: Work of Art
Bio: Mikha Dominguez (aka Mikhamik) is a Queer non-binary Latinx Venezuelan artist based in Minneapolis since 2014. With a background in set design, Mikha’s work explores identity, migration, and resilience. They have worked at the Walker Art Center, exhibited at MCAD, University of Minnesota, St. Catherine University, and the University of Omaha, and participated in the Art Shanty Projects. Mikha leads Mikhamik House of Arts and teaches at Springboard for the Arts while studying at MCAD. Visit their website at mikhamik.com.
Kandace Creel Falcón (they/them)
Artist Career Consultant, Erhard
Workshops: Work of Art
Bio: Kandace Creel Falcón, PhD. is a formerly tenured Associate Professor of Women’s & Gender Studies who spends their days painting, writing about the joy of creative inquiry, and developing a more peaceful relationship with their nervous system. KCF maintains a research-informed studio practice in their home in the Erhard Hills of rural Otter Tail County. They are involved in community efforts across the region rooted by the power of narrative to shift the world toward the queer utopias we deserve. Visit their website at www.kjcfalcon.com.
Naomi RaMona Schliesman (she/her)
Artist Career Consultant, Fergus Falls
Workshops: Work of Art
Bio: Naomi is an interdisciplinary artist with an MFA. Schliesman has received multiple Fellowships, grants, awards and has attended residency programs nationally and internationally. She has traveled abroad to study art and art movements. Her practice consists of studio art, education, collaborations with artists, organizations and communities in creative placemaking nationwide as a freelance artist, and as an active Arts Advocate in her community. She serves on multiple boards and committees. https://www.instagram.com/naomi.schliesman/
Patrick Scully (he/him)
Artist Career Consultant, Minneapolis
Workshops: Work of Art
Bio: Patrick is a long time Mpls artist - choreographer/dancer/performance art/theater, entrepreneur, gay and HIV+ activist. His works range from intimate/autobiographical, to boat ballets on rivers in MN and Germany. In 1986 he founded Patrick’s Cabaret, making the local performing arts ecosystem more inclusive and democratic. He's had 8 different spaces in town. A mature artist who has persevered, he’s thought about artists' sustainability. He's been a successful fundraiser & grant writer. patrickscully.org
Dana Sikkila (she/her)
Artist Career Consultant, Mankato
Workshops: Work of Art
Bio: Dana Sikkila is a Minnesota-based interdisciplinary maker and creator. At just 36 years old, Sikkila has been named one of the most well-known creative leaders of Southern Minnesota. Known for her social practice and activism programs, creative consulting, public speaking, and her theory development within creative curriculum, Sikkila's practices span from working in communities from rural to the Twin Cities. Her self-defining administration style has bridged the gap between arts creation and administration. Developing numerous grassroots cultural projects and exhibitions throughout the state. Visit her website at danasikkila.com and read more about Dana on Creative Exchange.
Krista Soukup (she/her)
Artist Career Consultant, Brainerd
Workshops: Pitching Your Work
Bio: Krista Rolfzen Soukup is a publicist and owner of Blue Cottage Agency. She has a passion for helping artists successfully promote their work and establish their platform. Through her expert guidance, knowledge of the industry and vast experience, she has successfully supported artists across the country. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Marketing. Visit her website at https://www.bluecottageagency.com/ and read more about Krista on Creative Exchange.
Andy Sturdevant (he/him)
Artist Resources Manager, St. Paul
Workshops: eCommerce, Legal Considerations
Bio: Andy Sturdevant is a writer, publisher, artist and very occasional performer. He has written about art, history and culture for a variety of publications, and is the author of three books of nonfiction. He is also the creator of a number of small-run art and design books, distributed in the United States and Europe. His artwork has been exhibited at venues in New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Seattle, and he has presented public programs with many organizations locally and regionally. Andy holds a B.F.A. in painting from the University of Louisville and a graphic design certificate from Minneapolis Community and Technical College. Read more about Andy on Creative Exchange.