Alison Bergblom Johnson (she/her)
Artist Career Consultant, Minneapolis
Workshops: Work of Art, Amplify Your Work: A PR Primer
Bio: Alison Bergblom Johnson is an artist whose work often approaches uncomfortable, difficult subjects. Her genres and media include storytelling, creative nonfiction, installation, and collage, and her work explores gender, disability, and sexuality. Some venues she’s worked with include Patrick’s Cabaret, the Walker Art Center, Minneapolis Institute of Arts, COMPAS, and Strike Theater. Flock, Entropy, and the Walker Reader have published her essays. Visit her website at alisonbergblomjohnson.com and read more about Alison on Creative Exchange.
Anika Fajardo (she/her)
Artist Career Consultant, Minneapolis
Workshops: Artist Websites: Tips & Tricks
Bio: Anika Fajardo is a writer whose work is informed by her half-Colombian, half-Minnesotan background. She is the author of several books for children and adults, and her work has earned awards from the Minnesota State Arts Board and the Jerome Foundation. Anika teaches at Augsburg University’s MFA in Creative Writing. A former librarian, she uses her information organization skills to provide help to writers, artists, and other creatives, giving them the tools they need to create functional, beautiful websites to showcase their work and offer their services.
https://www.anikafajardo.com/
Aaron Fiskradatz (he/him)
Artist Career Consultant, St. Paul
Workshops: Zoom 101, Digital Work Samples
Bio: Aaron Fiskradatz is a theatre artist, educator, and technician from the Twin Cities. He collaborates with artists in the disability community through Upstream Arts, and is an active theatre teaching artist for youth. As a freelance artist, he works as an actor, writer, director, and puppeteer. In 2020, he began assisting theatres and other organizations in their moves to live streaming platforms. He holds a BA in Theatre Arts from the University of Minnesota. Visit his website at https://fiskradatz.com and read more about Aaron on Creative Exchange.
Felix Foster (he/him)
Artist Career Consultant, Minneapolis
Workshops: Website Basics for Artists
Bio: Felix Foster works to couple a wide range of experience in the fields of writing, project management, and planning, with personal interests in the arts, philosophy, technology, and community engagement. He loves working with artists and community builders, while creating works of his own including; serving as editor in chief of the saint paul almanac, managing and producing events like the Aardvark in the Park Festival and serving on the board of Twin Cities Pride, creating websites for small businesses, and providing admin support to organizations like McKnight Foundation. In his free time he is reading, writing, creating video game concepts, and co-hosting a film podcast. Visit his website at https://www.lexiconwc.com/, and read more about Felix on Creative Exchange.
Naomi RaMona Schliesman (she/her)
Artist Career Consultant, Fergus Falls
Workshops: Work of Art
Bio: Naomi is a multidisciplinary artist with an MFA in Studio Arts. Schliesman has received multiple Fellowships, grants and has attended residency programs nationally and internationally. She has traveled abroad to study art and art movements. Her practice consists of studio art, collaborations with artists, organizations and communities in creative placemaking nationwide as a freelance artist, and is an active Arts Advocate in her rural 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: Amplify Your Work: A PR Primer, 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 Director, 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.
Adia Morris Swanger (she/her)
Program Manager, Professional Development, St. Paul
Workshops: Work of Art
Bio: Adia Morris Swanger is Program Manager of Professional Development at Springboard for the Arts where she manages the Artist Career Consultant roster, teaches business skills workshops for artists, and connects artists to funding opportunities with the Incubator Fiscal Sponsorship program. Adia has been a freelance theatre artist, dancer, choreographer, writer, and educator in the Twin Cities for many years. Read more about Adia on Creative Exchange.