Presented by Read With Me Minnesota
A.k.a. (On the internet)"The LoweEnd Theory". Based in Bloomington, MN, Adrian Lowe is a visual artist and graphic designer specializing in digital illustration and acrylic painting. Influenced by 90's and early 2000s pop culture, comic books, anime, and hip-hop, his work is a surrealist exploration of these cultural crossroads blended with personal experiences of growing up in the twin cities.
Alison Sanders is a Saint Paul–based children's book illustrator and former animator whose work is inspired by the wonder of childhood. She contributed to The Tale of Despereaux and The Golden Compass and regularly exhibits at Twin Cities galleries and art fairs. Her whimsical illustrations invite viewers into imaginative worlds filled with curiosity and magic.
Adair Carroll is an artist and illustrator whose vibrant, imaginative work is inspired by identity, community, and music. They combine traditional sketching with digital illustration to create colorful, expressive pieces. Adair’s work includes the children's book "My Afro-Indigenous Superpower", the Cookie Cart mural, and collaborations with The Bureau Co. and Juxtaposition Arts.
Andrew Sjodin is a Minnesota painter whose contemplative oil paintings blend classical realism with modern impressionism. An instructor at The Atelier Studio Program of Fine Arts, he creates still lifes and figurative works that invite quiet reflection. His award-winning work has been exhibited nationally and is held in private collections across the United States.
Aruna Rangarajan is a Minnesota-based illustrator and mixed media artist whose work explores identity, resilience, and cultural heritage through layered portraits of strong brown women. A BFA graduate of SCAD, she has earned numerous honors, including Best in Show at the 2025 City of the Lakes Art Fair and selection for the 40th Chelsea International Fine Art Competition.
Beth Rapatz is a South St. Paul artist and graphic design professor whose work explores nature, mythology, ecosystems, and humanity's relationship with the natural world. Working primarily in gouache, as well as digital media and glass, she creates imaginative pieces that reflect curiosity, craftsmanship, and a passion for continually exploring new artistic mediums.
Brian Lelewis is a Minneapolis-based photographer whose work captures human connection, memory, and everyday life. Blending digital, 35mm, and medium format film, he creates honest, timeless images inspired by documentary photography and family archives. Through weddings, portraits, and street photography, Brian focuses on authentic storytelling and preserving genuine moments.
Brit Sigh is a Minneapolis-based visual artist whose vibrant paintings blend magical realism, Afrofantasy, and modern Black narratives. Inspired by comics and childhood imagination, his work celebrates Black joy, identity, and possibility. His art has been exhibited across Minnesota, including MSP Airport, and he designed the 2026 Juneteenth scarf for Minnesota Aurora FC.
Emiko Rainbow is a Japanese Caucasian American illustrator and creative entrepreneur. An MCAD Illustration graduate, she creates bold, colorful artwork celebrating self-expression, connection, and diverse representation. She illustrated the picture book Nana and Abuela and has created work for clients including Caribou Coffee, the Minnesota Twins, the Minnesota Timberwolves, Trader Joe's, and Barnes & Noble.
Jadyn Spann is a Minneapolis College of Art and Design student pursuing a BFA in Drawing and Painting and a Teaching Artist minor. Working primarily in oil paint, she explores the parallels between art and athletics, examining performance, sacrifice, and exploitation. She is active in community arts initiatives and is committed to expanding arts education in BIPOC communities.
Jorie Engstrom is an artist born in Chicago and raised on the south side of Minneapolis. Her work is deeply influenced by her life experiences and creative journey. During the pandemic, she rediscovered her passion for painting, bringing long-held ideas to life and transforming them into expressive works on canvas.
Kat Weltha is a Minnesota-based glass artist whose work blends beauty with thought-provoking political commentary. Originally from the Missouri Ozarks, she draws on her upbringing to create pieces that challenge and surprise. After working as an EMT, Kat returned to pursue glass art and now explores innovative techniques that push the boundaries of fused glass.
Kprecia Ambers is a visual artist and storyteller whose work celebrates culture, resilience, joy, and connection. Through illustration, products, exhibitions, and community-centered experiences, she transforms stories into artwork that encourages reflection, inspires self-belief, and helps people feel seen. Her vibrant work is rooted in uplifting communities and creating meaningful connections through art.
Leighton Hart is a contemporary painter and 3D artist based in Crookston, Minnesota. Influenced by American folk art, her narrative-driven work explores memory, resilience, and healing. A U.S. Marine Corps veteran and Art Therapy student at Lindenwood University, Leighton creates art that reflects the power of storytelling and emotional expression.
Linnea Maas is the Minneapolis-based artist behind Inside the Robot, creating vibrant paintings, murals, illustrations, and live art performances. Inspired by imagination, nature, and everyday wonder, her whimsical robot characters invite viewers into colorful worlds where joy, curiosity, and connection take center stage.
Love Quetee is a Liberian artist whose vibrant paintings celebrate Black joy, beauty, and identity. Working in oil, acrylic, and colored pencil, she creates realistic portraits that challenge stereotypes while honoring the richness, resilience, and diversity of the African diaspora through expressive, uplifting imagery.
Lukas Carlson is a Minnesota-based contemporary painter whose work explores emotion, memory, and the human experience through expressive figurative forms. Working between figuration and abstraction, he creates layered paintings that invite reflection and vulnerability. Lukas holds an MFA from MCAD, and his work has been exhibited throughout Minnesota and beyond.
Mari Richards is an illustrator, writer, artist, and award-winning toy designer based near St. Paul. She illustrates the Archie and Pip picture book series and recently completed The Loft’s 2025–26 Children’s Literature Fellowship. With more than 400 toy designs brought to market and an MFA from MCAD, Mari brings imagination to every creative endeavor.
Mounisha Gorle is a multidisciplinary artist, educator, and cultural organizer whose work blends traditional Indian folk art with contemporary storytelling. Based in Minnesota, she creates intricate works inspired by human connection and oral histories while leading community arts initiatives. A 2026 Forecast Public Art grant recipient, Mounisha uses art to celebrate culture and spark meaningful dialogue.
Based in Minnesota, Nailah Ali is a self-taught multidisciplinary artist, designer, and founder of The Coping Nook and Coping Creative. Her abstract work explores emotional vulnerability, self-discovery, and Black womanhood through expressive color and layered textures. Her work has been exhibited in The Technicolor Truth: Revolutionary Beauty and featured at community-centered events, including Soul of The Southside.
Patricia Mutebi is a Minnesota-based architect and photographer whose work explores identity, belonging, and the stories people carry with them. Through thoughtful portraiture and visual storytelling, she celebrates the rich cultural backgrounds that shape our communities, creating images that preserve personal histories while inviting reflection, connection, and dialogue.
Rashawnda C. Scott is a contemporary jewelry artist and founder of Pieces of Kandakes, creating handcrafted designs that celebrate confidence and self-expression. Her award-winning work has been featured at New York Fashion Week, Minnesota Fashion Week, and on FOX 9 and CBS Minnesota. Through wearable art, Rashawnda empowers women to embrace their individuality.
Susan Warner is a Minneapolis-based pastel artist inspired by the beauty of landscapes, travel, and everyday places. Working primarily in soft pastel, she creates colorful, atmospheric paintings that capture a strong sense of place, often incorporating figures to add movement and human connection. Her work has been exhibited throughout Minnesota and beyond, and she enjoys supporting community arts and charitable initiatives through her work.
Vivian is a mixed media artist specializing in automata. Inspired by unexpected ideas, Czech folk art, and Art Nouveau, she creates whimsical works that combine intricate patterns, bold color, and moving figures. Her art balances beauty with a touch of the eerie, inviting viewers into imaginative and unconventional worlds.