‘Cover Stories’ Archives
WE ARE 2065
South Minneapolis painter Joanna Hallstrom explores how the United States will be 54% People of Color by 2065 in portraits of 16 local students PHOTOS COURTESY OF JOANNA HALLSTROMAshre, 9, (at left) and Diane, 7, talk about their experiences of school, family and growing up. These hundreds of hours of audio were then cut down to about 20 minutes that play in the exhibit as viewers look at the 16 portraits and hear stories of those featured within it. By Tesha M. Christensen 2065 Painter Joanna Hallstrom The year the USA will become 54% People of Color (according to Pew Research Center projections). South Minneapolis artist Joanna Hallstrom has painted 16 oil portraits of Minnesota students who will be living this change. “We are a changing nation and our faces are changing. My motivation for this portrait study is to offer a small, hopeful glimpse into our future and to show who we will be in 46 years””honoring those who have traveled far, worked [...]
Meet Diane Amgamarca-Ortiz
By Tesha M. Christensen Diane Seven-year-old Diane Amgamarca-Ortiz can make friends with anyone. She”'s in second grade at Risen in Christ Catholic Church (1120 E. 37th St.), and takes the bus over to Banyan Community after school. At Banyan, she works on homework, plays in the gym, and “chills out.” Diane is one of 16 South Minneapolis students whose portraits are part of the WE ARE 2065 project by local painter Joanna Hallstrom. Diane is one of three participants from Banyan. “I love Banyan,” she stated. Diane will be 53 in 2065. What will she be like then? “Nice, kind and I think my likes will be the same,” said Diane. As part of the project, students were interviewed and asked to share their experiences of school, family and growing up for a soundscape the accompanies the gallery. How does her day start? “I wake up, brush my teeth, change and have breakfast,” she said. “Then I come [...]
East Lake Savers closes
By Tesha M. Christensen After 27 years, the Savers on East Lake St. shut its doors for the last time on April 3, 2019. The closure came as a surprise to staff members, shoppers and building owner, Wellington Management, Inc. “We are disappointed with their departure,” said Wellington Management Executive Vice President David Wellington. He pointed out that they were mid-lease and the rent had not changed recently. “We are actively attempting to backfill their vacancy with other soft-good retailers including other well-known thrift stores,” remarked Wellington. “We have a deep understanding of how the Hi-Lake Shopping Center operates as an important community resource and we hope we will continue this tradition as we look for a new tenant.” Wellington acquired the shopping center in 2004 and has since doubled the density onsite with three new buildings that brought 30,000 square feet of additional retail and 100 new [...]
