Cultural Expression

John Azbill-Salisbury: Azbill-Salisbury is an arts enthusiast with an interest in both the visual and performing arts. For the last fifteen years he has sung with the Twin Cities Gay Men's Chorus, where he has also served as board chair and vice chair. He worked for six years at the Interact Center for the Visual and Performing Arts as an arts administrator, and has been known to stage manage the occasional show. Azbill-Salisbury has a BA in English from Rice University and master of public health from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. He is an avid reader and knitter.; Barbara Farland: Farland is the owner of Barbara Farland Creative Group, LLC, which offers professional writing services, language arts instruction, and all manner of artistic contributions through storytelling and textiles. Her short stories have appeared in Chicken Soup for the Soul, Hugs, Cup of Comfort, and several other anthologies; she is also in the process of publishing several children's books and creative writers' guides. She showcases and sells her visual art at Thistles & Threads Boutique. Farland earned a bachelor's degree from Concordia College and a master's degree in business communication from the University of St. Thomas.; Zoe Malinchoc-DeVoe: Malinchoc-DeVoe is a retail bookseller in Red Wing, where she gifts first-time customers a book, and manages book related events, sales, inventory, and staffing. She volunteers with Red Wing Arts, Christ Episcopal Church, the Anderson Center at Tower View, Growing Red Wing's Voices, Hispanic Outreach, and the Red Wing Public Library. She hosts weekly author book signings, readings, performances, and other community outreach events at the bookstore.; Adam McCauley: McCauley is an artist and educator. He has exhibited widely throughout the Midwest and has received several fellowships and awards for his work. His artistic practice is centered around painting but includes sculpture and collage. He received a master?s degree in art history from the University of Wisconsin and participated in the McNair Scholars Program.; Aryca Myers: Currently a neighborhood support specialist with the City of Minneapolis, Myers uses her experience working with nonprofits and grassroots organizations to push for equitable engagement, so all community members have a voice in decision-making that impacts their lives. Her expertise with volunteer management, organizational development, and community outreach was honed while working as the director of the Burma Volunteer Program on the Thai/Burma border and associate director of the Lyndale Neighborhood Association. She has her master?s of international and intercultural management from the School of International Training and has served on the board of the Exposed Brick Theater Company.; Hannah Scheidel: Scheidel lives and works primarily in Minneapolis. She has worked with Fireweed Community Woodshop since 2019, initially on a volunteer basis and presently as a host of open shop nights. From 2019-2022, she served on the founding board of the woodshop and chaired the education committee. Recently, she was an intern at the North House Folk School in Grand Marais, where she was able to broaden her perspective on nonprofit programming, administration, funding, as well as deepening her study of traditional basketry. She's taught kids basketry at the folk school, as well as various skill gatherings, and continues to view teaching basketry as a primary practice for deepening her own relationship to the craft.; David Stordalen: Stordalen serves as executive director and conductor at the Mankato Area Youth Symphony Orchestra. He founded and plays trombone in the Armstrong Boulevard Brass Quintet. A full- time member of the Schell's Hobo Band, Stordalen is also a freelance musician and conductor in southern Minnesota. A public school music director for 25 years, he holds two bachelor's of music degrees from North Dakota State University and a master?s of music from Minnesota State University, Mankato.; Kao Lee Vang: Vang is an artist and cultural enthusiast, currently pursuing a master of professional studies in arts and cultural leadership at the University of Minnesota. With a bachelor of arts in studio arts printmaking, Vang has a strong background in print design and commercial printing. Alongside graduate studies, Vang runs a jewelry business and has also worked for several museums. Currently, Vang serves as the student board member of the University of Minnesota Northrop advisory board, bringing a unique perspective and valuable insights to the team.