Creative Individuals

Mohamedid Ali: Ali is a distinguished poet and cultural historian dedicated to preserving Somali culture. He founded Afka Suugaanta, a website exploring Somali heritage and educating youth. He regularly contributes to Mahadho.com and the Minnesota Somali Museum, sharing insights on Somali history and culture. As the former research director of Maangaar Global, he led initiatives to educate the Somali community about autism spectrum disorder. Ali's work bridges cultural gaps and fosters appreciation for Somali traditions, playing a vital role in cultural preservation and advocacy.; Vincent DeZutti: DeZutti is a Minneapolis based artist working in photography and video art. He graduated from Carleton College with a BA in cinema and media studies in 2016. He also works as a senior video editor at space150, a Minneapolis based ad agency. He has exhibited work throughout the Twin Cities metro and beyond, including at the Rosalux Gallery, Squirrel Haus Arts, Public Functionary, and Hopkins Center for the Arts. His moving image work has been screened at both U. S. and international film festivals. ; Peter Giebink: Giebink is a mixed-multimedia artist who has created a wide array of wildly different types of work?from music to TV/film/video to photography to performance to sculpture to etc. He has been awarded numerous grants and otherwise recognized for his work in many forms. He earned his BA in communications (visual media) and literature from the American University in Washington, DC, and a master's in education from the University of St. Thomas.; Douglas Harbin: Harbin is a composer, pianist, and educator residing in Moorhead. He composes acoustic and electroacoustic systematic music, and his works have been performed throughout the world. Harbin holds degrees from Arizona State University (Tempe, AZ), Ball State University (Muncie, IN), and Taylor University (Upland, IN). He is currently an associate professor of music theory and composition at Concordia College and serves as a board member for both the American Composers Alliance and the Composers Institute.; Jayson King: King has degrees in fine arts, arts education, and holistic nursing. He managed a program that serves patients on a healing journey. The program included art related classes, ongoing cancer survivor art groups, and four exhibition spaces within medical facilities for local artists. King is currently developing new ideas with local resilience trainers to include arts related healing practices. He is a working artist and active in many civic programs.; Lana Western: Western has more than twelve years of experience working in various nonprofits in the field of volunteer management. She graduated with a degree in music from St. Olaf College and was a member of the St. Olaf Choir. She currently serves as a board member and volunteer for Angelica Cantanti Youth Choirs (ACYC).