Accessible Arts

Charles Ainsworth: Ainsworth is the founder and producer of Angry Deaf People, an independent company focusing on Deaf Cinema. He has an MFA in screenwriting from the David Lynch Graduate School of Cinematic Arts and a BA in theatre arts from Gallaudet University. He has produced eight short films and participated in various deaf-related arts such as the Deaf Artists Residency in Red Wing. Ainsworth is eager to foster the upcoming generation of deaf filmmakers into the new frontier.; Haley Bice: Bice is a health educator for the Minnesota Department of Health and uses her arts background to create materials that provide information to parents of children with special health needs. She has a master's degree in business design and arts leadership, with undergraduate degrees in art history and graphic design. She is a Rochester native and serves on the board of Art on the Ave in Slatterly Park, where she coordinates vendors for an annual festival and manages the nonprofit's social media accounts. She also has a freelance social media management and graphic design business.; Cynthia McEwen Haynes: Cyd Haynes has 30 years of experience in theatre as a director and playwright. She helped establish the only bilingual theatre in the Midwest that features both deaf and hearing actors, sign language, and English onstage. She is also a grant writer and non-profit arts leader who proudly calls Minnesota home.; Katherine Pease: Pease originally came to Minnesota from Oregon for college and is a proud graduate of St. Catherine University, with a BA in English and studio art. After working in a variety of fields, including extensive time spent supporting persons living with physical and developmental disabilities, Pease's passion for social justice led her to serve with the AmeriCorps and relocate to northern Minnesota. Pease now serves in various roles for nonprofits in Duluth and the Twin Cities.; Naomi Smith: Smith is the senior graphic designer at Essentia Health. She was previously in sales at the Sivertson Gallery; a member of the Sister City project with Petrozavodsk, Russia; and a member of the Society of Children's Books Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). She graduated from the University of Minnesota Duluth with a BA in graphic design and has worked with local photographers and artists on various projects. Smith was awarded the Howard W. Lions/Alice Tweed Touhy Award, the Chancellor's Purchase Award, and the Mitchel and Sheissel Memorial summer scholarship.; Davis Steen: Steen is a resident of the northeast Minneapolis community. He is the client service specialist with the Northeaster and the Audio-Visual Entrainment (AVE) expert with Trivia Mafia. Steen also makes videos, graphic design, podcasts, and various projects out of wood. He has been an active member of the Northeast Arts District, helping with Art-A-Whirl and various art events in his area.; Briauna Williams: Williams is a Black woman from North Minneapolis. She is an acrylic artist, muralist, illustrator, and community engagement artist. She uses paint to tell her own stories, and her community's stories of pain, passion, resilience, and beauty. She is a community leader and artist curating spaces for black and brown people to aid in healing with and through the arts. Williams is a muralist, self-taught artist, and henna artist. Her work has been featured at the Phoenix Theater, sponsored by Springboard for the Arts, and in an exhibition in the Duluth Courthouse.