Artist Initiative

Project Details by Fiscal Year
2016 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$10,000
Fund Source
Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund
Recipient
Caroline M. Mecklin
Recipient Type
Individual
Status
Completed
Start Date
March 2016
End Date
February 2017
Activity Type
Grants/Contracts
Counties Affected
Dakota
Hennepin
Itasca
Lake
Ramsey
Scott
Washington
Dakota
Hennepin
Itasca
Lake
Ramsey
Scott
Washington
Project Overview
Artist Initiative
Project Details
Mecklin will create and exhibit a series of twelve large portraits representative of Saint Paul Lowertown’s rich and diverse cultural arts community. A solo exhibition at one of the galleries in Lowertown is planned.
Competitive Grant Making Body
Board Members and Qualifications
Ardell Brede: Mayor of Rochester, elected 2002.; Peggy Burnet: Businesswoman, art collector, and community volunteer. Chair of the Nominating Committee, Smithsonian National Board. Trustee, Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden. Vice Chair, Minnesota State Arts Board.; Michael Charron: Dean of the School of the Arts, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. Chair, Minnesota State Arts Board.; Rebecca Davis-Lee: Touring pianist, piano and music theory teacher; Sean Dowse, Executive director, Sheldon Theatre. Board member for Minnesota Music Coalition, Minnesota Citizens for the Arts, and Anderson Center for Interdisciplinary Studies, Treasurer, Minnesota State Arts Board.; David Glenn: Executive director of the Minnesota Project, ceramic artist; Thomas Moss: Consultant to nonprofits and government agencies; Janice Sivertson: Gallery owner and visual artist; Dobson West: Senior advisor, Spell Capital Partners Fund
Advisory Group Members and Qualifications
Craig Campbell: Working studio artist and glassblowing instructor; Joseph Giannetti: Painter, illustrator, photographer, muralist; Jennifer Jenkins: Artist, prop and wardrobe stylist; Christine Monroe: Cartoonist; children’s book author, artist, and illustrator; Janet Olney: Executive director, Willmar Area Arts Council; career fiber artist and instructor; Carl Oltvedt: Visual artist in drawing and painting, retired college art teacher; Samuel Spiczka: Sculptor
Conflict of Interest Disclosed
No
Legal Citation / Subdivision
Laws of Minnesota 2015 Special Session, chapter 2, article 4, section 2, subdivision 3
Appropriation Language

ACHF Arts Access

2016 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$10,000
Other Funds Leveraged
$0
Direct expenses
$10,000
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

The artist will create and exhibit a body of work highlighting the scope and diversity of creative members of the Lowertown Cultural Arts District. Success will be evaluated by the completion and exhibition of new works as well as through tracking the attendance at the exhibition and its related activities. 2: The artist will expand the depth of her painting skill set in portraiture. The artist’s figure classes will incorporate the new component of portraiture in their syllabii.

Measurable Outcome(s)

Thirteen acrylic portraits on canvas and twenty-two process drawings and paintings were completed and exhibited at a solo show from February 10 - March 5, 2017. I was able to successfully complete thirteen 30 x40 foot paintings and approximately 110 life drawings and paintings, studies on paper and canvas. An exhibition of the large paintings and 22 process works was attended by over 400 artists, cultural leaders, friends and Lowertown residents. Several portrait subjects spoke at the opening and Pippi Ardennia sang jazz. 2: I am able to draw a subject and successfully develop this material into a portrait painting. I am able to apply these skills into my figure classes. In the process of drawing thirteen separate individuals, many new to life drawing, I was able to gain a great deal of practical experience in working with a very diverse group of individuals. I then took this material and applied it to creating a large painted portrait that artistically represented the profession and personality of the sitter. I received positive feedback from my fellow artists and the individuals I had portrayed on the individuality and quality of the portraits.

Description of Funds
Project Manager
First Name
Caroline
Last Name
Mecklin
Organization Name
Caroline M. Mecklin
State
MN
Phone
(317) 252-5816
Email
cmmecklin@gmail.com
Administered By
Administered by
Location

Griggs Midway Building, Suite 304,
540 Fairview Avenue North,
St. Paul, MN 55104

Phone
(651) 539-2650 or toll-free (800) 866-2787
Email the Agency