Creative Individuals

Dexter Carlson: Carlson is the development manager at the American Swedish Institute, where she works with members and supporters of the organization's mission. She has previously worked in development roles at the University of Chicago and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago (both nonprofit organizations), focusing on community and audience engagement. She received her BFA in dance from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, and has continued to perform, instruct, and create works here in Minnesota.; Rosemary Davis: With a MFA in writing from Hamline University, Davis, a Loft fellow, has published in literary journals, anthologies, and newspapers including the Minneapolis Star Tribune and the Austin American-Statesman. Davis curated a reading series, ?A Language We Speak,? for a decade showcasing 50 Twin Cities writers. She holds degrees/certificates in photography, filmmaking, visual communication, and world art history. Davis worked professionally in film and video production for 25 years. Her photography has been exhibited in the Twin Cities, Chicago, and New York City. Author of the San Francisco memoir, Before They Left Us, Davis also freelances and makes collages.; Grace Fogland: Fogland is currently a senior development officer for Lutheran Social Services. She was previously the development and communications assistant at the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits. Fogland graduated from St. Olaf College with degrees in sociology and film studies.; Tanya Gravening: Gravening is a public art manager for Hennepin Theatre Trust. In this role, Gravening manages and curates four exhibition spaces in downtown Minneapolis and organizes a summer street festival and special projects?most recently, "Art on Hennepin Avenue [AHA]," funded by a Minnesota State Arts Board grant. AHA paid 27 artists to make prints of their art, which covered 41 windows.; Marcelline Harrisonfields: Harrisonfields has participated actively in the arts, with more than 30 painting shows since 2002. Her work is on the cover of international flamenco guitarist Juanito Pascual's album and other published therapy cards, books, and calendars. She has been employed by Art Materials and SooVAC. She has acted in music videos and voice-over animation, and volunteered at the Minnesota Fringe Festival. She has a BA in speech communication from the University of Minnesota.; Asako Hirabayashi: Hirabayashi is a freelance harpsichordist who has performed as a soloist in seven countries. Her debut recital was at Carnegie Hall; she earned a DMA from the Juilliard School. Hirabayashi has written five operas and 30 chamber pieces that have been played in fifteen countries. She is the recipient of several grants and awards, including two McKnight Fellowships, the Jerome Fund for New Music by the American Composers Forum, the Schubert Club Composer Award, Opera America's Discovery Grant, and several first prizes in the Alienor International Harpsichord Composition Competition.; Kirby Hoberg: Hoberg is an actor, dancer, and playwright. He has worked with the Minnesota Fringe Festival, Fridley Community Theater, Northern Starz Center for the Performing Arts, Turtle Theater Collective, New Native Theatre, and Moore Creative Talent. Hoberg is a current member of the American Indian Parent Advisory Committee for Robbinsdale Area Schools District 281.; Shelley Pierce: Pierce is a radio show cohost of Shuffle Function on KMSU Radio on the campus of Minnesota State University, Mankato (MSU). Pierce also curates and manages the Minnesota Music Channel for KMSU, featuring music and interviews of Minnesota bands and musicians, and directs the Fountaineers KMSU Radio Drama Troupe. Pierce graduated from MSU Mankato with a BA in anthropology. She has been a member of several bands and currently participates in the Pageant and Singalong Nation events in Saint Peter. Her radio show activities have offered her the opportunity to interact with and support the local art and music scenes of Mankato.; Jill Underwood: Underwood has 30 years of experience in nonprofit arts organizations, large and small. Since 2016, she has been the associate director of development at Children's Theatre Company. Underwood worked in similar roles at Dallas Theater Center and Guthrie Theater. Her introduction to Minnesota came through the Commonweal Theatre Company in Lanesboro, where her work as a member of the resident company included acting, teaching, marketing, and grant writing. She also served on the board of the Lanesboro Arts Council and reviewed grants for the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council.