Welcome to Minnesota Women Ceramic Artists!

Statement About Recent Events

from the Board of Minnesota Women Ceramic Artists (MNWCA)

George Floyd’s murder exposed, once again, the injustices that Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) live with every single day. We mourn with the family and friends of George Floyd and grieve for the hurt systemic racism has caused in our local communities here and throughout the United States. It is clear that in our country, systemic racism is pervasive and that we must all work together to end it.

As an organization based upon mentorship, MNWCA commits to being a resource for our membership to connect with BIPOC communities and organizations. Please follow the links below to communicate with your local state representative, to stand with our BIPOC communities in solidarity with financial or volunteer support and to become more informed in order to become an active ally to our BIPOC communities.

Map for Mutual Aid Locations in the Twin Cities

This document is highly recommended. It contains many links to websites, books, videos, podcasts and articles. 

Another resource is from St Catherine University Inclusive Excellence Guide whose librarian added this information about the link. "All of the videos, articles, and websites that are linked look publicly available; however, some books are linked and those would not be available to community members, at least through St. Kate's - but they could see the details if they wanted to find them through their public library or for purchase, etc."

The U of M Press is opening up their collection regarding racial justice for all to access, which may be of use: https://manifold.umn.edu/projects/project-collection/racial-justice

Specific Actions for MNWCA Going Forward

MNWCA continues to reach, engage, and support all ceramic artists who identify as women.

We recognize that we can do a better job, and want your feedback and advice. MNWCA is looking at immediate ways we can help our members, and long-term ways to strengthen our mission.

• If your home or studio has been damaged by the recent civil unrest in Minneapolis or St. Paul and has impacted your practice, please email Kimberlee Joy Roth at kimberleejoyroth@gmail.com, to discuss how MNWCA may help you.

• In order to inspire our membership we would like to showcase our members who are doing outreach. Members who have been engaging with communities of color, please share your stories with Jeanne Lukas at Lukasjeanne@gmail.com. 

• If you have ideas of how our members can further our commitment to bringing clay experiences to diverse communities, join our Zoom discussion June 29 at 4:00. Please email Jeanne by noon on June 29 if you want to participate: Lukasjeanne@gmail.com .