Artists and George Floyd Family Collaborate to Help Rebuild Mpls

(Edina, MN) – MN-based Public Benefit Corporation, Inclusivi-tee, is excited to announce that the George Floyd Family, in partnership with Black Lives Matter Saint Paul and 1Love 1Mission Movement, is joining Inclusivi-tee and artists from around the world in Artists Who Share: The Minneapolis Revitalization Auction (AWS). AWS is a one of a kind event, supporting the George Floyd’s Family Revitalization Fund, Cortez Rice, Timothy Williams, and the healing of Minneapolis. AWS will be happening online August 4-6. Information can be accessed through an event page on Inclusivi-tee’s Facebook page and on Inclusivi-tee’s website.

AWS was originally planned by Inclusivi-tee to support coronavirus recovery. The name Artists Who Share: An Auction Supporting Coronavirus Recovery reflected this mission. With the brutal murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police, however, the focus shifted to include the support of both coronavirus recovery and the revitalization of Minneapolis following Mr. Floyd’s death.

Lori Myren-Manbeck, Founder and CEO of Inclusivi-tee, said, “When George Floyd was murdered, we knew AWS had to shift. We live ten minutes from Minneapolis. I work, go to restaurants, and visit my daughter in the city. My husband grew up in the city. This is our home. We could not simply pretend this tragedy was not unfolding around us.”

The focus of AWS shifted entirely to recovery and healing in Minneapolis when LydiaMarie Moses, Founder of 1Love 1Mission Movement, offered to bring art to the auction. Ms. Moses is joined by Black Lives Matter St. Paul and is donating the art specifically in support of the George Floyd Revitalization Fund, overseen by the George Floyd family.

1Love 1Mission Movement is a Minneapolis-based organization that has operated internationally for the past 10 years. They are deeply committed to ending homelessness, assisting those in crisis, weeding out systemic racism, and supporting the community. Ms. Moses said, “We believe everyone can make a difference. We are all about the future. Collectively, the mission is to continually work towards positive change.”

Black Lives Matter is an international human rights movement, originating in the African-American community, that campaigns against police brutality and systemic racism. Black Lives Matter St. Paul has been working closely with George Floyd’s family and the community at large ever since Mr. Floyd’s violent murder by Minneapolis police.

The auction features the work of over 50 diverse artists from around the world. Art includes an original painting by actress Sharon Stone, as well as a beautiful image of George Floyd, created by artist Ellie Bryan. Artists range in age from 8-91 and represent diverse cultures, sexual orientations, gender identities, abilities, and creative visions. AWS is quite literally the face of inclusivity. The Floyd family is auctioning various artifacts and paintings that have been created in Mr. Floyd’s honor.

In addition to the auction, an online program, We Come In Peace: The Minneapolis Revitalization Event, will be broadcast August 4-6. We Come in Peace will include diverse performers from around the world, singing, dancing, providing how-to videos, and engaging in cosplay. The event is being organized by Asterin Everett Grey, who attends a high school for the arts in Ohio, and Heidi Little, Founder of International Children’s Month and Omnipresent Entertainment. Performers include KI, a TikTok sensation (under EYEMKI) and Pleasure Me Wrong Ft Trust, The AMG Corp, performing their new single, “Mr. Floyd.” Details will be available on Inclusvi-tee’s website, including, on August 1, a description of the program.

We Come in Peace is being produced by Artists Who Share, Inclusivi-tee, International Children’s Month, and Omnipresent Entertainment. Sponsors include International Children's Month and World Peace and Prayer Day (June 21). Wrote Ms. Little, “International Children's Month and World Peace and Prayer Day are happy to support We Come In Peace, the George Floyd Revitalization Fund, Black Lives Matter Saint Paul, 1Love 1Mission, and all the organizations working tirelessly to rebuild the cities of Minneapoilis and Saint Paul, for love, care and respect of all the children. Much love, Heidi Little and ICM” www.internationalchildrensmonth.com/2020”

Proceeds from 1Love 1Mission Movement donations will go to the George Floyd Revitalization Fund. The fund will be used to renovate the historic Rudolph’s BBQ, creating Resurrection, a restaurant memorial for Mr. Floyd and other people of color who have lost their lives to police violence. Other beneficiaries from AWS and We Come in Peace include the artists, The Lake Street Business Council, Black Lives Matter St. Paul, 1Love 1Mission, and Hydrax Hill Museum in Kenya.

To defray the costs of the auction, people are being asked to become personal supporters. Information about donating and supporting the auction is accessible from the front page of the website, www.inclusivi-tee.com, as well as from a Facebook event page.

Myren-Manbeck expresses excitement and hope when talking about the auction, “We know change is coming. There is no more time for standing on the sidelines. We also know AWS can be part of this change by promoting inclusion, diversity, art, and a spirit of collaboration. We plan to make this an annual event, spreading hope and supporting change as we go.”

The Minnesota artists participating in the auction are:

Ellie Bryan, Minneapolis (Ink and Embroidery Thread) *the artist who created an image of George Floyd that has become an online sensation.

Emily Engelhard, Minneapolis (Ink and Watercolor)

Madelene Antrim, Minneapolis (Mixed Media)

Samuel Strand Minneapolis, MN (acrylic painting)

Daren Scott Hill, Minneapolis, MN (Mixed media, acrylics)

Sun The Pisces, Minneapolis (Acrylic Painting)

Sydnney Islam, Minneapolis (Photography, Mixed Media)

Thien Nguyen, Minneapolis (Photography)

Ta-coumba Aiken, Saint Paul (Acrylic paint)

Christopher Harrison, Brooklyn Park, (Acrylic paint)

Dawn Carlson Conn, Maple Grove (Painting and sewing on fabric)

Summer Sasarita, Hopkins (Applique)

Debra McBride, Eden Prairie (white stoneware and mid-fire glazes)Kelly Anderson, Lakeville (Acrylic Paint)

Lori Myren-Manbeck, Eden Prairie (Photography)

Raymond Caron, Eden Prairie (Acrylic paints and Ceramics)

Tam Strand Eden Prairie, MN (water color, acrylics)

Becky Haaf, Shoreview (Quilting)

Lynette Yencho Owatonna, MN (Acrylic Paint)

Sanya Pirani, Prior Lake (Acrylic Painting)

Other American artists:

John Cronin, Huntington, New York, who has Down Syndrome. He and his father, Mark, co-founded John’s Crazy Socks. John submitted several beautiful symbols, which are now being used by other auction participants to create collaborative art. John and Mark have agreed to create a special sock for the auction, which will be given to everyone who donates at least 40. (Huntington, NY)

Cora Kromer, Centuria, WI (Charcoal)

Darlene Maahs Bagley, WI (Quilting)

Viera Margova Whitefish Bay, WI (acrylic paint on canvas, mixed media)

Arden Lapin Glencoe, IL (Watercolor)

Lily Matteson Morton Grove, IL (Acrylic Paint)

James (Jim) Boggs Gilman, IA (Pencil sketch)

Linda Myren, Grinnell, IA (Needlepoint)

Netia Worley, Grinnell, IA (Acrylic Paint)

Ashley Anzaldi, Stow, Ohio (Acrylic Paint, printed on canvas)

Asterin Everett Grey, Jackson Township, Ohio (Digital art and photography)

Lynn Caron, Bronx, NY (Watercolor)

Ashlee Birckhead, Edenton, N.C. (Acrylic Paint)

Barbara Rocas, Charlotte, N.C. (Acrylic paint)

Renée C. Gage, Alexandria, VA (Photography)

Arielle Lopez, Boynton Beach, FL (Acrylic paint)

Tracey Peer, Palm Beach, FL (Oil Paint)

Volta Voloshin-Smith, Dallas, TX (Acrylic Paint)

Cris Hamilton, Santa Barbara, CA (Watercolor)

Lexee Crystal Harris, Valley Village, CA (Digital Art)

Jen Colburn Bainbridge Island, WA (Digital Art)

Myren-Manbeck said, “Please follow the auction and watch the event, whether you want to bid on an original piece of art, donate to the cause, or just learn about the amazing artists and enjoy the beautiful images. Spend time looking at the art---we all need a moment of healing.”

Go to www.inclusivi-tee.com or https://www.facebook.com/inclusivitee/ for more information. (There is an event page on Facebook with all the information)