5 to 10 Hennepin Mural by Kulture Klub Collaborative
In the summer of 2021, Kulture Klub Collaborative youth participated in a 5 to 10 on Hennepin special project led by teaching artists, Joy Spika and Thomasina Topbear. As paid participants the youth designed and created a mural on the 9th street side of The Hennepin. The mural was developed through two collaborative sessions with the youth and was funded by the Office of Violence Prevention.
About the teaching artists:
Joy Spika is a dedicated youth worker, teaching artist, muralist and musician. She is a practicing artist who has been engaging with both youth and emerging artists in the Twin Cities since receiving her BFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Joy is passionate about working with young people who want to explore the possibilities of what the arts has to offer them and hopes to help elevate the experience of Kulture Klub Collaborative.
Thomasina Topbear is a self-taught Santee Dakota & Oglala Lakota muralist. She has been a member of the international, all female crew, Few & Far Women, since 2015. Thomasina helped found City Mischief Murals, a mural collective that actively paints large scale, community-based murals in the Twin Cities. She has helped organize several local and national community-based mural events focusing on youth, women, activism and BIPOC artists. Thomasina’s inspirations come from her Indigenous culture and graffiti background, she uses these influences to express her feelings on community, social justice, culture, feminism, and togetherness.