Freedom: The Journey of Looking
On October 14th, artists Hannah and Mack, along with curator Jean, celebrated the soft opening of "Freedom: The Journey of Looking" at the Northrup King Building. This event highlighted the expanded work of the artists and marked the inaugural art show curated by Jean, all surrounded by family, friends, and colleagues.
man standing in front of photographs in glasses and a hat
I am David McDonnell-Forney, but my friends call me Mack. Born and raised in Minneapolis, I graduated from Washburn High School in 1999 and have worked at the law firm Brown & Carlson in Golden Valley for over 20 years. I create art to relax, and my photographs help me remember special places, like the stone circles and rocky shores of Ireland, where I've visited many times. As an emerging artist, I love showcasing my narrative photographs to the public. For instance, in "Sunset," I can tell you about the two people silhouetted on the rocks or describe the rain clouds that summer afternoon. Each of the thousands of images I've captured over the years holds a unique story.
I’m Hannah Rousar. I have Down Syndrome and grew up with three siblings, one of whom is my twin. I really like to travel with my family, be with my friends, participate in Special Olympics and dance. I’ve been dancing since I was three and still dance at Curio Dance in Stillwater. When I was in high school I took a graphic arts class where I learned to use a camera and take pictures. From there I learned the joys of an iPhone! Being able to take pictures of what I see and what I do makes me so happy!
Making her curatorial debut, Jean Hauff describes "Freedom: The Journey of Looking" as an exhibition that explores themes of nurturing, understanding, and personal growth.
Hauff concludes her thoughts on curating the show by stating, “The artwork in this exhibition vividly captures the essence of love and hope, offering a profound opportunity for personal connection.”
Jean is a sophomore at Augustana University in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where she majors in Communications and takes photography classes. In her second year as a summer intern at the Institute for Community Integration (ICI), she has honed her skills as a social media creator, graphic designer, and film interviewer. This role also allows her to earn college credit for her internship.
Beyond her academic and professional endeavors, Jean founded the "Friday Poets" group on Facebook, a vibrant community where artists and poetry enthusiasts connect through discussions and Zoom meetings.