Bayou Bay (born name Donald Thomas) (he/they/stardust pronouns)
Bayou is a mixed-media artist and designer based in the Twin Cities on the occupied lands of the Dakota & Anishinaabe peoples. He creates murals, art installations, digital illustrations, woodwork, and works as a teaching artist. Bayou’s work embodies themes of nature from the micro to the cosmic, black and collective liberation, healing trauma, time, portals, geometry, setting intentions for affirmations, asking questions, symbols, and identity exploration. HaHa Wakpa (the Mississippi River) has been a major influence in his life and has made water a defining theme in his work.
Courtney Cochran (she/her) of Skoden Studio
Courtney Cochran is an Anishinaabe multidisciplinary artist, filmmaker, and community organizer based in Minneapolis. Her work often addresses social justice movements, connection to community and to culture, self-exploration, healing, and joy. Her goal is to be a good relative and ancestor one day, and collectively build and strengthen relationships that extend past any project timeline.