Itasca, MN

September 11th - 14th, 2025

@ University of MN, Itasca Biological Research Station

The MdW Itasca Gathering was designed around open studio and open space concepts, providing space for artists to connect, share, and create in a non‑structured environment. Hosted in collaboration with Manoomin Arts Initiative, MdW Coalition, The School for Rural Culture and Creativity, Racing Magpie, and the Region 2 Arts Council.

This gathering built on the relationships and ideas shared at the 2024 Kansas City Summit, setting the stage for our future June 22–27, 2026 MdW Summit in Detroit. In that complicated time, the gathering aimed to create space for community‑building, collaboration, reflection, rejuvenation, and connection to nature.

For the Record…

At the MdW Itasca Gathering, Lumpen Radio hosted a mobile recording space where participants could sign up for 30–60 minute sessions to share conversations, stories, reflections, or audio experiments. Guided by prompts but free to explore, these recordings offer a rich, living archive of voices, ideas, and creative moments from the summit.

Margarette Mckenzie-Ray, Isabetta Bleu, & Mel Holtzer-Benitez of People's Pride | Fargo-Moorhead, MN
Eliza Klarer, Independent Artist and Board Member of Manoomin Arts Initiative | White Earth Nation,
Witt Siasco & Ray Janis, Independent Artists | Minneapolis, MN & Rapid CIty, SD
Shelly Buffalo, Independent Artist | Meskwaki Settlement, IA
Lydia Y. Nichols, Independent Artist | New Orleans, LA
Nancy X. Valentine, Independent Artist | Fergus Falls, MN
Nance Klehm, Social Ecologies | Chicago, IL
Dr. Jerrod Dortch, Resident Artist from Big Car Collaborative | Indianapolis, IN
Sean Lim, Spill Paint Not Oil | Twin Cities, MN
Stan Maang Alexander, Independent Artist | White Earth Nation, MN
Lisa Ironcloud & Arlo Ironcloud, Independent Artists of Racing Magpie | Rapid City, SD
Taylor Jo, Independent Artist | White Earth Nation, MN
Dona Trickey, Independent Artist | Waubun, MN