In May 2023, Banana Leaf Collective participated in its first Art-A-Whirl weekend, an annual open studio tour in northeast Minneapolis. The weekend’s activities included a pop-up market, live performances, and an open studio.

Our Art-A-Whirl programming was a team effort!

Event planning team: Brenda Tran (lead), Justin Ofori-Atta, John Jamison II, Myles Dickens, Madelyn Osmon, and Meti Mekonen

Art direction: Meti Mekonen (lead) and Brenda Tran

Graphic design + socials: Brenda Tran

Video: Justin Ofori-Atta (lead) and Brenda Tran

Set design: Meti Mekonen (lead), Brenda Tran, and Gino Sahagun

Art installation: Myles Dickens (lead), Meti Mekonen, and Gino Sahagun

Front of house volunteers: Madelyn Osmon (lead), Andrea Manolov, Blongsha Hang, Thuy Le, Myles Dickens, Bebe Namnakhone, and Ally Kann

Set up/tear down: Madelyn Osmon (lead), Andrea Manolov, Blongsha Hang, Thuy Le, Myles Dickens, Ally Kann, Lissa Vo, Brenda Tran, and Justin Ofori-Atta

Open studio team: Kia Lee, Zeb Thoj Sengsoulichanh, Madelyn Osmon, Thuy Le, and Brenda Tran