2065 2045
2045* is the year the USA will become over fifty percent People of Color (Acc. Pew Research Center projections). Joanna received a grant to reflect this statistic by painting a community of portraits and recording the participants' stories. This finished project includes sixteen oil portraits of Minnesota students representing the likeness and voice of our future—a significant shift in the portrait of America.
*Project Update: Since the creation of this project in 2018/2019, demographic statistics confirm that the United States is on track to become over 50% People of Color by 2045.
Mobile Gallery
2065 2045 is a traveling exhibit designed as a mobile gallery to be set up in non-traditional gallery settings. Since its launch in 2019, 2065 2045 has been exhibited at thirteen different community spaces around Minnesota. Notable exhibit locations include Arts@MSP/ Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport and Regions Hospital and Methodist Hospital through the Park Nicollet Foundation. This exhibit can be reserved for a 1-12 month installation.
Soundscape
This soundscape of the students sharing their moments, traditions and history accompanies their portraits in the 2065 2045 traveling exhibit.
Behind the scenes
Joanna had a great time working with the students who participated in this project. They met twice, once for a photo shoot to take references for photos for the project and again to record the audio for the soundscape.
Abha Karnick, a Hamlin University student, assisted with both the photo shoot and recording session and created this behind-the-scenes recap.
WE ARE 2065 2045
We are named after sunshine
and friendship, power and wisdom,
favorite places and royalty.
We come from Colombia and Norway,
Somalia and Laos, Ireland and Ethiopia,
between and beyond.
We wear button ups and hoodies, hijabs
and jeans, sneakers, flip-flops, cat ears,
and “sparkalata red” shoes.
We wake up to the rhythm of routines.
We study. We practice. We play. We dream.
We celebrate life with Nutella sandwiches,
shushumow, empanadas, lefsa, and laap.
We see beauty in rainbows and find peace
on the cross country-ski trail.
We meet our families at morning prayers
and around the card table.
We tell stories about our grandfathers.
We like to swim with our cousins.
We sing songs of journey and love.
We sing our way through the Spider-Verse.
We will not be left in the dust. We are now.
We are the future. We are the portrait of America.
WE ARE 2065 2045
Poem by Joanna Hallstrom for the 2065 2045 exhibit. Inspired by the stories and statements of the sixteen Minnesota students in the project.
Thank you
This endeavor was possible because of the support and collaboration Joanna received from others.
To Banyan Community, Minneapolis College, and The Lift for partnering with me on this project and investing in our amazing Minnesota students. • To the Minnesota students who said yes to this project: Addis, Gus, Simier, Hudson, Salman, Diane, Asha, Maria, Miguel, Sahiba, Charles, Sophia, Solvei, Michele, Cai and Sky. • To Bonita Roberts and Myron Sahlberg, two gifted Minnesota portrait painters who gave me honest critique and pushed my painting skills forward. Your mentorship is invaluable. • To the late Steven Froman, who generously made affordable studio space for me at Tin Top Studios. • To Maja Sahlberg Photography for helping me capture the future on camera. And to Philip Hussong Photography for loaning us some equipment. • To John Christenson and Silverhouse Studio for the use of your fantastic studio for our photoshoots. It was a perfect space to host students and their families. • To Abby Reeth, Abha Karnick, and Connor Unger for assisting with the photoshoots. And to Abha Karnick for assisting with the interviews and creating a highlight reel. • To Hans Schmidt of HJS Architecture for talking through my display concepts and giving the final model a thumbs up. • To Peter Hallstrom (my husband) and Myron Sahlberg (my dad) for lending me your skilled hands to get the display ready in record time. • To Micheal Sutz, producer and partner at Twelve Plus Media, for offering to record the student interviews and for creating an extra special set up with a video camera, backdrop, and lights. • To Park Avenue United Methodist Church for letting us transform one of your classrooms into a recording studio for a weekend. And to Daryl Boudreaux for being our impromptu mic tester. • To Gregg Ward of Studio Arcade for sitting with me for days editing interviews and weaving them into a compelling soundscape. • To Sherrie Fernandez-Williams, Program Officer Minnesota State Arts Board for talking through my grant proposal ages ago, and helping me keep my grant on track along the way. • To Nicki Hines for reviewing my grant project ideas over coffee at the very very beginning and steering me in the right direction. • To the Minnesota State Arts Board and the State of Minnesota for this opportunity. • To my family and friends who enthusiastically cheer me on as an artist. • And especially to Pete Hallstrom for being my biggest promoter. I love you.
Joanna Hallstrom is a 2021 recipient of a Creative Support for Individuals grant and a 2018 recipient of an Artist Initiative grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature, and by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.
