Members
Jennifer Arave (community representative) is a dancer and choreographer in Minneapolis. Her work ranges from group community action, solo conceptual and somatic performance, and collaborative “corps” work. Her process is collaborative in nature; and with dance, she brings dancers along with her vision, but allows each dancer to establish an individual tone within the context of the whole. She believes that collaborative artmaking and decision making, including movement and dance, is a viable modality for cultivating change in community through action. Jennifer has been on the Public Art Advisory Panel for over eight years and is grateful for its existence as a steadying breath through these uneven years. Jennifer holds an MFA in interdisciplinary arts from Goddard College and a BFA in directing from Virginia Commonwealth University. She continues to train and study with esteemed dance and movement teachers around the world.
Kris Brogan is a community developer who works to create property development partnerships, secure property for the creation of new housing, establish parameters and remove barriers for business development, and assist in the renovation and re-purposing of commercial buildings. She lives and works in north Minneapolis, always looking for opportunities to support housing and economic growth. In her work and volunteer activities she always keeps space for art through creation of public art, support of art organizations, and installment of art in development projects.
Frank Fitzgerald (landscape architect representative) is a Senior Landscape Architect at Coen+Partners, where he brings skills in site and planting design, detailed design, and urban planning. His prior professional experience includes several years as a Research Fellow at the University of Minnesota’s Design Center for American Urban Landscape. At the Design Center, his work focused on incorporating green infrastructure into the urban environment at a variety of scales. Frank’s current work bridges his previous work in urban design with several years of residential and garden design experience as well as a life-long interest in plants. In 2016 he was awarded the Lob Pine award from the Minnesota Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects. The Lob Pine is the highest award given by the Minnesota Chapter and recognizes exemplary leadership and mentorship over an extended period of time. Frank’s personal garden has been featured in Minneapolis St. Paul Magazine, Star Tribune and Better Homes and Gardens and a Lake Minnetonka garden he co-designed was selected for inclusion in the Smithsonian’s Archives of American Gardens.
Ann Godfrey (arts administrator representative) currently works as a public art consultant and has served as project manager for several City of Minneapolis public art projects including Bde Maka Ska, 26th Avenue North, West 29th Street and Water Works. Prior to consulting, Ann spent 20 years working as an arts educator at museums including the Walker Art Center, Minneapolis Institute of Art and Minnesota Museum of American Art. In addition, she developed the first education department for Hennepin Theatre Trust, implemented a legislative funded "arts for all" program for twin cities high schools and has worked with other small arts organizations to improve their education offerings. Ann's work has always focused on making the arts more accessible and it continues to be her priority. She feels so fortunate to work with incredibly talented and creative artists every day.
Jeff Handeland (engineer representative) is a Principal Professional Engineer in the Transportation Engineering & Design division of the City of Minneapolis Department of Public Works. Jeff has 25 years of civil engineering experience in Minnesota, including 15 years with the City of Minneapolis. Jeff started with the City in street design. He now manages a team which includes graphic designers for webpages and inspectors for permits. Public Works permits range from underground utilities to art. In his spare time, Jeff enjoys a variety of outdoor activities including snow sculpting with his two daughters.
Leann E. Johnson (artist representative) is a graphic designer, illustrator, and ceramic tile artist living in Minneapolis. She has exhibited her artwork locally and nationally and has illustrated for publications such as Saint Paul Almanac and the New York Times. Leann is also a former Minneapolis Arts Commissioner.
Meg McMahan, AICP, is the Director of Planning for the City of Minneapolis, where she works to leverage development and regulatory systems to drive equitable outcomes. Prior to Minneapolis, Meg worked for the City of Brooklyn Center as the Community Development Director where she led the department through a transitional time, which resulted in new ordinances, policies and approaches that were community-centered and met the needs of a diverse and dynamic citizenry. She received her Master’s in Urban and Regional Planning from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs and her B.A. in Sociology from Hamline. When she isn’t at work she is most likely camping with her family in their travel trailer.
Colleen O’Dell (community representative) is a Senior Planner and licensed Landscape Architect with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, as well as a recurring faculty member at the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs. She manages the Park Board’s public art collection and also works on community engagement, policy development, and environmental design and construction. A Minneapolis native, she attended college in Oregon, graduate studies at the University of Minnesota, studied in China, worked as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Turkmenistan, and previously managed exhibitions and artists grants at Northern Clay Center.
Jeffrey Swinton (Ward 7) is a Sales/Marketing Executive with over 30 years’ experience with global companies including (Schwan’s, PepsiCo, Wendy’s International, etc.). Jeff was born in NY and he received his BS at the University of Houston and MBA at the University of Texas- Austin. He and his family moved to Minneapolis in 2015. Jeff has a passion for the arts and is an avid collector of visual arts from the African Diaspora. He is currently on the boards of Walker Art Center’s, Roho Collective and the Monitors Foundation. Jeff is also a lay member of the Minneapolis Arts Commission.
Lucy Thompson (Arts Commission representative) spent 31 years as a Principal Planner with the City of Saint Paul, where she worked on several public art initiatives: updating the City’s Public Art Ordinance, working with key City departments to implement the ordinance, selecting public artists for City infrastructure and City-financed development projects, and selecting and managing planning consultant teams with a public artist as a team member. She believes in the power of public art to express and celebrate community identity, revitalize neighborhoods, engage residents in meaningful discourse, reveal pain and bring joy. Lucy is interested in creating opportunities for artists of color throughout the city, especially in communities that are neglected or under-represented.
Meseret Wolana is a Principal Professional Engineer in the Transportation Engineering & Design division of the City of Minneapolis Department of Public Works. Meseret started with the City of Minneapolis in 1997 and has held positions in street design, survey, and bridges. He has been working in the bridge team for the last 22 years. Throughout the years, he has managed several significant transportation projects including bridges, roadways, and trails. He now manages the bridge team including bridge inspections.
