Thank Minnesota Storytellers

With all donations received, I purchase 5.00 gas station gift cards to give out to folks as a "thank you for being vulnerable before the camera and for sharing your story."

Facebook: Folks of Minnesota

Started: April 2023

Creating artwork by the use of photography is a way of life for me. By adjoining the subjects story, they teach us about ourselves and the world around us. I strive to show all parts of humanity that many individuals do not care to think about or often notice at first glance. As a society, we choose what we want to see and through these photographs and written word, the viewer is confronted with community members whose stories often go untold. By meeting people where they are at in life, their truths are captured, even if their truths are not socially accepted. These stories that you read are from the perspective of that person, shared through their lens. We are our stories.

A bit about Max: I took up photography back in 1999, as a freshman in high school. I wanted to be the one behind the camera because I never enjoyed being in front of it. The use of photography has always been a passion of mine and it is a way to engage with the world around me.

In 2012, I graduated from UMD with a BFA in Digital Art & Photography. Since then, I have lived in different areas of Minnesota, exploring some very rural towns to Minneapolis living. For some reason, I am always called back to Duluth.

I relocated back up to Duluth in January 2023 to assist the organization that I am a part of, by manning our Duluth office. In April 2023, I was feeling lonely and looking for community and human connection. Sometimes it is difficult getting out there to public spaces within Duluth to meet other folks and I simply did not know where to start so I started walking the streets after work with my camera in hand.

Up until the middle of 2024, I wanted to remain anonymous. I did not want folks to know the face behind the camera. Since Folks of Minnesota started, so many of you have suggested that I show my face and the more I hear it, the more I think, “Folks of Minnesota is doing something good for this community.” These stories, these portraits. They are spreading awareness and joy. Folks of Minnesota is also creating moments of healing – not only for myself, but for so many others too.

For me, people are people first, regardless of their housing, addiction, or mental health status. When I meet someone on the street, I ask questions, I listen, and my heart opens for them. The streets have become my Church. The quote, “All shall be treated as Christ” is very dear to my heart. I first heard this quote from the sisters at Sisters of the Order of Saint Benedict in Saint Joseph, MN.

The sisters from this particular Religious Order taught me how to truly listen, which is the most important word in the Rule of Saint Benedict. I am taking what I was taught by them and applying it out on the streets. Why? Because the streets need listening to.

This fundraiser will be kept open in order to continue giving back to our greater community.

Peace and all good,

Max