Schmidt Art Crawl 2025
Art to Change the World was invited to be the featured organization during St. Paul Art Crawl Fall 2025 at the Schmidt Artist Lofts. We will be in the Atrium and you may see some members in other areas as we have a few who are residents of Schmidt. Read more about the artists below!
Featured ACW Artists: Frances Bates, Catherine Palmer, Natalie McGuire, Lucienne Schroepfer, Susan Gainen, Paul Kellett, Karen Daphne McDonald, Becca David, Leo Fortune, Sam St. John, Lincoln Matt, and Liise Lê
When: October 10th-12th 2025
Friday 6-9pm
Saturday 12-7pm
Sunday 12-5pm
Where: Schmidt Artist Lofts
900 West 7th Street, Saint Paul, MN 55102
Project Mangers
Frances Bates (She/her)
Frances is a jack of all trades with experience in art, design, and engineering. Growing up her dream was to become an inventor that made the world a better place. At a young age, creating found object art and homemade gifts was where it all started. She explored her interest in engineering by participating in as many summer camps and classes related to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) as she could.
This enthusiasm for both art and engineering led her to get a BFA in Industrial Design from the University of Wisconsin – Stout. This gave her the best of both worlds as industrial design is considered the art side of engineering. While at Stout she expanded her knowledge of a variety of art forms including graphic design, sculpture, jewelry, sewing, photography, and woodworking.
Currently, Frances is a freelance artist/designer doing a bit of everything depending on what comes her way. Her art often reflects just how much she cares about helping others. She has a particular passion for issues of diversity, the world of dancing, and camping gadgetry. As a lesbian with autism, she understands how important it is to empower your community.
Look through Frances’ awesome found object bolo ties!
francesbates22@gmail.com
https://francesbates22.wixsite.com/portfolio
https://www.instagram.com/whitetigerwoman/
Catherine Palmer (She/They)
While I have been at the business of making art for as long as I can remember, my work as a student began in earnest in 1987 when I was awarded a scholarship to the Split Rock Art program. Since then, my study has led me from the precepts of life and figurative drawing to the freedom I have found in theory and an abstract vision. In other words, you need to know the rules to break them. And in the process of doing so, catharsis is found. My starting place is color; color leads me through space to composition. My subject matter can be identified as a conversation with the world I live in, influenced by feminism, personal circumstance, and the on-going attempt to create a pure art object, one that exists solely for the experience of the beholder. I have shown my work in Minneapolis since 1997 in Galleries, Community Colleges, and Coffee Houses. As a result, my paintings are held in personal collections across the United States and in Norway.
Have fun with Katie doing spin art or discover her groovy paintings!
cath.a.palmer@gmail.com
https://www.instagram.com/paintingscatherinepalmer/
Participants
Natalie McGuire (She/Her)
Natalie is a multi-award-winning artist. Awards started in 2003 at local art shows winning cash prizes in her category. 2012 she won Student Photographer of year. Later in her career, Natalie has been awarded 1st place, Juror’s Choice, and People’s choice awards at exhibitions local and nationally across the use from 2019 to the present.
Her education began as a small child; she learned photography composition from her father. Her Aunt Natalie fueled the creative side, allowing it to flourish. She Attended Community education classes for basic photography in 1997/98, studied under Deidra Monk, later enrolled in Hennepin Technical college Digital Photography program, studied under Paul Sinkler, Tom Hanly, and Tim Grey until the program closed. She’s continued her education by attending one-day seminars with National Geographic photographers.
Before all that Natalie’s creative side was fueled by Her parent’s love of travel via RV. They believed the road trip was a part of the journey and got to see a lot of America that you just can’t get from a plane. She’s always been a fan of Ansel Adams and Bob Ross’ style, even though Bob was a painter, and loved watching his programs on the local PBS. Really drove her to get out and be with nature. Creating art helps Natalie connect with the viewer, exhibiting her ability to make you feel like you are there with her.
Immerse yourself in the scenes of Natalie’s beautiful Photozaics!
nmcguirestudio@gmail.com
https://nmcguirestudio.com/
https://www.instagram.com/nmcguirestudio/
Lucienne Schroepfer (She/Her)
Originally from Cambridge, MA Lucy was steeped in the arts through childhood. Originally focusing on music, she discovered fabrics and sewing 20 years ago and has never looked back.
Lucy starts each morning in her studios at 5am. On good days, post her day job in the performing arts, she is back in the studio.
Whether experimenting with patchwork and color, creating fabric paintings, or long-arm quilting- her work typically showcases bold colors with a broad bouquet of thread and texture. Inspiration comes from places, books, and the fabric itself. Most fun for her is to witness the surprise from folks realizing, only up-close, her paintings are in fact fabric. Often framing without glass, she reminds folks her art is washable.
Lucy is a member of the Minneapolis Modern Quilt Guild, MN Quilters, Dakota Star Country Quilters, NEMAA, St. Paul Art Collective, and the Minneapolis Textile Center. She lives and studios in Saint Paul with her husband, three teens, and mutt “Lulu”.
Be amazed by Lucy’s wonderful quilt “paintings”!
quiltlucy@gmail.com
https://www.lucequilts.com/
https://www.instagram.com/lucequilts/
Susan Gainen (She/Her)
Susan is a Whimsical Wildlife Documentarian and Abstract Painter of Connections and Neighborhoods.
Her first art memory is the desire to finger paint all over everything all of the time. Putting a stop to that, her mother bought a crayon set (24 in a box). In 1955, Susan used those crayons to help Winky Dink, the first interactive tv adventurer, to save the day. Unfortunately, she neglected to install Winky’s easy-clean magic screen. Getting crayon off the tv screen caused consternation and kerfuffle.
As a Whimsical Wildlife Documentarian, she welcomes creatures to her living room studio where they sit for portraits, tell their stories, and eat her snacks. Among her pals are creatures from The Lost Cave Paintings of Saint Paul; the Parliament of Owls; the Pandas & Frogs who guard The Hidden Bamboo Forest of Saint Paul; Backyard Roosters of Saint Paul; 4 LLLama (their spelling) Families; 120 Cats; some Dragons, Hippos, and a Wart Hog.
Enjoy Susan’s intricate and colorful artwork!
susangainen@comcast.net
https://www.susangainenartist.com/
Paul Kellett (He/Him)
Paul creates artwork to captivate. He uses a variety of resources to create multi layered paintings that focus on manifestations of bright positive energy, while acknowledging oppositional elements. Paul says, “My paintings are intended to radiate positivity into their surroundings, so that good vibrations flow and glow outward from the source. Paul shows his work in the “Studiopolis” Gallery & Studio in the Northrup King Building, suite 210. His paintings have garnered numerous awards and have found homes throughout the world.
He is a mixed media artist focusing on large abstract works, inspired by the amazing natural world around him. Paul hopes his work delivers to you a sense of intrigue and a will to explore.
Admire Paul’s vivid paintings!
kellett500@hotmail.com
https://www.instagram.com/paul_kellett_us/
Karen Daphne McDonald (She/Her)
Karen Daphne grew up in Washington, D.C. and attended the Art Student’s League in New York. Early on, Karen’s photo-realistic renderings set her work apart. Fascinated by quantum physics and frequency, Karen studied Sacred Geometry and in Australia spent time with a Reiki Master who was able to imbue painted image with prana or chi. One of her aspirations is to create art for public spaces that produces positive, healing changes in quantum field. Karen holds a B.A. in Art and Education, M.A. in Language & Culture and M.F.A. in Writing. She has taught in NewYork, Miami and Santa Fe as well as France, Portugal, Australia, New Zealand, Morocco, Republic of Georgia and the U.K.
Check out Karen’s empowering art!
daphnebyday@gmail.com
Becca David (She/Her)
Becca was born in rural Pennsylvania and currently in Minneapolis. She began her formal education at Edinboro University of PA and completed a BA in Art and BS in Business Administration at Waynesburg University in Pennsylvania.
She is a firm supporter of the ADA, STEAM initiatives (Science Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) and the belief that ALL children deserve the opportunity to bring their creative voice forward no matter what race, culture, creed, ability, or financial status.
Becca is a member of ACW, NEMAA and the Teaching Artists Guild. She also is a percussionist for Brass Solidarity, volunteers for The Art Shoppe at the Midtown Global Market, and is the coordinator for Showing with the Saints.
Her work is a reflection community, music, and nature like including rhythmic patterns or the use of recycled materials. Becca believes that art is a dialogue between the maker and viewer; when engaging with art the observer becomes a participant in the narrative, thus creating a shared safe space for dialogue.
Enjoy Becca’s watercolors!
justbeckydavid@gmail.com
https://beccadavidartist.com/
https://www.instagram.com/beccadavidartist/
Leo Fortune (They/Them)
Leo is an emerging Minnesotan based artist and longtime public school educator, explores the power trees and spirals have to connect us to our authentic selves, to each other and to the world.
They began coloring outside of the lines at the age of three. Then, they spent most of their life disconnected from themself and consequently, their art. A year ago, at the age of 41, they came out as a neurodivergent queer trans human. Their art practice reignited and exploded.
They know first hand the power that comes from reconnecting to yourself. Leo harnesses their life story of being painfully disconnected to empower others to keep reconnecting and embracing their true self. They hold space in their art for others to be safely vulnerable. They deeply believe the more people are connected to their own love, the more the world will change for the better.
Stop by Leo’s table for art and books!
leofortuneart@gmail.com
https://www.leofortuneart.com/
https://www.instagram.com/leofortuneart/
Sam St. John (She/Her)
Sam is an Indigenous multi-media artist from Hastings, Minnesota. Her mother taught art for 31 years and Sam grew up in a home full of art created by her father. Sam developed a passion for learning about art history and drew inspiration from artists she learned about. Sam is a painter, poet, live painter, art facilitator, performance artist, and singer. Sam has an Associate degree in Fine Art from Inver Hills Community College. She finds inspiration in her travels, connecting to nature, animals, meditation, and living near the Mississippi River.
She is passionate about art transforming lives. Sam’s art is grounded in the essence of storytelling, resilience, authenticity, and vulnerability. Rooted in the soul, art serves the purpose of evoking emotions, fostering connections, and building community. Sam believes that creating art, in any form, is a means of self-healing. She paints with expressive bright colors that narrates her story, recognizing the power embedded in our narratives. Sam uses her art to start conversations about mental health, identity, queerness, race, healing, and trauma in hopes to inspire others.
Visit Sam’s table for her powerful art with a story!
samst.john1218@gmail.com
https://www.samstjohnart.com/
https://www.instagram.com/samst.john_artist/
Lincoln Matt (He/Him)
My name is Lincoln Wayne Matt (leen-kən wein mæt), I’m a double major in graphic design and indigenous studies from Minneapolis Community and Technical College (MCTC) and I’m an Indigenous American registered with the Mandan tribe of the Three Affiliated Tribes of North Dakota. I’ve been I’ve been creating and appreciating art for as long as I can remember. starting with pen and paper doodles, I would experiment and evolve into a mixed-media artist specializing in digital illustration! The arts are my passion whether I’m working on my projects or helping to support my fellow artists! I enjoy experimenting and learning new techniques and the deeper symbology of things, but I’ve always had a fascination with animation and graphic novels. My main goal outside of supporting my community is to produce my own original comics to inspire, inform, and entertain others today and in the future. Storytelling has always been something I’ve enjoyed exploring in different aspects of my work because connecting with others through my art is at the core of what I do.
See some of Link’s unique art!
linkoftruth@gmail.com
https://www.behance.net/linkmatt
https://www.instagram.com/sid_th3_squid/
Liisa Lê (She/Her)
As a third-generation Finnish-American, my connection to time, history, and family stretches far into the past. Our family name, Kurki, meaning “Crane,” traces back to the 1500s when my ancestors, skilled shipbuilders, crafted their vessels with a crane in flight adorning the prow. This ancestral link has become a profound source of inspiration in my work, instilling a deep sense of pride in the craftsmanship, creativity, and heritage that runs through my lineage.
My artistic journey began in painting and drawing, fueled by a fascination with the intersection of art, literature and science. After studying art restoration in Germany, I returned to the United States and spent years working in painting conservation. This experience gave me a unique perspective on the craftsmanship of masterworks, revealing how these creations communicate across centuries, their voices still resonating with us today. The sensitivity these artists had to their historical worlds continues to inspire me as I consider how my own work can speak to future generations.
Appreciate Liisa’s incredibly detailed art!
liisaleart@gmail.com
https://liisale-art.com
https://www.instagram.com/liisaleart/
Supporters
Schmidt Artist Lofts
The Schmidt Artists Lofts are one of the many places artists can live and work within Minnesota. It was converted from the old Schmidt Brewery in 2012 to house almost 250 apartments and multiple art studio spaces. During St. Paul Art Crawl you can see the building and check out work from residents and local artists. The Schmidt Arts Committee organizes everything during art crawl and will be our contact for any additional information.
Artist Website
Instagram
Facebook
Apartment Website
St. Paul Art Collective
St. Paul Art Collective or SPAC is the organization that helps put on events like St. Paul Art Crawl, similar to NEMAA running Art-A-Whirl. For over 45 years, SPAC has been committed to building and supporting a diverse community of artists in which people of all backgrounds feel welcome and included. Membership is free for anyone wanting to be part of their creative community.