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katie howie

@by_a.thread

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by a thread :: pandemic portraits
a living history of our pandemic lives, highlighting essential workers and exploring what it means to be human🖤

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To quote my friend Mikkel, "We are a target because we are diverse. Because we are unified. Because we live so well. It's how we lived before they showed up and it's how we will live when they are gone. It's how we live now under their cruelty."

Saint Paul and Minneapolis are My Home. They are My Heart. Saint Paul is where my family has lived, and lived safely, for five generations.

And I am scared. I am scared for my neighbors and my family and my friends and my children and myself. I am begging ICE to leave Saint Paul. To leave Minneapolis. To leave Minnesota. And to abandon this senseless, cruel regime. #katiehowie by @by_a.thread

What a thrill to be included in the @mspmaghome top 100 people, places and trends influencing our cities now✨ It's the icing on the cake of an incredible year of projects, portraits and stories.

Thank You to my talented friend, editor @kellykegans and @madison.bloomquist for the beautiful write-up. We continue to be connected by a thread✨ #katiehowie #khcreative #byathread #byathreaddowntownstories #authenticimages #thankyou by @by_a.thread

A belated Thank You to everyone that came out on Friday night to support Downtown Saint Paul Stories!

I've shared a collection of images to both tell the story of the evening and highlight the authentic connections made✨

Additionally, here's an annotated excerpt from the words I shared:

"I want to thank you all for being here and for being in relationship with me and my work. And for being in relationship with the city of Saint Paul.

Thank you to Andy Rodriguez, the innovative director of Saint Paul Parks and Recreation. Andy is currently expanding what it means to be a park and making our city so much more dynamic in the process.

Thank You to The Saint Paul Downtown Alliance for partnering with us on the project and this special evening.

Thank you to Clare Cloyd & Emma Burns, who helped connect me with participants and then shared these speciaI stories broadly.

A big thanks to the crew of amazing women who helped me put this little event together in under 7 weeks - Courtney Morris, Liz Carey-Linskey, Kate Frye and JLor - Many Thanks.

Thank You to Gambit Brewing and Lost Fox for the yummy appetizers and libations. Thank you to Niny Salem for the lovely music. And thank you to my friend Nicki Oliver for slinging merch!

Thank you to my family. Thank you to my amazing daughters and beloved parents. And to my partner in all things, Chris.

And finally. A heartfelt thanks to each and every participant that took a chance and returned my email. And then didn't block my texts when I kept messaging and asking you to explain one of your ideas just a tiny bit more🙃).

My Mom, Marianne McNamara, said it best to me via text this week, "This project put a light on ordinary, amazing people, and it's beautiful to see. These are the people who make our world tick. Because of them, the world runs smoothly. They're unsung heroes. Thank you for celebrating them." Well, Friends. It's been an honor.

Thank You all for believing in the power of art, in the power of connection AND in power of our beloved Downtown Saint Paul."

#katiehowie #byathreaddowntown
#parksproud #thankyou

* Photo 10 courtesy Shannon McWalters & photo 11 courtesy Joaquin Rosales. by @by_a.thread

Step into the vibrant stories of downtown with photographer Katie Howie's latest exhibit, "By a Thread: Downtown Saint Paul Stories." In partnership with Saint Paul Parks & Recreation and the Saint Paul Downtown Alliance, Katie beautifully showcases the faces and moments that define this bustling area. Don't miss out—head to Mears Park to explore these captivating photos and be part of an exciting community celebration this Friday, 9/26 at 5:00 p.m.! 🎉📸 #mysaintpaulparks, #by_a.thread #photography #communityart by @by_a.thread

By a Thread Friends & Family♥️

The exhibit opening and celebration is TOMORROW, September 26, from 5-7pm in Mears Park♥️

There will be food, beverages, music and my first ever limited edition batch of merch♥️

Mayor Melvin Carter will give a lil' keynote at 6pm and I'll follow him with some project musings. And after that, the main event- A wonderful panel of participants fielding questions from the audience and sharing what it was like participating in Downtown Saint Paul Stories♥️

I truly hope you can join us for an evening of conversation and connection♥️

#katiehowie #khcreative #byathreaddowntown #byathread #parksproud #artinthepark #celebration by @by_a.thread

By A Threaders! Parks & Rec installed the exhibit in Mears Park today with Courtney leading the way on the stickers and Phil and Steve hanging the posters on light posts. I helped place every single image and had a blast doing it. Any imposter syndrome I had melted away as the exhibit took shape.

It is really, truly impressive to take these Downtown Stories from the pages of Instagram and my website and see them printed and interacting with the public.

Everyone that walked by was curious and wanted to engage with both us and the images. I shook hands, shared the project and further grew the By A Thread Fam.

Of course, I hope I see you on Friday, September 26 from 5-7pm when we celebrate alllllll the people that made this happen. But, if you can't make it, it's up NOW through when the snow flies. When you stop down, take a photo and give me a tag - I would love to see how you interact with the images♥️ #katiehowie #khcreative
#byathread #byathreaddowntown #parksproud #mearspark #installday #authenticstories #authenticstorytelling by @by_a.thread

My pop-up art installation is just ten days away! This flyer created by my friends at the city has alllllll the important details, but please, message me with any questions. I hope to see you there❤️

PS :: I'm gonna have merch! #katiehowie #khcreative #byathread #byathreaddowntownstories #parksproud #mearspark #popupartshow by @by_a.thread

Pedro Park was created on land donated to The City of Saint Paul by The Pedro family in 2009, who had operated a successful luggage business on the site since 1914, with the understanding it would become a park. After years of development and community involvement, including the demolition of the Public Safety Annex Building, the park is now being fully realized as a green space in Downtown Saint Paul. And today is the grand opening celebration from 4-6pm (you should absolutely go, there is still time to get in on the ribbon cutting and refreshments)✨

I had the good fortune to stop by Pedro Park last week and I was amazed by how comfortable it felt. The grade of the site has been completely changed - the old park could feel a bit precarious, but the new park feels the opposite - both safe and welcoming to people of all ages and abilities.

There is an engaging playground, wonderful green space with native plantings, a fenced dog park, a beautiful mural made by a local artist and many other micro-moments. The reimagining of Pedro Park is nothing short of spectacular. What a gift Saint Paul Parks and Recreation is to its community! They clearly understand that we're all connected by a thread🧵❤️

#katiehowie #khcreative #byathread #byathreaddowntown #saintpaulstories #authenticstories #parksproud #pedropark #grandopening by @by_a.thread

Dayna Martinez, Executive Director of Twin Cities Jazz Festival, shares with the project, "I have worked in Downtown/Lowertown since I moved to Minnesota in 1994 (except for 2 years when I moved to New York). I worked at The Ordway for 25 years and then started at Twin Cities Jazz Festival in 2023. I have always lived in South Minneapolis and worked in Saint Paul. It's a nice balance."

"I love that there is the Lowertown neighborhood and that it is a quaint, historic part of town. I love the art scene - visual art, performing art - it's all here! We do need more businesses to move in to Lowertown and we need to create more incentive for folks to come Downtown to enjoy themselves. Holding more free events is a big part of that. It's getting better, though! I love the events that Saint Paul Parks and Rec have been holding this summer!" (1 of 2 parts) #katiehowie #byathread #downtownsaintpaul #parksproud #lowertown #mearspark #jazzfest #authenticstorytelling by @by_a.thread

Hello, Katie Howie Creative Friends and The By a Thread Community!

It's been a hard week here in our Beloved Twin Cities. And I feel we need each other more than ever. I want to thank each and every one of you for sharing this space with me - What a gift we are to each other❤️

As a way to celebrate our beautiful By a Thread Community and Downtown Saint Paul Community, Saint Paul Parks and Recreation and myself are planning a By a Thread exhibit and celebration!

It will take place on Friday, September 26 from 5-7pm in Mears Park. There will be art from Downtown Stories, live music, food and drinks from local businesses, as well as a keynote by Mayor Melvin Carter and a panel featuring several By a Thread participants and myself.

I would love for each and every one of you to come! And to bring your friends, family and colleagues. I will have my husband, children and parents with me❤️

And hopefully I will have you there, too. Because as you know, we're all connected by a thread.

With Gratitude,

katie***

PS :: If you want to experience the entire project, it can be found at the link below (there are just a few more stories to post):

https://www.katiehowie.com/byathread/downtown-saint-paul-stories

#katiehowie #khcreative #byathread #downtownsaintpaul #byathreaddowntownstories #parksproud #mearspark #exhibit #celebration by @by_a.thread

Amy A. Nguyen, Production Manager of The Fitzgerald Theater, continues, "I will do my best to make sure my chapter in this theater's history is something to be proud of when the future looks back. I'd like to, when the time comes, be able to leave the theater better than the I was entrusted, to the next steward."

Amy's favorite spot Downtown is an easy choice, "With bias- The Fitzgerald Theater. This theater can offer escape from the world to some people, for others a chance to become someone else on stage, a place where artists can practice their arts, the crew working their craft backstage. This theater is more than a livelihood, its also a safe, creative space... Everyday I come to work and there is always a moment where I will pause and remember that so many other people have been in this building and contributed some part of themself to its history. They created memories here, for themselves and for others."

Amy makes the world better through acts of service, "As only one person, I can only influence the backstage of this theater. but I do my best to make sure my crew and our artists have a safe place to work, to practice their crafts and to have positive experiences."

Thank you for sharing your beautiful Downtown Saint Paul Story with us, Amy. The pride you take in your work ripples out and os absolutely part of what makes Downtown great✨ #katiehowie #byathread #byathreaddowntown #storytelling #firstave #thefitz by @by_a.thread

Megan Kelly, research scientist with the Department of Natural Resources Lands and Minerals Division, shares her Saint Paul Story, "As a kid, my family would periodically come into Saint Paul for performances at The Ordway, visits to The Science Museum, Easter brunch at the St. Paul Grill and to admire the beautiful historic buildings around Rice Park. I ran the Winter Carnival half marathon with friends as a freshman in high school, my first real road race, which at the time finished right in Downtown. That definitely added to the excitement and made me want to do more!"

"I was based up north my first couple years on the job and then transferred here to Saint Paul in 2014. I was happy to get a job in Downtown Saint Paul because I knew I wanted to live nearby. I love the city amenities with so many great restaurants, theaters, and a full spectrum of venue sizes for live music, but also appreciate that it is laid back and small enough to not be overwhelming."

I love how Megan sees the successes and wants to capitalize on them, "Downtown Saint Paul does successfully draw people in for things like concerts, sports, theater, and special events like the European Christmas Market at Union Depot, etc. It’d be great if there was a more visible and appealing street level scene, whether its shop fronts or open park areas, so those passing through might be encouraged to return and explore. Also, just getting creative with ways to remind people what is already here and ideas for how to take advantage of what the city has to offer." (1 of 2 parts) #katiehowie #byathread #downtownsaintpaul #parksproud #DNR #authenticstorytelling by @by_a.thread