SAINT PAUL, MINN. (May 28, 2014) – June 14 marks the rollout of Saint Paul Almanac’s Storymobile. Storymobile is a moveable community engagement tool that makes it easy to share, display, collect, and generate the narratives that make Saint Paul the vibrant and diverse city that it is. Look for this multimedia, solar-powered roving art space throughout the summer. This “stories on wheels” is on a bicycle trailer with ready tools—iPads, microphones, amps, and keyboards, as well as good old paper and pencil—to share and record stories.
Artists and students on a tandem bicycle tow the trailer to hotspots and gatherings in Saint Paul neighborhoods to inspire and engage residents in a celebration of story sharing.
Picture this
- a granddaughter holds an iPad to film her grandfather telling a story about the neighborhood “back in the day”
- an aspiring writer gets a live edit plus coaching from a professional writer
- a crowd gathers as a spoken word artist performs
- an immigrant tells the story of her harrowing journey to America and, eventually, to her Saint Paul neighborhood
Everyone has a story to tell.
Storymobile was designed and built by an intergenerational crew of youth and residents led by Roger Cummings of Juxtaposition Arts. The Storymobile expands on the Saint Paul Almanac’s mission of collecting the stories of authentic community voices. This first-of-its-kind project will provide site-specific workshops, show space for local artists and their materials, a performance space and, most importantly, a place to make your own history. It is the Saint Paul Almanac on wheels, honoring place, connection, community and process through the power of story.
Features of Storymobile
- A kiosk is pulled by a tandem bicycle that unfolds like an origami box to reveal iPads, microphones, amps, chalkboards, paper and pencils.
- Performance space is created for poetry readings or instant open mic events.
- A distinctive branding look provided by EPIC, a new nonprofit in the Twin Cities pairs volunteers from the advertising and design industries with nonprofits.
- Featured professional artists/writers/facilitators, including the likes of Tish Jones, Donte Collins, Saymoukda Vongsay, Pamela Fletcher and others.
- The chance is provided, at the consent of participants, to have their stories, performances or contributions archived electronically by the Saint Paul Public Library.
- Storytellers can submit stories for publication in our award-winning annual publication, Saint Paul Almanac.
Coming Storymobile Events
Storymobile will make its first public appearance during the Green Line Opening Day Events on June 14. Storymobile will be part of the celebration of the art, culture and history of the Rondo, Summit-University, and Frogtown neighborhoods.
Throughout the summer of 2014, Storymobile will be on the street in Saint Paul’s Rondo/Summit-U/Frogtown neighborhoods making stops at weekly community events. Also look for Storymobile at these important events:
- Thurs., May 29, Summer of Peace, Peace Garden, 851 Aurora, 4–6 p.m.
- Tues., June 17, Rondo Senior Dinner, Wilder Foundation, 451 Lexington Parkway North, 5–7 p.m.
- Fri., June 20, Peace Celebration, Ober Center, 376 Western Avenue, 1–6 p.m.
- Thurs., June 26, Summer of Peace, Kings Crossing, University Avenue and Dale Street, 4–6 p.m.
- Fri., June 27, Rewire/TV Takeover devoted to the Saint Paul Almanac, TPT studio during a live broadcast, 7:30–10 p.m.
- Sat., June 28, Garden Workshop, Peace Garden, 851 Aurora Avenue, 12:30–2 p.m.
- Thurs., July 10, Reconciliation Lunch, Model Cities/Brownstone, 849 University Avenue, 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
- Thurs., July 10, Summer of Peace, Aurora St. Anthony Neighborhood Development Corporation (ASANDC), 774 University Avenue, 4–6 p.m.
- Sat., July 19, Rondo Days Parade & Festival, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
- Tues., Aug. 5, National Afternoon Out, Peace Garden, 851 Aurora, 1–4 p.m.
- Tues., Aug. 5, National Night Out, 5–7:30 p.m.
- Sat., Aug. 16, University Parade, University Avenue, 9 a.m.–12 p.m.
- Sat., Sept. 13, Selby Jazz Fest, Golden Thyme Coffee Shop, 921 Selby Avenue, 9 a.m.–8 p.m.
- Sun., Sept. 14, Seitu Jones’ CREATE Community Meal, University and Victoria Avenues, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Funding of the Storymobile pilot project is provided by the Minnesota State Arts Board and Youthprise.
For more information:
Kimberly Nightingale
651.785.6268
Kimberly@saintpaulalmanac.org