Christopheraaron Deanes

2023 Mid-Career Project Grantee | $10,000

Exposure of Metal Enamel as Public Art

Christopheraaron will continue learning about porcelain enamel by preparing studio enamels in a kiln at Chicago Fire Arts Center. He is a public and gallery artist developing practices in metal enamel paint. Grant funds will be allocated toward professional instruction, coaching, supplies, and final pieces. These tutorials will aid in the completion of five enamel panels which will be shown in the Artistry in 2023 as well as the Hennepin County Library’s Dayton Gallery Space.

Christopheaaron’s work contextualizes the building of creative social capital in humanity to illuminate the journey of benevolence. After graduating from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design with his BFA, Christopheraaron went on to obtain his Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction in Education from the University of St. Thomas. He later completed the Administrative (Eds) program at St. Mary’s University and a fellowship through the University of Minnesota, Urban Educators Program. He currently, works as a Culture and Climate Coordinator in Fridley Public schools. He also facilitates restorative practices workshops and reestablishing relational connections through coordinated processes with Districts, and businesses. Christopheraaron has taught classes at the local elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as Dakota County Technical College and The Minneapolis College of Art and Design. He is considered a mid-career artist in the Twin Cities, working on public art projects with the City of Minneapolis, and Hennepin County Facility Services to empower and engage the community. As a focal point of the work that he does, education and the arts is at the center. His work squarely focuses on the development of the chance to have a critical conversation about race and everyone’s role that we place in securing the future for a better more empathetic and equitable space for us.

Christopheraaron Deanes was a Forecast 2022 Mid-Career Professional Development Grantee, and was one of 18 artists hired by Forecast to implement creative projects for Hennepin County’s 2021 Love Local Initiative.

The McKnight Foundation generously enables Forecast to provide Professional Development Grants for mid-career artists seeking to expand their work in the field of public art. Forecast mid- and early-career grants are designed to support independent projects, leadership development, professional development, risk-taking, multidisciplinary approaches, and collaborative problem-solving in the field of public art.