Local Artist Spotlight: Willard Malebear, Jr.

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided

Willard Malebear, Jr.

Multi-talented Indigenous artist Willard Malebear, Jr. has many projects in the works – designing park signage for the Mississippi Park Connection, opening a community arts collective that offers free resources to heal social crises, and a new Indigenous tattoo shop. His story is one of resilience, gratitude and giving back. Oh, his father was pretty inspirational, too!

Q:  You created the beautiful artwork for signage at Crosby Farm Regional Park for a project highlighting climate change in the floodplains of the Mississippi River. How did you come to be involved in the partnership between the University of Minnesota, U.S. Forest Service, City of St. Paul, National Park Service, and Mississippi Park Connection? 

A: I was attending NHCC (North Hennepin Community College) to get my associates degree in graphic design and I was invited to be a part of a program called the Xperience Project that links students with local businesses for graphic design internships. I was interviewed by several companies and organizations, and I felt a deep connection to the Indigenous cultural aspects of the design project presented by the Mississippi Park Connection, Lower Phalen Creek Project and their partners.

I am an enrolled member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, and after learning of the indigenous roots of the project I felt spiritual aligned with the mission and was very happy to hear that they chose me to be their intern. I can't possibly say thank you enough to Heather Olson, Jason Schoch and Leslie McDougall (Graphic design staff of NHCC) for their amazing support and guidance.

Above and below, Willard's artwork featured on signage at Crosby Farm Regional Park. The design and interpretive messages were developed in partnership with Lower Phalen Creek Project, a Dakota-led organization based on the east side of Saint Paul.

Q:  What do you hope visitors experience and learn when they view the signs you created for the park?

A:  My hopes are that visitors to the Crosby Farm Regional Park can learn more about the efforts to stop the destruction of the Emerald Ash Borer while also being educated on the Indigenous names and historical importance of the trees studied in the project. I also hope that the artwork and colors used in the designs can lure curious hikers to the park.

Q:  Will you do other work with these organizations to educate the public on Indigenous forest upkeep techniques and Dakota naming conventions? 

A:  Since this project, I have continued to work with Lower Phalen Creek Project, an affiliate of the Crosby Farm project, to design a poster and now have a contract to design their new logo and letter head.  I welcome more projects like these!

Q:  Your website, willardcustomart.com, states that your passion, aside from creating art, is cultivating creative drive in my community. What does that mean to you? 

A:  My passion for cultivating creativity in my community is based in my belief that art and creativity saved my life. I have had many struggles in my life and art/creativity has always been my resource for positivity and spiritual connection. I am currently 5 years sober and I have managed to crawl myself out of a grave with the help of art. After experiencing, witnessing and researching the wellness benefits of art and creativity, I chose to make it my life mission to cultivate and enable creativity in my community. This is actually the basis of my new company called Unified Theory Collective (UTC) located at 3507 Hennepin Avenue (around the back of the building) in South Minneapolis. At UTC we will provide free art supplies and creative space to the community on behalf of our collective members. UTC members are comprised of responsible businesses in the community that chose to "Enable Creativity to Combat Social Crisis."

I am also opening up a tattoo shop in the same building called Iktomi Tattoo, which is an Indigenous themed eco-mindful business. You can check out both businesses online: www.unifiedtheorycollective.com,  

Instagram,  Facebook,  www.iktomitattoo.com  and @iktomitattoominneapolis on Instagram and Facebook.

Q:  On an unrelated note, but I’m curious - your father, Willard Malebear, Sr., began the Dakota Remembrance Run in 1986 to commemorate the 1862 hanging of 38 Dakota men in Mankato, the largest mass hanging in U.S. history. Is the run still held? Are you involved with the run or any other events around the annual recognition of the executions?

A:  The run to commemorate the Dakota 38 is still being held, and in fact this year I had the pleasure to co-organize the run. Šišókaduta, a Dakota language instructor at the UMN Twin Cities campus has been organizing the run for several years and asked me to take over the role of organizer, which is a huge honor. There is actually an entire team of amazing individuals who volunteer their time and energy every year to help make the run possible - there are fire keepers, drivers and volunteers that work behind the scenes. I want to take this opportunity to say a BIG THANK YOU TO EVERYONE! The “run” is in fact better viewed as a ceremony, as we are in prayer the entire duration of event. I grew up hearing about the events surrounding the Dakota conflict and the hangings of 1862, my father always spread awareness of the injustices and I am super excited to continue his legacy. If anyone is interested in helping, volunteering or even running next year, please send me an email to w@willardcustomart.com.

Q:  Thank you for speaking with us – best of luck with Iktomi Tattoo and Unified Theory Collective!

A:  Before we end, I also want to say thank you to all my friends and family for their continual support and love, without them nothing I do would ever be possible! Pilamaya Mitakuye Oyasin (thank you to all my relatives).