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Closing Reception for Minnesota Artists Penny Press to feature local artist Moira Villiard

(DULUTH, MN) — Saturday, January 28, from 2:00 to 3:00 pm, the Main Library (520 W. Superior Street) will host a closing reception featuring local muralist, community organizer, and arts educator Moira Villiard. Villiard is one of four Minnesota artists whose work is showcased by the traveling Minnesota Artists Penny Press. The old-fashioned penny press has been in residence at the Main Library throughout the month of January. For the price of fifty cents and one penny (shiny pennies provided for you), community members can smash out a tiny piece of copper art to take home. All proceeds go towards supporting future experimental public art projects. 

The project’s creator, Alyssa Baguss, will also be on hand Saturday to answer questions about the press. “I want to make collecting contemporary artwork fun and accessible,” says Baguss. “Art is such a valuable thing in our culture and a lot of people don’t feel like it’s for them. I want to change that.” 

Baguss acquired the machine in 2021—its first run featured four women artists from Minneapolis and St. Paul and held residence at the MN State Fair. Through the support of a Minnesota State Arts Board Grant, Baguss has created the press’ current run, which showcases artists living and working in greater Minnesota. In addition to Moira Villiard, featured artists include Mary Bruno of St. Joseph, MN; Christie Hawkins of Northfield, MN; and Yunior Rebollar of Osage, MN.

About Villiard: Moira Villiard is a multidisciplinary artist with a mixed Indigenous and settler heritage who uses art to uplift underrepresented narratives, explore the nuances of society's historical community intersections, and promote community healing spaces. Moira (pronounced "Miri") is a dynamic visual artist, proficient in a variety of genres. She is also a community organizer, curator, and passionate arts educator. She concentrates her efforts on issues of equity and justice, justice, working on and with ideas around arts access, creative placemaking, environmental sustainability, youth empowerment, and acknowledgement of Indigenous land, culture, and history. Moira (Miri) grew up on the Fond du Lac Reservation in Cloquet, MN and is a Fold du Lac direct descendent. 

About Baguss: Baguss’ practice explores mediated natural environments through the drawing processes and interactive creative experiences. She is a multi-year recipient of the Minnesota State Arts Board Artist Initiative and Creative Support Grants; the 2017/18 Jerome Foundation Fellowship for Emerging Artists and a part of Minnesota Artist Exhibition Program at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts in 2019. Her work has been exhibited at the Rochester Art Center, Minnesota Center for the Book Arts, Minnesota Museum of American Art, Minneapolis Institute of Arts, and most recently, through a Forecast Public Art Mid-career Artist Professional Development Grant.