Destiny Davison

How and why did you become an artist?

I grew up drawing on everything I could my hands on — paper, shoes, walls — and it slowly spiraled into my career trajectory. Over the years, I’ve added more mediums to my toolkit like animation, graphic design, acrylic on canvas, and digital art, while still keeping ink on paper as my ride or die.

There wasn’t necessarily a specific moment in time where the clouds opened up and I became an artist, but eventually I was just having too much fun and I had to acknowledge that part of myself and try to do right by it.

What medium(s) do you work in?

Ink, Acrylic, Digital Art, Mixed Media.

How long have you been working as an artist?

About 15 years.

What are some of your biggest inspirations as an artist?

The world is a big place made up of a whole bunch of very strange little things all vying for attention, it has become a daily challenge to look out for those little things, oftentimes incorporating them into my work. For example, right now I’ve been spending my time thinking about snails. These tiny creatures with soft bodies and hard shells, just trying to get by in a world that’s really big, and loud, and scary. Their lives are important, and so is paying attention to them.

Some more context is that I’m a 90s-early 20s kid that grew up reading Shel Silverstein, The Far Side, the Berenstain Bears, and watching lots of cartoons and movies that were very foundational to a personality and creative perspective, and also a little traumatizing (just a little). For me, art is a tool to churn through everything that makes you “you” and share it with others, and reveal the parts you might be keeping from yourself.

What is your connection to Northeast Minneapolis?

I’ve lived near and worked in NE MPLS for decades now. 

How does Art-A-Whirl benefit you as an artist?

Art-A-Whirl is one of my favorite places to build community, meet old friends and new, and be reminded of how vibrant the our creative community truly is. 

Any good stories or memories of an experience at Art-A-Whirl that you can share? What stands out?

Not a specific memory, but my favorite thing is getting lost in floors of open studios and finding my way to art I may never have discovered otherwise. 

What has being a NEMAA member meant to you? What do you value most about membership?

I’m really grateful for the community NEMAA builds and their support for and commitment to adapting to an ever changing landscape. 

What do you wish more people knew about the arts scene in Northeast Minneapolis?

There can be an expectation of what kind of art you’ll find at open studio events or an established arts scene, for a variety of reasons, but the people here are making new things all the time, and this particular scene is anything but static.

Keep paying attention and seek out art that surprises you and plays with expectations. Cartoonists, illustrators, printmakers, zinesters, fiber artists, and so much more, are sprawled throughout the city and one of the best things you can do for yourself during Art-A-Whirl specifically is explore.

Art-A-Whirl and NEMAA turn 30 years old in 2025. Can you believe it? What changes have you witnessed?

It’s been really cool to see more and more folks around MN meet NEMAA through Art-A-Whirl and vice versa and join the community. It’s both exciting and call to inspire more resource sharing/connections that make for an even more vibrant and equitable community. 

Why is art important in our community?

It’s the way we can communicate with each other beyond words. 

Can you imagine a world WITHOUT the arts community in Northeast Minneapolis? How would the community be different?

I can — but I’d rather not, that world is very boring and sad and probably very frustrated by how boring and sad it is. 

What are your hopes and dreams for Art-A-Whirl, NEMAA, and/or the Northeast Minneapolis Arts District in the next 30 years?

Continue to work on access and opportunity for underserved communities. 

If you could make one change in Northeast Minneapolis, no matter the cost, what would it be?

Access and opportunity for underserved communities. 

Tell us again why you love being an artist and what your work brings to the community.

Because it helps me understand and make sense of the world and everything in it a bit better, and hopefully helps the world understand and make sense of me.

I love how art can inspire us all to take a breath together, laugh, and reflect on what kind of future it is we really want to build.