In December 2004 Highpoint received a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board to support a Cultural Community Partnership with artist Donovan Durham. Thanks to this funding, Donovan was able to create orginal prints at Highpoint, under the guidance of Master Printer Cole Rogers and HP print shop staff. This project culminated in a free public reception and show of his work, with special invites extended to everyone at Interact Center for Visual and Performing Arts where Durham creates his artwork regularly. This community partnership with Highpoint has helped Durham expand his artistic “toolbox”, and work with the unique visual vocabulary that printmaking provides. While at Highpoint the artist received informal creative feedback, technical support and encouragment. By highlighting the work of an extraordinary African-American artist, this project increased cultural diversity within the Minnesota arts community. In turn, the art of Donovan Durham will help create public enthusiasm for programs like these offered at Interact and Highpoint, generating interest in future cultural collaborations among artists and organizations.
