Art In This Present Moment
Robin Hickman-Winfield
Robin Hickman-Winfield celebrates the stories, elegance, beauty and talent of Black men and women through soulful dolls.
In the Soulful Dolls Journey gallery and social media exhibit, visitors experience "life-styles in miniature," inspiring doll artistry which uniquely presents positive and powerful imagery of family, community and history, with a splash of social commentary. The artist's vision and passion for realism and attention to detail comes through in her intricately re-styled dolls, handcrafted accessories and props, displays and photography.
About the Artist
Robin Hickman-Winfield is the Executive Producer and CEO of SoulTouch Productions. One of her greatest passions is her divinely inspired artistry and collection of multi-ethnic fashion dolls. In 1995, she launched “RealTouch: A Celebration of Soulful Dolls” where she presented her original re-styled fashion dolls, handcrafted furnishings and accessories (hats), stationary, and photography of the lifestyle scenes. Over the past 25 years Robin has used the RealTouch “community” in motivational presentations to promote the "power of play" and creativity, nurture positive self-esteem, and inspire the appreciation of ethnically diverse images and life-styles.
In 2016, following her first gallery exhibit at The Saint Paul Gallery, titled We're Pretty in Pink Too: A Celebration of Soulful Dolls, she spent the summer studying a variety of doll styling techniques to perfect her artistry.
Her collection and artistry has been featured on the HGTV series Collectible Treasures, Twin Cities Public Television documentary Close the Gap: Race Disparities and Minnesota Public Radio, and in the Star Tribune newspaper, Mpls.St.Paul magazine and the Huffington Post.
About the Organization
Robin’s Soulful Doll Journey exhibit was created in partnership with In Black Ink. In Black Ink provides publishing arts opportunities to African heritage communities that have been historically disenfranchised, and continue to experience exclusion. IBI’s programming mitigates economic, educational and cultural inequities.
“No one can take my art and vision from me. That’s what I love about being an artist. No one can hijack “A Celebration of Soulful Dolls.” It’s mine.”
Robin Hickman-Winfield
Art In This Present Moment
This project is part of Art in This Present Moment, an initiative of the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation, with funding from the McKnight Foundation. We provided grants to three Minnesota-based nonprofit organizations to fund work by six BIPOC artists who are changing and challenging dominant narratives through their craft.
More Stories
Future Moves: Kealoha Ferreira Explores Lineage through Dance
Ananya Dance Theatre opened Kealoha to a world of dance and movement beyond Western techniques, which has helped her connect deeply to her own traditional practices.
See the project
Standing Together: How to Support Minnesota's Immigrant and Refugee Neighbors
These organizations work every day to support all members of our community — across cultures, identities and experiences.
How You Can Help
The Landscape of Minnesota: A State of the State
A webinar in partnership with the Center for Rural Policy and Development shared rural Minnesota trends, community impact and what we can do to build a thriving state.
Watch the recording
Singing for Justice: Waigwa Leads Choir in Lifting Voices and Community
Choral director Waigwa aims to bring the human experience to the concert stage.
See the project
Empowering Change in the Next Generation of Asian Leaders
Minnesota nonprofit Future of Us is helping Asian American Pacific Islander youth find their voices and become agents of change.
See the impact
Women of Faith in Philanthropy — Legacy, Leadership and the Future
A panel event showcased how women of faith are poised to shape and enrich the philanthropic landscape, as they have for generations.
See the impact
Three Minnesota Foundations Launch ‘Our Home State’ Initiative with $20 Million Commitment
The initiative, focused on expanding housing stability and catalyzing local housing solutions, includes Ecolab as an early funder.
See the News
Faith in Action: ISAIAH’s Blueprint for a Multicultural Democracy
A multiracial, multi-faith coalition empowers Minnesotans to shape their communities and secure lasting change.
Watch the video