Art In This Present Moment
Sharon Day and Sir Curtis Kirby III Honor Loved Ones through Art
Grandmother Sharon Day and her grandson Sir Curtis Kirby III honor loved ones who have passed on by doing a series of ofrendas celebrating the lives they lived.
Ofrendas have been a way Sharon has celebrated her loved ones for years. An ofrenda is an altar, most notably associated with The Day of the Dead, that consists of a set of items often associated with a person who has passed, such as photographs, personal items that belonged to them and food the person particularly enjoyed. After the pandemic, Sharon and her grandson found it even more important to communicate with their family, relatives and community.
This project was created in partnership with Pangea World Theater.
The Artists
Sharon Day - Bois Forte Band of Ojibwe leader, Indigenous activist and Executive Director of the Indigenous Peoples Task Force
Sir Curtis Kirby III - Bois Forte Band of Ojibwe, artist and director of the Ikidowin Youth Theater Ensemble
About the Organization
Pangea World Theater strives to build a just world by creating a multi-disciplinary theater that embodies decolonizing practices of solidarity, sustainability and equity. Since its inception in 1995, it has worked with artists to create new aesthetic realities for an increasingly diverse audience.
“Every person represented here, whether they’re infants or elders… they were loved and they lived their lives to the fullest.”
Sharon Day
Art In This Present Moment
This project is part of Art in This Present Moment, an initiative of the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation. We provided grants to three Minnesota-based nonprofit organizations to fund work by BIPOC artists who are changing and challenging dominant narratives through their craft.
More Stories
Meeting the Moment: How the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation Expanded Community Support in a Critical Year
A one-time, twenty percent increase in dollars granted reflects the Foundation’s commitment to community-driven solutions, urgent needs and long-term equity.
See the impact
Leading a Path Forward: How Queen Drea Uses Music to Find Her Roots
Sound alchemist Queen Drea seeks reconnection with her family’s heritage through music and storytelling.
See the project
Fall 2025 Food Assistance: What You Can Do
Nonprofits, community partners and food shelves are working swiftly to provide resources to fill in the gap as best they can.
View the list
Fall Harvest: Food Support Nonprofits
Meet a few of our nonprofit partners that provide food access and hunger relief services to the East Metro.
View the list
Strengthening Democracy: Community Voices and Civic Engagement in Minnesota
Here’s how philanthropy, local leadership and trusted news can shape Minnesota’s democratic future.
See the Highlights
Finding Common Ground: Facilitating Cultural Change Workshop
Changing my perspective has changed my approach to finding common ground and building community.
See the Highlights
Brass Solidarity: Bringing Music to George Floyd Square
Trumpet player Butchy Austin and his band, Brass Solidarity, use their sound for good every Monday in George Floyd Square.
See the project
Minnesota Latino Museum: Celebrating Mexican and Latino Art and Culture
Learn how one organization is establishing an arts and cultural landmark in Saint Paul.
See the Highlights