DEAR FRIENDS,
Happy Spring! It has been an inspiring year of gathering together to enjoy incredible artistry, celebration, ceremony, and reflection. I’ve particularly enjoyed getting to meet so many of you in person this season. Whether you can walk to see a show or drive over an hour to be here, I’m so grateful for the time you share with us.
The O’Shaughnessy Presents season series is intended to bring the mission, vision, and values of St. Catherine University into practice through art, leadership, and deep engagement with the community. I hope you have felt, as I have, both grounded and motivated by the events you have attended at The O’Shaughnessy this year.
As we begin planning for a new season in 2026-2027, The O’Shaughnessy is asking for your help to celebrate the highlights of this season and lay the foundation for next year with a gift of any amount.
Thank you for being part of this community. Your support shines a light on the exceptional artistry that helps us all imagine a brighter world – together.
With appreciation,
Irene Green, Executive Director
and the entire O’Shaughnessy Team
COMPELLLING ART, COLLECTIVE IMPACT
Your gift makes a difference. Spring is an exciting time at The O’Shaughnessy, when the upcoming The O’Shaughnessy Presents season comes into clear focus. Your support helps create a new season that:
- brings nationally and internationally renowned artists, leaders, and speakers to Highland Park
- features The O’Shaughnessy’s unique brand of “Art Plus” — excellent artistry, plus high impact events that create connection, deepen curiosity and inspire change by providing meaningful engagement opportunities between artists, visionaries, and community members
- uplifts and celebrate the vibrant artists and arts organizations who make Minnesota thrive. (Did you know? The O’Shaughnessy hosts over 100 events presented by local artists each year!)
What does “Art Plus” mean? Check out a few highlights from this season, below!
AFTERMATH
Aftermath brought professional artists, activists, and students together to create a new work responding to Memorialize the Movement’s Night and Day exhibit of murals created in 2020 following the murder of George Floyd.
The piece, co-created by the Aftermath company, told the story of two Black boys growing up against the backdrop of police violence in America and explored how it shaped their lives in two very different directions. The show included an exploration of “Black boy joy” through music and dance which resonated powerfully with the message Ta-Nehisi Coates shared on The O’Shaughnessy’s stage earlier in October about the needs of Black boys growing up in America today.
The project put a St. Kate’s student at the center of that work as a writer and performer, helping her find her voice as an artist and connect with working artists and activists in the community.
In partnership with Katie Leadership Impact, the piece was followed by a panel discussion and community conversation about racial justice, featuring the artists who worked on the piece and the executive director of Memorialize the Movement, Leesa Kelly. The panelists spoke directly to the audience and shared a strong call to action.
NOT THE RIGHT MOM
Following a hilarious and heartfelt performance, Megan Dolan, the artist behind Not The Right Mom, was joined onstage by two Occupational Therapists (including an alum from St. Kate’s Doctorate of Occupational Therapy program) for a conversation about neurodiversity and best practices in providing support to members of the neurodiverse community and parents of neurodiverse kids.
The panelists reflected on the performance and answered questions from the audience; parents of neurodiverse kids shared they especially appreciated seeing their experience represented onstage with warmth and humor.
Through a partnership with St. Kate’s Office of Access and Success, The O’Shaughnessy was able to offer free tickets to parenting students, along with free childcare — so parents could attend the show worry-free.
THE CEREMONIAL INAGURATION OF MAYOR HER
The O’Shaughnessy was proud to host the Ceremonial Inauguration of Mayor Her, a historic moment that marked the
beginning of her tenure and helped propel her into her work with strong relationships, support, and care. The event was particularly well suited to The O’Shaughnessy as we celebrated a woman who leads and influences in St. Paul.
KELLY HALL-TOMPKINS
Art and Service with Katie Leadership Impact.
Award winning violinist Kelly Hall-Thompkins brought her artistry to The O’Shaughnessy as well as her story.
Founding Music Kitchen, a nonprofit that brings exceptional classical music to soup kitchens across the country. The event was preceded by Empty Bowls, a Soup Social fundraiser for local food-based nonprofits.
Community members from the neighborhood, the campus community, and O’Shaughnessy’s subscriber family came together to share a meal and raise funds for St. Kate’s Food Access Hub.
These are just a few of the stand out moments of the season thus far.
To learn more about how the O’Shaughnessy compares exceptional artistry with meaningful impact in our community, explore the 2024-25 Impact Report.
Thank you for being part of The O’Shaughnessy’s family of artists, audience members, and supporters. To help continue the work of compelling art plus collective impact, make a gift to support next season at The O’Shaughnessy.
Thank you!