Well 2020 Here we are! Rebranded and ready to roll. We became Heart Berry this fall. And the transition has felt really natural for all. We have always identified ourselves as a cultural arts business rooted in our teachings and the strawberry really being at the heart of that work. We absolutely LOVE our new name.
We released new wool this year and slew of other fun gear. Working with photographer Nedahness Greene has been a dream.
2019 brought incredible change and growth to our small company here in northern Minnesota. We want to thank Louie Gong and the amazing Eighth Generation team for their consistent mentorship, product development and support and congratulate them on being purchased by the Snoqualmie Nation of Washington. Sarah traveled to Washington in early 2019 creating our beautiful Birch Bloom collection.
We grew in 2019! We expanded from a one woman show in the kitchen to hiring on staff for Pop Up management, Inventory and Shipping, and as our staff like to laugh "Duties as Assigned." We would have never have pulled off this year without these incredible folks. Meet the squad:
Hannah, Chally, and Cassandra have been traveling Indian Country, hauling boxes--so many boxes-- shipping, and keeping Heart Berry in shape. They are truly incredible.
Each of these incredible folks brings something new and incredible to our team. Keep your eyes peeled in 2020 as we will surely be growing more!
We really broadened our scope this year into custom art and public art. We absolutely love this work and have projects already lined up for 2020. Some of our fun work:
Duluth Mayor Emily Larson shared about our Utility Box Project
Center for American Indian Health Wall Art installed at the University of Minnesota Duluth
We also were an Artist in Residence for Cloquet Public Schools completing bilingual student signage for the whole school. It was incredible and the school looks amazing with our art in it:
Our Main project this year was the Minnesota Historical Society Artist in Residence Project we completed the Nookomis Obagijigan Bilingual Moccasin Pattern book. We visited with mentors, worked with incredible apprentice Michelle Defoe and linguist Maajiigweneyaash, and sewed sewed sewed. This book is truly a life goal of Sarah's and a tool for makers everywhere.
https://www.fox21online.com/2019/11/10/celebrating-a-new-book-about-moccasin-making-from-a-duluth-artist/
We capped off 2019 with a fashion show collaboration with the Buckanaga Social Club at the Minnesota American Indian Chamber of Commerce Dinner. It was thrilling, hectic, and soo absolutely awesome. Just like you'd expect.
2020: We are coming for you.
Keep your eyes on our Spring collection. It's going to be legacy making. In the words of our favorite "This is the way."
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