On September 14th, 2014, 2,000 Twin Cities residents shared a meal on a half-mile long table in the middle of St. Paul’s Frogtown neighborhood. The art happening is the work of visual artist and urbanist Seitu Jones, who didn't just host an outdoor meal…he’s challenged his Frogtown neighbors, and all of us, to examine the food system and make it more just.
Seitu and Public Art Saint Paul received a Joyce Award to develop CREATE: The Community Meal. The Joyce Awards support new works from artists of color in metropolitan cities throughout the Great Lakes region. Central to the Joyce Awards is a deep commitment to new work that engages the community in the creative process. With support of local urban farmers, chefs and other artists, CREATE is the culmination of Seitu’s yearlong listening project with residents within the St. Paul area.