ST. PAUL, Minn. — Acclaimed artist and community visionary Seitu Ken Jones is bringing a vibrant, intimate collection of his studio work to the University of St. Thomas this spring. The exhibit, Channeling Blacks & Blues, will be on view in the John P. Monahan Gallery, offering viewers a unique window into the breadth of Jones’s creative legacy.
A public talk and gallery reception will take place on Thursday, May 1, 2025, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the Owens Science Hall Auditorium, Room 150, located directly across the quad from the Schoenecker Center where the Monahan Gallery resides.
Jones, a multidisciplinary artist, builder, and organizer based in Saint Paul, has long been celebrated for transforming public space through cultural expression, environmental design, and community engagement. With a career spanning decades and mediums—from ceramics to social sculpture—his work can be found across countless neighborhoods in the Twin Cities, embedded into the architectural and emotional landscapes of the city.
Channeling Blacks & Blues captures a more introspective aspect of his practice. The exhibit gathers select works from his studio that explore memory, identity, rhythm, and reverence for Black cultural heritage. Though Jones is widely known for his collaborative public art installations, this collection offers a quieter, more intimate glimpse into his personal artistic exploration.
The event promises not only a visual experience but also an opportunity to engage directly with Jones’s philosophies and process. As a cultural elder, his influence has stretched across generations of artists, activists, and urban designers who look to him as a model for integrating creativity with community care.
Admission is free and open to the public.
For more information, visit the University of St. Thomas Art Galleries website or contact the Department of Art History.