Art with messages of solidarity, unity, love and hope for Minneapolis covered the wall at Art City on Broadway Monday night. 

The not-for-profit organization hosted a workshop Monday where people could come put their feelings into art, which will be sent to a similar organization in Minneapolis, called Articulture.

They want to use the Winnipeg art in a future fundraiser for families who have been impacted by the actions of federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Minneapolis. 

“It’s like a situation that you’re disturbed by, but you don’t have any control over it because it’s another city, it’s another country,” said Art City’s artistic director Eddie Ayoub.

“So we just thought, let’s do what we do. We’ll use art to build community, do some outreach to the people who are living through the fear and the harm being purported by them by ICE operations in Minneapolis and try to offer solidarity through art and some moral boost for those who are down there resisting.” 

Ayoub called it a “rare situation” where Art City gets involved in a cause outside its immediate community, but supporting Winnipeg’s neighbour to the south was an easy choice. 

“We use art to address every situation,” said Ayoub. 

“Imagine ourselves in the same circumstance,” said Ayoub. “It feels good to know that people care about you and are being supportive. 

Heartwarming to see Winnipeg show support

Articulture’s executive director, Liz Greenbaum, told CBC News Monday afternoon she was blown away by Art City’s initiative. 

Greenbaum said it came together quickly in recent days after Art City could get in touch with the organization. 

Proceeds from the art could make a big difference for people in Minneapolis, Greenbaum said. 

“A lot of people are needing rent,” said Greenbaum. “We have situations where even if people are legal here, they’re afraid to leave their homes to go to work.

“People that have been [detained] that were the breadwinners, so families at home stuck with no income,” said Greenbaum. “We’re all finding ways to help in all sorts of ways we can and I thought this would be a perfect opportunity to be a fundraiser for the cause.” 

In January, two people in Minnesota — Renee Good and Alex Pretti — were fatally shot by ICE agents. 

Greenbaum said her home is near where Good died. 

“We go … between feeling scared, to angry, to sad,” said Greenbaum. 

Greenbaum also said art is a reflection of society and can be used for social justice means. 

“The fact that this art organization in Winnipeg is actually making a connection in Minneapolis is so heartwarming,” said Greenbaum. 

Back in Winnipeg, Ayoub pointed to a piece of art on the wall that read “Home of The Brave” and had a message to share to people in Minnesota.

“That’s the final words in the United States national anthem,” said Ayoub. “That describes the people who ICE are attacking, those are the brave ones. 

“That’s the message I would like to give to Minneapolis — that you are the brave ones,” said Ayoub.