HONORS and artwork
New art exhibit opens at Dallas Contemporary in time for Dallas Art Fair. 5NBCDFW (Apr. 3, 2024)
Visual artist Patrick Martinez's solo exhibit at Dallas Contemporary opened one night before the start of the Dallas Art Fair. Histories is a multimedia exhibit that touches on themes from a Latinx and BIPOC perspective.
One of the works in the series is called America's Most Violent Week. "There was Philando Castile that was murdered by police in Minnesota," Martinez said. "But also the same week was the shootings in Dallas, and police officers were killed."
The Dallas Art Fair is April 4-7. Histories will be on exhibit at Dallas Contemporary through September 1.
Visual artist Patrick Martinez's solo exhibit at Dallas Contemporary opened one night before the start of the Dallas Art Fair. Histories is a multimedia exhibit that touches on themes from a Latinx and BIPOC perspective.
One of the works in the series is called America's Most Violent Week. "There was Philando Castile that was murdered by police in Minnesota," Martinez said. "But also the same week was the shootings in Dallas, and police officers were killed."
The Dallas Art Fair is April 4-7. Histories will be on exhibit at Dallas Contemporary through September 1.
Rivers Toward Healing the Hurt: Art, Song & Poetry for Philando Castile
Working with Valerie Castile and the team supporting the Philando Castile Peace Garden, Public Art Saint Paul and the Wakpa Triennial offer an opportunity to consider how stronger “networks of mutuality” can help to prevent police violence against African-American men, as happened when Philando Castile was killed by a policeman in 2016.
With artists Jordan Hamilton and Jayanthi Rajasa
Saturday, September 9, 2023: 1 – 4 PM
Philando Castile Peace Garden
Larpenteur Avenue West, Falcon Heights (South side of Larpenteur, between Cleveland and Snelling)
Working with Valerie Castile and the team supporting the Philando Castile Peace Garden, Public Art Saint Paul and the Wakpa Triennial offer an opportunity to consider how stronger “networks of mutuality” can help to prevent police violence against African-American men, as happened when Philando Castile was killed by a policeman in 2016.
With artists Jordan Hamilton and Jayanthi Rajasa
Saturday, September 9, 2023: 1 – 4 PM
Philando Castile Peace Garden
Larpenteur Avenue West, Falcon Heights (South side of Larpenteur, between Cleveland and Snelling)
Local artist opens new art exhibit highlighting mothers who’ve lost sons to violence. "Award-winning Pittsburgh artist Emmai Alaquiva and the mothers of Mike Brown, Philando Castile, Antwon Rose, and Oscar Grant were in Pittsburgh on Saturday to unveil “Optic Voice: Mama’s Boys,” an interactive art exhibit at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center. The exhibit explores racial trauma, injustices, and healing through the lens of 10 mothers who lost their sons to violence." WPXI TV (Oct. 24, 2022)
Valerie Castile in front of the "Mama's Boys" exhibit.
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Artist Emmai Alaquiva (in red shirt) with mothers from the "Mama's Boys" exhibit, including Valerie Castile (far right).
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Valerie Castile's portrait included in the "Mama's Boys" exhibit.
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New Brooklyn art space launches with exhibition celebrating birthdays of people of colour killed by police violence. The Art Newspaper (Sept. 1, 2022)
2022 Dynamic Soul Award
The Soultown Magazine honored Valerie Castile for her continuing work as a change agent in addressing the disparities Black people face. (To see the Soultown ceremony honoring Ms. Castile for her Dynamic Soul, click on the YouTube video link.)
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To view Ms. Castile's acceptance of the award (in a video posted on Facebook), click on the photo above.
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2022 "Civil Unrest" Community Honoree
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Women UNITE to Win – Appreciation Banquet/Luncheon is an annual empowerment event filled with education and networking sponsored by the National Empowerment Group. This powerful program acknowledges phenomenal girls and women in the Twin Cities area as it assists with overcoming personal and professional obstacles and it educates and empowers the community. Empowerment is an important factor in the development of self-esteem, growth and personal development. Over the years this event has remembered “Great Women in History,” The Health & Wisdom of our Grandmothers,” and “Women that Survived Domestic Violence.” The 2022 theme is "The Civil Unrest Edition" and honorees include Valerie Castile. The program is global and it empowers, educates and inspires all girls/women to live an informed, safe, and healthy life.
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2022 Community Healing, Lights On Summit
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Lights On is an innovative program that replaces tickets with repair vouchers. After the tragic death of Philando Castile, the Lights On MicroGrants Board of Directors discussed ways that they could prevent such a terrible event from happening again. That was the spark that started Lights On.
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2021 Dynamic Soul Award
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The Soultown Magazine honored Valerie Castile for her ongoing work as a change agent: advocating for police reform, providing services to families of victims of police violence, and championing legislation that addresses disparities faced by Black people.
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2021 Recognition and Thanks to Valerie Castile from Minnesota ISD 287
Excerpt from remarks by Superintendent Lewandowski on April 8, 2021: "It’s hard to put into words my appreciation for Valerie. She has been a fierce ally and advocate for our students - and for all students....You are an honorary part of our District 287 family. On behalf of the school board and the entire District 287 community, we sincerely thank you for your graciousness and generosity."
To read Superintendent Lewandowski's complete remarks, click here.
To read Superintendent Lewandowski's complete remarks, click here.
2021 Minnesota African American Heritage Calendar
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Valerie Castile and the PCRF are honored among 14 Pathfinders in the 2021 Minnesota African American Heritage Calendar. These are African Americans, who have left an indelible mark on the landscape of our culture, state, and nation.
A calendar Unveiling Ceremony and Fundraising Virtual Event will be held on Feb. 26, 2021. All proceeds from the fundraiser and calendar sales go to the HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) Student Scholarship Fund. For a Zoom link to the event and information on ordering calendars click here. |
2020 John Lewis Justice Award
Several people in the Twin Cities, including Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and Valerie Castile, were honored for evoking the spirit of a late congressman with the first annual John Lewis Justice Award (October 10, 2020).
2020 Facing Race Award
The Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation (the Foundation) announced the 2020 recipients of its Facing Race Awards, an annual celebration honoring individuals and organizations working to eliminate racism and its effects in Minnesota. Valerie Castile, Resmaa Menakem, Alex Miles and Leslie Redmond will be recognized during a special Facing Race Awards program on Sunday, Oct. 25, on the Minnesota Channel of Twin Cities Public Television (TPT).
“Through their commitment to equity, our Facing Race honorees are powerful agents of change,” said Eric J. Jolly, Ph.D., president and CEO of the Foundation. “Their courage and actions are challenging misleading and harmful narratives on race in our community and instilling hope that we can create a just and vibrant Minnesota that works for all of us. We honor and thank them for their leadership.”
“Through their commitment to equity, our Facing Race honorees are powerful agents of change,” said Eric J. Jolly, Ph.D., president and CEO of the Foundation. “Their courage and actions are challenging misleading and harmful narratives on race in our community and instilling hope that we can create a just and vibrant Minnesota that works for all of us. We honor and thank them for their leadership.”
2020 Strong Buffalo Award
This Peace Prayer was dedicated to Valerie Castile by Tatanka Ohitika, a Dakota Sioux tribal member at the Strong Buffalo Award ceremony on Aug. 1, 2020. At Mounds park, there were 70 sacred burial mounds, now there are 6. “When you look around you see homes build on top of sacred burial mounds,” said Tatanka Ohitika. This poem thanks the Creator for this life and all beauty He created on Mother Earth. It’s a reminder to caress Mother Earth with love and take care of one another.
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2020 ACLU ROOM & BOARD TORCHBEARER AWARD
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The ACLU of Minnesota Room & Board Torchbearer Award honors an individual or group who has taken courageous action in their own community to make sure that all Minnesotans are entitled to liberty, equity and justice.
The first winner of this award is Valerie Castile and her family. Valerie’s son, Philando Castile, was killed by police during a traffic stop. Since her son's death, Valerie and her family have worked tirelessly to support victims of police violence and reduce police shootings. Tune in to the 2020 MN-ACLU Liberty Awards ceremony at 4:30 p.m. on July 16, 2020 to hear more from Valerie and her family about the work they do in our community: https://www.aclu-mn.org/en/liberty-awards-2020 |
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NEA 2020 HUMAN AND CIVIL RIGHTS AWARD
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Stacey Abrams and the Philando Castile Relief Foundation were among the distinguished honorees headlining the July 1, 2020 NEA Human and Civil Rights Awards: We Rise Together." The PCRF received The Reg Weaver Human and Civil Rights Award.
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SAINT PAUL ALMANAC VOL. 12: RESISTANCE AND RESILIENCE (2019)
Stories of including Survive These Evil Fates by Valerie Castile.
Stories of including Survive These Evil Fates by Valerie Castile.
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Saint Paul stories that inspire us to hope and work toward a more just world, including a poem by Valerie Castile, Survive These Evil Fates.
Valerie begins: "Children are a gift from God, a small, innocent replica of ourselves. Our job as parents is to love, nurture, protect, and teach, to bring forth the great qualities of their inner selves. God gave me a beautiful baby boy, who we called Philando." Click here to read the rest. |
Artwork copyright Demont Peekaso Pinder.
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2018 COMMUNITY CHAMPION AWARD
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Valerie Castile (community activist, convener and mother of Philando Castile), received the Community Champion Award at the 2018 annual Minneapolis Urban League Unity Ball. Pictured at far left with Allysza Castile.
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Minneapolis Institute of Art, "Art and Healing in the Moment," June 17-July 29, 2018
Philando Castile by Mariah Pratt, part of the exhibit “Art and Healing: In the Moment.”
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Valerie (left) and Allysza Castile (right) with Bryan Stevenson, who spoke at the MIA "Art and Healing" exhibit.
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"Why?” by Angie Renee, part of the exhibit “Art and Healing: In the Moment” at the Minneapolis Institute of Art.
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In loving memory of Philando Castile, Pollen presents a community portrait of grief, protest, power, and love contributed by 25 artists mostly from Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota.
Spontaneous choir during recess, as a bench is installed at J.J. Hill Elementary honoring Philando.
