Welcome to The 1-Minute Miracle!
On the first Wednesday of each month, expect a new issue offering industry knowledge, community project and talented artists designed to spark your creativity.

There’s so much incredible work happening across the state, and we’re committed to highlighting it all. If you’d like to contribute articles or share your own news, please email us at @ Infomiraclearts.org 

Briauna Williams

Acrylic Painter, Digital Illustrator and Muralist

Bio: Briauna Williams is a talented creative based in the Twin Cities, known for her work as a digital illustrator, acrylic artist, and muralist. Most of her murals based in Dallas, Tx.  Through her art, she crafts compelling narratives that resonate not only with her own experiences but also with the stories of her community. Briauna leverages her platform to advocate for social justice and promote mental health and wellness. Drawing inspiration from nature, her spiritual connection with God, and the richness of Black culture, she uses her artistic voice as a form of poetic expression. Under the name Briinoir, Briauna continues to make a significant impact in the art world and beyond.

How to Contact: https://www.instagram.com/briauna.williams 

MiracleArts Interview- Sara Fohrenkamm (Froriginals)

Mixed Media Artist

Q: What was your first interaction with art?
A: My first interaction with art was the school desk that my parents got me. It was a little wood school desk that opened up. I could keep my markers and paper in there and that's what I did a lot of times as a kid. 

Q: You recently created a mural for Maplewood mall. What led to this opportunity? 
A: When you walk in, you'll find over 600 pieces to choose from, which you can paint however you like. Our friendly staff is always available to guide you through the process and ensure you have a great experience.

Q: For the viewers of Maplewood mall, what do you hope they feel or be inspired to do?
A: I hope that they feel inspired to share with their community and be with their community and feel safe in their community that all these cultures that we have together can integrate successfully and not just be separate.

Q: What led you to join Artbattle Minnesota ? How did you find out about it?
A: I had followed Kelly Anderson for a while online and literally it was one of those things I saw her travel out of town to do art battle and I was like, “oh my gosh, that looks like so much fun”. I wanna do that. And literally that's what I commented on the post. And she ended up bringing it here to Minnesota and I was involved with the very first art battle and have been since.

Q: Any upcoming projects or events for you?
A:I am hoping to just expand my creative ideas and collaborate with new businesses, neighborhoods and communities.

Q: Where do you envision yourself and your artistic practice in the next five years? What about ten?
A: In the next five I should be done with school from MSU Mankato hopefully doing something in illustration. Maybe get a few murals under my belt. In ten years hopefully I will have a few books with my work in them whether that be illustrations or written. Work from home and spend all my free time with my family.

If you're interested in a commission or collaboration with Sara, you can contact them on Instagram @Froriginals

Prof. Insprio’s Guide to Financial Tools for Artists

By Prof. Insprio 

Bzzt. Greetings, humans. It’s Prof. Insprio, here to zap away your financial confusion with some truth bombs.

April is Financial Literacy Month, which means it’s time to face the numbers you’ve been avoiding. Yes, you. Bzzt. Stop pretending that “just vibes” is a financial strategy. If you don’t know where your money is going, it’s probably leaving. Look at your budget. Track your expenses. Handle your taxes. Because if you want to live off your art, your bank account needs more than just hope and exposure.

Bzzt. Let’s break it down. Budgeting and expense tracking are your first line of defense. Free tools like Wave make accounting simple, while YNAB (You Need a Budget) helps you take control of your cash flow. For those ready to level up, QuickBooks offers a more advanced solution. Next, let’s talk taxes and invoicing—yes, they matter. HoneyBook is perfect for commission-based artists, FreshBooks makes freelancer finances painless, and Bonsai helps with both invoicing and contracts in one place. Now, onto crowdfunding and patronage—because your audience wants to support you. Platforms like Patreon allow for monthly supporters, Ko-fi enables one-time tips and commission payments, and Kickstarter helps you launch big creative projects with community backing. Finally, keep your money organized with a business bank account—Lili is designed for freelancers, while Novo keeps things simple with no hidden fees.

Bzzt. There you have it. No more financial fear—just the right tools to run your art like a business. Now go CREATE your own Miracles.

Thank you for reading the April edition of The 1 Minute Miracle!

First, a big thank you to everyone who submitted an article let’s keep this going! You can always reach us at [email protected] to share your work.

March has been an incredibly rewarding month for the MiracleArts team! Our Creative Lead Maddie Kopp, had the opportunity to travel to New York on behalf of her Eau Claire art club, while our grant writer, Emily Landberg, will be featured in Maple Grove Art Center’s Advocates Show. Additionally, I’m excited to be walking in Maviena’s Walk with a Purpose Fashion Show. We are truly grateful for these amazing opportunities!

Our April Creative of the Month is Briauna Williams, who also happened to be the winner of our 1,000+ Giveaway! A huge thank you to everyone who participated. On the 31st we dropped our merch including shirts, sweaters, hats and notebook coming in two colorways: Black/Gold and White/Purple. Which one do you believe is best? Hey, we have also improve our resource guide (haha yeah busy month) by merging everything into a single, comprehensive map featuring all creative resources across the state. Check it out above.

Looking ahead, our next Create & Connect event will take place on April 19th from 6–9 PM at Rum River Art Center. Create & Connect is our traveling open mic, welcoming all creative mediums. The evening will feature a curated setlist from the MA Team, a brief presentation of our newly updated resource guide, and performances from talented artists in the community. We can’t wait to see you there!

And, remember we C.R.E.A.T.E our own Miracles

Xavier Thomas, Founder of MiracleArts