ABOUT THE GALA

Join us for the Rebel Loon Archive's inaugural fundraising gala from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday, October 15th.

We are partnering with the Ramsey County Historical Society to host this event at the stunning Landmark Center in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Over the course of the evening, guests will enjoy diverse musical performances, a silent and live auction, and dinner by Sean Sherman's Indígena by Owamni.

WHAT IS THE REBEL LOON ARCHIVE?

The Rebel Loon Archive is a local not-for-profit organization preserving and publishing Minnesota protest art. Founded in January 2026 in response to Operation Metro Surge, the Archive has grown from a casual call to local artists into a growing collection with more than 500 contributors from across the United States and around the world.

This fundraising gala will support our programming, staffing, and archival work preserving and sharing art that’s been donated to us, including hundreds of protest signs from the No Kings 3 rally.

We will donate 5% of gala ticket and sponsorship revenue received directly by the Archive to Unidos MN. We will also donate 5% of gala book & merchandise sales to the Immigrant Defense Network. These two organizations have staunchly defended immigrants and democracy in our communities, and we are honored to support them.

Finally, we are on the cusp of publishing our first book, “The Rebel Loon Archive: Art Against Operation Metro Surge”: a 250-page hardcover art anthology featuring more than 300 artists from down the street and across the globe. The publication of this book was funded in part by generous gifts from individual donors as well as the Minneapolis Foundation. The first print run is nearly sold out through preorders, but a limited number of copies of the book will be available to purchase at the gala.

AT A GLANCE

Thursday, October 15, 6–9 p.m.
Landmark Center, St. Paul
Dress theme: Migration-inspired formalwear

Standard Admission: $150

Dinner
Complimentary café beverages and crafted mocktail
Entertainment and program
Auction access
Photo strip
Gift bag

Patron Admission: $300

Everything included in Standard Admission
Preferred seating
Curated gift box
Custom magnetic enamel pin
Two drink vouchers

Patron Table Sponsorship: $2400 for eight guests

Eight Patron Admissions
Sponsor display and recognition
Champagne toast
Signage at table, and recognition in program, speech, & email newsletter

Tickets and sponsorships purchased through this platform are not tax-deductible. Tax-deductible donations to the Rebel Loon Archive are welcome through our fiscal sponsor at https://www.givemn.org/story/rebel-loon.

Tickets are transferable but nonrefundable. In extraordinary circumstances, please contact rebel.loon.mn@gmail.com to request an exception.

Photography and video recording will take place throughout the evening. By attending, guests consent to the use of their image in event-related communications and promotional materials.

CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Sponsor the Rebel Loon Archive gala and stand with a local organization preserving the history of a turbulent and deeply divided year. At a time when people are paying close attention to which businesses support diverse communities and which remain silent, your sponsorship helps demonstrate that your organization values human dignity, local communities, and the preservation of stories some would rather erase.

Coffee Bar: $2,500
- Sponsor name will be prominently displayed at Jenni's Café, where patrons will enjoy complimentary barista beverages & a custom mocktail. This is an exclusive sponsorship opportunity.
- Sponsor will also receive recognition in program, speech, & email newsletter.
- Includes one Patron Admission. Additional Patron tickets or a table may be purchased separately.
Dessert: $3,000
- Sponsor name will be announced as the dessert course is brought out. This is an exclusive sponsorship opportunity.
- Sponsor will also receive recognition in program, speech, & email newsletter.
- Includes one Patron Admission. Additional Patron tickets or a table may be purchased separately.
Lounge: $3,500
- Sponsor name will be prominently displayed in the lounge area where guests relax during the mingling hour. This is an exclusive sponsorship opportunity.
- Sponsor will also receive recognition in program, speech, & email newsletter.
- Includes one Patron Admission. Additional Patron tickets or a table may be purchased separately.
"Migration" Theme: $5,000
- Sponsor name will be prominently displayed in the check-in area, clearly visible as guests arrive and leave. This is an exclusive sponsorship opportunity.
- Sponsor will also receive recognition in program, speech, email newsletter, and social media.
- Includes one Patron Admission. Additional Patron tickets or a table may be purchased separately.
Corporate Sponsor Add-On: Complete Your Table for Eight: $2,100
- Sponsorships include one Patron Admission. If a table for eight guests is desired, this add-on permits a corporate sponsor to sponsor a full Patron-level table by adding seven additional tickets.

Tickets and sponsorships purchased through this platform are not tax-deductible. Tax-deductible donations to the Rebel Loon Archive are welcome through our fiscal sponsor at https://www.givemn.org/story/rebel-loon.

GALA CHOREOGRAPHY

PREPARATION

The gala's dress theme is "Migration," and guests are invited to interpret the theme creatively. Come in your best migration-themed formalwear, whether that's understated or bold.

Consider the many migratory animals and concepts you can draw from: Perhaps you're inspired by the silver-blue and peach colors of a salmon, or the speckled white on black of the common loon. A monarch butterfly's orange on black and white is distinctive, and how might you interpret the idea of its wings or antennae? Or maybe it's the idea of following the warmth of the sun, or of plants bursting into bloom, that inspires you.

We're excited to see what you make of migration as a theme in all its sacred beauty, and we're delighted to welcome you to the Landmark Center on October 15th.

ARRIVAL

Parking is available in many ramps nearby, and parking details will be added closer to the gala date.

You and your friends can check in at the Landmark Center's South entrance. If you need an accessible entrance, that can be found on the East side of the building.

At check-in, if you have Patron tickets, you will receive two drink vouchers, as well as a beautiful custom pin that you are encouraged to wear throughout the evening (with a magnetic back—your outfit won't be harmed).

From there, you can follow the red carpet to the Landmark Center's cash bar offering cocktails, wines, beers, champagne, as well as many non-alcoholic options. While you wait for your drink, enjoy live music from featured musicians, both local and international.

Past the bar, you and your group can pause at the photo station, showing off your attire, and each of you will receive a photostrip memento.

SILENT AUCTION

As you move on, art from the Rebel Loon Archive collection adorns the atrium's walls, while tables of silent auction items beckon you to browse. Using Givebutter's intuitive built-in bidding platform, you can use your phone to place bids for your favorite items. Friends who aren't attending the gala will be able to bid on items remotely, and the Givebutter platform will update in real time.

Relax in the cozy lounge between the pillars and finish your drink while you watch the spectacularly-dressed crowd, chat with new friends, and enjoy the live music.

Once you're ready to wander, make your way to the new Café Jenni that just opened in the atrium this spring, and choose a complimentary barista beverage or custom mocktail created especially for this gala. While your drink is being prepared, glance at your phone to see how the silent auction is unfolding, and sneakily outbid your competitor when the moment is right.

As you sip your barista beverage, you can browse the merchandise table, where you can purchase small artworks, prints, copies of The Rebel Loon Archive: Art Against Metro Surge, and other items.

As the silent auction draws to a close, guests will be invited to take their seats at one of just 21 tables of eight. Patron guests will enjoy preferred seating near the stage, with a curated gift box waiting at each place. Sponsored tables will receive the same preferred seating and gift boxes, along with tasteful table displays featuring the sponsor’s name, logo, and information. After dinner, each sponsored table will also be invited to join in a champagne toast.

DINNER

Dinner will be catered by Indígena by Owamni, founded by Sean Sherman, also known as The Sioux Chef. Sherman was named one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People of 2023 and is a three-time James Beard Award winner and recipient of the Julia Child Award.

This will be a feast to remember, celebrating Indigenous foodways:

First course: Maple Chili Roasted Squash w/ Jalapeño Aioli & Wojapi with Tortillas (V)
Second course: choice of Stuffed Poblanos w/ Green Pepían Mole (V) or Bison NY Steak w/ Garlic Squash Aioli
Side: Sweet Potatoes with Indigenous Chili Crisp (V)
Dessert: Chocolate Sweet Potato Donuts with Maple & Wojapi (V)

All courses are gluten-free and dairy-free.

Vegans, vegetarians, and omnivores alike will find something to delight their preferences.

LIVE AUCTION

As dinner continues, legendary nonprofit auctioneer Karen Sorbo will take the stage, hosting us as various members of the community reflect on where we've been, who's helped us through, and what lies ahead.

Sorbo will make final announcements on winners for the silent auction, and will then serve as auctioneer for our live auction as we bid for original artworks and gift packages.

Throughout the gala, Mexican-American painter and Rebel Loon Archive artist Julissa Andrade, also known as Paxpaints, will be creating an original painting that will crown the live auction.

Auction winners may pay through our fiscal sponsor, Springboard for the Arts, with a check or with a phone call credit card payment. When payment is made through Springboard, any amount paid above the item’s fair market value may be tax-deductible.

Winners may also pay directly through Givebutter for a faster checkout experience. Payments made through Givebutter are not tax-deductible.

Please note: Original artworks from the Rebel Loon Archive collection may be sold with the understanding that they must remain reasonably available for future exhibitions organized by the Archive.

END OF THE EVENING

We can't announce details yet, but we're hoping to have an exciting live performance to round out our evening together.

After the auction winners are announced and the last crumbs of dessert are gone, wander back to Jenni’s Café for a decaf mocha or another mocktail, or return to the bar for an Aperol spritz or a good bourbon, if that’s more your style.

When you suddenly remember that holiday season is just around the corner, check back in at the merchandise table to pick up a few gifts for the people on your list.

At nine o’clock, stop by the check-in table to pick up a gift bag before heading home. Patron guests should also remember to bring the gift box waiting at their dinner table.

Delivery of auction items will be arranged after the fact, unless you complete payment at the gala and would like to bring it home with you immediately.

WHY SHOULD I SUPPORT THE ARCHIVE?

The Archive is currently volunteer-run. Donations directly determine how much art we can preserve, publish, and exhibit.

Here are a few examples of what your gifts have made possible:

Climate-controlled storage for original artworks donated to the Archive
A dedicated office for meetings and package reception, with loading dock access for book pallet deliveries
Exhibition-quality printing of digital artworks for display in two separate art exhibitions: Uptown Minneapolis and Los Angeles, CA

Here are examples of what future support will make possible:

Cardboard sleeves, shelving, and labeling for safe long-term art storage
Paying artists whose work is selected for publication and exhibition, helping to preserve their art and to fund more of it
Offering community-facing art events, as well as partnering with existing organizations doing similar work
Working on the digital archive and timeline, including paying for support and expertise from archival professionals
Fairly compensating Archive staff who have been volunteering their time and paying out of pocket for expenses

We will donate 5% of gala ticket and sponsorship revenue received directly by the Archive to Unidos MN, and 5% of gala book & merchandise sales to the Immigrant Defense Network.

QUESTIONS?

For sponsorship, accessibility, ticketing, or any other questions, contact Erica at rebel.loon.mn@gmail.com.

Rebel Loon Archive Fundraising Gala

Supporting the Rebel Loon Archive, Unidos MN, & the Immigrant Defense Network