Trust the Hours is the culmination of Rochester Poet Laureate Jean Prokott’s work from her Academy of American Poets’ poet laureate fellowship. This exhibit features work of poets and artists from Rochester and Southern Minnesota who have created pieces that reflect a personal experience with mental illness—whether it’s their own or that of someone close—and we hope to welcome attendees to expression, empathy, and companionship. One in five suffer from mental illness, yet the stigma persists. Poetry and art are resistance & power as we find one another: even without speaking, we can meet someone who has lived in our same space or who can help us to see our space in a new light.
Exhibit Opening & Poetry Reading
Saturday, April 26th, 2025, 6:00 pm
at the Historic Chateau Theatre in downtown Rochester, MN
This event is recommended for audiences age 14+. Admission is free and all are welcome. Please register for a free ticket to help organizers plan.
6:00–6:45: visit with Munchkin, the miniature therapy horse from Raising Hope Ranch
7:00–8:00: poetry reading
6:00–9:30:
view the artists’ work and read the poems
broadside (poem/art prints) release
community art piece: self-portraits
free stickers, journals, pens, jewelry, and temporary tattoos
light refreshments provided
Dry Run Mocktails pop-up bar
Trust the Hours will be free and open to the public through June 7th, 2025.
Read about the project in the March 20, 2025 issue of Lavender magazine.
poets
Amanda Anyim
Melissa Brandt
Shontarious Golden
Samuel Hawkins II
Lisa Higgs
Jean Prokott
Matt Rasmussen
Coach Rob
Leo Rodriguez
Pam Sinicrope
Gwen Westerman
Wanjala Carlson
Isadora Kohler
Maxine Mayer
Mia Peña
visual artists
Molly Althoff
Kapono Asuncion
Brenna Brom
Nicholas Breutzman
Jessalyn Finch
Chloe Jenkins
Kristy Johnson
Nox Kennicutt
Bea Morrow
Maggie Panetta
Tierney Parker
Bri Rollins
Catherine Sit
Rosei Skipper
A work of art or a poem is a moment—and a story, and a person, and then suddenly all of humanity. You are not alone. We come to know our whole community just one single story at a time.
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If you or someone you know is in need of emotional support, there is help. Text or call 988 to connect with a crisis counselor right away.
This project is made possible with support from Threshold Arts, the Academy of American Poets, Southeastern MN Poets, and the Greater Rochester Arts & Cultural Trust.
Cover art by Pono. Self Portrait, 2024.