The Community Collage project was created by photographer and visual artist, Josh Madson, as a way to showcase the diversity and harmony of the Mankato community. Watch a short film on the project. Following three complimentary photo shoots for Mankato community members of from all walks of life, cultures and socio-economic backgrounds, more than 800 portraits were shot and displayed in a gallery show at the Coffee Hag throughout the month of September 2023. Subsequently, the collage was displayed at the Carnegie Art Center in Nov of 2023. Community members were photographed during a 2-minute photoshoot, with a classic black and white portrait style to give more emphasis to the faces and personality of the participants. The photos were printed for a floor-to-ceiling photo collage art installation at the Coffee Hag, creating an immersive experience where participants and exhibit attendees were able to feel a sense of joy and pride to be a part the vast abundance of diversity and greatness that exists within the community.
In 2024, due to the excitement felt by the community, Madson was asked to continue the project. Multiple shoots were added to capture the essence of the greater Mankato Area including 3 shoots at Mayo Clinic Health System (MCHS in Mankato), and 2 shoots at Minnesota State University Mankato. The 3 shoots at MCHS resulted in a permanent installation at MCHS Mankato named "The Faces Within Our Walls". The residents are also included in the larger collage of the Mankato area. Averaging 300-400 participants per shoot, Josh was able to capture roughly 5000 local residents for a stunning display Sponsored by The Mankato Area Foundation for their 50th anniversary. The installation is Located in the Madison East Center
Additional cities have now been added to the project including shoots in: Jacksonville, FL, Rochester, MN (installation unveiling at Mayo Clinic 2/24/25 Hage Building and Saint Mary's Hospital), New Ulm, MN (unveiled at Oktoberfest 10/3/24), Minneapolis (shot at Fashion Week MN) and La Crosse, WI (permanent installation within Mayo Clinic Health System La Crosse, WI). St. Peter, MN (installation at Gustavus Adolphus) Madson's outwardly stated goal of 20 cities in 3 years now closely attainable. Madson proclaims, "I think we will actually do 50 cities."
A 30 minute documentary on the project has been created by Madson and his team. It is available for private screenings. Contact the Community Collage team for opportunities to view, screen and book Josh as a speaker. Trailer for that film entitled, Community Collage: The Bright Side of Community, can be seen by clicking here.
Community Collage is currently in production on a feature length, 90 min version, film to be released late 2025 in the festival circuits.
To date, roughly 12,000 people have participated in the project. The project continues to add communities to it's roster.
About Josh Madson: Josh Madson is a dynamic, prolific photographer/director/DP who works internationally from various home-bases in LA, NYC and Tokyo. Josh was born and raised in Minnesota before relocating to Los Angeles in 2005. During the pandemic, Josh relocated back to Minnesota to be closer to family. Shortly after returning to Minnesota Josh’s family decided to move to Mankato. Josh has resided in Mankato for approximately 2 years and now considers it to be a new home base. In 2018 and 2019, Josh directed motion campaigns for OPI, Goop, Beauty Counter and Murad. To see Josh's reel click here. Josh works with and has had works published in a diverse mix of top-tier, global enterprises and publications, such as: L’OREAL, NYX, goop, Murad, Beauty Counter, ipsy, Proctor & Gamble, COTY, Clairol, Bank of America, Nike, VOGUE Girl, Elle, SELF, Esquire, InStyle, Macy's, G- Tech, Target, Hitachi, Mac, amongst many others.
Josh’s Links:
www.instagram.com/instajoshmadson
www.facebook.com/JoshMadsonPhoto
Josh’s Production Company:
Ann Fee
Dennis Dotson
Tom Lentz
