Celebrating Carolyn Holbrook: Skull Dogs Media at the Guthrie
Photo Credit: Molly Miles, McKnight Foundation
Skull Dogs Media was honored to be hired by Carolyn Holbrook to film the celebration of her recognition as the McKnight Distinguished Artist for 2025. McKnight’s photographer, Molly Miles, was present to document the evening through photography, and Carolyn wanted the event captured on video as well.
Due to the Guthrie’s filming guidelines, we weren’t able to produce one full-length recording of the entire event. Instead, the final video collection was divided into individual sections, highlighting key speeches, poems, performances, and Carolyn’s own remarks.
For Skull Dogs Media, this project carried a special kind of meaning. Carolyn was one of our earliest clients, and much of our early work grew through More Than a Single Story and the communities connected to her programming. Even our initial test shoot at the Guthrie had been in preparation for a project with Dralandra Larkins; a relationship that came through Carolyn’s Go Back & Fetch It Mentorship Program.
So, returning to the Guthrie to document this celebration felt like we’d come full-circle.
When Carolyn spoke, one of the most moving moments was her genuine surprise at the fullness of the room. Carolyn is a remarkably kind and humble woman. When she asked us to come as videographers rather than simply guests, she had worried that no one would come. Instead, the Dowling Studio and Amber Room, beyond were filled with all the people who had come to honor her.
As part of her speech, she told the amusing story of how she’d come to learn that she’d been awarded the honor of distinguished artist. She’d been at the McKnight Foundation preparing for a meeting where she planned to ask about how to be on the committee that determines the distinguished artist. As she waited, she saw someone come into the building with flowers, and Carolyn wished she could go smell the flowers, but remained diligent in waiting for her meeting. When the time for her meeting finally came, Carolyn soon learned that not only had she been named the Distinguished Artist for 2025, but the flowers that had been brought in were for her.
It was a sweet and amusing story, that highlights her humility and the dedication that landed her the award in the first place. After years of offering care, mentorship, and space to so many others, Carolyn was being asked to receive.
And she finally got her flowers.
