On May 12, 2026, friends, family, and artists gathered at the Guthrie Theater to celebrate the legacy of Carolyn Holbrook, the 2025 McKnight Distinguished Artist.

The celebration took place in the Guthrie’s Dowling Studio, with a reception held in the Amber Box. The setting was elegant and theatrical. It was a gathering of people whose lives and creative paths have been guided by Carolyn.

Carolyn Holbrook is an author, educator, mentor, community leader, and the founder of More Than a Single Story. Through her decades of work, she has helped create spaces where writers can be heard, and their stories honored. Being recognized as a distinguished artist was well deserved and long overdue.

Tonya Allen, president of the McKnight Foundation, spoke to Carolyn’s impact and contributions. DeAnna Cummings also reflected on Carolyn’s role in Minnesota’s arts and literary communities.

One memorable performance came from Junauda Petrus and Douglas Kearney, who performed “Poetry Ritual for the Getaway Car Driver: Carolyn Holbrook,” framing Carolyn as a getaway driver for those she has helped.

Carolyn’s children and grandchildren also shared a poem written for her, expressing their view of her legacy through the lens of familial love.

Then Thomasina Petrus performed “We Are Your Flowers,” a song written for Carolyn. Carolyn was finally getting her flowers, and the room was full of the proof of this. Thomasina moved through the audience, inviting guests to voice their gratitude for Carolyn and how she’s helped them. Their words became part of the song; the evidence of people whose stories Carolyn helped make heard, and lives she helped make possible.

We are Carolyn’s flowers, and all around her, we’re blooming.

Thank you, Carolyn Holbrook,

Skull Dogs Media wouldn’t be where we are now, without you.

Videos coming soon…

Wanna Peek Behind the Scenes? Check out the Blog Post for this Photoshoot Here!