Learning to see is a practice.
At MNVL, a program is not a class. It is an experience designed to change the way you see — and the way you understand what you’ve been seeing all along.
Our programs are organized around five pillars. Some will challenge you. Some will move you. Some will hand you a tool you didn’t know you needed. All of them are rooted in one belief: that visual literacy belongs to everyone.
Our five pillars
Everything we do at MNVL is organized around five interconnected areas of inquiry. Each one addresses a different dimension of how images operate in our lives — and together, they give you a complete foundation for seeing more clearly.
Pillar 1: Reading Images
We are surrounded by more images than any generation in human history — and almost no one has been taught to question them. Reading Images programs teach you how. Who made this image? Why? Is it what it claims to be? These are not complicated questions. They are just ones most of us have never been asked to ask.
Programs:
- Reading Images — Public Talk — A 60-minute introduction to visual critical thinking. Open to everyone.
- Reading Images — Workshop — A hands-on half-day for people who want to go deeper and practice the skill.
- AI & Fake Images — A standalone program and digital tool for identifying AI-generated and manipulated imagery. (In development)
Pillar 2: Images & Power
Images & Power How images manufacture narrative and shape culture.
Every image is made by someone with a point of view. Sometimes that point of view is benign. Sometimes it is not. Images have been used for generations to manufacture narratives about entire communities — and those manufactured narratives become history, textbooks, policy, and culture. This pillar asks the question most people have never been invited to ask: who decided what truth looks like?
Programs:
- Images & Power — 3-Part Workshop Series — A deep-dive series tracing the history of image-based narrative manipulation and its living consequences. Libraries, community organizations, and public audiences welcome.
Pillar 3: Responsible Creation
Responsible Creation The ethics of visual storytelling.
If you put images into the world — as a photographer, an art director, a content creator, a publisher — you are telling stories about other people. This pillar is not about calling anyone out. It is about asking a question most visual creators have never been asked: is the story you are telling actually theirs?
Programs:
- Responsible Creation — Public Talk — A 60-minute introduction to ethical visual storytelling. Open to all.
- Responsible Creation — Organizational Training — A half-day professional training for agencies, publishers, and media organizations.
- Examining Your Practice — Photographer Cohort — A small, multi-session cohort for working photographers ready to take an honest look at their own work. Limited seats.
Pillar 4: The Right to Be Seen
The Right to Be Seen Photography as witness and tool of self-determination.
To be seen is a human right. Photography is the proof. This pillar is for everyone — because everyone has a version of what it means to go unseen. You don’t have to explain yours to walk through this door. You just have to be willing to show up.
Programs:
- I See You — Level 1 — A 2-hour workshop for up to 10 participants at our Saint Paul studio. You will leave with a photograph that witnesses you.
- I See You — Level 2 — A multi-session cohort experience culminating in a public group art show. For participants ready to put their truth into the world. (Launching soon)
Pillar 5: Rooted in Truth
Rooted in Truth The Framekeeper Project: preserving what history tries to erase.
History is not just a subject. It is a responsibility. And right now, in real time, pieces of it are disappearing — government web pages deleted, public records removed, the stories of marginalized communities quietly erased. The Framekeeper Project exists because memory belongs to the people. Not to whoever currently controls the delete button.
Programs:
- The Framekeeper Archive — A living digital archive of at-risk historical photographs and cultural narratives. Free and publicly accessible. Community submissions welcome.
- How to Be a Framekeeper — Workshop — Learn to preserve, digitize, and contextualize your own family and community historical photographs.
- Why Visual Preservation Matters — Public Talk — A 60-minute talk on why visual preservation is an act of resistance right now. Available for libraries, historical societies, and community organizations.
Common Questions
Here are some questions we often hear about our programs.
We offer a range of workshops that focus on visual literacy, including media literacy, and skills for critical viewing. All programs are designed to empower participants and enhance their understanding of visual culture.
Registration can be easily done through our website. Just fill out the form under the program you’d like to join, and you’ll receive a confirmation email with all the details.
Our programs are open to everyone, whether you’re a local resident, educator, or community leader. We particularly love welcoming those between 16 and 55 who are eager to learn more about visual literacy.
We offer a mix of both virtual and in-person classes to accommodate everyone’s preferences. Check our program details to see the format for each class.
We’re here to help! Feel free to reach out via our contact form or connect with us on social media for any further inquiries. We value your questions and are happy to assist.
Still curious?
If you have more questions or need additional information, we’re just a message away. Your engagement matters to us, and we want to ensure you have all the knowledge you need before joining our community.
Inspiring Visual Literacy
“Visual literacy empowers us to interpret and create meaning through images, sparking connections and enriching our understanding of the world.”