Winter carnival buttons designed by local artist

Kao Lee (at right with Lisa Sanderson) is a Frogtown native and the first member of the Hmong community to design the Winter Carnival buttons. “The Winter Carnival is a fond memory from my childhood and designing the buttons resurrected the whimsical wonder from those youthful days. The design was a chance to infuse the carnival with the threads of my cultural identity and the magic of shared traditions,” said Lee. Proceeds from the sale of the souvenir buttons are the largest fundraiser for the Saint Paul Festival and Heritage Foundation, the producers of the Saint Paul Winter Carnival.
Kao Lee’s artistic contributions extend beyond buttons to encompass stunning public art installations. Her work includes the Springboard for the Arts Fiberglass installation, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board’s Parks for All at Boom Island mural, and the mural at Mississippi Creative Arts. She is currently working with the United Family Medicine on a history wall in Saint Paul and even invited the community to join her in painting during a movie in the park event hosted by Saint Paul Parks and Recreation.