Meet The YES! House Team!
Luwaina Al-Otaibi
The YES! House Program Director
Luwaina Al-Otaibi (she/her) is a creative event organizer, collaborator, environmental advocate, and artist! Born and raised in the Middle East, she moved to the US at the age of 17 to attend University where she received a degree in Environmental Science. Nine years ago she moved to her mother’s small hometown of Granite Falls for, what was supposed to be, just a short period of time. She ended up falling in love with the riverside town and found her passion embedding herself in the vibrant arts community through her work as Bluenose Gopher’s first Chief Operating Officer. Collaborating with musicians, dancers, foragers, theater artists and more to help create local events, proving that art of all shapes and sizes is an essential piece of any thriving downtown. Luwaina lives in Granite Falls with her two cats and dog. She enjoys the beauty of the Minnesota River Valley by kayaking the rivers and hiking the land.
As The YES! House Program Director, Luwaina activates The YES! House with events and regular open hours, supports community activities in Granite Falls and throughout Southwest Minnesota, and coordinates local event and project committees.
Shy Miguel
The YES! House Program Assistant
Shy Miguel (she/her) is a local artist with a passion for a diverse range of art forms, including digital art, drawing, makeup artistry, photography, and more. After earning her degree in Social Work, she returned to her roots in rural Granite Falls 6 years ago. Shy spent several years working as a children’s mental health social worker before welcoming her first daughter in 2023. Combining her lifelong love for art with her commitment to social justice and mental health, Shy discovered her true passion. She found that using creativity as a therapeutic tool not only helped build stronger relationships but also addressed trauma that words often can’t reach. Moreover, it provided folks with lasting hobbies and skills to support their ongoing growth and healing. Shy is most proud of being a mom to Nelly and Milo, a partner to Matthew, and an auntie to her five nieces and two nephews.
As Program & Facilities Assistant, Shy supports a culture of welcoming and curiosity through public office hours, program and event support, and general facility stewardship.
Sierra Kallio
American Connection Corps Member
Sierra Kallio (she/her) is a practicing Artist, ACC Member, and active advocate and educator for Digital Literacy. She earned her BA in Studio Art with a minor in Art History from the University of Minnesota, Morris. There, she explored a surreal mixed-media approach to painting, sculpture, and bookmaking. She uses her creative work to critique social structures, create strange grocery stores, and open discussions regarding mental health. Through her work with American Connections Corps, Sierra found a passion for digital equity. In partnership with The YES! House, she is actively advocating for accessible internet, digital education, and practical digital skills in Granite Falls. She is excited to immerse herself in the Granite Falls community and learn from those around her.
Sierra is a proud eldest daughter and lives in Kandiyohi along with her cat, Riley Ann, and her fiancé. In her free time, she enjoys the arts, coffee, writing research papers, reading horror novels about spooky houses, and video games. Her favorite book is The Hole, by Hiroko Oyamada.
Meet the Creative Collaboration Team
The Creative Collaboration Team (CCT) is a group of local artists and community members who meet monthly to discuss programming ideas, plan events, and spread the word about the happenings at The YES! House. The CCT is led by The YES! House Program Director Luwaina Al-Otaibi.
Current CCT members include Nicole Zempel, Edwin McGill, Janel Guertin, Ben Dempcy, Cera Cordova, and Mark Hoeper.
Previous CCT members include Joe Hauger, Mary Gillespie, Beth Pullan, Jeremy Radtke, Tyler Gastecki, and Allie Cole.
The CCT often hosts free Saturday Hangout events at The YES! House, organized around an activity, craft, or topic. Past events have included cat-themed crafts, holiday ornament making, karaoke, children’s reading circles, foraging and culinary topics, haunted house prop-making, and more. Keep an eye on our events page to join us!
Meet The YES! House Advisory Council
The YES! House Advisory Council Members (L-R): Michelle Vavricka, Jeremy Radtke, Allie Cole, Tamara Isfeld, Joe Hauger. Not pictured: Luwaina Al-Otaibi (Program Director) and Shy Miguel (Program Assistant).
The YES! House Advisory Council (Advisory Council) is committed to the shared vision for the operations and stewardship of The YES! House building, an in-progress creative community gathering space and home base for Department of Public Transformation (DoPT) in downtown Granite Falls, MN. The Advisory Council is comprised of local community members, as well as DoPT/The YES! House staff and board members. One spot on the council is reserved for a local Creative Collaboration Team (CCT) member, and other local community members are selected through a periodic Open Community Call process.
The Advisory Council’s work is guided by the following statements:
Shared Vision: The YES! House is an inspired inclusive space where staff and volunteers host locals, artists, and visitors in conversations, collaborations, and creativity.
Stewardship and Operations Statement: The YES! House is guided and cared for by a local group committed to transparency, accountability, and community connection in partnership with Department of Public Transformation (DoPT). The YES! House is staffed, financed, and managed by Department of Public Transformation (DoPT).
The shared vision and Stewardship and Operation Statement for The YES! House was established by the 7-member YES! House Futures Committee (temporary task force) in early 2023. An Interim Group of 5 members representing the Creative Collaboration Team (CCT) and YES! House Futures met twice to design the structure of the Council in the Fall of 2023.
The Advisory Council meets 4-5 times per year (roughly quarterly) to discuss and advise on items related to the stewardship and operations of The YES! House building.
The Creative Collaboration Team and The YES! House Advisory Council are made possible by the voters of Minnesota through grants from the Minnesota State Arts Board and the Southwest Minnesota Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.