Trudy Vrieze has started a fascinating project documenting what it means to live in Duluth, who we are and why we are here. The Human Fabric of Duluth is a street-photography and storytelling project.

She describes it this way:

Human Fabric of Duluth was inspired by Brandon Stanton, who created the series Humans of New York. The project is infused with the concept of Ubuntu: “I am because we are and because we are, you are.” Hopefully the stories show our interconnectedness.

Trudy has interviewed Duluthians (and Duluth visitors) from Lagos, Nigeria, from Texas, as well as lifelong Duluthians. She’s talked to Duluthians who have traveled to Vancouver, Costa Rica, Ecuador and Israel but still make Duluth their home. She provides a place for people to tell their stories of finding community here, of finding life after great change and loss, and finding leadership roles in our community.

I’ll be honest. If this project existed in 2005, when I moved here, I might have spent less time complaining about how insular Duluth felt.

I met Trudy Vrieze when she was the primary photographer for Wildwoods, the wildlife rehabilitation organization for the Arrowhead region. Trudy has developed an impressive body of work as a wildlife and animal photographer, traveling to photograph shelter and refuge animals, for example. (You might have seen her work in a recent show at Perk Place.) Human Fabric of Duluth is a new direction for her work, and it’s worth your time.