EMERGING CREATIVES WORKSHOP WITH ALANNA AIRITAM
“Oakwood Arts and I share a similar understanding and vision that it is important to create art and careers in the creative industry accessible to everyone. When they approached me to lead a workshop for emerging artists, I saw it as an opportunity to pass the mic to five amazingly talented, insightful, young women who are passionate storytellers. It is important that we tell our own stories, share our truths, create a more fair and just world with empathy and lift us with beauty. I am grateful to Oakwood Arts for developing the opportunity for these artists to share their voices.
The 3-minute film produced explores the power of Black women’s creativity as individuals and the collective unstoppable force we become when we bond together to lift each other up in our growth and glory. We reference the cycle of life, death, and rebirth, reclaim our bodies, our connection to nature, and our spiritual selves. This film was created by the participants of this workshop. I merely guided them and kept them on course. This film is a direct result of their love and support for one another, their vision, purpose, and hard work. I’m extremely proud of what they have created in such a short amount of time together.
Thank you to Oakwood Arts and all of the women who showed up open and vulnerable and ready to create. Thank you for believing in me and allowing me to guide you in this process. My heart is so full and I cannot express how proud I am of each and every one of you. I can’t wait to see what you will create in the future.”
—Alanna Airitam
Workshop Participants: Noel Elias, Tricia Evangelisto, Alliannah Hamilton, Maya Jackson, Kateera Sampson