What was something you didn’t expect to find or see when you met Zeinab during the photoshoot?
I appreciated their use of note-taking for their projects. I remember them having quite a few tests and sketches.
You had a session with CondéFuture students, and since we believe that every encounter is mutual, we’d like to ask what you took home with you after the session.
I appreciated the time spent connecting with the youth. It was cool to learn a bit about what influences their interests and how these interests shape their personalities and outlooks.
What advice would you give the students if you were to conduct another session at CondéFuture?
Build community among yourselves and across your peer group. Organizations are not responsible for building our communities. These commercial entities have a bottom line and private interests that may supersede what’s happening today.
I would also share the importance of following their dreams and building their own spaces. I’ve recently created a space, Someday, which functions as an art gallery and bakery. We are a minority and woman-owned organization working to develop a stage for various people from all backgrounds. We are independent and operate without large commercial support.
This event has brought both communities together, showing that the power of connection enhances everyone involved. By fostering new creative directions and dialogues, it has renewed a sense of self-worth in all participants, an occasion for both parts to create dialogue and expand their creative practices.