“Creating to connect”

Caroline Potter Shriver is an actor, writer, and producer, based in Brooklyn. She graduated magna cum laude from the Alvin Ailey School /Fordham University BFA program where she double majored in Dance and Latin American studies. She has taught, choreographed, and performed with international arts education non-profits, including JUNTOS Collective and Americorps’ ArtistYear. After dancing her heart out from age twelve to twenty two, she found herself with a story to tell and in need of a medium. She stumbled upon the art of the one-woman-show and knew wanted to spend the rest of her days making theater and acting. In 2021, she collaborated with a team of artists to build The Village: a collective of artists and patrons that celebrate the creative process. The Village grew as an incubator for Caroline’s first solo-work, The Stella Show, which was workshopped at The Village’s Salon events and ultimately produced by The Village as a full-length one-woman-show in October 2023 in residency at IRT Theatre (NYC). Caroline has directed for theater, (Public Private Prayer at Ursinus Fringe Festival), acted on film, Capsules (Directed by Luke Momo), and collaborated on countless projects with the incredible artists of The Village. In addition to her work as an actor and an Artistic Director, Caroline loves writing stories and picking the brains of her amazingly creative friends, busting a move on the dance floor, and roller skating through the streets of BK.

Website

“I’ll make it happen”

Marc David Wright is a director/producer of theatre and film, community creator, and arts educator. Born and raised in Bayonne, NJ, Marc crossed the Hudson to study acting at Fordham University (B.A. Theatre 2019). He discovered directing at school, where his production of Dark Play or Stories For Boys received an Ars Nova research grant to travel to Edinburgh Fringe, where it was named one of the “10 Must-See LGBT Shows” of the festival. Theatre: The Stella Show (IRT/The Village), Singfeld! A Musical Parody About Nothing (Now Playing Off-Broadway), Planet W: A New Musical in Concert (The Green Room 42), Sanctuary City (Pasadena Playhouse, AD), Self Tape (Alchemical Studios), What to Expect When You’re Expecting Our Lord and Savior (The Players Theater), Dark Play or Stories For Boys (Edinburgh Fringe, Fordham). Film: Enterprise 25: A Cinematic Advent Calendar for Instagram, As You Like It or the Pursuit of Love in Shared Isolation, Slay!. Proud drama teacher and director at several children’s and high school theatre education programs across New Jersey.

“Building community through storytelling”

Dana Seach is a theatre and film artist based in New York City. She completed a Master of Science degree in Media Management from the Gabelli School of Business at Fordham University. She has worked as a Production Stage Manager at institutions including NYU/Tisch, Less Than Rent Theatre, The Dalton School, and St. Joseph Regional High School. Dana also has experience as an Assistant Director and Script Supervisor on short films. As Managing Director of The Village, Dana seeks to uplift early-career artists in the pursuit of creating new work. She is proud to be part of The Village’s continued growth over the past three years and is eager to welcome more artists and patrons into the community!

Website

“I always have a place at the Dairy Queen”

David Kahawaii is an LA-based director, producer, and writer of theatre and film. David currently serves as the Line Producer of Youth, Family & Outreach of the Tony Award winning Pasadena Playhouse. There, he has served as a producer on the Pasadena stop of Walk Across America with Little Amal in partnership with Deaf West Theater and Armory Center for the Arts, as well as an Assistant Producer/ Artistic Associate for Bernadette Peters in Concert, Larry Owens' Sondhemia, and Acoustic Sondheim with Eleri Ward. Upcoming: Grumpy Monkey: The Musical at Pasadena Playhouse, Bimbo Tennis (Producer), and Second Chance (Director/ Producer). David is a graduate of Fordham Theater’s BA Theatre program with a concentration in Theater. Co-host of queer cinephile podcast "We Stan Her!" with fellow Village Artist Billy Reece.

Podcast

“Everything always comes back to my mom”

Riva Dhamala, Creative Consultant & Designer of The Village, is a multimedia designer with an educational background in Human Factors Engineering, Cognitive and Brain Sciences, and Studio Art from Tufts University. She is interested in the intersection of cognitive behavior and design, and applying this intersection to optimize user experiences - both in her interface designs and personal artwork. In her personal artwork, working through a variety of different mediums, much of her art focuses on people and notions of identity as a fluid, dynamic concept.

Website

“Ask for What You Want”

Elizabeth Kline is an LA-based, independent producer. After many years of pursuing acting, Elizabeth began her producorial journey producing the play, 'Dark Play or Stories for Boys,' for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, where it was named one of the "10 Must-See LGBT Shows" of the festival. She then transitioned into film/television. Her inaugural short film, 'Where Does the Light Go?', was selected as a finalist for the 51st Annual USA Film Festival. Since then, she has developed and produced numerous projects with the ultimate goal of creating content for a larger audience. Her passion is to tell stories which examine mental health, the female experience, and debunking social constructs. In addition to independent producing, Elizabeth previously worked at a bicoastal talent agency, representing actors in film, television, and theatre. She now works with an award winning director and his producing partner developing films worldwide.

“I am trying to catch the in-between feelings”

Annabel Hope is a San Franciscan currently stomping around uptown New York. She is a 2018 graduate of Fordham University with a BA in performance. She works as a professional Tarot Reader and her photography and painting are self-taught.

Website | Instagram

“My D&D group is busy, so I have to write other stories too”

James Kenna (he/him/his) is a playwright, dramaturg, and actor and has called many theatre’s artistic homes. Such places include: Steppenwolf Theatre Company, The Hangar Theatre, Vivid Stage (resident playwright), and The 52nd Street Project. He’s passionate about telling funny and gripping stories stemming from blue-collar sentiments and fantastical circumstances.

Instagram | Website | Play Portfolio

“Organized Chaos”

Kristine Feng is a creative director and specialist from St. Louis who found her way to New York through her studies at Fordham University in Digital Design and Commerce. With a strong foundation in Theatre, she blends design and storytelling to craft engaging visuals that captivate audiences. This summer, Kristine is taking her passion for storytelling to Paris, where she plans to continue creating meaningful, community-focused projects.

“curious maker & avid procrastinator”

Mayele Alognon is a Beninese-born Togolese-American visual artist currently residing in Brooklyn, NY. Mayele's work explores repetition, fragmentation, as well as the confusing and murky intersections of identity. She works primarily with graphite or gouache on toned surfaces such as cardboard, paper bags or raw canvas. In addition to making art, Mayele works as a teaching artist in schools all across New York City.

Instagram

“I create work that marries the nerd and the black experience within me!”

Antonyio Artis is an actor, singer, and writer who graduated with his BFA in Acting from Brooklyn College in the spring of 2022. When he was 16, he wrote and performed an original rap song for Lin Manuel Miranda, the original cast of “Hamilton”, and a crowd of 1300 fellow students and teachers at the Richard Rodgers Theater. Credits include New Jack City: Live! (national tour), New Girl Now (Cellunova Festival), Storme (Playwrights Horizon), Project Sankofa (The Tank Theater), etc. Artis received a certification in unarmed stage combat and loves reading and obsessing over actors. God. Grace. Gratitude.

Instagram

“Trying both to be and not to be a non-binary Phoebe Bridgers”

AUDG is a nonbinary human and a Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter. They came to New York for college as “Audrey,” and after graduating and much enlightenment, AUDG emerged. Originally from the suburbs of Massachusetts, they’ve been writing and playing music since their early teens. Their songwriting cInstagramenters around their relationships, queerness, and family bonds; and their musical inspirations are drawn from indie artists like Phoebe Bridgers, Bon Iver, and the like. They’ve conquered their self-doubt and are now finally putting their own music out there to be heard and loved, after a long, tumultuous relationship with posting covers on Instagram.

Instagram | Spotify | Apple Music | Bandcamp

“A whimsical take on everyday things”

Madalyn Baker is an artist, actor, and musician based in New York City. She draws comics and illustrations under the umbrella of her art brand, Maddle Baddle. She spends her time writing music, playing soccer, and baking for her friends!

Website | Instagram (art) | Instagram (personal)

“Lets all sit in a circle and talk about our feelings”

Spencer Balter is an NYC based photographer, filmmaker, and multimedia visual artist. In their work, Spencer largely focuses on some of the greatest emotional pains a person can endure. Mostly, they are drawn to themes of traumatic experience and deep emotional processing, as well as the respective journeys toward understanding and healing that come with these parts of life. Through their work, they seek to tell these stories in the hope of cultivating connection, community, and representation.

Instagram

“Pushing the Boundaries of Normalcy”

John Beltre is a NYC Based Designer and Makeup Artist. They have designed for National Tours, worked both on and off Broadway and designed for various films currently shown in festivals.

Website | Instagram

“Partia y vida - Homeland and Life. In a world full chaos and sadness, we find the strength and beauty through it all”

Ashley-Marie Bombino is a Costume Designer and Artist living in Harlem, NYC. The Mediums that she uses in her works are Oil Pastels and Gouache. As she grows artistically she hopes to share the world she sees as a 1st Generation Cuban American, celebrating afro-latinidad and shining light on the political struggle of her people back in the motherland.

Instagram

“Humor is a valid coping mechanism”

Miranda Boodheshwar is a Guyanese-American costume designer and mixed-media artist. Her work explores the intersectionality between identity and self-expression. She explores how dress has changed over time and is passionate about researching and educating others on the history of clothing in underrepresented cultures. She holds a BFA in costume design from Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Drama and is currently working with The Juilliard School.

Instagram | Website

“Illuminating dreams, loss, heartbreak & bliss”

Kelly Bran brings a fresh take on folk, country, and rock. Drawing on influences from alternative women of the 90's, her upcoming debut EP chronicles the path to finding her voice as an independent artist. Shedding the boxes that many have forced on her along the way, she weaves intimate stories between our heaviest burdens and most joyful moments.

Instagram

“I love Cinema”

I'm from Nampa, Idaho. I lived in Los Angeles from the age of 18-24 and the pandemic brought me back home. While stuck in rural suburbia, I decided to make the trek to NYC. I've been here making art on the stage and for film for the last year and some change.

Instagram

"A contemporary take on a classic"

Kendall is an actor and filmmaker who writes, makes things, and supports friends who make things. She’s excited by heightened language, explosive moments, and things that make her laugh. When she’s not self taping and watching post production tutorials, she's finding ways to sleep in and see free theater.

Website

“Sticking to my morning coffee with my morning pages”

Despina Cartsos is a multi-talented performer, award-winning designer, and the creative mind behind Menagerie NYC. With over fifteen years of dance experience, Despina is a respected belly dance teacher, blending modern and vintage styles. Her ASTERIA classes are inclusive and influenced by her Greek heritage and extensive training with renowned choreographers Dalia Carella and Suhaila Salimpour. She captivates audiences with her fiery personality, often performing to Greek, Turkish, and Arabic music alongside her trusted dance partner, a sword named Thomas. As the producer, art director, and costume designer of Menagerie NYC, Despina aims to transport audiences to a magical world of dreams. She wants people to feel immersed in a transformative, surreal experience, blending fashion and dance with moving human installations.

Instagram | Website

“eerily similar natal chart to FDR”

Michelle hails from Long Island, loves dressing up in drag, and has a clinical fear of horses. Sorry- was that not what you came here for? Anyway- Michelle is a stand up comedian in Los Angeles and has produced a three episode web show that satirically explores politics, gender identity, and media commentary. The web show, Morning, Stranger!, and her stand up routines, showcase Michelle's ability to play with the taboos of the United States class system, gender fluidity, and chronic illness through comedy. She is currently workshopping a live variety show that will include a drag performance as well as talents from many other artists and mediums. She is also, seriously, afraid of horses. (They're too big!)

Instagram | Website

“Aquarius Sun, Jigglypuff Moon, Ho Rising”

Spencer Clark is a creative person based in NYC. He has danced on Broadway, on TV, and in films and music videos. He is currently focusing on Subverting The Straight Agenda via photography, choreography, and creative direction.

Instagram | TikTok

"Letting you in, dancing it out"

Morgan Coyle-Howard is a freelance creative artist based in New York City. She began her formal dance training at the Boston Ballet School and received her undergraduate BFA degree at Fordham University/The Ailey School with a major in Dance and minor in Anthropology. Morgan continued at Hubbard Street Dance Chicago's professional program under the direction of Alexandra Wells. She has recently taken on creative projects in film including dance films and music videos as a director and creative director.

Website | Youtube

“An ear candy trip with modern and nostalgic vibes!”

Cult Goddess emerges as a psych pop group with compelling elements of hip hop and baroque. Anchored in the dark heart of NYC, their sound is a trip of ear candy songwriting and opulent string arrangements that cut through the noise.

Instagram | Spotify

“Stay horny for art”

I’m a 26 y/o queer poc artist trying to expand my creativity in many mediums from paintings to erotic ballpoint. I’m also trying to branch my craft into my tattooing career. I believe rage, horny, and humor is the holy trinity of my work.

Instagram

“a warm hug, soaked in sunshine”

Ayla Marie Decaire is an actor, dancer, painter, and puppet-maker based in NYC. With a deep commitment to authenticity and empathetic storytelling, she strives to uncover the humanity and lovable qualities in every little thing she creates. Ayla is currently an MFA acting student at Columbia University (so she’s always busy), but when the time comes, she hopes to spend more time creating works that feature a more interdisciplinary type of structure.

Instagram

“Capturing life through my eyes on film”

Helen is a software engineer, designer, and photographer based in NYC. After being introduced to the world of film photography in middle school through her dad's passed-down Canon AE-1 Program, she fell in love with the art of analog and has been shooting a visual journal ever since. She hopes to make people understand why she fell in love with New York City through her photography, as well as other places from her travels.

Instagram | VSCO

“Making music for the eyes and stories for the heart”

Amanda Egan is from Pompton Lakes, NJ where she began her dance training at the Performing Arts Academy. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Fordham/Alvin Ailey BFA program in 2019, and has since performed with Lydia Johnson Dance, Caterina Rago, Wolf and Swan, and the Merce Cunningham Trust among other freelance dance companies in NYC.

In 2014, Amanda won the Gold Medal at the Tap Dance World Championships representing Team USA in Reisa, Germany. She has recently presented choreography at Spoke the Hub’s Wheelhouse Showcase, DuYe Moves “Choreography in Process” on Governor’s Island, Earl Mosley’s Dancing Beyond, and Spark Theater Festival. Amanda also teaches dance and Pilates, and in her free time dabbles in songwriting.

Instagram | YouTube | Website

“Capturing the 'American Dream' one shirt at a time!”

Christine Evans is an American Tailored Sportswear designer based in the Lower East Side in New York City. Originally from Washington, D.C., Christine graduated from Parsons School of Design in 2019 with a BFA in Fashion Design. She uses clothing design as a tool to explore her interest in the relationship between fashion and politics, as well as to explore her own identity and upbringing— having one foot in the creative world and one in the political world. She loves to draw influence from all things colorful, the 1960’s and 70’s eras, disco, protest, current events, as well as all things “American”: that being simple, quintessential American moments from her own upbringing. Christine uses her clothing as a way to story tell and express her American identity, while encouraging others to use clothing to tell their own stories as well.

Website | Instagram (art) | Instagram (personal)

“Poetry and photography are visual experiences. I lend you my eyes, heart and a shared spirituality.”

To me, living well is experiencing the beauty without and expressing the beauty within. My work is an attempt to do this, it is an attempt to reflect my spiritual nature. Spirituality can often feel lofty and overwhelming, but I attempt to show that perfection is not so hard to come by, and divinity is not so high in the sky. There is perfection in every leaf on every tree in every forest, in every grain of sand in every desert. In the moments when we stop to notice these things we have already touched enlightenment. I am from the Sonoran Desert, a place where these moments of enlightenment come easy as the spring winds. My hope is that, even if you have never been to the desert, that some part of you will find my work familiar.

Instagram

“We Roll Dice to Make Films!”

Cason Doyle and Gracie Fojtik are both multi-hyphen artists across multiple platforms, who have found their most recent creative home in filmmaking. With Fojtik’s work as an actor, writer, director and producer and Doyle's as a cinematographer, photographer, stuntman, and director, the duo synthesized their strengths and created _Film.Roll_. A micro short production project, their films are shaped by fate. Cason and Gracie cast Dungeons and Dragons dice to decide the Subject, Style, Shot# and ‘Sorcery’ of each film. The Films are released on social media, where their first 15 projects have earned almost 100K views across platforms. _Film.Roll_ is a laboratory – a space to practice, learn and play in the art of filmmaking. Run entirely by volunteers, each film is produced with little to no budget, and is under 3 minutes. All of these works are housed under their production company Foyle Films. Their professionally scrappy films aim to foster community, challenge creativity and satisfy everyone with a sense of accomplishment through a finished product.

Instagram | YouTube | Website (Cason) | Website (Gracie)

“I'm known to shake a little ass, on occasion”

Ardyn, originally from North Carolina, self-identifies as a “corporeal conversationalist.” She received her B.F.A. in Dance from USC where she trained concurrently in ballet and house, resulting in a keen interest in the synthesis of dance forms traditionally positioned as binaries of one another. She teaches globally, utilizing two movement systems - William Forsythe Improv Technologies and d. Sabela Grimes’ “Funkamental MediKinetics.” Ardyn has danced professionally for choreographers Amy O’Neal, Juliano Nunes, Ayodele Casel, Ebony Williams, Aszure Barton, and Yoann Bourgeois among others. Ardyn regularly works with choreographer Ebony Williams in both dance and creative positions such as DOJA CAT’s Coachella 2022 (assistant choreographer), WARNER BROS/UNIGRAM “Collision” Residency (associate choreographer, dancer), KID CUDI 2022 Tour Skeleton Crew (associate choreographer). She was the associate choreographer for artist MILLI at HITC Festival, alongside choreographer Max Pham. Ardyn just returned home from tour, where she was both associate choreographer and swing for DOJA CAT’S “The Scarlet Tour.” Ardyn is a part-time faculty member at the USC Kaufman School of Dance, and on the weekend you can find her Go-Go dancing at the famed “Abbey,” an LGBTQIA+ bar and club in West Hollywood.

Instagram

“Locally based at the corner of weird and sexy”

Gagarin is a theatre maker currently based in Brooklyn. With a practice grounded in physical and devised world, Gagarin works to develop and bastardize our classical monoliths. They currently serve as a Curator with Expand the Canon where they establish gender equity in the classical canon. Previous collaborations and works include; Hedgepig Ensemble Theatre, The New Georges, PhysFest, SITI Company and Blessed Unrest. They also run a low cost movement collective for artists and all others to practice physical theatre disciplines as a way of establishing a positive connection to their bodies.

Instagram | Website

“Street Art History thru collage [on- and about- your walls and sidewalks]”

Rich Garr is an interdisciplinary artist based in Brooklyn. Broad interests in art and history surface in his work. Whether site-specific wheatpasted paper memorials, traditional collage, or in a tour format- it's all some form of collage. He worked as a teaching artist at the Cleveland Museum of Art and Brooklyn Museum. Later he freelanced as a guide and artist educator around NYC at places like the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, Lefferts Historic House, and the Brooklyn Navy Yard. He has always enjoyed working with kids, and for a long time taught them photography and darkroom techniques at a Lower East Side community center. There, neighborhood photo walks with the kids branched into gallery and art studio visits for adults. Since that time he has integrated walks into collage, and still retains an art and history focus regardless of medium. He enjoys inspiring others to find their own creative platforms and voices (including his own two kids and their friends) and creating platforms for good, timely artwork.

Instagram | Website

“Finding your place in between two worlds”

Franco Giacomarra is a Puerto Rican and Sicilian writer, composer, and performer based in New York City. Originally from the Philadelphia area, Franco's work encompasses a variety of written and audiovisual media, ranging from screenplays to comic books and musical theater. His work often synthesizes aspects of these forms with conventions of genre fiction and other idiosyncratic storytelling combinations.

Instagram

“Navigating the world and understanding the self (Photography as Anthropology)”

Akil is a Brooklyn-born photographer and UX researcher with an education in psychology. His work is a culmination of his day-to-day experiences, travels, friendships, interests, emotions, and mindset. In many ways, photography is a therapeutic process for him, allowing the visualization of growth and change in his life. In 30-50 years, Akil hopes that he or anyone else can look at his work and think, "Yeah, I have a good idea of who Akil is," as defined by the world he interacts with.

Instagram | Website

“fermented stories to manage ambiguous grief”

Sarah is an actor, writer, and fool based in NYC. They grew up acting in local theatre in the Bay Area before studying at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. When not working on her solo work, Sarah loves working with new plays, short films, and Elizabethan comedies. Her work explores queer intimacies and ways to grieve. They hold a bachelor’s from Bowdoin College, and a master’s in Performance Studies from NYU Tisch. Sarah can generally be found writing love letters to friends with several discarded cold cups of tea at her side.

Blog | Instagram | Twitter

“Unfolding nostalgia, embracing imperfections, crafting tomorrow”

Christopher Hernandez, an LA native, intertwines art with nostalgia, capturing the short-lived past, embracing chaos in the present, and fearlessly exploring the enigmatic future. An award-winning artist, photographer, digital artist, and filmmaker, each creation reflects the layers of his profound and evolving nature.

Instagram | Website

"Drawing through the discomfort"

Mark is an artist and set designer born and raised in Brooklyn. He aims to tell stories that make everyone look a little closer at the world around them, with fresh perceptions and inquisitive eyes. He finds inspiration in the sheer amount of happenings on the streets of NYC. His most recent work consists of figurative sketches & drawings -- offering a glimpse of what it takes to get to a "finished" piece. His ultimate goal is to translate them into a series of narrative driven oil paintings & illustrations showcasing these bizarre experiences in and around the city. His most recent projects include designing The Understudy at the Morningside Players and working art department for NBC Universal's FBI.

Instagram | Website | Art Station

“artist trying to resurrect Gothic ghosts through indie music and contemporary dance”

Emma trained in ballet for many years before attending the London Contemporary Dance School and completing her BA(Hons) in contemporary dance performance. She has performed with a range of NYC contemporary dance projects, played Mina Murray in Nevermore Immersive's production of 'Dreams of Dracula', and performs her own work.

Instagram

“here for the community”

Santo Jacobsson is a Swedish-Ecuadorian illustrator based in East Village and Williamsburg. He is a proud American Illustration Award winner and has had work at Lincoln Center. Currently working as a Graphic Designer for Flyers Cocktail Co, working on his graphic novel, and freelancing. His work focuses on the surreal experience of living as a trans person. He uses art as a tool to build community with other trans and non-binary people around the world by sharing each individual's experience in their identity.

Instagram | Portfolio

“If we were all the same, the world would be pretty f*cking boring”

Anna Jones is an LA based Director and Writer from Chicago. With her formal training in theatre, Anna has directed numerous plays in Chicago and LA, with a special interest in new and immersive work. In recent years, she has focused her attention on film, and (alongside her Creative Partner Elizabeth Kline) she is delighted to share their short film "Twelve" with The Village. Anna seeks to tell stories that challenge standard perceptions, uplift the queer experience, examine mental health, and explore the many splendid variations of life for women.

Instagram

“The Horniest Girls in New York City”

Riley Kennedy Stark and Tess Lancaster are two up and coming writer-actors looking to do the impossible: put on their two-woman (+ one man) play. Tess and Riley were both born in Massachusetts and grew to be 5 feet 8 inches tall, and they met where all sexy and perfect talents meet — fatefully on stage at an open improv jam in early 2024. They then decided to use their much apparent free time to take a sketch class, which was awesome. Today, they are beautiful, pre-successful playwrights with love in their hearts, fire in their loins, and bachelor degrees from elite institutions if all else fails.

Tess and Riley have a story to tell you about The Horniest Girls in New York City, whose names also happen to be Riley and Tess. It is an underdog story about two girls who are terrible at making good choices coming of age together with their friend Derek in this great city. The play follows them in their journey of realizing that they’ve been living their lives like bottoms, in the sense that they have been letting life bend them over a table rather than using their agency to take control of what happens to them. With an unrepentant love of friendship and a little help from a lesbian pastor, the two girls overcome their submissive natures and grab life by its balls, and together they learn how to top the world.

Instagram (Riley) | Instagram (Tess)

“Perhaps dance is the freedom we all seek”

Maya Kitayama is a dancer originally from the Bay Area and currently based in NYC. Credits include Beauty and the Beast (Drury Lane), Cole Porter's Can-Can (Porchlight Music Theater), Love’s Labour’s Lost (Scranton Shakes), and Holiday Inn (Mill Mountain Theatre). Maya is currently in the cast of Hypnotique; a new, late-night immersive show hosted by The McKittrick Hotel. She is also a member of Thistle Dance under the direction of Kristen Brooks Sandler. She earned a BFA in Dance & Political Science from Fordham University and is represented by LDC Artist Representation. She's excited to dive into work with her co-choreographer Andrew Kutryk, as they explore communication through the lens of dance, language, and vocabulary.

Instagram

“Capturing the ugliest parts like paintings in a museum”

James Kolsby is a director and cinematographer based in Bushwick. Originally from Atlanta, his work across music, theatre, and film has always centralized stories of friendship and love. Since moving to the city, his heart has been broken countless times as a result of an uninhibited romantic imagination. He is now focusing on creating stories more for the screen than about people he is dating.

Instagram | Website

"If they have something to say…People create."

Andrew Kutryk, a performer and choreographer from Ukraine, lives in New York City. He has been part of an ensemble that performed on the country’s finest opera stages, was part of a dance and acrobatic theater team in Europe, and worked in production on European cruise ships. Andrew is currently part of the cast of the "Hypnotique" immersive show at The McKittrick Theatre.

Instagram

“A conceptual activist artist with a focus on abortion and bodily autonomy as a whole.”

Sanna Legan is an activist artist, using social justice and creative practice to make a difference. For her artwork, Sanna has been recognized as a Young Arts Finalist, National Scholastic Winner, United States Presidential Scholar, and has had her work featured in Art Basel. Sanna has also been featured on @instagram for her reproductive justice art. Currently, Sanna is the Social Media Manager for Abortion Access Front, advocating for abortion access across the country.

Instagram | Website

“Think you'd like to try something different?“

I am not sweet. You may be confused by my voice and how cutified I am, but I am not sweet. I am sweet and bitter. I can be funny when I don’t mean to. I am It. That’s what gives me a piece of peace, a hope to be anything or become anything, anywhere, anytime—like saving the world.

Yiseul LeMieux is a Korean-born artist based in New York City. Her work spans multiple media, blending vivid narratives and alternative realities. She emphasizes audience engagement and community feedback, rejecting traditional boundaries between media, artist, and audience. Her creative vision explores a global network of interchangeability—where the artist, human, animal, or object holds equal value. This ethos allows her to explore limitless potential in herself and the world.

Instagram | Website

“I have all my thoughts at 2am and none at 2pm”

Rachel Lenihan is a stand up comedian and a visual artist. People often tell her that she should combine these two art forms. She is working on it.

Rachel performs all over NYC and has opened for Chris Gethard, and was also the Writer's assistant for the Chris Gethard Show on Tru TV.

Website | Instagram (comedy) | Instagram (art)

“Exploring the connections of music, movement and habit.”

Kathy Liu, originally from Fremont, California, is a freelance dancer and model in New York City. She received her BFA in Dance from The Ailey School and Fordham University where she developed an interest in choreography and premiered her first full-length piece "a room full of practical ideas” along with other short pieces. She has collaborated with artists of various backgrounds, choreographing for Billy Reece’s DIMES: A New Musical, ORLA’s Siren album show at DROM NYC, and other music videos and dance films.

Instagram

“A design practice combining graphic design and mental health to cultivate wellbeing on the internet”

Lucie Shelley is a multidisciplinary artist, designer, and art director based in New York, NY. A classically trained musician with a passion for drawing and painting, Lucie began her design career in college, where she discovered graphic design as the perfect way to meld her cultural interests with her love of visual creative. During a bout of burnout at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, Lucie started an instagram account to create an experiment with design outside of her full time corporate design job as a way to create freely, find her love of design again, and build a little corner of the internet for positivity, wellbeing, and mental health awareness. Since its inception in 2020, Lucent matter has garnered over 10k+ followers on instagram. Overall, Lucie's design practice comes from a desire to make things that make people feel better.

Instagram

“I take my photographs, print on wood or canvas, and paint on top to create one-of-a-kind artworks.”

Statistically speaking, I shouldn't be where I am today. I was born into a low income Puerto Rican family and grew up in the Marlboro Projects in Brooklyn. Although my childhood was filled with multigenerational trauma and alcoholism, there was a lot of love...and a lot of art. I have fond memories of staying up late to watch my dad make his abstract artworks and it wasn't long before I found myself taking pleasure in the same. I was comforted by the stereotype of artists being different and misunderstood as that made me feel like I wasn't alone in this world.

I moved to Santa Fe, NM at the end of 2003, hoping to finish art school, but I struggled with an artist block that would keep me from drawing for about 5 years. This prompted me to buy my first camera in an effort stay creative. That decision forever changed how I perceive my surroundings and create. My work transformed from illustrating fantasies, to capturing the magic in the mundane...and I haven't stopped taking photos since. The foundation I received in drawing, color theory and painting lends itself to how I approach photography and the mixed media works I make today.

Website | Instagram | TikTok

“I love art and I love therapy”

Patty Mahaney is an interdisciplinary artist who works in printmaking and performance. They engage with themes of family histories, childhood memories, and diasporic melancholia. They draw much inspiration from their non-binary and Filipinx-American identities—cultural traditions, stories, objects, and so on. Patty creates art as a form of self-expression and a tool for social change—bringing light to historical and interpersonal narratives that may be erased by dominant culture.

Instagram

“If you wish to be my brother, come as you are, and bar no other”

Solly is a bi-coastal artist, mixing the chill vibes of LA with the gritty sounds of NYC. Constantly searching for ways to go against the grain, Solly can be found producing, songwriting, and recording by himself or with collaborators, sharing energy and sonically documenting this crazy experience of life.

Website

“Making art cause everything else sucks”

Charlotte Martin is a Photographer and Filmmaker living in Bushwick. As a trans photographer, she uses her lens to find community with others, capturing small human moments that link us all together. From this vantage point the walls that separate us break down, and we become one.

Instagram

“Investigating where the body meets the words in collaborative art”

Katherine McClintic is a choreographer, producer, and writer based in NYC. She is curious about everything, in particular, building poetic, visceral, and imaginative movement landscapes in film, TV, music performance, and theatrical projects. She is the creator and EP of "Ending the War On My Body", a project consisting of a book of poems, 6 films, an evening length dance piece, a full-length score, and the collaboration of over 60 cast, crew and creatives.

Website | Instagram | TikTok

“Catching the Sun”

Just a smiley girl from Harlem trying to show the world how I see things behind my many lenses

Instagram

“An investigation of the inevitable what if”

Catherine Messina, graduate of Emory University, has worked with many choreographers and companies: Kit Modus, Jillian Mitchell, Mark Caserta, Ruben Julliard, Alexander Espinosa, Maddie Hanson, George Staib, Niv Sheinfeld, Oren Laor, and Bill T. Jones. In New York, she works with Yuki Ishiguro, Thistle Dance, Open Dance Ensemble, Animus Movement. She has shown her work throughout Atlanta, Richmond, New York, Portugal, and Philadelphia, receiving grant support. She has experience in arts administration, teaching, and production. Community work is important to her and is seen through the creation of an outdoor dance festival, Fall for Fall, and volunteering for DanceATL and Dance/NYC.

Website | Instagram (dance) | Instagram (personal)

“good hearted gremlin”

Soph Metcalf is an NYC-based actor, musician, and writer. They are a divisor and collaborator, and their work pastiches musical theatre, performance art, documentary, and dance. As an actor, they have worked with Tectonic Theatre, The New York Neofuturists, Prospect Musicals, and The Acting Company, and worked on regional stages across the US. They are a Gemini, Gemini-rising with a Leo moon.

Instagram | Website

“Out of intense complexities, intense simplicities emerge”

Born in Princeton, NJ, Luke earned his undergraduate degree in philosophy with a minor in visual arts from Fordham College Lincoln Center in the Class of 2019. As a student, he founded the Fordham Filmmaking Club. As a filmmaker, he directed 'Capsules', a feature film, alongside a series of short films including 'The Stamp Collector'. He also interned for Marie-Louise Khondji at Le Cinema Club, a dynamic online cinema space.

Instagram | Vimeo

“lover of music and various artisanal hobbies”

From leading Destiny’s Child rehearsals on the playground to spearheading her own sound, Murielle (mu-ree-ELLE) has always interpreted music as a spiritual and bodily experience. The Belgium-born, Congolese-American singer, songwriter, producer and dancer grew up on the melodies and rhythms of Congolese Ndombolo, Rumba, Gospel and Opera, fused with early 2000s Hip-Hop, Pop and R&B. Paired with the smell of frying plantains, these contrasting soundscapes served as infinite inspiration. She mixes vocal production techniques of girl groups, ambient electronic elements and heart-beat like percussion to create her own world. Laced in her maman’s gold, fresh pressed tips and frosted lip gloss, it’s hard to believe that the multidisciplinary recording artist is just getting started. Through her sheer musical and creative expression, Murielle has garnered over a million likes on TikTok. Her music has also been featured on ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy,” Freeform’s “The Watchful Eye,” Genius, and a variety of editorial playlists across popular streaming platforms.

Instagram | TikTok

"Painter of purple people"

Jessi Olarsch is a figurative painter based in NYC. In her work, memory, image, and desire combine in a purple dreamscape that tells an unfolding story of queerness. Her paintings consider the shifting boundaries of public and private life, the raw tenderness of queer friendship, and the complicated joy of coming into your own.

Instagram | Website

“language-first flash fiction that focuses on feminine grief, nature as religion, and queer relationships”

Megan Paris is a short fiction writer based out of Brooklyn, NY. She was previously published in Lesbians Are Miracles Mag and Bear Creek Gazette. She is a co-editor for Moot Point Magazine, and is passionate about reading and writing, good music, and celebrity gossip.

Instagram

"I'm making work about big feelings only"

I am a dance artist and storyteller from Berkeley, California. I have performed works by Adam Barruch, Bobbi Jene Smith, Brenda Way, and KT Nelson among others. Between 2018 and 2021, I was a member of Sidra Bell Dance New York and performed across the U.S and internationally with the company. I've worked closely with Sidra Bell as a collaborator and assistant choreographer and teacher. In 2019, I received my B.F.A in dance performance with departmental honors from Fordham University/The Ailey School. Most recently, I performed with Kayla Farrish in her dance-theater work “Put Away the Fire, dear”. Currently, I’m a close collaborator of Collier Schorr on her performance adaptation of Chantal Akerman’s film, “Je Tu Il Elle” (1975).

Instagram

“A silly songwriter with a bittersweet heart”

Emma Payne is a singer/songwriter and actor based in NYC. They received their BA in theatre from Fordham University, and then decided to pivot and focus more on music and songwriting. Emma's debut EP is coming out 12/19, and they are bewildered and so excited to have their work out so soon. They also in a past life studied movement and clown in Italy and now teach a movement class every month! Link to class is in their Instagram bio.

Instagram

“I am a Nuyorican artist passionate about sharing my experiences through paint, drawing, and sculpture.”

I am a proud New Yorker from The Heights, channeling my passion into expressionist paintings, fabric tapestries, ceramic and wooden sculptures, and curated art installations. My work sheds light on sexism, gender identity, systemic racism, and neocolonialism, exploring these themes within the constructs of identity and gender. Inspired by my vibrant community, urban landscapes, and rich Nuyorican heritage, I weave a tapestry of vivid colors that celebrates the spirituality and vision that guide my art.

Instagram

“There is no such thing as oversharing”

Born and raised in NYC, I grew up acting and performing. I went off to college in Ohio and decided I was too scared to pursue acting so now I work in advertising. Now you can find me writing silly lines for ad campaigns and as part of an adult improv group.

Instagram

“The small things are everything. Don't overlook them!”

Multimedia artist looking to connect their love for the arts with rehabilitation, growth, and connection in diverse settings. My works across visual media, writing, and theatre are often centered around interpersonal relationships, identity, womanhood, mental health, and love: in all of its forms (ugly and scary; beautiful and safe). Focusing on the ‘small things’ helps me appreciate life holistically, and doing so reminds us of the overwhelming honor, terror, beauty, and confusion of being a person. I hope something I make will encourage you to make something, too.

Website | YouTube

“Writing songs about the unsung”

Billy Recce is a Billboard Charting, two-time MAC Award and NEO-Award-winning composer/lyricist, singer/songwriter, and playwright based in NY. His works include the long-running hit A Musical About Star Wars (Off-Broadway), Balloon Boy (NYMF), Rachel Unraveled (BroadwayWorld), and his sold-out Snowflake Songbook series (54 Below and beyond). His debut album, “The Perks of Being a Snowflake” is on iTunes and Spotify. His latest release, the billboard charting concept album “Little Black Book” features 11 Broadway Legends stepping into the shoes of Hollywood Madam Heidi Fleiss and is available on Broadway Records. Proud member of ASCAP and graduate of Fordham University.

Website | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube

“The dancer defines the space”

Ana Sofia Reynoso was born in Morelia Mexico. She spent her childhood living between urban and rural spaces in her native Mexico and tries to bring both influences to her life in the states. She began her dance training at the age of 16 and studied at The Joffrey Ballet School as a classical ballet trainee for three years before completing her studies at The Ailey School. Her training was further enriched by spending summers studying at The Gelsey Kirkland Ballet School, American Ballet Theatre, Salzburg Experimental Academy of Dance, and at many workshops via GALLIM and the Joyce. She has performed performed work by Alvin Ailey, Gregory Dolbashian, Vernard J. Gilmore, Samantha Figgins, Ronald K Brown, Earl Mosely, Merce Cunningham - restaged by Andrea Weber, Fanting Yeh, Robert Joffrey, Gerald Arpino, Africa Guzman and featured roles in many classical ballets as well. Ana Sofia has also been in various indie films, plays, commercials and the TV show This Is Us. Ana Sofia tries to share what has generously been given to her by her teachers and mentors.

Instagram | Website

“Dive into my world of colorful nostalgia!”

Sofia Riley is a San Francisco native who currently resides in New York City. In 2017, Sofia began attending Fordham University studying Visual Arts with a concentration in Painting and Drawing. The program allowed her to solidify her skills as a painter as well as explore new ones, like film photography and collage. As a senior, she partook in Fordham’s Senior Thesis program where she created a body of work that expressed her love of home and bittersweet nostalgia.

As a child the phrase Sofia used most was “I’m making something!” She loved the way she saw the world and wanted to record every moment of it in the only way she knew how. Whether it was painting, drawing or taking too many nature photos in the backyard, Sofia was always creating. As a recent graduate, she continues to experiment with a variety of mediums, themes and media. Sofia still sees the world as tiny moments of magic and creates her work to remind us of just that.

Instagram | Website

“What if you could have everything you ever wanted?”

Elly Rodgers is a Brooklyn-based digital illustrator, textile artist, and occasional animator. In her illustrative work, Elly explores consumerism, world-building, and the relational aesthetics of platonic and romantic love. Select clients include The New York Times, ACLU, Google, The Washington Post, and NBC News. Elly's textile work is a celebration of color and serves as a love letter to her family and friends. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Visual Arts from Columbia University.

Website | Instagram

"ethereal, abundant, resonant and powerful - creating music to feel and heal"

Anusha Savi is a power pop artist/songwriter who creates ethereal & enchanting songs. She bridges the gap between her Indian heritage and mainstream music world by blending her Carnatic training in South Asian classical music with her love of soul & pop to create a uniquely global alt-pop sound. Raised in the Bay Area and based in Los Angeles, Anusha Savi is a Tamil-American woman whose goal in music is to empower young women, like herself, through healing music that is honest, uplifting, and timeless. She recently released her debut EP “Marigold” and remix EP “Marigold: The Bazaar Edit” after a whirlwind year of creative incubation under the mentorship of iconic production duo Stargate. Her latest release, "Follow Me", will get you dancing on your feet.

In June of 2022, Anusha Savi graduated from LAAMP, a year-long songwriting and production program in Los Angeles founded by multi-Grammy award-winning producer duo "Stargate". Anusha continues to be mentored under Stargate, and has worked with industry legends such as Emily Warren, Cirkut, Ne-Yo, Justin Tranter, and John Cunningham to name a few. With incredible catalog of unreleased songs, Anusha Savi is an artist to watch out for.

Instagram | Website | Spotify | YouTube | TikTok

“These images are old, found memories. Created to substitute a past life that could have been. In my body of work, I have sought to weave an perpetual thread between family, heritage, and civic engagement (or lack thereof).”

Matthew Scheffler (b. 1996) is an artist and photographer. Past work includes "His Father's Castle, His Mother's Glory (2020), "Cyanotype #4" (2020), and "Heliographs" (2019)

Instagram

“I paint stuff”

Maria is a scenic painter from Queens, NY. She has a background in theater design, as well as the fine arts. She loves to explore a wide range of mediums from printmaking to oil painting. She loves to incorporate her Greek heritage into her designs.

Website

“f*ck it, oat milk.”

Mikaela Simon is a multi-disciplinary artist based in Jersey City, NJ. Working in the mediums of collage and playwriting primarily, Mikaela finds ways to be creative in all of her pursuits. She works as a teaching artist with 8th grade students in Paramus, NJ, spends time as an audio visual technician at Liberty Science Center, and sells her original artwork at shows and fairs all over the NJ/NY area. (Find her work at doodlealldayy.com.) She loves collaborating with other artists and could eat soup for every meal.

Instagram | Website

“a window into a weirder, queerer, more colorful dimension”

Bryant Skinny is a painter and filmmaker originally from Muscle Shoals, Alabama. He moved to Los Angeles in 2020, making the decision after a particularly potent psychedelic trip, and has been pursuing his filmmaking dreams while nurturing and advancing his artistic voice through painting.

Instagram (Personal) | Instagram (Art)

“Little writer boy doing his best to not do his worst”

From Texas, not of Texas (yes, there’s a difference), Jason Tyus Smith is here to do his absolute best to not do his absolute worst. Creative has always been his passion, save for a moment where he wanted to be an oceanographer.

Instagram

“Bold colors, female forms, and abstractions of my life in motion”

Julia is a 25 year old Bulgarian-American artist from Washington D.C., currently based in Manhattan.

Julia has been creating artwork since before she can remember, and describes her artistic experience as both cathartic and meditative. Her craft spans a wide breadth of mediums: acrylic paint, oil paint, colored pencil, graphite, pen, and, recently, digital. Julia's work primarily depicts female figures integrated into surreal environments, frequently featuring bright colors and bold lines. She often draws inspiration from her own life experiences, exploring them in ultimately abstract ways.

Instagram | TikTok | Website

“Sexy, ugly, and HOT and fashionable”

Starlina Sublime (Brett Morachnick) is a performer and writer in Los Angeles of 5 years. Upon graduating USC’s School of Dramatic Arts, where they received the Jack Nicholson Award for Outstanding Performance, acting credits include Student #3 on American Crime Story, the “Platonic BFF” on American Horror Story, and “Gender Expansive Friend” in various corporate ad campaigns. Their latest career highlight: “there were many entertainers tonight, but there was only one Beyoncé” from Mo Heart of RuPaul’s Drag Race. As an over-the-top drag performer, Brett enjoys anything irreverent, opulent, and impractical, traits that brought their award-winning solo drag show HOT STUFF to the 2022 Hollywood Fringe Festival and fueled a life committed to bending the rules.

Instagram (Starlina) | Instagram (Brett) | Website

"A multimedia artist who questions her reality with image and space."

Claire A. Talbott is a Brooklyn-based video and projection designer. Recent work includes the 2022 League of Legends World Championship Opening Ceremony (Comp Artist, Possible Productions), Justin Bieber's JUSTICE International Arena Tour (Comp Artist, Possible Productions), Kidz Bop LIVE! (Animator, FragmentNine), Dear Mom, Sorry For Being A Bitch (Projection Designer, Soho Playhouse) Quills Fest (3D artist, Oregon Shakespeare Festival), and Geraldine Realigned (Projection Design, The Brick). In addition to projection design/animation, Claire is a director, graphic designer, and installation artist

Instagram | Website

"In hope of provoking an emergence within your heart"

Manatsu Tanaka is a bicultural multi-disciplinary artist who grew up and has been performing in both Japan and the US. Having had that “always in between places”, they utilize that sense as an opportunity to create a prism effect through their creative practices, hoping to offer new perspectives. They are drawn into illustrating humanness through their physical canvas. At the core of their heart, Manatsu is committed to using their creativity and artistry to join the frontline of trans and gender non-conforming artists in the dance and theater world.

Instagram

“Old Friends New Tracks”

When TBD first started playing, it was casual but also clear that, at the very least, it was a lot of fun to make music together. As TBD grows and looks for more collaborators, the core is the same: two close friends finding fun sounds and making songs that make you feel and make you dance.

Josh Fulton is a 2018 graduate of the Fordham Theater program and primarily an actor & screenwriter based in NYC, but he has always had a connection to music. He started the group TBD with his homie Jamie a little over a year ago. They've been making what they're calling "indie jazz" inspired by the likes of everything between Tune-Yards and SZA. Jamie brings an other-worldly keyboard-based indie production style to Josh's smooth & sexy, brown liquor-esque jazzy melodies.

Jamie Wygle grew up in the city before moving to Idaho, growing a love for nature, and returning for college to study theatre. While he loves acting, the piano has always felt like a safe place to express and release outside of expectations.

Instagram (Josh) | Instagram (Jamie)

“I like to transform feelings into form”

Catalina Toro is a Colombian-born multidisciplinary artist who has been living in New York City since 1998. Entirely self-taught, and assisting top NYC artists she has developed a distinctive style that blends figurative and abstract elements, drawing inspiration from art history, theory, and the evocative power of mythic symbolism. Influenced by her collaborations with prominent NYC artists and the music scene, Catalina’s work reflects a confident yet emotionally responsive energy shaped by her diverse cultural background and artistic exploration. Her art incorporates a variety of mediums, including oil and acrylic paints, charcoal, pastels, UV art and gold leaf. Her techniques are influenced by Impressionism, Expressionism, Surrealism among other styles and all blended with the vibrancy of NYC’s pop art scene, resulting in a style that is both innovative and deeply personal. In addition to her studio practice, Catalina is known for her live painting performances in New York City venues, where she actively engages with the local art scene. She also collaborates with brands, teaches art workshops, and maintains a dynamic online presence, sharing her creative journey on Instagram under the handle @aluunna. Her work has been exhibited in numerous galleries, earning her recognition in the contemporary art world. Catalina’s diverse portfolio spans paintings, drawings, and live art performances, showcasing her ability to captivate audiences and convey a powerful artistic vision.

Instagram | Website

“Living through creative mediums”

Nyani Totty is a self-taught painter. During the pandemic, she started honing the skill and turned it into a small side hustle. Painting and drawing have always been a small passion but never a main focus. Nyani is an actress and performer who has found comfort in expressing herself through all types of creative mediums.

Instagram | Youtube

“We are all part of an ever-unfolding cosmic story, and the Universe is at play!”

Tristan Turner is an actor/writer/singer based in Los Angeles, CA. He received his Master’s degree in Acting from the University of California, Irvine in 2020, and has a BA in Theater Arts from the University of Northern Colorado. In exchange for free acting lessons, Tristan learned guitar from a fellow student at UCI, and fell into an artistic binge during quarantine. Though his true passion is on screen and on stage, music has been and will always be the channel through which his inspiration comes. In 2022, he released his first song “In Between” under the alias HUDO, an homage to his mother’s ancestry. Since then he has released two more songs, though many lie in wait. He has made an appearance on All-American on the CW, and just recently aired on Fox Network’s I Can See Your Voice, where he got the chance to sing on National TV! He is incredibly honored and thankful for the opportunity to display his talents with the Salon and feels so blessed to make his first ever live appearance with his original music.

Instagram | Spotify

“Peaceful moments, a grand expanse, and broad strokes somewhere in between”

My name is Nicholas Louis Turturro. I’m an Actor and Artist, mainly working with acrylic and oil paint.

My works range from large cosmic surrealist pieces to smaller contemporary figure studies and cityscapes. I blend my two disciplines together through theatrical live painting installations, where I work within a large sprung canvased frame placed on the ground and create a new piece for an audience from start to finish.

I’ve been an actor for longer than I’ve been an artist. I do mostly new works in NYC across theater and film (and the occasional commercial bookings). I love theater, particularly for the elements of collaboration. My love for theatrical collaboration is one of the biggest reasons I'm a producer at SERIALS (@serialsnyc), to create as many moments for us to work together as possible.

Instagram | TikTok | Website

“Creativity is a product of curiosity”

Theatre Artist based in NYC. My goal is to tell stories that reflect my view from the center of the Venn Diagram, the overlapping of experience. Cultivating a team of curious artists creating fast paced, honest, and unrepeatable experiences. Investigating the live element to reimagine the ways we tell and consume stories.

Instagram | Website

"Just two Virgos who cannot watch television without a craft in hand"

Sophie Dawson is a writer, collage artist, jewelry designer, and vintage collector living in Los Angeles, CA. She holds a BA from Fordham University at Lincoln Center and an MFA in screenwriting from UCLA. She is also a queer ex-Mormon, and her work, whether it’s a feature length screenplay or bits of paper glued together, explores the intersections of queerness, systems of belief, and femininity- or lack thereof.

Alex Courides is a crochet artist, jewelry designer, and music and film industry professional living in Los Angeles, CA. She holds a BA from Fordham University at Lincoln Center. She sources materials from all over the world, from small businesses to fashion district wholesalers to independent sheep ranches, and finds fulfillment in creating meaningful handmade pieces for others.

Instagram | Etsy

“I love things that make me feel alive, ex. open spaces, buffalo sauce, hugs.”

Joanna Whicker is a warm-hearted storyteller who wears many hats as a Film and Theatre Artist. Whether acting, writing, directing, or producing, she pours her humor, depth, and sense of play into every project. Her journey includes roles in TV: ‘Chicago PD’ (NBC), ‘FBI: Most Wanted’ (CBS). In Film, she’s been featured in: ‘It's All Happening,’ ‘The Resemblance,’ ‘Pillar,’ and ‘A Savage Nature,’ among others. Roles in Theatre include: ‘Interior’ by Nick Payne (59E59 Theatre), ‘Kill Hamlet’ by Nako Ama Adodoadji (Columbia @ Signature Theatre), and ‘Lost Paradise’ (Ekilibre Dance Company). Joanna is a graduate of Shenandoah Conservatory. She studied at the Moscow Art Theatre School and The National Theater Institute, housed at The Eugene O’Neill Theater Center. Joanna is represented by Buchwald.

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“Passionate Storyteller of a Curious Nature”

Emmy Wildermuth is a New York City based freelance artist. Currently, Emmy is a member of companies including Kizuna Dance, NewBrese Dance, and rogue wave. Additionally Emmy has presented work in New York City at Arts On Site, TADA! Theater, and Mark Morris Dance Center. Emmy and her artistic partner, Catherine Messina, founded the unKEMpT Dance Festival, with a mission to provide performance opportunities for artists, regardless of background or resources. She continues to choreograph, edit, and produce dance films and staged choreographic works that inspire others to view the world through a redefined lens.

Instagram

“Hard work is worthless for those that don't believe in themselves.”

Jayquel is New York native with a keen eye for blending portraits with street photography, Jayquel creates captivating environmental photographs that tell stories of urban life. Fueling his creativity with matcha, Jayquel not only captures moments but also fosters a community of like-minded individuals through his Analog Nostalgia Club, where photographers, camera enthusiasts, and creatives alike come together to explore and celebrate their shared passion for photography.

Instagram (Personal) | Instagram (Creative Studio) | Website

"I want to turn inward to reveal everything"

Kayce Wilson is a multidisciplinary theatre artist and actor with a passion for movement based devised work. As an artist she is drawn to the poetic and the visceral. Her work explores themes and aesthetics of Black Feminism, Afrofuturism, Expressionism and Queerness. Born and raised in Washington DC she is a graduate of the Duke Ellington School of the Arts with a BA in Theatre Performance from Fordham University. When not acting or creating she is a professional plant nerd and spends time caring for many plants around NYC.

Instagram | Website

"Created to Create"

Meet Woodah, aka WoodahThreeTimes, an artist with 13 years of experience in the Hip-Hop/Alternative space. Hailing from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and now thriving in Brooklyn, New York, Woodah's music bends genres to offer a unique and captivating sound. With pressing issues affecting the Black community, and the way these issues intersect with society at the forefront of his mind, through music, Woodah aims to personify a commitment to self-improvement and the ability to adapt to life's challenges.

Instagram | Website

“Trying to find the perfect mood lighting and make art about how it makes me feel”

Jane is an NYC-based artist with a BFA in Classical Acting from Southern Utah University. She loves art in about every form - illustration, design, installation, and sculpture - you name it. Since 2020, she's brought her own unique voice to the marketing team of Egg & Spoon a nonprofit Theatre Collective based in New York. Most recently Jane has been pursuing her interest in Gallery work and worked as the gallery assistant at a contemporary fine art gallery in Chelsea, NYC. She is so excited to be a part of The Village and cannot wait to share what she's working on.

Website | Instagram | Patreon | Etsy

“Invoking speculative and feminist interpretations of Confucian ideals and ancestor worship in ceramic and block print work”

Born and educated in the United States, Emily B. Yang's artistic practice is inspired by traditional Chinese porcelain longevity motifs and their evolution as they migrated with the diaspora. In her work, she researches how Chinese immigrants adapted existing symbols and invented symbols over time to tell stories of their new contexts. Her own family migrated from China to Taiwan, Malaysia, and the United States over several generations—a story shared by many in the diaspora as they escaped economic hardship. Each migration led to a new multicultural design language and identity.

Having studied design and ceramics at the Graduate School of Design at Harvard University, Emily's work references principles of speculative design—imagining possible futures and designing for preferable ones. During block printing residencies in Jaipur, India, she intersected her speculative approach with traditional woodblock carving. While referencing familiar motifs from Chinese porcelain, combining them with new imagined symbols and old family photographs, she also invokes a speculative feminist interpretation of Confucian ideals and ancestor worship in her ceramic and block print work.

Instagram | Website

“How can I reject surrealism if there’s a Circle K on my ancestral land?”

When I go to sleep I return to lands unseen to my awoken state - but that means my awoken state sees lands my dream state misses. So then, I am consistently alive? So that means historical lands and modern lands also can exist in the same life - I hope my art can discuss that with you

Website | Instagram