HOW TO KEEP YOUR CREATIVE FOCUS AS A FREELANCE ARTIST

Living from art is the dream and the objective of every artist who decides to pursue that path. The passion for expressing creativity drives artists forward and motivates their every decision.

Black artists and artists of the Global Majority are often sidelined when trying to secure platforms to showcase their work. Being successful and finding ways to support themselves is not always apparent, and they often face difficult times ahead as freelance artists.

Having poured all their energy into their art and having it not be recognized, positively received or rejected is discouraging and difficult to accept. The financial instability is also a constant weight on their shoulders. They must constantly find ways to keep their creative focus intact and maintain their artistic integrity while fighting to be seen and heard. But how should they do that without compromising their vision?

MODERATOR

Tomi Ajele, Editor-in-chief, Afros In Tha City

Tomi is the Editor-In-Chief of Afros In Tha City and has published her work in The Huffington Post, the CBC, The Sprawl, Avenue Magazine, ByBlacks, and Shameless Magazine. Tomi holds a bachelor’s degree in communications and a master’s in public policy. She was recently named one of Avenue Magazine’s Top 40 Under 40.

SPEAKERS

Anthony Onwordi, Camera Operator & Cinematographer

Anthony Onwordi is a dedicated camera operator, whose passion derives in cinematography and visual alchemy. His goal is to tell unique stories through visual elements that will live throughout generations.

Kamika Bianca Guerra-Walker, Film Director, Founder of The Walker Foundation

Kamika Bianca Guerra-Walker is a film director, producer, actress, and model. Her passion is to understand people and help people understand themselves. She is currently in production for three projects set to air on Telus Optik TV in Summer of 2023. All her films are set to change and inspire the way people think, act, and feel towards mental health in the black community. Kamika is the founder of mental health organization, The Walker Foundation, where she strives to connect and stimulate the minds of society to always begin from a place of compassion + awareness before judging with your mind.

Misha Maseka, Director & Writer, Founder of Village Girls ltd

Misha Maseka is an award winning filmmaker and musician based in Mohkinstsis, Treaty & Territory. In 2019, she founded her production company, Village Girls, dedicated to telling stories of intimacy and the magic of the mundane within the communities of the global majority (notable: short film "Not That Deep" winner of 2 awards at Berlin Short Film Festival 2022). With music as her longest practice, studying and performing professionally as an opera singer in Canada and Germany, Misha still occasionally sings (Most recently: Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra's Whitney Houston Tribute Concert).

Wakefield Brewster, Calgary Poet Laureate, 2022 – 2024

In January 1999, Wakefield Brewster stepped onto his first stage as a Poet and Spoken Word Artist.

Today, he is known as one of Canada’s most powerful Professional Performance Poets.

In April 2022, he became the sixth Poet Laureate of Calgary, as well as the first Black Poet Laureate of Calgary, ever.