QC Family Tree Culture Bearer Residency

What is a Culture Bearer?

9.22.2026
Note to write about: #8 Bus line. Symbolisms. and Low-hanging fruit.

9.21.2026

Sharing a studio with Hobo Husband. Today was the first day we were in the studio at the same time. We had a great conversation, discussing things like paint colors, attempts at organizing the chaos of our process, and what we want to do during this residency.

I teeter on overwhelm when I think of all the ideas I can pursue during this residency, but as I was talking with Hobo, there’s also the realization — or maybe a constant reminder — that these opportunities are for us as artists to grow. The point of this residency is to support my work and growth as an artist. I’m being asked to create work aligned with a particular theme and community, but ultimately, I should step out of this residency a stronger artist, wiser, with some work to show for it. The work is not preparing for the final showcase. The work is exploring all the ideas, collaborations, and thoughts I have capacity to dig into, and I can edit what I will share during the showcase.

I’m also thinking about the fact that often we think the most valuable part of being an artist is the art. The masterpieces. But really, the value is in the process, the lessons. The art is literally the end of the process. When it’s done, I’m done, and I’m ready to move on. One thing I ingend to do is share more of my thoughts in the final showcase. Things I’ve learned. Maybe poems and brief prose. Mqybe essays.

Valuable takeaways from our conversation included the value of digital art, especially when working with limited resources or space. Also considered that collaboration often provides the push I need to further my work. A new problem to solve. A new way to approach things. A project to execute, or a deadline to meet. I’ve already decided that I will do two Collaboration Days during this residency. One with a few friends, and another as an open invitation to the community of Enderly Park, and artists around. I think my two Collaboration Days will be creating things with ephemera with other artists, and turning those pieces of expression into mixed media art pieces.

Another thing I want to focus on, related to wellness is the value of walking. And I can use the neighborhood to get in a photowalk and my 10,000 steps.

Action: Draw something today. Sketch something that strikes me. Let the effort compound.

9.18.2026

Where I’m is today…
It’s been a week in this residency, and Andrew Simonet helped me to appreciate one thing, an artist works hard for free, and will make his job harder when someone offers resources.

”Do your work!” that what Helms, the Exec Director of this program told us on the first day of orientation. We submitted an application about the work we want to do, and we provided samples of the work we’ve done. Yet, when I enter the space, while I do start working, I also decide the work I need to do is the best work I’ve ever done — particularly, a version of my work that’s never been seen before. The best that may be in my head.

But really, I need to do two things. BE AND do.

As I dive into this residency, it makes me realize how much I don’t really work with others. Not that I can’t cooperate. Not that I don’t enjoy being around others. But working together. Communicating effectively so we can join forces. I’m either doing what I’m told, or doing what I want. But doing what we want?

Most of the days so far, I’ve roamed a section of Enderly Park just to take in the neighborhood, and to see what it is. It’s interesting. Growing up as a hip hop head, I’m used to people representing a neighborhood, as if everyone from a neighborhood is doing the same things, or on the same page. Of course, there’s a culture in a place, but i can appreciate that any place is very much made up of individuals. People doing the best they can to figure out how to live the life they want to live. And they may allow an environment to shape them, but they don’t want to be the same.

I am appreciating that before I was a part of this residency, I knew artists who participated in this neighborhood as culture bearers. I had a garden in this neighborhood. A place I showed up to daily to make a change in my life. And as an artist working in this neighborhood, however this neighborhood shapes me is how I represent it.

As I roam, I have thoughts, and as I reflect on these thoughts, and they in some way shape my perspective, that’s how I’m becoming a culture bearer or a part of this neighborhood. The people gentrifying the neighborhood as shifting the culture. And not all in the same ways. The people who live here shift the culture. And not all in the same ways. My responsibility is to participate. To share. And if I do, then I’m engaging the community, and I’m being a pat of it.