The Waystation Podcast

On the last episode of season 4, we highlight the work and voice of Paula Mans.  Paula is a self-taught painter, collagist, and art educator based in Washington, DC, Original land of the Nacotchtank and Piscataway peoples.  While Paula is a native Washingtonian, she spent many of her formative years living in Tanzania, Mozambique, Eswatini, and Brazil. Her experiences throughout the African Diaspo...

On this episode we are thrilled to highlight Dara Etienne.  Dara is a multidisciplinary visual artist and craftsperson applying both institutionally learned and self taught processes in their work. Dara’s art spans from printmaking to woodworking, quilting, weaving, and more. Their pieces often revolve around labor, workmanship, expression of the self, and gender identity. Currently based in Pitts...

On this episode we talk to rapper and songwriter Itee. Deeply rooted in her Nigerian background, "Itee'' began her music career professionally in 2019. Despite her underground presence, many ears are tuned in to this versatile artist. Taking inspiration from Lauryn Hill and J Cole, Itee embodies a nostalgic vibe that many of her generational peers born in the 90s can relate to.  Stick...

On this episode we chat with Kashira Dowridge. Kashira describes herself as a woman with an intuitive heart- based in Detroit, MI, original territory of the Ojibwe, Odawa, Potawatomi people. Her practice highlights the world's current issues and her inner development. Kashira explores various dynamics of psychology and the well-being of others with intentionality. She is a self-taught artist ...

On this episode we talk with Noah M. Shankool. Noah is a musician, producer, and audio engineer based in Kalamazoo, MI unceded territory of the Ojibwe, the Odawa, and the Potawatomi. With influences ranging from Disco and Funk to Indie and Punk, his personality is what ties it all together for an introspective yet danceable experience. Since his first EP was released in 2017, Noah has been a part...

On this episode we talk with dancer and illustrator Austin Warren Coats. Austin is Originally from Reynoldsburg Ohio, original territory of the Ofo, Myaamia, Shawandasse Tula, Hopewell, and Kaskaskia peoples. He has earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Dance Studies from Kent State University and an MFA From New York University's Tisch School of the Arts.  Austin currently performs with Ronald K Brow...

On this episode we are delighted to introduce another gifted artist,  Sam Modder.  Sam is a Nigerian-Sri Lankan artist that works figuratively in pen, collage, and digital media to portray larger-than-life Black, female characters taking up space in real and imagined worlds. She graduated from Dartmouth College in 2017 with a BA in Studio Art and Engineering and from Washington University in St. L...

On the first episode of season 4, we talk to Saif Alsaegh. Saif is a United States-based filmmaker from Baghdad and is a part of a Chaldean indigenous minority in Iraq. Much of Saif’s work deals with the contrast between the landscape of his youth in Baghdad, growing up in the 1990s and early 2000s, and the U.S. landscape where he currently lives. He received his MFA in film from the University of...

On this episode, we uplift the visually striking and bold work by artist Kimani Johnson, a fiber artist based in Atlanta, home of the Muscogee people. Kimani’s pieces tell a story about their personal experience as a black and queer person. The themes in their work continuously explore black erotic autonomy. Kimani uses images sourced from vintage black pornographic magazines to celebrate the sexu...

Today we are thrilled to introduce the work of the tenacious and talented Asha Rowland.   Asha, who is from the Greater Chicago area, traditional home of the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi Nations, is a multi-disciplinary artist and dancer with a focus in Bharatanatyam, various African idioms of dance, Raqs Sharqi, Hip Hop, and more. She has taught dance to the youth of the Chicagoland area for ove...

On this episode of The Waystation podcast we have a conversation with Jessica Aquino.  Jessica is a fiber & multidisciplinary artist, poet, and horticulturist from Santa Ana, CA, unceded land of the Acjachemen and Tongva peoples . Inspired by her grandparents who have woven memories and ancestral knowledge across generations with their hands, Aquino approaches her work as a vehicle to reclaim...

Today we are excited to talk to powerful Melissa Ferrer Civil!  Melissa lives on the traditional lands of the Osage, Kaw, Missouria, Shawnee and Wyandot people.  They are a christian, first-gen, queer, black, femme, multi-disciplinary artist, organizer, educator and theologian who battles with mental illness. As such, a lot of their work deals with  the impact of oppressive institutions upon the m...

On today's episode we talk with Musician Henry Parwoth.  Henry, artistically known as Headband Henny, is currently based in Kalamazoo, Michigan original lands of the Ojibwe, the Odawa, and the Potawatomi. Born in Kampala, Uganda, he writes and performs music influenced by hip-hop, R&B, and bedroom pop.  Henry spends a lot of his time in his home studio recording tracks, listening to music...

On this episode we talk  with the absolutely delightful Nieko McDaniel!! Nieko is a visual artist currently residing in Davidson, North Carolina, traditional lands of the Catawba.  Growing up in Southern California, McDaniel was influenced by Graffiti, Rap, and the desire for an urban lifestyle.  Nieko portrays "Escapism" by using materials that have an inherent history and function but...

In the first episode of Season 3, we are joined by Dominic Green, a Baltimore, Maryland (Lumbee, Piscataway)- based photographer and filmmaker. Through his photographs and work in film, he highlights the experience of people impacted by systemic injustices. Dominic seeks for authentic moments to be recorded/preserved. Dominic has worked in multiple creative projects within the entertainment indust...

Laura Casas resides in Raleigh, NC, original territory of the Skarureh and Tuscarora, where she operates her own studio practice, Casas Studios.  Casas graduated from Western Carolina University in 2018 with a BFA in Studio Art and has been featured in several gallery exhibitions and markets.  She acknowledges not only her identity as a contemporary latine individual, but engages with in...

In this episode, we talk with Ophelia Arc.  Ophelia is a multidisciplinary artist based in New York City, unceded Munsee Lenape territory. Using sculpture, video, and installation, Arc’s work centers the human psyche and draws connections to the artist’s personal experiences and memories. Her meticulous, research oriented approach renders a body of work that is rich in complexity and attentio...

In this episode of The Waystation Podcast, we are joined by poet Aerik Francis from Denver, Colorado, the unceded territory of the Arapahoe, Cheyenne, and Ute peoples.  Francis is the author of two chapbooks and has released several audio projects.  Widely published, Aeriks' work explores the intersection of the body and politics.  Tune in as we discuss the importance...

In the first episode of season 2, we talk with Kenia Hale.  Kenia is a writer, collagist, and bassist from the suburbs of Cleveland, Ohio, the traditional homeland of the Shawnee, Wyandot Miami, Ottawa, Potawatomi, and other Great Lakes tribes. Join us as we discuss challenging expectations, nature connection as foundation to creative practice, and to get a preview of "Garden," a song by...

In the final episode of Season 1, we talk to multi-instrumentalist, educator, artist, and Milkweed Learning Hub Alumni, Evon Sams.  From Rockford, Illinois, unceded territory of the Ho-Chunk, Sauk, Meskwaki, and Potawatomi, Evon began drum lessons at his home church at the age of ten, before seeking formal music education in middle band, where he chose the saxophone as his primary instrument. Evon...

In this episode of The Waystation Podcast, we are joined by photographer and Milkweed Learning Hub alumni, Lisa Brown.   Raised between Washington, D.C. unceded territory of the Nacotchtank, Anacostan, Piscataway, and Compton, CA unceded territory of the Tongva, Lisa developed a love of photography at a young age.  Today, her photography highlights the beauty of women of color. &nbs...

In this episode of The Waystation Podcast, we are joined by interdisciplinary artist and Milkweed Learning Hub alumni, Melissa Sutherland Moss.   Residing in Brooklyn, NY, unceded territory of the Lenape, and working across collage, assemblage, installation, and social engagement Melissa's practice is dedicated to preserving and celebrating the history of African and Caribbean diasporas...

In our first episode of The Waystation Podcast, we had the opportunity to talk to storyteller, environmental educator, and Milkweed Learning Hub alumni, Ashia Ajani.  Originally from Denver, CO, unceded territory of the Arapahoe, Cheyenne, and Ute peoples, and writing as a queer Black femme, Ashia works to preserve, interrogate and imagine how the Black diaspora has shaped and continues...

Waystation is a podcast created to highlight and amplify the creative trajectories of emerging BI&POC artists. ​This guided dialogue aims at “unpacking” histories, obstacles, triumphs, and creative insights relevant to BI&POC creators. Please visit www.thechrysalisinstitute.com to learn more!