Good Work with Good People
— wrapping up another SUCCESSFUL year with the Small Black Museum —
Working with the Small Black Museum continues to be one of the brightest spots of this year. The George Washington Carver Museum in Austin, Texas, brought us back as communications consultants for their Small Black Museum Residency, Vol. II.
Through the preservation and exhibition of African American material culture, history, and aesthetic expression, the Carver Museum works to create a space where the global contributions of all Black people are celebrated. They accomplish this by telling stories about our local community, and connecting those histories to larger narratives about Blackness. Standing as a three-month artist residency, The Small Black Museum Project gives three local established and emerging Black artists the platform to develop new artwork, engage in progressional development opportunities, and participate in a group show at the conclusion of the residency. Creating space to elevate Black designers is a longstanding, key aspect of our core values, and the opportunity to work directly with these wonderful artists is exactly the kind of good work we love doing.
This year’s artists, Alexis Hunter, multi-media painter and sculptor, Elisha Luckett, photographer and filmmaker, and Elizabeth Hudson, mixed-media painter, are not only incredibly talented but deeply passionate about their craft and the work they produce.
Studio Dzo was hired to serve as Communications Consultants. One part mentor, one part strategist and advisor, we hosted group discussions with the artists, providing a safe space for honesty, expression, and reflection with a focus on expanding and strengthening their careers as artists. These thought-provoking conversations gave us the opportunity to dive deep openly discussing anxieties and insecurities, gatekeeping in the industry, and the uncertainty that comes with being a professional creative. These meetings ended up being surprisingly healing and motivational for everyone, even us. In addition to these group meetings, we supported the artists individually by assisting them with navigating the industry, creating assets for marketing and promoting their work and personal brand, and answer questions about some of the unique business challenges that come with being a creative.
“Something I learned from my experience with Studio Dzo is that it’s okay to ask for help. It’s always been something that’s difficult for me to do as an artist, but the open environment in our meetings really helped me feel much more open to asking for help, or just giving a space to vent.”
Alexis, Elisha, and Elizabeth are amazing artists and individuals. Working with them was incredibly rewarding for our team. Although we came in as hired consultants, we closed out as friends. A true definition of 'good work', we are honored to have served the George Washington Carver Museum, the Small Black Museum artists, and the Austin creative community.
Click to view the our wrap-up presentation deck
