Community News
Toronto Creatives convene
BY SELINA McCALLUM
Tons of creatives, emerging and established, from Toronto came together for two days to share their wealth of knowledge on several creative industries.
Almost all of Toronto’s most respected creatives were in one space on November 30th and December 1st for the Summit Conference presented by and hosted at Artscape Daniels Launchpad.
It was two days of talks, panels, workshops and networking opportunities for Toronto’s creative community. Attendees were able to listen to creative leaders on how to scale up, stand out and build a sustainable career in an accumulating digital world.
The speakers were incredibly diverse and from all types of industries from animation to fashion. The ones that stood out to me were the black female creatives that I was fortunate and honoured to hear speak. And of course, none other than the famous and talented Toronto director, Director X.
Heran is an artist enabler, design thinker, dot-connector and tech-culture enthusiast. While Afro-Fusion-music-makers are a core focus, she has spent the last year and a half building her brand presence by vlogging her explorations and experiments in facilitating the transcendence of African-art(ists) across physical borders through tech/digital realms.
Amoye Henry is the founder of AfroChic. Each year, Henry and her team plan the AfroChic Cultural Arts Festival, which is an annual multi-disciplinary arts festival based in Toronto. It started in 2010 as an event to bring awareness to many issues relating to African Canadian women including hair, health and politics.
The festival is considered one of Canada’s only events providing a safe platform for black Canadian performance and visual artists. Henry has worked with talent like Issa Rae, Erykah Badu, Wizkid, Jidenna, Wale and Teedra Moses.
Alexis Eke is a Toronto based illustrator and designer. Her work centers on illustrating black women in a contemporary light, combining styles and elements from traditional Japanese art and renaissance portrait paintings.
Eke spoke on how to keep your artistic integrity when working with clients and brands.
“If you are willing to change anything about your artwork in exchange for monetary value, it may hinder your development and success as an artist,” said Eke.
Eke’s work has been recognized by publications such as Afropunk, Massappeal and CBC. She has been hired by AGO, CBC, Nike Jordan, Palm Bay Spritz and Soulection. Her work was also featured this year for Nuit Blanche at Scarborough Town Centre.
The advice she has for young black girls pursuing art is to never give up.
“First, focus on perfecting your craft, and be consistent with your work. Doing these two things will definitely reap success and acknowledgement. Secondly, it’s easier said than done, but do not let the color of your skin discourage you from pursuing a creative career. Just take that leap, and let God handle the rest,” said Eke.
Samah Ali is the founder of Sisterhood Media, a production and distribution company platforming stories on community and identity, informed by intersectionality. She is also a producer and film programmer supporting organizations like Black Femme Supremacy Film Festival and Toronto International Film Festival.
Sharine Taylor is a Toronto-based writer, critic, editor, producer and director, as well as the Editor-in-Chief and Publisher of BASHY Magazine.
Her experience has made her a credible source for pop culture commentary and criticism, and a trusted voice for the latest in Jamaican music and culture. Sharine’s bylines have appeared on The FADER, BuzzFeed, Pitchfork, and many other notable publications.
Julien Christian Lutz, better known as Director X gave the closing talk on Sunday to wrap up Summit. He spoke about his years as a teenager in Toronto, going from wanting to be a graphic designer to ending up as a director, and the hustle.
“I’m making logos and spending all this time on computers and learning all these skills,” said Director X. At the time he was 17 years old and left home. He stayed with his friend in a basement apartment.
One night he went to a poetry reading where he read lyrics he had written for a rapper his friend was making beats for. Now, he was a graphic designer and a spoken word artist.
Director X is the type of man who will not take no for an answer. His determination, passion and zest for film, music and entertainment was clear in every word he said.
“I would go to all ages clubs and find the promoter. I’d ask him who made their flyer, then say, “He sucks, I’m better,”” said Director X.
The Toronto director emphasized the importance of hustling. He got out there, he spoke to people and he asked questions.
At the age of 17 he was interning at Much Music.
“I’m putting you on to some real Toronto history right now,” he said as he told the full house about his days working as an intern.
One thing I learned is that Director X takes every opportunity whether it presents itself or not, and I admire him for that. When one person from the audience asked him about his organization, Operation Prefrontal Cortex, he used a couple minutes of the Q and A to pull up his slides on the screen behind him which explained what the Prefrontal Cortex is, why it’s important and how meditating can help reduce violence in the city.
Although the Q and A was supposed to end, he asked us if we wanted to see his short film that he made, called 7 Mothers, which was eight minutes long. While sort of receiving permission from the organizers, he was already connecting his iPad to the big screen for us to watch it.
The creator of Pyer Moss, Kerby Jean-Raymond, teamed up with Director X to make a short film about the seven women who played an influential role in his life. The cinematography and sound were beautifully done. The film made me feel like I knew the women personally and could feel their passion, spirit and love for the young boy.
The summit was a space that allowed people who could not access creative professionals before, the opportunity to meet and speak to them. The workshops and talks were incredibly helpful and insightful. I would recommend anyone who is in music, fashion, technology, film and animation to attend the summit next year.