BLK SCOTIAN; BLK ART: Unfinished Work Podcast

Three African Nova Scotian artists, Kordeena Clayton, Kate Macdonald, and I'thandi Munro discuss the journey of artistic creation and the unexpected learnings along the way. Hear conversations with guest artists about their connections to African Nova Scotian culture, settlements, community, and lineage. These three artists dig into conversations with their guests about what is the “Scotian connection”? How are other artists connected to this place through family, artistic practice, homelands, and ancestral journeys? Tune in to this season to hear our hosts connect with folks from far and wide and down the road to explore the great and intricate fabric of African Nova Scotian culture, art, and community.

S2E10 | Closing 06/07/2023

S2E10 | Closing Tune in to our final episode as we share and explore our connection to Nova Scotia as artists, discuss family histories, podcast future possibilities and reflect on the journey we shared with guests on this season of Blk Scotian: Blk Art. /episode/index/show/unfinishedworkpodcast/id/27070020

S2E9 | Kye Clayton 06/07/2023

S2E9 | Kye Clayton We have musician and icon, Kye Clayton, in the studio with us in this episode, talking about beginnings, influence, and dreams. Not only is Kye a celebrated guest on this podcast, he is family! Find Kye Clayton on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kyeclaytonst/?hl=en /episode/index/show/unfinishedworkpodcast/id/27070002

S2E8 | NAT chantel 06/07/2023

S2E8 | NAT chantel NAT chantel is a performance artist that uses the metaphysical space around her to affect the energy of those experiencing her work. Drawing on the use of breath, inward reflection, and healing, she uses trauma to collectively shift, and uplift the consciousness present within her surroundings. Answering questions with pieces of art, every moment will have you breathing and thinking differently. Find NAT chantel on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nat.chantelle/?hl=en /episode/index/show/unfinishedworkpodcast/id/27069990

S2E7 | Nessy Thomas 06/07/2023

S2E7 | Nessy Thomas Vanessa “Nessy” Thomas experiments with digital and mixed media art processes. In this episode she shares her experiences as an emerging artist in Scotia. Nessy also tells us about what inspires her and her exploration of the arts in the NFT world. Find Nessy Thomas on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nessyrt/ /episode/index/show/unfinishedworkpodcast/id/27069957

S2E6 | Kevin A. Ormsby 06/07/2023

S2E6 | Kevin A. Ormsby Kevin A. Ormsby is a body of knowledge. In this episode we dive into his interest as a Jamaican born artist that feels a deep connection to the maroons who settled here in Scotia. He speaks about technique and the individuality of movers being validated within performing arts spaces. He explains how he balanced his lifelong career while maintaining space to reflect and continue to show up for his craft. Find Kevin A. Ormsby on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kevinaormsby/?hl=en /episode/index/show/unfinishedworkpodcast/id/27069900

S2E5 | Manny Dingo 06/07/2023

S2E5 | Manny Dingo Tune in to share time with drag performer extraordinaire, Manny Dingo (Joee Smith). With a self-taught background in acrobatics, they talk about the importance of self determination and how they use their drive to fuel their success. They talk about their experience leaving Scotia for Toronto, and living the dream of a full time artist. Find Manny Dingo on: @https://www.instagram.com/princemannydingo/?hl=en /episode/index/show/unfinishedworkpodcast/id/27069786

S2E4 | Marqeis “KekeBeatz” Williams 05/17/2023

S2E4 | Marqeis “KekeBeatz” Williams Marqeis “KekeBeatz” Williams shares his insights on the multiplicity of projects he works on, from music to video production, and how he is creating a network that uplifts the community around him and continues to bring growth to all his collaborators. Find Marqeis on: Instagram: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KekeBeatzTV /episode/index/show/unfinishedworkpodcast/id/26869944

S2E3 | Cyndi Cain 04/19/2023

S2E3 | Cyndi Cain This episode dives into conversations around legacy, community and receiving our flowers while we are still here. Cyndi Cain is a Canadian singer, songwriter, actress, and entrepreneur. Cyndi is known for her artistic achievements and outstanding presence and participation in her community. Art has the power to reflect our deepest thoughts and passions. It has the power to make change in society, shining light on the issues that face our communities. Cyndi Cain makes art that does just that: her music, her involvement in theatre and her personal brand We Been Here all brings to life her pride in being African Nova Scotian and highlights the history of Black Nova Scotians. Hear her speak about her impressive journey and dreams of the future. /episode/index/show/unfinishedworkpodcast/id/26588190

S2E2 | Andre Fenton 03/15/2023

S2E2 | Andre Fenton In this episode hosts I’thandi, Kate and Kordeena explore the importance of home, growth, and grief alongside the decorated author and creative writer - Andre Fenton. Andre Fenton is an African Nova Scotian, Halifax born and raised Young Adult author. Andre Fenton is an award-winning African Nova Scotian author, spoken-word artist, screenwriter and arts educator who has represented Halifax at seven national poetry festivals across Canada. He is a recipient of the Emerging Artist Recognition Award at the 2022 Creative NS Awards, and the author of three young adult fiction novels, Worthy of Love, which won bronze in The Coast’s 2018 Best Of Awards, He is also the author of ANNAKA, that was the 2022 recipient of The Community & Place Award from Digitally Lit, and is the author of The Summer Between Us, which won Gold in The Coast’s 2022 Best Of Awards. Andre has facilitated writing and performances workshops at over 50 schools across Nova Scotia. He is currently screenwriting the film adaptation of his novel, ANNAKA that is being produced by Fine Devils Films. Andre is based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. /episode/index/show/unfinishedworkpodcast/id/26236914

S2E1 | Francesca Ekwuaysi 02/15/2023

S2E1 | Francesca Ekwuaysi In the opening episode of Season 2, Blk Scotian: Blk Art hosts I’thandi, Kate and Kordeena dive into conversations of belonging, connection, and inspiration with Lagos born artist, learner and storyteller Francesca Ekwuyasi. Francesca Ekwuyasi is a learner, artist, and storyteller born in Lagos, Nigeria. Her work has explored themes of faith, family, queerness, consumption, loneliness, and belonging. She was awarded the Writers Trust Dayne Ogilvie Prize for LGBTQ2S+ Emerging Writers in 2022 for her debut novel Butter Honey Pig Bread (Arsenal Pulp Press, 2020). Butter Honey Pig Bread was also shortlisted for a Lambda Literary Award, the Governor General's Literary Award for Fiction, and the Amazon Canada First Novel Award, and long listed for the Scotiabank Giller Prize, and the DUBLIN Literary Award. CBC's Canada Reads: Canada's Annual Battle of the Books selected Butter Honey Pig Bread as one of five contenders in 2021 for "the one book that all of Canada should read." Championed by Roger Mooking, the book made it to the grand finale, where it placed second. Find her on: /episode/index/show/unfinishedworkpodcast/id/25939206

Episode 8: Closing 02/23/2022

Episode 8: Closing In our final episode, your hosts Kordeena Clayton, Kate Macdonald and I’thandi Munro, reflect upon their time spent together discussing the corners of their lives and their art not often shared. Tune in to hear them tie it all together. /episode/index/show/unfinishedworkpodcast/id/22226552

Episode 7: Parenthood and Art 02/09/2022

Episode 7: Parenthood and Art Tune in to your hosts, Kordeena, Kate and I’thandi, explore the journey of parenting. Through lenses of deep historical and ancestral ideologies coupled with our ‘makeshift’ parenting innovations, from OG parents to novice level, we are cracking open discoveries as parents and artists. /episode/index/show/unfinishedworkpodcast/id/22071224

Episode 6: Healing and Care Through Art with Bria Miller 01/26/2022

Episode 6: Healing and Care Through Art with Bria Miller In this episode multi-disciplinary artist, Bria Miller, joins hosts I’thandi, Kate and Kordeena to discuss rest, practice, healing, and connectivity through art making. /episode/index/show/unfinishedworkpodcast/id/21900053

Episode 5: Legacy with Sylvia Hamilton 01/12/2022

Episode 5: Legacy with Sylvia Hamilton A giant in terms of creating important dialogue with art and film, the wonderful Sylvia D. Hamilton joins hosts, Kate and I’thandi to discuss community, wisdom and wishes for the future, in a conversation spanning generations in time. /episode/index/show/unfinishedworkpodcast/id/21751532

Episode 4: Nocturne 12/29/2021

Episode 4: Nocturne For many artists in the region, showing their work at the Nocturne festival is a big deal. Hear how the hosts, Kate, Kordeena and I’thandi, navigate this huge opportunity and festival while being black. /episode/index/show/unfinishedworkpodcast/id/21621521

Episode 3: Art School with Letitia Fraser 12/15/2021

Episode 3: Art School with Letitia Fraser On this episode, the ever-brilliant Letitia Fraser joins hosts, I’thandi, Kate and Kordeena. Together we unwrap the complexities of being black in institutions and the wealth of inspiration we draw as artists from our deep African Nova Scotian roots. /episode/index/show/unfinishedworkpodcast/id/21488885

Episode 2: Endless Possibilities with Kadeem Hinch 12/01/2021

Episode 2: Endless Possibilities with Kadeem Hinch On this episode, Kordeena, Kate, and I’thandi invite you to laugh alongside graphic designer Kadeem Hinch whose eye for aesthetics and sources of inspirations will have you feeling ready to create. Tune in to hear us discuss artistic dreams and aspirations. /episode/index/show/unfinishedworkpodcast/id/21334682

Episode 1: Why Are We Here? 12/01/2021

Episode 1: Why Are We Here? Hosts, Kordeena Clayton, Kate Macdonald and I’thandi Munro talk purpose, practice, and legacy in this introductory episode to Blk Scotian; Blk Art. Their conversations explore the themes that inspire their art making practice, balancing family life, and their distinctly different artistic journeys. /episode/index/show/unfinishedworkpodcast/id/21334655

Season 2 Trailer 11/30/2021

Season 2 Trailer Three African Nova Scotian artists, Kordeena Clayton, Kate Macdonald, and I'thandi Munro discuss the journey of artistic creation and the unexpected learnings along the way. Hear conversations with guest artists about their connections to African Nova Scotian culture, settlements, community, and lineage. These three artists dig into conversations with their guests about what is the “Scotian connection”? How are other artists connected to this place through family, artistic practice, homelands, and ancestral journeys? Tune in to this season to hear our hosts connect with folks from far and wide and down the road to explore the great and intricate fabric of African Nova Scotian culture, art, and community. /episode/index/show/unfinishedworkpodcast/id/21318275

BLK SCOTIAN; BLK ART: Unfinished Work Podcast

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