meet alyssa,
She’s a Bajan-American community organizer, political researcher, multidisciplinary artist, and musician based in Fairbanks, AK.
Alyssa started her education and organizing in Fairbanks for over 20 years. She received a BA in Political Theory, Violin Performance, and Drawing from University of Alaska Fairbanks. Since, she has spent the majority of her professional career working in a myriad of campaigns, initiatives, and research, and collaborative events.
As a community organizer, she focuses on community engagement and advocacy, art activism, and anti-discrimination. She regularly makes creative spaces and opportunities in the Interior more equitable and accessible for Black, Brown and Indigenous communities, disabled and chronically ill communities, and LGBTQ communities.
As an artist, she’s a multi-media painter, focusing mainly in watercolor and ink. Her work centers the Black femme experience through grief and spirit. Focusing on portraits and figure, she offers the invitation for her peers to be understood and liberated in a world that does not.
Alyssa is the founder and current curator of Black Alaskan Art Matters (BAAM) – a community initiative that highlights and supports Black creatives in Alaska. She has almost 2 decades of exhibition and collaborative events with various galleries and museums, and has been featured across the state. She strives to cultivate a space of reciprocity and sincerity – whether that be through a piece or an event she hosts.
How long have you been an Artist?
Since I was young.
Where do you get your ideas from?
I draw a lot of inspiration from my community, nature, figure drawings and contemporary photography, performance art, civil resistance movements, hip hop and rap and indie rock and reggae music, Art Nouveau, Early Renaissance, Surrealism - all of these inspire me and my work.
Have you ever been published or featured?
Yes: officially by the
Do you host events?
Yes! Shoot me an email and let's talk: aqcreates@yahoo.com
Do you accept commissions?
I in fact do. Here’s the page.
Where else can we find you and your work?
Other than here, just my instagram: @startickles
Any other questions? Feel free to ask!