Artist Spotlight #20: Shaina Lynn Simmons
I first worked with SHAINA LYNN in Rhizomatic Studio’s 2017 Performance Lab at the Hammer Museum, where she blew us all away with her solo Afro Futuro, an exploration of bounce (aka twerking) and the black woman’s body and experience. I invited her to present again at Beach Dances: Shared Practice in 2019, where Shaina and Isabel Ivey led a workshop called “La Diáspora de Twerk.“ She is also a healer, producer, and author. She says, “At the interstice of activism and artistic praxis, my work seeks to heal the past, tend to the present, and reimagine the future of the diaspora […] as an organic archaeology to elevate Black stories.” In regards to the future, Shaina envisions: “Community will be the foundation for arts. It will redefine success and reshape the modes of creation.”
Shaina Lynn Simmons. Photo by @Dresgallery.
Tell us about your creative and/or professional practice(s). What do you do in the world?
At the interstice of activism and artistic praxis, my work seeks to heal the past, tend to the present, and reimagine the future of the diaspora. The oeuvre of my work spans across multiple disciplines and genres, as an organic archaeology to elevate Black stories.
My foundational training is in performing arts as an actress, performance artist, and creative producer. I’ve presented live performance and theater productions works, including Bayou Blues and Afro Futuro, nationally and internationally at the Hammer Museum, REDCAT, Highways, Historic Playmakers, Bridge Art Space in Bangkok, the Ludwig Foundation and Fabrica de Arte in Cuba, and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in Scotland.
I am a self published author of a children's book, The Cat and the Lion. As the creator and a writer for pursuitofnappiness.org and contributor for HuffPost, I cultivate spaces for analytical writing, love, and acceptance.
With certifications in healing modalities such as reiki, yoga, and meditation I am deepening my service to Black women as a radical act of revolution.
How does collaboration manifest in your creative process?
Collaboration is at the core of my work. My ability to bring together dynamic individuals from varying industries and interests and many walks of life is a skill. Through collaboration I have built a community of artists, all outstanding talents and inspiring souls that support the value of Black stories and life.
La Diaspora de Twerk, Beach Dances: Shared Practice, 2019
What would a sustainable career look like for you?
In a perfect world I would be able to financially sustain myself as an artist, being fully able to focus on my work and thrive. Much of my work is a service to my community, and would be fully funded. As I have seen made possible for many of my colleagues, I am still working against the discriminations that try to limit the visibility and funding of Black stories.
Aside from my financial woes, I intend for my work to leave a long legacy that will heal and prosper generations to come, and collaborate with dope individuals who are on the same wave.
How do you see the arts field changing over the next 10 years? What do you want to see more of?
Community will be the foundation for arts. It will redefine success and reshape the modes of creation. I hope that there is an emphasis on the people (who are able) to fund artists and projects and less reliability on major funding institutions who systematically leave out Black people and POC.
What are you up to now?
Currently, I am a candidate in the MFA in Social & Environmental Practice inaugural cohort at Prescott College, an online program created by Patrisse Cullors, co-founder of Black Lives Matter. I've been displaced due to COVID so if you'd like to help me cover tuition while I search for scholarships, please support.
I am also deepening my training in reiki and as a doula. I am curating a series of online workshops featuring several other certified healers to offer tips, coping techniques, and at-home self care practices for Black people during these intersecting pandemics. You can support that project here. My goal is to raise $500 to pay the healers for their participation and offer the workshops for free.
I am also looking for a literary agent for my new book and pitching a pilot.
