Chelcie Porter | Kijiji Sanaa (Village Art)
| chelciesporter@gmail.com |
| What’s the name of your business, nonprofit or project? |
| Kijiji Sanaa (Village Art) |
| What city and country is your business, nonprofit or project located in? |
| Kilifi, Kenya |
| Link to Your Website (if applicable) |
| http://www.KijijiSanaa.com |
| Links to Your Social Media Pages (if applicable) |
| https://instagram.com/kijijisanaa |
| Describe your business, nonprofit or project, and the products and/or services you offer? |
| Kijiji Sanaa, located in Kilifi, Kenya, is an artist residency dedicated to offering BIPOC artists a supportive environment to create and engage with the local creative community. This residency aims to foster artistic growth and cultural exchange, providing a unique space for artists to develop and share their work in a vibrant and inspiring setting. |
| Are you Caribbean or African, or of Caribbean or African descent? If you are, please tell us details. |
| Yes I am Yoruba (Afro-Cuban), Maasa and Luyha. |
| Do you think your Caribbean or African upbringing/heritage has impacted your work? If so, please explain how. |
| Absolutely, my African heritage has profoundly impacted my work. Growing up, my family instilled a deep sense of pride in our African roots, presenting me with a comprehensive understanding of African history and culture. This foundation fueled my curiosity and led me to further explore and fill in the gaps as an adult, deepening my knowledge about myself and my people. Since moving to Kenya in 2017, I achieved a significant life goal of creating a life for myself on the African continent. This journey has been both beautiful and challenging, compelling me to unlearn many American ideals. Living in Kenya has shifted my creative focus towards communicating with and for my own people, enriching my work with authenticity and purpose. |
| How does your work positively impact culture + community? |
| My work positively impacts culture and community by bringing BIPOC artists from diverse backgrounds to Kilifi, we facilitate a rich cultural exchange. Artists share their unique perspectives, traditions, and art forms with the local community, fostering mutual understanding and appreciation. |
| How should potential customers and persons interested in networking & partnerships contact you? |
| What message of hope or inspiration would you like to share with other women in our community who are also pursuing their dreams? |
| Your journey is a beautiful tapestry woven with resilience, courage, and hope. Embrace it fully, and let your authentic self be your guiding light. You are capable, you are worthy, and you are unstoppable. Keep dreaming, keep striving, and most importantly, keep being you. |
