Speaker Spotlight - Anna Helgeson and Sekou Coleman

Anna is an Artist, Writer, Curator, Educator | Website | Instagram  
Sekou is Executive Director, Asheville Writers In The Schools & Community

Month: November | Theme: Radical

First up for the Q&A: Anna

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your practice. 

Curiosity and wonder drive my practice. There is something thrilling about asking questions that seem unruly, unreasonable, or unanswerable. Some days I feel like an alien dropped onto this planet that is both beautiful and terrifying. Much of my work poses questions about our assumption, specifically as it relates to gender, race and power.

What did you want to be when you grew up?
A dancer, fashion designer and business lady (although I think this just had to do with the power suit) 

What is the best part and hardest part of your job?
The best part about being and artist and writer is allowing myself the freedom to explore strange ideas and dissolve into the process of creating. The worst part is self promotion and trying to make money. 

What about your community inspires you?
The best part about being and artist and writer is allowing myself the freedom to explore strange ideas and dissolve into the process of creating. The worst part is self promotion and trying to make money. 

What books/resources would you recommend to someone interested in furthering their creative practice, or starting a creative business of their own?
Making Your Life as an Artist by Andrew Simonet     

And now, Sekou answers the questions:

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your practice. 

I’m the Executive Director for Asheville Writers In The Schools and Community (AWITSC), a nonprofit that ignites social change through the power of the arts, culture, and restorative self-expression. One of our most impactful programs is Word on the Street/La Voz de les Jóvenes (WOTS/VDLJ), which centers the leadership and creativity of black and brown youth, ages 13-19. Through arts-based programming, participants (known as The Squad) develop healthy relationships with peers and mentors, while working to make a difference in their community using their voices, talents and imaginations. As members of The Squad, youth build a unique and bilingual space to become hopeful about their futures, experience racial healing and develop a radical imagination to build a better world.

What did you want to be when you grew up?
For a long time, I wanted to be a composer and producer of music. Many of the experiences I had along that journey have informed the choices I’ve made since.

Can you remember when you first learned about your field of work? How did you discover what it was, and how did you know it was what you wanted to do?
Community organizing was my first job out of college. I was always compelled to do meaningful work for young people who looked like me or shared my lived experience. The deeper I became involved with the work and its varying complexities, the more certain I was that I had found my calling.

What is the best part and hardest part of your job?
The best part is the chance to spend time with so many amazing and inspiring humans. The hardest part is finding the time and techniques to remain balanced, focused and energized. 

What about your community inspires you?
The bravery and creativity demonstrated by the amazing humans with whom I have the honor of working.   

What is the best piece of business advice you’ve been given?
Be orderly in your approach and flexible in your response.