My first solo show in Denver, and the string of events that got me there without blinking.
When I woke up July 31st, I wasn't nervous or anxious. That surprised me. I thought about the work I'd put in this year and the cadence of events that led to this moment.
April: vendor at Afro Animation Summit in California. May: vendor at Denver Comic Art Festival. June: vendor at DesignerCon Pasadena. And now this, my show as part of DSDI's artist residency. Four cities, four rooms, one thread running through all of them.
For this show I planned every piece with intention. I thought through the work I wanted to present, the impression I hoped to give, and marketed it to the best of my ability. My friend Kohl handled logistics, food setup, spreading the word, making sure the whole night felt classy from the door.
6pm came and went. Folks started trickling in around 6:15, 6:30, right before a brief rain and hail shower rolled through. It only lasted about 15 minutes, but the wind pushed the rain toward the gallery and it started sneaking in under the door. The DSDI team moved fast, mopping the floors as it came in. With no central AC, the storm actually cooled the room down. It felt good watching friends show up, then watch them pull other friends in behind them.
By the end of the night, people were pleased. They enjoyed the art, which meant everything to me. Conjure as a theme was digestible, and even though the full story behind it runs deep, people met it where it was. Most attendees walked out with a plushy or a print.
This show told me something I needed to hear: I can keep going down this path without corporate backing, without compromising the art I want to make. That's why I wasn't nervous that morning. Some part of me already knew this was mine to build.
The night wrapped up fast, and I left more inspired than when I walked in. Thank you to everyone who came out, told a friend, or simply wished me well. Conjure, my first solo show in Denver, was a milestone on a courageous and personal journey. I can't wait to see what's next.
