Creative Community Activism with Derrick Beasley

“Durham is in its own renaissance. And it, and in the South in general is a place where we need to document this community in the motion that's happening because you see so many things birthing from this area and from its people.”Derrick BeasleyIn this episode of the Durham Artist Archive, Derrick Beasley and I discusses his multi-faceted journey as an artist deeply involved with justice and community in Durham. Raised in the city, Derrick’s return to Durham in 2015 marks the a significant step in the evolution of his involvement in several community and art projects. His work emphasizes connectivity and justice, including the Open Stu project and Tall Grass Food Box, fostering environments that celebrate cultural resilience. Derrick’s projects underscore the importance of archiving and community spaces that are not productivity-driven and highlight the interconnectedness of art, community, and environmental activism. Touching upon these themes, Derrick inspires strategies to foster community relationships, promote intergenerational dialogue, and sustain culturally rich environments, envisioning a Durham strengthened by art and cultural collaboration. Get into it with us 💕Connect with Derrick:Derrickbeasle.arthttps://www.instagram.com/brobeas/Connect with me, Alyssa Cuffie:https://www.instagram.com/alwhyssa/https://www.instagram.com/womanifestomag/alyssacuffie.comwomanifestomag.comAdditional DetailsSponsored by VAE Raleigh and their Snapdragon GrantRecorded at Queeny's in Durham Get full access to The Durham Artist Archive at durhamartistarchive.substack.com/subscribe