Stephen Hamilton, a mixed-media artist, an arts educator and Ph.D. Candidate in Harvard’s African And African American Studies program. During his residency at the Indigo Arts Alliance in June 2025, he primarily worked with natural dyes and textiles, incorporating traditional West African techniques and materials. He blends these techniques with figurative painting and woodcarving. In this interview, he discusses how traditional West African textiles, and materials shift and change within the modern world, but still hold intimate connections to past generations of African and African American artisans.

Thania Petersen a multidisciplinary artist who had a residency at Indigo Arts Alliance. They do any and everything that the budget will allow them. Because of that, they force themself to be creative. Their work is about storytelling, investigating and uncovering histories from their community.

Today we will hear from Rachel Elizabeth Harding, a mentorship Resident at Indigo Arts Alliance in April 2025. Rachel takes on many roles as a poet, historian, and scholar of religions of the Afro-Atlantic diaspora. Rachel writes about religion, creativity, and social justice within communities of African descent in the US and Brazil. Coming from a family of writers and activists, her poetry conveys her spiritual leadership and social justice. Rachel is the author of numerous essays, poems, and scholarly articles. Particularly two books: A Refuge in Thunder, a History of the Afro-Brazilian Religion, Candomblé; and recently, Remnants: A Memoir of Spirit, Activism and Mothering. Please enjoy.