*Special Host*

Welcome to episode 6 of In Conversation. This Black History Month, I’m here to remind you that Black beauty is limitless. My name is Rebekah, and on this episode of In Conversation, I was joined by Alica Hall, Brittany Randell, and Matthew Progress who talk to us about Black aesthetics, cultures and creative means of expression and joy, specifically those drawn across the canvas of our bodies and the spaces around us.

 Brittany Randell 

IG:@HumbleBeeTattoo

https://www.brittanyrandell.com/brittanyrandell

Brittany is a mother of two children and a tattoo artist in Toronto, whose work focuses on presenting tattoos on black and brown skin. Her concepts range from portraits of people, to florals, animals and more. Brittany is a self-taught machine tattoo artist who also provides various art pieces available to purchase. She also attended the University of Toronto and received a Bachelor's Degree in Fine Arts with honours in Literature and Religious studies. You can visit her portfolio and everyday posts via her Instagram,  @HumbleBeeTattoo .

Matthew Progress

IG: @matthewprogress

Matthew Progress is a Toronto-based multidisciplinary artist specializing in music and film. Heavily influenced by surrealism and Black Cultures, he creates content rooted in social commentary, for the purpose of subverting common modes of thinking. His work has been featured on numerous media platforms including Complex, The FADER, VICE/Noisey, and CBC Arts.  

Alica Hall:

IG: @al_ik_ca @niacentre

Alica Hall strongly believes in the transformative potential of the arts to empower and strengthen communities. She has a professional background in strategic communications, having spent 6 years supporting health and non-profit organizations. Alica has a passion for creating spaces for artists to create, learn and connect with new audiences. More recently she served as the Co-chair of Pride Toronto, the largest LGBTQ+ festival in North America. Under her leadership, the festival grew from 10 days to a month, by partnering with cultural institutions to bring queer artists into new venues and spaces. 

As the executive director of Nia Centre for the Arts, Alica is now heading up the development of Canada’s first professional multi-disciplinary arts facility dedicated to supporting and showcasing Afro-diasporic art. This $7.5 million capital project will transform the Nia Centre’s 14,000 sq. ft. facility to create a 150-seat theatre, artist studios, a digital media lab, a recording studio, event space, co-working space and gallery space.