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The Durham Artist Archive

A Podcast by Artists, About Durham

The Durham Artist Archive is an oral history podcast that interviews artists in the Durham, NC area. The project provides a platform for artists to share their stories and experiences while exploring the evolution of the city. The podcast will be a valuable resource for anyone interested in art, culture, or Durham history.

durhamartistarchive.substack.com

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S4 · E2
October 2 · 54 min
“I Be a Poem” - A poetry masterclass with Will Diggs
“Sometimes, when I don’t wanna be a person, I be a poem.” — Will Diggs I’ve said it time and time again, but I love people who love their craft. Will Diggs, poet, playwright, and co-founder of the Durham based poetry series Sepia Soul joins us on today’s podcast. He walks through what it actually takes to get published (we get into all the details here), counting rejections as a metric for success, Will’s love for words and more. But where he got me, was when we discussed how he embodies his craft. He be a poem when the moment calls for it. And it caused me to consider what I would be. In our chat, we settled on being everything. This is for anyone who writes in their journal or “seriously”, anyone thinking about submitting for the first time, and anyone who wants to hear what it sounds like when someone has found the thing they’d choose over everything else. Poetry Rules Everything Around Will. Listen in to learn why. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in: * The mechanics of literary magazine submissions * Rejection as information instead of a verdict on your talent * What it means to let a creative practice become part of your identity, not just your output Related Episodes Support the Podcast 🎙️ Love what you’re hearing? The best way to support the Durham Artist Archive is by liking or rating the podcast on your favorite platform—it helps more people discover Durham’s creatives. And if you’d like to go deeper with Durham-focused art writing and podcast reflections, follow us on Substack. Paid subscribers get exclusive perks like a credit in the show notes and a shout out in our season finale for helping preserve these voices. 👉 Join as a paid supporter today and keep these stories alive: [Subscribe Here] Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify Read on Substack 🫱🏾‍🫲🏼 Connect with Will Diggs: Website Instagram Threads 👋🏽 Connect with me, Alyssa Cuffie Onuoha: https://www.instagram.com/alwhyssa.artlab/ alyssacuffie.com ☕️ Support the Pod:https://ko-fi.com/alwhyssa ✏️ Additional Details: Recorded at Queeny’s in Durham, North Carolina Indy Best of the Triangle Durham County Best Local Podcast Runner Up Get full access to The Durham Artist Archive at durhamartistarchive.substack.com/subscribe
S4 · E1
September 8 · 12 min
Your favorite artists favorite artists
And we’re back. This Spring I stepped away from the podcast to pour everything into the Sixpence Art Series, my one month gallery pop up in Downtown Durham. If you want to learn more about it, check out my previous episode linked below. And by the time it wrapped I had 6 events under my belt and a red rotary phone of voicemails ready to be shared. So this episode is those messages. Multiple people picked up that phone at the Durham Artist Archive Exhibition (shoutout to those of you who attended) and answered one question: who’s your favorite local artist? It was delicious as I mention on the pod to call out people in love and reverence. There was no better way to me to return than calling out those who make this community go round whether as artists, patrons, admin, or otherwise. 🫱🏾‍🫲🏼 Artists mentioned/ featured in this episode: * Eric Kelly III * Olisa Corcoran * Jim Lee * Khalisa Rae * Atigre (Xia) * Amina Ace * Anna Barker * Sekou Gough * Majesty Royale Jackson * Monet Marshall * Lao Rubert * Genesis Harris * Susan Schull * Nori McDuffie * Revolutionary Baddies podcast (More names to be added as I find their links, I pulled what I could!) Related Episodes Support the Podcast 🎙️ Love what you’re hearing? The best way to support the Durham Artist Archive is by liking or rating the podcast on your favorite platform—it helps more people discover Durham’s creatives. And if you’d like to go deeper with Durham-focused art writing and podcast reflections, follow us on Substack. Paid subscribers get exclusive perks like a credit in the show notes and a shout out in our season finale for helping preserve these voices. 👉 Join as a paid supporter today and keep these stories alive: Subscribe Here Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify Listen on Youtube Read on Substack 👋🏽 Connect with me, Alyssa Cuffie Onuoha: https://www.instagram.com/alwhyssa.artlab/ alyssacuffie.com ☕️ Support the Pod: https://ko-fi.com/alwhyssa ✏️ Additional Details: Voicemails collected at the Durham Artist Archive Exhibition during the Sixpence Art Series pop up gallery, 104 West Parrish Street, Durham, North Carolina. Photos taken by Amaiya Sanders at the Sixpence Art Series Durham Artist Archive Exhibition Get full access to The Durham Artist Archive at durhamartistarchive.substack.com/subscribe
April 9 · 9 min
"The Dream is the Truth" + An Exhibition Next Week!
Join us for the Durham Artist Archive Exhibition Friday April 17 6-8pm and Saturday April 18 12-3pm at 104 W Parrish St on Durham’s Black Wall Street. This episode feels like me catching up to my own thoughts. Yes, I invite you to the Durham Artist Archive exhibition. But I end with a reflection. I’ve been moving through the work, recording, planning, building, but this moment asks me to step back and see it. To recognize that staying with one idea has brought me here. To a beautiful gallery space on Black Wall Street, inviting people to step inside something that once only existed in my head. It makes me think about how quickly we’re taught to move on. But what happens when we don’t? What happens when we sit with an idea long enough for it to deepen and take on a life of its own? For me, this exhibition is an answer to that question. It’s what it looks like to trust that the dream is already telling the truth, (Word to Zora Neale Hurston) and to keep moving in alignment with it, even before you have proof. Let’s get into it together. Upcoming Events at 104 W Parrish St, Durham, NC I would really love to see some Archivists in the room. Come wander in, talk to the artists, and maybe even take something home that you love. Here are the remaining events this month. * (in)Good Company Music & Art Event * Saturday, April 11 | 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM * The Durham Artist Archive Exhibition * Friday, April 17 | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM * Saturday, April 18 | 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM * Blink of an Eye Exhibition (APPLY BY APRIL 13) * Friday, April 24 | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM * Saturday, April 25 | 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM * Sepia Soul Poetry Event * Sunday, April 26 | 2:00 - 10:00 PM * A Taste of Your Love (Making) Exhibition by Nori McDuffie * Tuesday, April 28 | 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM Support the Podcast 🎙️ Love what you’re hearing? The best way to support the Durham Artist Archive is by liking or rating the podcast on your favorite platform—it helps more people discover Durham’s creatives. And if you’d like to go deeper with Durham-focused art writing and podcast reflections, follow us on Substack. Paid subscribers get exclusive perks like a credit in the show notes and a shout out in our season finale for helping preserve these voices. 👉 Join as a paid supporter today and keep these stories alive Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify Read on Substack 👋🏽 Connect with me, Alyssa Cuffie Onuoha:https://www.instagram.com/alwhyssa.artlab/alyssacuffie.com ☕ Support the Pod:https://ko-fi.com/alwhyssa Get full access to The Durham Artist Archive at durhamartistarchive.substack.com/subscribe
Dec 31, 2025 · 14 min
Live reading of 'Sinners in the Sugar Shack': A history of Durhamite Ernie Barnes' Sugar Shack painting
So here’s your invitation: Find your own Sugar Shack. Dance like your liberation depends on it. And when the lights come up, let the art of that moment live on; whether in a photo, a story, or the way your body still remembers the beat. Let it be sweet like sugar. -Alyssa Cuffie Onuoha Happy last day of 2025. This year I published more writing online than ever. And one of my most popular essays was an in depth history of The Sugar Shack painting by Durham native and NCCU grad, Ernie Barnes. So in this episode, I’ve decided to dig deeper into the Durham creative archive and read my research on the painting for you. I spend time with The Sugar Shack as a puzzle to be solved. From the location of the painting to the recently uncovered mystery of two versions, I talk through Barnes’s story, the cultural weight of his work, and how art becomes a bridge between generations. As we close out the season, I hope this episode feels like an invitation. To remember. To honor. And to recognize our role in carrying these stories forward. Thank you for a warm 2025 and I look forward to sharing a new season of the Durham Artist Archive soon. Let 2026 be sweet. Associated Songs I want you - Marvin Gaye Dance tonight - Lucy Pearl Related Reading Sinners in the Sugar Shack Support the Podcast 🎙️ Love what you’re hearing? The best way to support the Durham Artist Archive is by liking or rating the podcast on your favorite platform—it helps more people discover Durham’s creatives. And if you’d like to go deeper with Durham-focused art writing and podcast reflections, follow us on Substack. Paid subscribers get exclusive perks like a credit in the show notes and a shout out in our season finale for helping preserve these voices. 👉 Join as a paid supporter today and keep these stories alive Listen on Apple PodcastsListen on SpotifyRead on Substack 👋🏽 Connect with me, Alyssa Cuffie Onuoha:https://www.instagram.com/alwhyssa.artlab/alyssacuffie.com ☕ Support the Pod:https://ko-fi.com/alwhyssa ✏️ Additional Details:Recorded at Queeny’s in Durham, North Carolina Get full access to The Durham Artist Archive at durhamartistarchive.substack.com/subscribe
Dec 31, 2025 · 56 min
Getting Beyond the Mic with Songstress LaPrince-Miller Smith
Authenticity is the most human part about you. Even your mistakes.— LaPrince Miller-Smith LaPrince-Miller Smith reminded me that authenticity is a practice you return to again and again. And in this episode, we talk about the long arc of her artistic life and what it has taken to keep choosing herself within it. From singing in the Durham Children’s Choir to studying jazz and science at NCCU, teaching, performing, acting, and eventually stepping into full-time artistry, her story is rooted in commitment, curiosity, and care. LaPrince is the embodiment of honoring all of the things she’s ever loved. We talk honestly about fear, practice, and self-advocacy, especially when navigating creative spaces that do not always make room. Sometimes, you have to make room for yourself and we get into the benefits that can come from it. LaPrince also shares what she has learned through mentors and building Beyond the Mic, her radio segment and budding podcast dedicated to uplifting local music artists. This episode is for musicians and creatives who are still figuring out how to stay true to themselves while growing. It asks what it really means to be authentic and what becomes possible when you allow community to hold you as you do the work. It’s not one to miss. 💕 This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in: * Navigating a transition into full-time creative work * The role of community and mentorship in artistic growth * Authenticity, practice, and continual learning as an artist * Building platforms that uplift local creatives Related Episodes Support the Podcast 🎙️ Love what you’re hearing? The best way to support the Durham Artist Archive is by liking or rating the podcast on your favorite platform—it helps more people discover Durham’s creatives. And if you’d like to go deeper with Durham-focused art writing and podcast reflections, follow us on Substack. Paid subscribers get exclusive perks like a credit in the show notes and a shout out in our season finale for helping preserve these voices. 👉 Join as a paid supporter today and keep these stories alive Listen on Apple PodcastsListen on SpotifyRead on Substack 🫱🏾‍🫲🏼 Connect with LaPrince-Miller Smith:https://www.instagram.com/laprincesings/ 👋🏽 Connect with me, Alyssa Cuffie Onuoha:https://www.instagram.com/alwhyssa.artlab/alyssacuffie.com ☕ Support the Pod:https://ko-fi.com/alwhyssa ✏️ Additional Details:Recorded at Queeny’s in Durham, North Carolina Get full access to The Durham Artist Archive at durhamartistarchive.substack.com/subscribe
Nov 23, 2025 · 46 min
3D Rendering the Spirit with Digital Artist Atigré Farmer
“I want to archive more because a lot of Black people in America have not been afforded the freedom of having history and being the ones who tell it.”— Atigré Farmer In this episode of the Durham Artist Archive, I sit with Atigré Farmer, a multitalented 3D artist, community advocate, and creative whose artwork explores the limits of technology. Her early interest in fashion and film have lead her to experiment with digital design including her Artificial Intelligence-inspired project Xia. Together, we unpack how Black femininity, spirituality, and self-reflection show up in her work. Plus, we dig into my favorite topic of how archiving both personal and collective stories can become a radical act of preservation. In addition to her creative work, Atigré’s contributions to the community are felt through her work with Durham’s Office on Youth- one of the few in the state. Her passion for empowering the next generation of artists was exciting to hear about alongside the resources for young creatives locally. This episode is all about art as innovation, liberation, and love. Join me as we parse through it all on the pod. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in:• How artists are blending spirituality, technology, and storytelling• The making of Xia, an AI character exploring Black identity and empathy• What community art and youth programs look like in Durham, NC Related Episodes Support the Podcast 🎙 Love what you’re hearing? The best way to support the Durham Artist Archive is by liking or rating the podcast on your favorite platform—it helps more people discover Durham’s creatives. And if you’d like to go deeper with Durham-focused art writing and podcast reflections, follow us on Substack. Paid subscribers get exclusive perks like a credit in the show notes and a shout out in our season finale for helping preserve these voices. 👉 Join as a paid supporter today and keep these stories alive Listen on Apple PodcastsListen on SpotifyRead on Substack 🫱🏾‍🫲🏼 Connect with Atigré Farmer:https://www.instagram.com/atigrexia/ https://www.instagram.com/theworldofxia/ https://www.atigrexia.com 👋🏽 Connect with me, Alyssa Cuffie Onuoha:https://www.instagram.com/alwhyssa.artlab/alyssacuffie.com ☕ Support the Pod:https://ko-fi.com/alwhyssa ✏️ Additional Details:Recorded at Queeny’s in Durham, North Carolina Get full access to The Durham Artist Archive at durhamartistarchive.substack.com/subscribe
Nov 10, 2025 · 56 min
On Poems and Processes with Coach Toci
“You can be an artist and you can monetize your art and you can be very successful at it. The question is: you have a strength in the artistry, are you willing to be trained on the things that you don’t know how to do?”— Coach Toci This week on the Durham Artist Archive, I sit with Coach Toci, a poet and business coach who treats structure as a creative tool for possibility. She’s building Mompreneur Academy, where she helps artists and mothers streamline their operations, set prices with confidence, and integrate AI without losing their voice. We talk about what it takes to run a sustainable creative business including systems that save time, standard operating procedures (SOPs) you can actually follow, and the village you need for family and business. We also dig into how she’s used poetry to capture her experiences with motherhood. If you want a creative practice that runs as well as it dreams, this episode will meet you right where you are with tactical tools to help. Make sure you take notes on this one. ✏️ This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in: * Practical systems for creatives, from SOPs to project management * Responsible use of AI that keeps your personality intact * Maternal health, community care, and support for artist-parents * Turning a creative practice into a scalable business Comment or send me an email- did any of the tactics mentioned resonate with you? What might you be implementing into your own work? Related Episodes Support the Podcast 🎙️ Love what you’re hearing? The best way to support the Durham Artist Archive is by liking or rating the podcast on your favorite platform—it helps more people discover Durham’s creatives. And if you’d like to go deeper with Durham-focused art writing and podcast reflections, follow us on Substack. Paid subscribers get exclusive perks like a credit in the show notes and a shout out in our season finale for helping preserve these voices. 👉 Join as a paid supporter today and keep these stories alive: [Subscribe Here] Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify Read on Substack 🫱🏾‍🫲🏼 Connect with Coach Toci:www.join.mompreneuracademy.biz www.join.mompreneuracademy.biz https://www.instagram.com/mompreneuracademyofficial/ 👋🏽 Connect with me, Alyssa Cuffie Onuoha: https://www.instagram.com/alwhyssa.artlab/ alyssacuffie.com ☕️ Support the Pod:https://ko-fi.com/alwhyssa ✏️ Additional Details:Recorded at Queeny’s in Durham, North Carolina Get full access to The Durham Artist Archive at durhamartistarchive.substack.com/subscribe
Oct 19, 2025 · 48 min
On Turning No's into New Doors with Writer and Poet Khalisa Rae
“Take the seeds you find in the Durham soil and go plant it where you are. That’s literally why we started—it was so that people could get rejuvenated and inspired by the beauty of Durham in the triangle.”— Khalisa Rae In this episode of the Durham Artist Archive, I sit with Khalisa Rae, an award-winning artist, writer, educator, and curator whose work moves with both rigor and tenderness. Khalisa Rae let us into her story of an artistic childhood in Gary, Indiana, through musical theater, and into the hard-won voice that shaped her poetry book Ghost in a Black Girl’s Throat. Throughout our convo, she talks openly about higher education, adversity she faced, and her experience of being a poet in the South. Time and time again her story shows the power of trusting an ordained path and how community kept showing up as both anchor and engine. We also dig into what it means to create spaces built on purpose like her cofounding of The Griot and Grey Owl Writers Conference. These, among her other projects make a strong case for the value of collective practice over isolation. Khalisa Rae has the kind of resilience that turns a no into a new door and I can’t wait for you to listen in. Enjoy. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in: * Practical guidance on practice, resilience, and moving through rejection * Creating inclusive literary spaces and running artist-centered programs * What it looks like to serve a community through arts leadership Want to attend the Griot & Grey Owl Writers Conference? As a special thank you to Durham Artist Archive listeners, Khalisa Rae and I would like to share a discount code for the conference coming up on November 7-9th 2025! Whether you’d just like to attend my session (Lunch Time Pizza & Podcast Pull-up), or want the full All-Access VIP experience to connect with writers from across the South, use this code for a discount on your ticket. And remember- the Friday Opening Ceremony and the book fair is completely free! This is a family friendly event that writers and book lovers alike will love. Come hang out with us! Discount code: GROUPGRIOT25 Link to event page Related Episodes Support the Podcast 🎙️ Love what you’re hearing? The best way to support the Durham Artist Archive is by liking or rating the podcast on your favorite platform—it helps more people discover Durham’s creatives. And if you’d like to go deeper with Durham-focused art writing and podcast reflections, follow us on Substack. Paid subscribers get exclusive perks like a mailed zine, a credit in the show notes, and a shout out in our season finale for helping preserve these voices. 👉 Join as a paid supporter today and keep these stories alive: [Subscribe Here] Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify Read on Substack 🫱🏾‍🫲🏼 Connect with Khalisa Rae:khalisarae.com https://www.instagram.com/khalisarae/ https://griotandgreyowl.org https://www.instagram.com/griotandgrey/ 👋🏽 Connect with me, Alyssa Cuffie Onuoha: https://www.instagram.com/alwhyssa.artlab/ alyssacuffie.com ☕️ Support the Pod:https://ko-fi.com/alwhyssa ✏️ Additional Details:Recorded at Queeny’s in Durham, North Carolina Get full access to The Durham Artist Archive at durhamartistarchive.substack.com/subscribe
Oct 13, 2025 · 57 min
On Graffiti Culture and Art as Activism with Artist & Writer, Wonder
“Art doesn’t have to be pretty or quiet. In a world drowning us with noise, it’s important that some of us whisper, and some of us yell from the mountaintops.”— Wonder In this episode of the Durham Artist Archive, I connected with Wonder, a multidisciplinary artist whose practice includes graffiti writing, muralism, and community work. His passion for the art form is palpable. With his stories of the history of graffiti and the of reimagining barren walls as spaces of opportunity, Wonder is the only word that could arise for me as he dove into this often looked over genre- graffiti. And while spray paint is the medium, social justice is always the message. We talked about art as resistance and the importance of building a community with depth. These are themes that come up often on the podcast but feel very different when taken in the context of an activity that can have adverse consequences. Humans have always wanted to leave their mark on the world whether it be cave paintings or sharpie on a bathroom stall. It’s all graffiti. Exploring this culture and its impacts on a community with Wonder was a pleasure and gave me new perspective on what it means to reimagine a more just future. It might be one where politicians spray paint it out. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in: * The history of graffiti culture and how it appears in all political spheres * The impact of public art on a community whether it be solving interpersonal tensions, gentrification, or something else * The complexities of community building and tactics for how one does so Related Episodes Support the Podcast 🎙️ Love what you’re hearing? The best way to support the Durham Artist Archive is by liking or rating the podcast on your favorite platform—it helps more people discover Durham’s creatives. And if you’d like to go deeper with Durham-focused art writing and podcast reflections, follow us on Substack. Paid subscribers get exclusive perks like a credit in the show notes, and a shout out in our season finale for helping preserve these voices. 👉 Join as a paid supporter today and keep these stories alive: Subscribe Here Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify Read on Substack 👋🏽 Connect with me, Alyssa Cuffie Onuoha: https://www.instagram.com/alwhyssa/ alyssacuffie.com ☕️ Support the Pod: https://ko-fi.com/alwhyssa ✏️ Additional Details:Recorded at Queeny’s in Durham, North Carolina Get full access to The Durham Artist Archive at durhamartistarchive.substack.com/subscribe
Sep 21, 2025 · 41 min
Rebellious Art with Illustrator Wutang McDougal
“I would love to see more zero-commission art spaces downtown. There are so many artists that deserve the opportunity to be seen and to be paid for their work.”— Wutang McDougal In this episode of the Durham Artist Archive, I sit with Wutang McDougal, a queer Black visual artist, storyteller, and graphic designer who’s followed their intuition into a colorful arts career. We traversed their path from Leesburg, North Carolina to Durham discussing their early sketches of cartoons to high-profile work for the Sister Song podcast and Will Smith’s book launch. We dove deep into their illustration process and Wutang shared their design style evolution and ethos- something I was very curious about. We talked about what it takes to build an art scene that pays artists, why creative freedom matters, and how to push past imposter syndrome with the help of collaborators who tell you the truth. There is Scrap Exchange tinkering, public art that meets people where they are, and a vision for Durham that feels generous, accessible, and loud with color. This episode feels super local with all of its classic Durham shout outs but also has invaluable advice for artists anywhere. It’s not one to miss. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in: * Ideas for how cities reactivate common space with art * Moving through imposter syndrome and protecting your creative freedom * How to explore ones personal design style and find comfort in it’s evolution Support the Pod 🎙️ Love what you’re hearing? The best way to support the Durham Artist Archive is by liking or rating the podcast on your favorite platform—it helps more people discover Durham’s creatives. And if you’d like to go deeper with Durham-focused art writing and podcast reflections, follow us on Substack! Paid subscribers get exclusive perks like a mailed zine, a credit in the show notes, and a shout out in our season finale for helping preserve these voices. 👉 Join as a paid supporter today and keep these stories alive: Subscribe Here Related Episodes Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify Connect with Wutang: https://www.instagram.com/wutangmcdougal/ http://www.wutangmcdougal.com/ Connect with me: https://www.instagram.com/alwhyssa.artlab/ alyssacuffie.com Support the Pod: https://ko-fi.com/alwhyssa Additional Details: Recorded at Queeny's in Durham Get full access to The Durham Artist Archive at durhamartistarchive.substack.com/subscribe
Sep 7, 2025 · 54 min
At the Shoreline of Memory with Artist Huiyin Zhou
“Grief and joy are like sisters or lovers or friends… I think shifting that perspective or regrounding myself in what I would like to build from here has been nourishing my practice a lot recently.” -Huiyin Zhou In this episode of the Durham Artist Archive, I sit with Huiyin Zhou, a Durham-based multimedia artist, cultural producer, photographer, and writer whose practice is fed by friendship, care, and the importance of remembering. Between conversation of ghosts and dreams we explore how we understand our expanding identities. In short, the definition is always changing. And while that can be disconcerting for me, Huiyin leans in and finds play in their expansiveness. We also unpack the differences between online and offline community, why they carry a disposable camera to gatherings, and how grief and joy move together inside their work. I was specifically interested in exploring their current exhibition at Artspace, 辫 (biān) / 彼岸 (bǐ àn) — “for those of us who live at the shoreline”(Audre Lorde, A Litany for Survival). The exhibition feels like a love letter to friends and family. With every detail thoughtfully chosen down to the wall color of “lotus pink”, reflecting Huiyin and their creative partners matching tattoos, their dedication to this craft is palpable. If listening during September 2025 be sure to view the exhibition in person so you can see it for yourself. 💕 This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in: * Building community online and in person with care and intention * How photography and writing can hold grief and joy at the same time * Advice for artists seeking studio environments and supportive networks Related Episodes Support the Podcast The best way to support the Durham Artist Archive is by liking or rating the podcast on your favorite platform. And if you’d like more Durham focused art writing and podcast reflections, follow us on Substack. Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify Read on Substack 🫱🏾‍🫲🏼 Connect with Huiyin Zhou: huiyinzhou.com caocollective.com https://www.instagram.com/huiyin.zhou/ https://www.instagram.com/caocollective/ 👋🏽 Connect with me, Alyssa Cuffie Onuoha: https://www.instagram.com/alwhyssa/ https://www.instagram.com/alwhyssa.artlab/ alyssacuffie.com ☕️ Support the Pod: https://ko-fi.com/alwhyssa ✏️ Additional Details: Recorded at Queeny's in Durham, North Carolina Get full access to The Durham Artist Archive at durhamartistarchive.substack.com/subscribe
Aug 24, 2025 · 44 min
Writing as Medicine with Dr. Zelda Lockhart
“Writing is like taking your medicine every day. [When] there’s something I don’t understand about the world or my own life, I’m just writing to make some sense out of it.”– Dr. Zelda Lockhart In this episode of the Durham Artist Archive, I sit down with Dr. Zelda Lockhart, an award-winning author, poet, educator, and Fulbright Specialist rooted in Durham. We talk about writing as a daily healing practice, story as a tool for kinship, and what it means to tell the truth when silence is easier. Dr. Lockhart shares how her life across regions and roles shaped a writing and creatives practice that holds memory, resists isolation, and makes space for real connection. We also get into her work as a Fulbright Specialist, where she will be leading a digital memoir project that braids classrooms in Africa and the U.S. into one conversation. She is currently fundraising for this trip so please visit her website to show support! Dr. Lockhart also names the pressures of colonization and capitalism, and we lean into what it means to write anyway. This episode is the nudge I needed to be more consistent in my writing practice and it might do the same for you. Enjoy. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in: * Using writing as a daily healing practice * How storytelling builds connection across generations and cultures * Honest talk about colonization, capitalism, and creative survival * Community building through art in Durham, North Carolina Support the Podcast The best way to support the Durham Artist Archive is by liking or rating the podcast on your favorite platform. And if you’d like more Durham focused art writing and podcast reflections, follow us on Substack. Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify Read on Substack 🫱🏾‍🫲🏼 Connect with Dr. Zelda Lockhart: https://zeldalockhart.com https://www.instagram.com/zelda.lockhart/ 👋🏽 Connect with me, Alyssa Cuffie Onuoha: https://www.instagram.com/alwhyssa/ https://www.instagram.com/womanifestomag/ alyssacuffie.com ☕️ Support the Pod: https://ko-fi.com/alwhyssa ✏️ Additional Details: Recorded at Queeny's in Durham, North Carolina Get full access to The Durham Artist Archive at durhamartistarchive.substack.com/subscribe
Jul 11, 2025 · 1 hr 30 min
BONUS: On Freedom with NC Poet Laureate with Jaki Shelton Green
On July 4th, 2025 I had the honor of interviewing North Carolina Poet Laureate Jaki Shelton Green. She is the first poet laureate of North Carolina and an amazing woman who’s dedicated her life to witnessing truth and documenting it in her poetry. When NorthStar Church of the Arts reached out for me to facilitate the conversation I was nervous to be in discussion with such an icon yet excited. I’ve been attending events at NorthStar since 2022 and it’s become a third space for me. A place where I can go and always see someone I know. A creative sanctuary that welcomes all of me and expands my imagination. A respite. So it was an easy yes to be apart of the NorthStar legacy by participating in one of their community events. I’m really excited for you all to hear listen in on Jaki and I’s conversation. We talked about community care, what black autonomy means, her experiences following and documenting the movements of the KKK, writing tips, and so much more. And while this is the audio version, you can watch the video here on Youtube as well. I really enjoyed being in conversation with Jaki and the community members who came out to support and I know you will hear that through the audio. This is one you’ll want to take notes on. Enjoy. Subscribe on Substack to be notified first about new episodes and receive the accompanying newsletters that reflect on the podcast episodes! 🌀 Remember to like, comment, and rate wherever you listen to this podcast to help us reach more listeners! Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify ✏️ Connect with Jaki Shelton Green: https://jakisheltongreen.com/about-jaki/ ⛪️ Connect with NorthStar Church of the Arts: https://www.northstardurham.com 👋🏽 Connect with me, Alyssa Cuffie Onuoha: https://www.instagram.com/alwhyssa/ https://www.instagram.com/womanifestomag/ alyssacuffie.com womanifestomag.com ☕️ Support the Pod: https://ko-fi.com/alwhyssa ✏️ Additional Details: Sponsored by VAE Raleigh and their Snapdragon Grant Recorded at NorthStar Church of the Arts in Durham Get full access to The Durham Artist Archive at durhamartistarchive.substack.com/subscribe
#20
Jul 3, 2025 · 11 min
The Audio Collage
"That painting or song or performance is a tithe laid at the altar of community. It is a small piece of their talent that they're providing for our engagement and healing and pleasure." -Alyssa Cuffie Onuoha This is the last one. For like… two months-ish lol. I’m really proud of this gift that is the Durham Artist Archive. And I hope that you find this episode takes you on an audio journey. As inspired by podcasts of my past like The 1619 Project, Welcome to Nightvale, New York Times’ The Daily, and even Majesty Royale-Jackson reminding me of the power of sound design, I was ready to try my hand at creating something more immersive and engaging. Rather than just talking at you for 11 minutes, I stitched together quotes, sounds, music, and more to bring you back to the first time you heard each podcast guest. You will hear their voice emerge in conversation with mine and each others to share the themes of this season. And if you haven’t heard that clip yet, maybe it inspires you to go back and listen to the full episode. Either way, I spent hoursssss creating an 11 minute podcast and it was time to just release this one into the wild rather than continuing to tinker with it. Progress over perfection. And this is a huge step towards progress. Thank you again for riding with me on this journey and I’ll catch y’all at the end of the summer for the new season of the Durham Artist Archive. Remember to like, share, and follow if you like what you hear. Your ratings help me reach my goal of being listened to by the equivalent of 1% of Durham which is 3,000 people. 💕🌀🐂 Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify 👋🏽 Connect with me, Alyssa Cuffie Onuoha: https://www.instagram.com/alwhyssa/ https://www.instagram.com/womanifestomag/ alyssacuffie.com womanifestomag.com ☕️ Support the Pod: https://ko-fi.com/alwhyssa ✏️ Additional Details: Sponsored by VAE Raleigh and their Snapdragon Grant Partially recorded at Queeny's in Durham Royalty free music and sounds from Pixabay Thanks for reading The Durham Artist Archive! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. Get full access to The Durham Artist Archive at durhamartistarchive.substack.com/subscribe
#19
Jun 12, 2025 · 44 min
Curating Community with Nori McDuffie
“Art can only be done in isolation, but for so long. It is meant to be done in collaboration with others. That is how you prevail. That is how you really make the most of a project.” -Nori McDuffie In this episode of the Durham Artist Archive (DAA), I catch up with curator and photographer Nori McDuffie, a Durham native whose passion for archiving, storytelling, and community-building has helped shape the city’s creative and youth landscape. We trace Nori’s path from exploring family scrapbooks as a kid to leading youth councils, curating shows like “Mali to Raleigh,” and helping found the presently named Durham Powerful Arts Collective (it’s new name is to come!). Along the way, we dig into what it means to keep a record of this moment in Durham’s cultural history, why collaboration is the heartbeat of community, and the different ways that Nori has gotten involved that others could also partake in. And not only did we talk about Nori, but he flipped the script and asked me a few questions about the future of the Durham Artist Archive and the history I see this podcast being apart of. It was really refreshing (although it caught me off guard) to be asked questions and I hope that between us, something resonate with you. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in: * How community-driven exhibitions come together—from concept to opening night * The power of youth councils and advisory boards to shape local arts policy * Building an artist collective that uplifts emerging voices Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify 🫱🏾‍🫲🏼 Connect with Nori McDuffie: https://www.instagram.com/shotbynori/ 👋🏽 Connect with me, Alyssa Cuffie Onuoha: https://www.instagram.com/alwhyssa/ https://www.instagram.com/womanifestomag/ alyssacuffie.com womanifestomag.com ☕️ Support the Pod: https://ko-fi.com/alwhyssa ✏️ Additional Details: Sponsored by VAE Raleigh and their Snapdragon Grant Recorded at Queeny's in Durham Thanks for reading The Durham Artist Archive! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. Get full access to The Durham Artist Archive at durhamartistarchive.substack.com/subscribe
#18
May 26, 2025 · 48 min
Painting Care into Public Art with Muralist Mayanthi Jayawardena
“You can create art that is gonna make a difference in someone else's day that you don't even know. And 10 years from now, when someone else is walking down that hallway, they're gonna see your name, they're gonna see your art.” -Mayanthi Jayawardena on the power of murals What happens when art becomes both your therapy and your toolkit for social change? In this episode of Durham Artist Archive, I talk with Mayanthi Jayawardena, a muralist, illustrator, and children’s book artist about that exact thing. She shared how her journey into art began as a form of healing while working in sexual violence prevention and eventually grew into a full-time creative practice. We discussed her shift from photography to murals, her passion for community-centered work, and what it was like working with some major clients like Dreamville Festival. I also loved digging into her collaboration with students at Southern Highchool on a mural and what it’s like bringing the community into big projects like that. All and all I found our conversation winding across mediums and topics but always rooted in the same thing: art as activism. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in: * How art can be a tool for healing and personal transformation * Ideas for bringing community into public art * The behind the scene process of making a mural Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify 🫱🏾‍🫲🏼 Connect with Mayanthi Jayawardena: www.serendibcreative.com https://www.instagram.com/serendibcreative/?hl=en https://www.facebook.com/serendibcreative 👋🏽 Connect with me, Alyssa Cuffie Onuoha: https://www.instagram.com/alwhyssa/ https://www.instagram.com/womanifestomag/ alyssacuffie.com womanifestomag.com ☕️ Support the Pod: https://ko-fi.com/alwhyssa ✏️ Additional Details: Sponsored by VAE Raleigh and their Snapdragon Grant Recorded at Queeny's in Durham Thanks for reading The Durham Artist Archive! This post is public so feel free to share it. Get full access to The Durham Artist Archive at durhamartistarchive.substack.com/subscribe
May 12, 2025 · 46 min
The Art of Sonic Storytelling with Majesty Royale-Jackson
In this episode of Durham Artist Archive, I sit down with Majesty Royale-Jackson, also known as Glitter Boi Wonder, a Black Seminole artist whose work moves through dance, sound, digital media, and installation. We talk about how movement has always been central to their practice, shaping everything from choreography to immersive storytelling. We also dig into Soft Riot Radio, a dreamy, post-apocalyptic sound piece layered with memory, grief, and rich sonic textures. Majesty shares how sound became a way to process loss and honor legacy, drawing from both science fiction and personal experience. We close by reflecting on Durham’s changing cultural landscape and the importance of staying rooted while making space for new artistic visions. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in: * How movement, sound, and digital media can be forms of storytelling * Exploring local history through experimental art * Using sound design as a way to process grief, memory, and legacy Thanks for reading The Durham Artist Archive! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify 🫱🏾‍🫲🏼 Connect with Majesty: glitterboiwonder.com https://www.instagram.com/glitterboiwonder/ 👋🏽 Connect with me, Alyssa Cuffie Onuoha: https://www.instagram.com/alwhyssa/ https://www.instagram.com/womanifestomag/ alyssacuffie.com womanifestomag.com ☕️ Support the Pod: https://ko-fi.com/alwhyssa ✏️ Additional Details: Sponsored by VAE Raleigh and their Snapdragon Grant Recorded at Queeny's in Durham Thanks for reading The Durham Artist Archive! This post is public so feel free to share it. Get full access to The Durham Artist Archive at durhamartistarchive.substack.com/subscribe
#16
Apr 28, 2025 · 44 min
Becoming Free Through Burlesque with JoRose
In this episode of Durham Artist Archive, I sat down with the one and only JoRose, an aerialist, burlesque dancer, and producer based right here in Durham, NC. We got into everything from growing up in Durham, traveling the world, to her mission of producing burlesque shows where artists are not just valued but actually paid what they deserve. We also broke down the difference between burlesque and exotic dancing, and talked about the deep sense of support and community that runs through the burlesque world. JoRose shared how she uses performance art to push back against shame and open up new spaces for freedom, joy, and radical expression. We dug into how burlesque isn't just entertainment. It's a way to teach history, politics, and personal liberation. And as I reflect on the episode, I see that JoRose has truly stepped into the role of a modern-day griot, passing down stories and sparking real connection through her art. From her inspirations like Josephine Baker to the way she invites others to find their own paths to freedom, JoRose’s passion shines through every word. I left this conversation feeling inspired to reimagine stories in new ways, and I know you will too. This episode is a must-listen for anyone: * Interested in the intersection of dance and storytelling * Who wants to learn more about burlesque as a liberatory practice * Who is interested in event production Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify 🫱🏾‍🫲🏼 Connect with JoRose: https://www.instagram.com/_jo_rose_/ 👋🏽 Connect with me, Alyssa Cuffie: https://www.instagram.com/alwhyssa/ https://www.instagram.com/womanifestomag/ alyssacuffie.com womanifestomag.com ☕️ Support the Pod: https://ko-fi.com/alwhyssa ✏️ Additional Details: Sponsored by VAE Raleigh and their Snapdragon Grant Recorded at Queeny's in Durham Thanks for reading The Durham Artist Archive! This post is public so feel free to share it. Get full access to The Durham Artist Archive at durhamartistarchive.substack.com/subscribe
#15
Apr 9, 2025 · 52 min
Memory, Migration, and the Art of Seeing with Photographer C. Bay Milin
In this episode of the Durham Artist Archive, I sat with C. Bay Milin, a Durham based photographer with a deep passion for storytelling through photos. C. Bay not only shared his own journey of migration from California to Durham, but also shared his parents migration stories and that prompted me to describe my own. We also dived into his approach to photography, starting with memories of his first camera and traversing his history to today, where he experiments with different photography tools and films to get desired effects. We dug into my favorite projects of his,'Signal to Noise' and 'Thai Time: I’m dreaming for you too' and found themes of memory, connection, and the immigrant experience through out them. We ultimately ended our conversation considering the future of Durham's artistic community and how we can all contribute to its growth. We are dreaming for Durham. 💕🌀🐂 This episode is a must-listen for anyone: * Interested in film photography and niche photography tools * Who resonates with a story of migration * Who loves to tell stories through their creative medium Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify 🫱🏾‍🫲🏼 Connect with C. Bay: https://www.cbaymilin.com https://www.instagram.com/heycbay/ 👋🏽 Connect with me: https://www.instagram.com/alwhyssa/ https://www.instagram.com/womanifestomag/ alyssacuffie.com womanifestomag.com ☕️ Support the Pod: https://ko-fi.com/alwhyssa ✏️ Additional Details: Sponsored by VAE Raleigh and their Snapdragon Grant Recorded at Queeny's in Durham Thanks for listening to the Durham Artist Archive. Every like, comment, and share is of huge value to me and helps share the stories of Durham creatives. Get full access to The Durham Artist Archive at durhamartistarchive.substack.com/subscribe
Mar 30, 2025 · 9 min
BONUS: An Oral History of Durham with Dasean Burnette
In this bonus episode of the Durham Artist Archive, hear behind the scenes of my post pod conversation with East Durhamite Dasean Burnette, designer and musician. He tells me an oral history of North Carolina and ties into why Durham looks the way it does today. For those new to North Carolina and Durham, this episode is especially important to understand how the city we love came to be. Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify Connect with Dasean: http://oledstudio.co https://www.instagram.com/daseanburnette/ Connect with me: https://www.instagram.com/alwhyssa/ https://www.instagram.com/womanifestomag/ alyssacuffie.com womanifestomag.com Support the Pod: https://ko-fi.com/alwhyssa Additional Details: Sponsored by VAE Raleigh and their Snapdragon Grant Recorded at Queeny's in Durham Get full access to The Durham Artist Archive at durhamartistarchive.substack.com/subscribe

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