EVENTS
1-YEAR ANNIVERSARY + ZINE LAUNCH
Overview: In March 2019, SPICY celebrated our 1-year anniversary and the launch of our first print zine, 001. Located at 8 Ball Community, we curated an art exhibit showcasing a year in review for SPICY, had a henna artist, sounds by womxn and queer DJ’s, and more.
Process: In producing this event I was responsible for sourcing a location as well as DJ’s, vendors, and artists, managing our team as we planned all details of the event, maintained relationships with our partners, and assisted in executing the social strategy for promoting this event.
Results: Over 300 individuals attended this event, and we partnered with Milk for an Instagram takeover during the event - so thousands of folks were able to virtually attend as well. We sold over 100 copies of our first zine at this event, and were able to engage more deeply with our audience and amplify the voices of all those who have created with SPICY in our first year.
RECESS: PRIDE OUTSIDE WITH SPICY
Overview: For World Pride 2019, SPICY collaborated with Imprint Projects to produce a zine titled Queering the Alphabet, an A-Z educational zine that spotlights queer and trans people of color, past and present, who work to make the world a better place. To launch this zine, and celebrate pride with our community, we through an event titled RECESS!: Pride Outside with SPICY. At this event we had a guided meditation from Eva-Milan Zsiga, a zine making workshop, a clothing swap, and marketplace with WOC + QTPOC vendors.
Process: To organize this event we collaborated with our friends at The Meat Market in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn and curated a safe, comfortable, natural space in their backyard. We booked vendors including multiple clothing designers, jewelry makes, henna artists, and more to vend their goods and services. We wanted to organize a daytime event for the LGBTQ community of all ages and interests to come and play, relax, and bond with us - as many Pride events usually revolve around nighttime festivities.
Results: Over 80 individuals attended this event, we sold over over 50 copies of Queering the Alphabet at this event. Most importantly we were able to create a space for our queer community members to feel welcome, calm, and proud.
BUILD & CHILL: BACKYARD BLOOM
Overview: In May 2019, SPICY executed our first Build ‘n Chill of the year, a series in which we collaborate with Brooklyn-based organizations that will provide an opportunity to engage in hands-on community building. For this iteration of Build ‘n Chill, we revitalized the backyard garden of The Meat Market, a vintage shop in Brooklyn. Together, we changed soil, planted flowers and an herb garden, and cleaned up the backyard.
Process: In producing this event I was responsible for co-organizing with The Meat Market, as well as with Rooted NYC - a Brooklyn-based plant shop that donated plants, seeds, and tools to our event. I also assisted in producing the flyers, and working with a graphic designer to execute them.
Results: Through this event, we were able to renew a community space in exchange for the experience of learning to tend to soil and build a new relationship with the earth. We weeded and cleared the yard, planted over 20 flower plants and over 15 types of herbs, and created a beautiful and green community space. Over 30 people assisted in the labor, and together we were able to support a local business and their growth.
NEW MUSEUM YOUTH SUMMIT: SCAMMING THE PATRIARCHY
Overview: In April 2019, SPICY was invited to the New Museum’s Annual Youth Summit, titled Scamming The Patriarchy, to lead a presentation about the history and impact of zine-making as well as a zine making session focused on activism and liberation. We led an educational segment about zine-making, facilitated a discussion about what liberation means to each of us, and curated a zine making session focused on the discussion findings.
Process: In order to lead this session, we prepped and designed an educational and interactive deck that told a visual story of the history of zine-making. We also prepped discussion questions and facilitated open and safe conversations about liberation, and empowered those in the room to share back their answers. This was the first time we were tasked with retelling the history of zine-making, and it was a great research opportunity for us, and allowed us to ground our work in a long lineage of art and activism.
Results: As a result of our work, we were not only able to build a new, fruitful relationship with the New Museum - which has led us to be invited as a co-chair for the 2020 Annual Youth Summit. We also were able to connect with young people of all ages and build community as well as open a new dialogue on art and activism with them.
SPICY SUMMER SOLSTICE
Overview: For one of our first SPICY events in 2018, we partnered with SISTASPIN, a WOC DJ Collective based in NYC, and threw a summer solstice celebration party centering the joy of women of color and queer/trans people of color. We had an amazing line-up of WOC+QTPOC DJ’s, arts and crafts activities, food, drink, and lots of glitter.
Process: To plan this event we held weekly meetings and calls with our collaborators, made sure to work with and source DJs, bartenders, etc. from WOC + QTPOC organizations, prepped the event space, and broke down and cleaned our venue as well. We created a system for running the event which allowed every member of our collective to own a station, and ensured we were keeping the safe space for all our attendees.
Results: As one of our initial parties as a collective, through this event we were able to connect with community members in real life and establish our organization as one that values and protects the joy and freedom of WOC + QTPOC. We learned a lot about how to logistically run a successful event as well, and we were able to raise money to fund the next couple months of programming we had in store.
