Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Sasha Bernier, Abigail MacFadden. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Sasha Bernier, Abigail MacFadden , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
In May 2023, the “Dreams of the Dragon” event was a profoundly significant cultural project that went far beyond a simple art showcase. In the wake of a deeply troubling period marked by a 70% increase in hate crimes against Asian Americans during the pandemic, this initiative stood as a powerful act of cultural resilience and empowerment. The seemingly innocent question “Where are you from?” was a microaggression that repeatedly othered Asian Americans, reducing their complex identities to a simplistic inquiry about origin. By contrast, the event created a rich, nuanced platform for Asian American artists to define themselves on their own terms.
The event brought together artists from diverse Asian backgrounds – Korean, Filipino, Chinese, and Japanese – showcasing the incredible breadth and depth of Asian creativity. By featuring artists across multiple disciplines including music, fashion, art, and dance, the project challenged monolithic perceptions and celebrated the intricate tapestry of Asian American culture. Hosted during the Milken conference in Beverly Hills, this wasn’t just an art exhibition; it was a merging of the finance and creative ecosystems, a statement of belonging, a declaration of cultural significance, and a direct response to the discrimination and marginalization experienced by Asian American communities. At a time when Asian-owned businesses were being shunned and individuals were being targeted, “Dreams of the Dragon” transformed pain into pride, silence into storytelling, ensuring that Asian American creativity and resilience could not be ignored or diminished.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Before starting Creativo, I would help my friends who were creatives meet family offices. I ran a family office so through that I got a chance to meet many family offices that were into the arts. So during Art Basel, I would bring my creative friends and family offices together. In 2019, I decided to make it official and host our own Art Basel event bridging the communities of art, music, fashion, finance and tech. Creativo has become a dynamic media company that emerged from a passionate mission to bridge creative talent with opportunity across diverse industries. We specialize in creating innovative platforms that connect emerging artists with influential professionals in finance, technology, and other key sectors. Our unique approach involves curating events and content that bring together seemingly disparate worlds – from art and fashion to sports and finance – creating unexpected intersections where groundbreaking ideas are born.
Our core services revolve around storytelling and platform creation for underrepresented creative voices. We produce curated events with powerful thematic foundations, such as our Asian American artist showcase during AAPI month, our Cuban culture celebration with the Guantanamera event, and our Art Basel event exploring Italian American culture through the lens of “The Godfather”. What sets us apart is our commitment to amplifying voices that have been historically marginalized or overlooked. We don’t just showcase art – we create meaningful connections that can transform an emerging artist’s career by linking them with potential supporters, investors, and industry leaders who can bring their vision to the next level. Our pride lies in being more than just a media company; we’re cultural catalysts who believe in the power of creative cross-pollination and the importance of giving platform to innovative voices that are reshaping tomorrow’s cultural landscape.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
Creativo’s story of resilience centers on our commitment to providing platforms without traditional financial barriers for the creatives. While many art organizations are increasing fees and commissions, we have made a conscious decision to stay true to our core mission of amplifying unheard voices.
The “Dreams of the Dragon” event in May 2023 perfectly illustrates this resilience. At a time when Asian American artists were experiencing heightened discrimination and marginalization, we could have easily adopted a transactional model that charged artists for participation. Instead, we partnered with sponsors who also believed in our commitment to create free, accessible spaces for creative expression. We curated an event that not only showcased diverse talents but did so without extracting additional financial burden from these creatives. By connecting artists directly with potential supporters in finance and technology, we transformed our platform from a traditional gallery model into an ecosystem of genuine support. Our funding model dynamically shifts to prioritize the artists’ needs, proving that supporting emerging creatives isn’t about financial transactions, but about creating meaningful pathways to opportunity and recognition.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
Our mission is fundamentally about amplifying voices that have gone unheard and creating transformative connections across creative and professional landscapes. Our driving goal is to be more than just a media company – we’re cultural architects committed to bringing emerging visionaries to the forefront and sparking unexpected collaborations that can reshape how we understand creativity.
At the heart of our journey is a commitment to breaking down barriers between industries and creating unique spaces where diverse talents can intersect. We’re passionate about bringing together the vibrant worlds of art, fashion, film, music, sports, technology, and finance – not just as separate domains, but as interconnected ecosystems where innovation happens at the intersections.
Our specific mission is to identify and elevate creative voices that might otherwise be overlooked, providing them with platforms, visibility, and crucially, connections to professionals who can help bring their vision to the next level. Whether we’re highlighting Asian American artists at Dreams of the Dragon, celebrating Cuban culture, or exploring Italian American storytelling, our underlying purpose remains consistent: to create meaningful narratives that challenge existing paradigms and open up new possibilities for creative expression.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://creativo.miami/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/creativoofficial/?igsh=MW80MG5uNDdwaXE2ZA%3D%3D#
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/creativoofficial
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CreativoOfficial?reload=9
Image Credits
Chermaine Chiles, CC Visuals Media
Wilfredo Cima
Dean Evans
Geovany Castano (Geo_shot)