Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Crystal Miller. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Crystal , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

The project I am working on right now. I am an art student currently and I am getting ready for my BFA, which is basically an oral exam and showcasing my work. The work I’m making right now is about Afro-futurism and creating spaces that are safe for Black people. This is very important to me because growing up I always lived in predominantly white spaces, and never felt like I fit in even when I tried to conform to their social ideals. Now, I want to create spaces through painting that showcase my own ideal of what an Afro-futuristic society looks like to me. A place to create new societies and cultures without anti-blackness. An escape from the harsh realities on earth and to have a utopia that we can imagine a freer expression of blackness, because Black people belong in the future.

Crystal , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

As I’ve stated previously I am a student at the Cleveland Institute of Art in Cleveland, Ohio. I major in painting and Sculpture and Expanded media. I’ve been making art for as long as I can remember. I took a lot of art related classes in high school such as, weaving, drawing, and jewelry making. I wanted to know how to do all the things. When I started taking college classes at my local community college, I wanted to try graphic design. I focused on this for a couple years until I came to CIA. I decided to do something different again so I took one painting class and I knew that I should major in painting and sculpture, so I did just that. Now I am in my last year and I will finally be able to have a Bachelors of Fine Arts. I’ve come a really long way in my art making and I can safely say that I am well versed in a lot of different mediums. I pray to continue making work that is true to me.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Being able to freely express myself whenever and where ever I want. To be able to wake up and say I want to make this and then be able to make the thing I want to make. There’s obviously some boundaries with that but for the most part being a creative pushes me towards the idea that I can do anything I put my mind too. I know, I know, that sounds a little corny but It’s true. I can’t imagine myself not being a creative person. It literally runs through my veins and I’m sure other artists can say the same. When I’m making food, I’m creative. Maybe I’ll decorate my plate with varied sauces to spice up my dinner. Creative people think with a creative mind constantly, I dont think that it ever really shuts off.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My mission right now and probably for the rest of my life is to create spaces and art for black people. We need many, many spaces where we can express ourselves without anti-blackness. A place for support from our brothers and sisters. I am so grateful that places like this already exist but there are so many black people out there struggling, not knowing where to go, not knowing who to talk to, or they dont feel like themselves, etc. I want to create physical spaces whether that is through my sculptural art or opening up my own organization, creating a club, the lists goes on. I also want my paintings to hopefully speak to black people and let them know that they are being represented, empowered, and cared for.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://crymuseum.weebly.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crymuseum/

Image Credits
Emily Metzger