We recently connected with Afa Dworkin and have shared our conversation below.

Afa, appreciate you joining us today. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?

My parents were non-artists but appreciated my affinity and aptitude toward the arts. While they neither favored nor envisioned a professional pathway in the arts for me, they found and created space for me to continue the pursuit of my passion. They always gave me honest feedback about what they thought about the idea of a career in the arts, as well as continued to share thoughts as my career path shifted and evolved. But ultimately, they prioritized me and my love for music above their own sensibilities and found ways to support me while never mincing words. I remain so grateful to them for that wisdom!

Afa, 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?

I am a trained violinist with a background in classical music performance and pedagogy. Today, I run a non-profit called the Sphinx Organization, whose mission is transforming lives through the power of diversity in the arts. I get to spend my days utilizing my artistic and programmatic skills and building a relationship with individuals who trust their resources and time to help me advance our mission. I was drawn to Sphinx for its unique connection to social justice and performing arts and today, I get to live a life that does not feel like work but rather is a source of inspiration, fulfillment, and sometimes, refuge.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

As a society, we must recognize the tremendous contributions of the arts and artists to our way of life, our economy, and our well-being as human beings. The arts are all around us and creatives have a way of synthesizing facts and challenges to focus on innovative solutions and pathways toward discovery, betterment, and enlightened leadership. Go to a concert, see an exhibit, discover a new composer by visiting www.sphinxmusic.org, and checkout a live performance. All of those experiences offer a fresh perspective, a sense of awe, and inspiration, which is so needed by all of us.

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

My creative journey is driven by a sense of purpose, service, and a pursuit of an equilibrium which I think will be achieved when my beloved art form finds resonance with the vibrant diversity inherent in our communities today. In order for the arts to strive, they must be relevant to our communities. Relevance comes from representation. My goal is to bring us closer to that reciprocity.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.sphinxmusic.org
• Instagram: afadworkin
• Facebook: afadworkin
• Linkedin: afa.dworkin
• Twitter: @afadworkin

Image Credits
Shawn Lee