We were lucky to catch up with Salakida Kali recently and have shared our conversation below.
Salakida, appreciate you joining us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?
I saw a production of Dreamgirls when I was around 6 years old and I fell in love with the glamour, the music, the crowd reaction everything about entertainment. I knew from that moment forward that I wanted to be part of things that gave people inspiration, joy, everything I felt that night, in my own way.
Salakida, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
For the last maybe, 6 years I have been co-host and Model Coordinator for Figure Drawing and Photography at Gallery 992, first for Still Life Sessions, and now with The Avant Garde Artists Association. We hold a weekly event in the West End on Wednesdays that brings artists of all levels together to paint draw sketch and shoot live models, aka Muses, in their purest and most vulnerable expression, nude and semi nude. I fell into it really after my partner Thom Bess became involved with reviving the original event. It was really important to the owners at Gallery 992 that space would continue to be held in the West End community for fine art in all mediums. Six years later, I am really proud of the growth, integrity and consistent good vibes we’ve maintained, for artists but especially for the Muses. As a woman, a Wild Woman at heart, I am most proud that the women who have mused for our event all leave feeling valued, uplifted, immortalized by art, seen and respected.
Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
I wish I had known I was my best resource, my ability to connect and attract everything I desire. I wish I had known earlier in my career that you really and truly can make a living being your most authentic self. My first love is music and I started pretty young, working in professional environments with people more established, rich famous and I was always trying to sell and prove myself. I’ve learned to embrace the spirit of wonder and have more fun, and how when you pair imagination with a good work ethic, you can move mountains and get more than you dreamed of.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
I feel moved to be more Brave, push myself in the hopes that it will inspire others. Say the quiet thoughts out loud, embrace your tribe, spread more love, embrace abundance, give your gift, use yourself up, all those things, that’s what I’m on right now and forever.
Contact Info:
- Website: salakida.com
- Instagram: @salakida
Image Credits
Nathalia John, DS Hathaway, Kenny, Hakim Wilson, Johnnie Ray Kornegay