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

Alright, Sha thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

I began as most singers do, in our church choir. I went through high school training professionally and competing well into my 20’s. I have always loved art and design and decided to focus my B.A. of Fashion Design. While in school our Visual Merchandising class formed a club that focused on designing local small businesses window displays. That is where my interest in set design became prominent. I believe, in all of my creative roles, the most essential skill I’ve developed is finding ways to translate my vision into an easily understood plan. Collaboration is the key to success and not being able to clearly communicate your goals is a massive drawback and has been an obstacle for me in the past. I do believe that it has impacted my timeline of growth but I don’t see that as a negative thing now. Growing as much in your skillset takes time and rushing that process can be incredibly detrimental to the overall result of your work and the mindset that drives it.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

Sha Davis is a multi-disciplinary artist originally from Mississippi. Raised among some of what she considers, “The most powerful women in the world,” Sha spent her youth learning her communities traditions and embarking in some of the more forgotten rituals from the foundation of black culture in America. Growing up on a farm, on plantation land with a lineage of sharecroppers, Sha begin to dive deep into what brought her ancestors peace in times of lost autonomy. One of the closest things to healing in the Deep South, is playing music and if you’re blessed enough, singing. Sha began to explore singing in her community church, then in her school choir, then in the All-State Touring Operatic Choir and then as an award winning Operatic Vocalist. During this time Sha began singing and acting in Theaters and Set Design gained her interest, this eventually lead to sculpting, painting, lighting and fashion design. As time grew Sha created her band Sha Davis & The 1990’s, that focuses on her performance art and music. She also Co-Founded House of HER, an All Female Art Collective here in Houston. House of HER creates Set Design for stage performance, videography, photography, plays, weddings and more. They work in the community as activist and create works that reflect the diversity in our communities. House of HER also plans and executes events as well! Sha has forged a path of her own in her community and she continues to develop ways to connect, such as, The Love Project. She is an innovator and a creator of her own kind.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

There is an unfortunate natural gravitation to collegiately trained artists that removes the ability for local community artist to elevate themselves. Residencies, Exhibitions, Performance programs require artists to have a financial stability that most artists don’t have, especially when they are self trained or life has dealt them quite a few challenges. The heart of the City is represented in the work of our community artists and we should really focus on the financial growth and visibilty of that ecosystem.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

Absolutely! My overall goal is to create an emotional response that draws a parallel in our shared experiences in love and intimate relationships. Doing this has been such a beautiful and healing experience. My shows have become safe spaces to cry, bond and heal. I create a space for connection through art and that is my purpose, my mission. It drives every action, every thought, and every creation. I consider my own healing, my own emotional needs and then I speak with my audience, I find out what they need from me and I work in a way that connects all of our experiences, to represent those needs.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ShaDavis.com
• Instagram: @shadavis
• Linkedin: @shadavis
• Youtube: ShaDavisVocals
• Other: The Love Project Instagram: @theloveprojectlive

Image Credits
@Bellatronia @art_amused