Cold Hands, Warm Hearts: Creating 'Rooted' Across Newfoundland

“I am so cold, I can’t feel my toes,

but I’m happy to be here,”

- Adaeze Stella Charles

Breath visible in the chilly Newfoundland air as we brace against the elements. With numb toes, aching backs, and an endless playlist of Afro beats to break the silence, we’ve embarked on no ordinary road trip—it’s a creative pilgrimage. Seven hours a day on winding roads, each turn taking us deeper into the vision of The Art of Being Black (TABB) and our ambitious 2024 project, “Rooted.”

But discomfort is quickly forgotten when you’re surrounded by people with a shared passion and purpose. For every artist, model, and volunteer involved, this project has been a journey of personal and artistic growth, stretching boundaries and forging bonds.

 “The Rooted Project, under TABB, allowed me to

engage deeply with Black culture, art, and excellence

in ways I hadn’t experienced before.”

- Ugonna Ihemmedu

Obstacles have been constant companions on our trip, but so has community. Each shoot brought new experiences, some unfamiliar, all unforgettable. For a lot of us this was a step out of our comfort zone, both spatially and technically. “It’s not going to throw me off, would it?” Esther said to the horse’s owner as she mounted the gentle beast at Cache Rapids for one of our shoots. This was her first time riding a horse (we got her a helmet). 

The Western Brook dunes, one of our stops, a breathtaking spot that overlooked the fjord with the mountains in the background. Breathtaking not only due to its indescribable beauty but also because our noses were clogged up from the cold. Yet, in the face of this challenge, we did what communities have done throughout history—we leaned on one another, finding warmth and inspiration in togetherness.

"Togetherness is also another important thing the Rooted Project developed amongst the artists in the province," notes Oluwaseyi Ogunjemilusi. "It was a chance to meet other Black artists from all around, and I got to build friendships in the short amount of time we had for the project."

The success of this journey isn’t just about the talent gathered, nor the technical skills honed, it’s rooted in the passion of everyone who joined us. This is work created by hearts and hands committed to a vision, fueled by a shared desire to showcase and celebrate Black art in Newfoundland. And it’s a journey that would not have been possible without our generous sponsors: Celebrate NL, Arts NL, and Fortis Inc.

As we return with art, stories, and an unbreakable bond forged by this adventure, we bring you “Rooted”—a project that embodies the spirit of resilience, connection, and Black creativity across Newfoundland. We be will exhibiting the works in february 2025.