S1, EP. 1: Introductions: Alea Brown & Sydney Frakes
Meet the original hosts of Threads: The Art Exchange — Alea Brown & Sydney Frakes.
Below we discuss more about ourselves that we did not get to cover on our first episode for our listeners and viewers to learn more about our journey.
ALEA BROWN
Artist, Educator, Storyteller
My earliest and fondest memories are of me creating things. I loved to paint, draw, and try the newest art supplies that were around when I was growing up. Creating has always been a part of me, a huge part, might I add. Creating allowed me to be myself and escape to a world of my own. I was fortunate enough to attend a middle school that valued art and expression as much as conventional education.
Being able to go to a school like Detroit Waldorf allowed me to see the beauty and depth of expression in any form of art. Waldorf also taught me that I myself am a walking, breathing, expression of art. We all are unique; as we know, no one is exactly the same and this fact alone makes each of us a masterpiece. I also believe that creativity flows through everyone and once an individual taps into and discovers their divine abilities, the sky's the limit.
On the other hand, as a budding artist that could not relate to common artistic methodologies, my high school art teacher never rendered support. She did not disapprove of my ideas but she also never reaffirmed that there is more than one way to be a successful artist. Over time, the creative gems that I had to put in a box got further away from my consciousness and my creative uniqueness transformed into simply producing to please and get the approval of my high school art teacher who was as rigid as they come. Perhaps she was unaware and had also been put in a box as an artist, at some point in her life. Nonetheless, four years of mundane artwork led to me storing the quarter of abilities and spark for creating I had left , choosing a career in the healthcare field (but no regrets as I have gained much knowledge from this choice) and filling my head with false narratives about why I was not a good artist so that I could feel justified in neglecting my gift and ultimate passion.
So here I am, reopening my box of gems over a decade later, relighting my torch and embracing my beautiful mind that is filled with boundless ideas and creations that I want to bring to life. Currently, I am a self-represented contemporary digital artist from Metro Detroit.
In 2023, I will publish my first book, a series of poems based on hard truths and epiphanies. I’ve also had the privilege of teaching high school digital arts and media. Lastly, I am the founder & creator of LowKey Kreative, an independent platform for my artwork.
For inquiries or more information:
SYDNEY FRAKES
Contemporary Art Professional + Creator
My name is Sydney Frakes and I am a contemporary art professional and art historian. Growing up in a creative household, I naturally fell in love with art at a young age. I had a vivid and creative imagination and was always drawing, fashioning some sort of Play-Doh creation, dancing, making jewelry, or painting. From elementary to high school, I was always enrolled in an art class; it just became second nature for me to sign up for one along with taking science and English. When I got into high school, I too became self conscious about my art, not realizing years later as an art historian I was more of an abstract artist than your traditional artist. I decided to not pursue art any further outside of being a hobby despite the deep love and joy I felt for it.
I attended Wayne State University for my first degree in Urban Studies with the hopes of pursuing urban planning or public policy once I graduated then going on to work in city planning or in the non-profit sector. However, as fate would allow, I signed up for an art history course and fell in love. My art stars had aligned in this one class and I knew this was the path I was meant to walk and even contemplated double majoring but I talked myself out of that for fear of the unknown. I ended up graduating with a BA in Urban Studies and took a year off working in that field while also mapping out my next steps. I kept going back to the art history course and thought back to my childhood and how much I truly enjoyed working in art and always envisioned myself working in the art world as an adult. Approaching my one year graduate anniversary, I decided to make the necessary steps to re-enroll back at Wayne State to get my art history degree, making this the best decision I ever made.
I was fortunate enough to work on our campus galleries and intern at the Detroit Institute of Arts and gain literal hands-on experience seeing how art institutions operate. I took a big leap of faith and trusted the process because I did not want to have regrets of not going after what I wanted and suppress my creativity for the sake of what others would think or having a job versus a career.
Since graduating, I have worked in various art galleries ranging in scale. My work is a hybrid of exhibition production, artist development, small business ownership, and providing a platform for BIPOC artists and creatives. In 2021, I created THE FORME STUDIO, a sustainable homeware line which has allowed me to explore my creative and entrepreneurial skills. I am also immensely proud to add co-host of Threads: The Art Exchange podcast to my portfolio.
For inquiries or more information:
