—written by Carl Harrison, Jr. Creative Assembly 2025 member

Every time I’m invited to share my work, I see it as more than just an opportunity to talk about projects. I see it as a chance to listen, to learn, and to build new bridges. That spirit guided me into the Lapis Center for the Arts at NOMA, where I joined an incredible conversation with artists from across the globe. What unfolded that night wasn’t just about art—it was about how our stories, rooted in different soils, can find common ground.

As a filmmaker, artist, and urban farmer deeply rooted in New Orleans, I’ve found that the most meaningful conversations often bloom in spaces where curiosity leads and community grows. Sharing the stage with fellow Creative Assembly member LaVonna Varnado-Brown and ARCAthens resident artists Angelo Plessas and Steffi Stouri reminded me once again: art may take many forms, but its heart is always connection.

Connecting Across Continents

Speaking with Angelo Plessas about his work at the intersection of spirituality and digital networks opened up fascinating parallels with my own practice. On the surface, our worlds couldn’t seem more different—his interactive websites and digital installations, my work with the St. Roch Apiary and Food Forest. But beneath the surface, we found something shared: a belief that community spaces—whether physical or virtual—can be places of healing, connection, and transformation.

Angelo’s idea of a “fluid reality,” where seemingly opposite elements come together, resonated deeply with my journey blending urban farming, filmmaking, and community activism. It was a reminder that creativity doesn’t have to live in one lane—and often, the best work happens when it doesn’t.

Preserving Memory Through Sound and Story

My conversation with Steffi Stouri opened another door. Her focus on sonic art and archival practices offered a fresh lens through which I could see my own documentary work. As we talked about preserving cultural memory and challenging dominant narratives, I saw so many links to The Buzz of St. Roch—my project honoring the resilience of my neighborhood.

Steffi’s approach to reparative curating challenged me to think bigger about what it means to document a community’s story. It’s not just about recording history; it’s about offering healing, about reclaiming space for voices that have too often been overlooked.

Local Knowledge in a Global Context

One of the most powerful parts of the dialogue was placing the unique cultural landscape of New Orleans into conversation with global perspectives. Sharing stories about beekeeping, food sovereignty, and neighborhood resilience alongside artists from Greece helped me see how deeply connected our local struggles are to global ones.

LaVonna Varnado-Brown brought that connection home. Her brilliant articulation of Afrofuturism as a space for joy and liberation complemented my own belief in the power of community-based environmental work. Together, we offered the visiting artists—and ourselves—a vision of how creativity and community care can fuel hope across any border.

Reflections on Artistic Practice

This dialogue didn’t just reaffirm the work I’m doing—it expanded my vision for what’s possible. It strengthened my commitment to storytelling that doesn’t just document but also builds. It encouraged me to imagine new ways of growing the St. Roch Apiary and Food Forest, drawing on interdisciplinary methods like sound, archives, and digital connectivity.

Throughout our conversations, a common thread emerged: the belief that art can make visible the invisible connections between people, nature, and culture. Whether through Angelo’s digital-spiritual worlds, Steffi’s sonic archives, LaVonna’s Afrofuturistic joy, or my own urban ecology projects, we were all working toward the same goal—bringing hidden relationships into the light.

Looking Ahead

As I continue touring with The Buzz of St. Roch and nurturing new projects at the apiary, I carry these conversations with me. They’ve become part of the soil from which new ideas will grow.

I’m grateful to NOMA and ARCAthens for creating this space for meaningful exchange—and to every audience member whose thoughtful questions helped deepen the dialogue. Moments like these remind me that art isn’t just about finished projects. It’s about opening ourselves to new ways of seeing, growing, and connecting.

I’m excited to stay connected with Angelo and Steffi as they continue their NOLA/NYC Research Fellowship journeys. Their visit left an indelible mark on my thinking, and I look forward to seeing where our shared seeds of collaboration might take root.