‘It gives us a different perspective’

Black Loyalist Heritage Centre in Birchtown hosts first in-residence artist

Halifax artist and entrepreneur Kordeena Clayton is finding the Black Loyalist Heritage Centre (BLHC) in Birchtown ‘the perfect place’ to inspire.

Clayton is the Visual Arts of Nova Scotia (VANS) in residence artist at the BLHC from May 2 to 28. The experience is a first for both Clayton and the BLHC.

“It’s fabulous,” says Darlene Cooper president of the Black Loyalist Heritage Society. “It gives us a different perspective of not just 1783 when we landed, but where our youth have gone today. She’s a wonderful artist and a very kind soul. We’re very excited and privileged to have her in house until the 28th of May.”

Clayton is the owner of She Nubian Liberation Art & Apparel, founder of the Takin’ BLK Business Initiative Cooperative, and co-founder of the Takin’ BLK Gottingen and Markets.

A seventh-generation descendant of the Black Loyalists, Clayton is “a proud African Nova Scotian Queer self-taught multidisciplinary artist of six years, who focuses on the importance of representation of Black and Brown people; Inclusivity and self- embracement thorough a variety of mediums where experimental and abstract meet representation,” reads her bio.

Clayton is known for Unapologetically Black and Unapologetically

Queer Apparel, photography, graphic and clothing design, film making and painting.

“I always did arts and crafts as a kid,” says Clayton. “In 2016 I started taking it more seriously. Then I started applying for festivals like Nocturne. I started out painting, then went to photography, turned to clothing design, now I’m getting into films. I never took any training for these things, I just connected with it. I’m ok at it I guess.”

Clayton says she is “a genealogy nerd"

"I always wanted to come down here learn about the Black history, the Black families that came here,” Clayton says. When she seen VANS in partnership with the BLHC was accepting applications for an artist-in-residence she took a chance and applied, even though she didn’t consider herself qualified.

“I submitted my application, put my hands up, said it is what it is, and kind of forgot about it. Then I got an email and now I’m here,” Clayton says. “There’s so much history here. Right now, I’m trying to trace back my own family last name.”

One of the Black Loyalists who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick was named John Clayton. His name is listed in the Book of Negros, note Clayton.

Being an artist in residence, “I feel like it means you have an artist that occupies your space and finds inspiration in that space and creates whatever come to them,” says Clayton, which is what she is doing.

“I’m starting to paint portraits of unnamed people that they have photos of here,” Clayton says. “I’m looking

through them. Whoever sticks out I’m painting them. I’m also working on part two of a short film I created last year called Chasing God. This is the perfect place.”

Clayton is also taking lots of photographs and filming as she comes and goes from the BLHC and the Birchtown Retreat where she is staying.

“I’ve been walking on the trails. I’m from the city so I don’t see the woods that much. I’m not used to all these wildlife sounds, birds and trees rubbing against each other. It’s freaking me out, but it looks so pretty so I face my fears.”

A collection of some of Clayton’s paintings is on display at the BLHC.

“It’s really nice to have someone in the art field showing in Shelburne, highlighting the Black culture,” said Therese Cruz, president of Shelburne County Arts Council, during a meet and greet for Clayton at the BLHC on May 12.

“We see it all the time but maybe not understand what it is. Having that modern interpretation of it in the Black Loyalist Heritage Centre is really great for us to be able to see it,” Cruz said.

“Exploring art through a variety of mediums where experimental and abstract meet representation” is how Clayton describes her art with VANS.

“We’re just honoured having an African Nova Scotian attend here with her art,” says Cooper. “The hope is another artist will come when the opportunity presents itself. We certainly like the collaboration we have."