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Written and transcribed by Daphne Hines in collaboration with Nori McDuffie in celebration of Black History Month (February 2024).
Celebrations of historic innovation and the achievements of Black people began early in the 1900s, gaining momentum thanks to Dr. Carter G. Woodson. Once a week-long celebration, Black History Week was extended to Black History Month and became federally recognized in 1976, and enshrined into public law in 1986. In addition to celebrating vital and often under-recognized historical figures, we’re excited to highlight community leaders whose influence is inspiring our communities and future generations to take action NOW. Join the Committee on Racial Equity in the Food System (CORE) as we explore how art catalyzes radical shifts in healing, accessibility, and equity with Nori McDuffie of DurmPAC (Durham, NC).
Nori McDuffie’s work around community and youth engagement as a Project Facilitator at DurmPAC centers accessibility as an integral part of community building. Durham Powerful Arts Collective, or DurmPAC, is reshaping attitudes towards how we can evolve as a society with sufficient access, acknowledgement, and support. Nori, an artist himself, explores the essence of “Black Performance” – seamlessly weaving between instances of the mundane and extraordinary. Renowned in the Durham community for innovative zines, exciting exhibits, and transformative workshops, Nori fosters communal development and healing through art, envisioning a world grounded in love for a just and equitable future.
As a Youth Project Assistant for the City of Durham in 2020, Nori led the publication of a youth-centered zine project in collaboration with 7 young people (Jett Pavlica – web developer & designer, Celia Donnelly – illustrator, Aminah Jenkins – assistant project facilitator, Atom Edwards – planning strategist, Alexis King – social media/facilitator, Jesse Steele – assistant project facilitator, and Delaysia Myers – social media) to create DurmPAC, a shared space to imagine change in the community. “In creating DurmPAC, we initially came together wanting to create a space for young people to exist in; submit their art; and for them to be honored, seen, and valued. Creating a “hub” where their art is represented in a way that feels respected is essential; when many art spaces are primarily curated with adults in mind.”
From Nori’s perspective, these spaces need to be available so that young people can collaborate together in community, in a way that honors their efforts, without policing their creativity. His philosophy is “letting young people create the things that they want to see. We can guide them, help them when they need help, and support them – but we must trust and allow them to be the leaders of their own work and vision.”
The launch of Sawubona (2020), a beautifully designed and youth-centered digital zine, is a prime example, as Nori puts it, “of [creatively] not getting stuck in ideas we know.” Nori’s leadership in reimagining the role of zines as a communal voice has led to DurmPAC’s partnership with Pop Box Gallery, shining a light through the imaginative lens of young artists and community expression in works such as: Prototype (zine), We Don’t Care: Reclaiming Our Environment (exhibit), and UpstART Gallery: A Jim Lee Project (exhibit) – to name a few.
“Supply Drop” is another way DurmPAC demonstrates their commitment to redefining accessibility and cultivating community. As Nori explains, “with Supply Drop, DurmPAC aimed to illuminate peoples’ daily opportunities to create art and supply them with tools for artistic engagement.” There are times when people may want to apply to an art show with brilliant ideas, but do not have the materials to do so. Supply Drop allowed more people to be able to create and submit their work, opening up the possibility of being selected for an exhibition. Even if their art isn’t selected, they now have their work and materials needed to create freely. DurmPAC coupled Supply Drop with youth-led workshops about different artistic forms, such as Cyanotyping, to explore art in a way that may be new to many.
While accessibility is crucial for success, DurmPAC recognizes the importance of equitable experiences throughout the art process to provide a sturdy foundation that participants can build upon. As Nori states, “Youth need exposure to the process of submitting their art to an exhibition or gallery; and also, having their work shown publicly and with the potential to be sold. It’s also fundamental to pay youth for their time; in the economy we live in – youth need to be monetarily compensated. We do our best to value and respect the young people we work with and connect them to the same type of opportunities that adults benefit from.”
As an artist himself, Nori is passionate about creating dialog and dynamic, healing conversations through art. “Very simply, I want people talking to each other. I want people to interrogate themselves and I want people to interrogate the world that they live in. I want people to start to recognize in what ways they may be oppressed,the ways they may be oppressing others, and the ways in which they can find freedom within themselves and capture their experiences. I think art is meant to move people and highlight when there’s something going on. Art brings about conversation that can change the dynamic at any point.”
Nori and DurmPAC remain committed to uplifting community, youth, and BIPOC voices, creating more opportunities for community expression and innovation in 2024. Exciting upcoming exhibits include Intersection, Haptic Happening, and a collaborative exhibit with the CEFS CORE Outcome 4 Research Team focused on how the intersection of art, food, history, and community can propel our farming systems and its participants into a more just and equitable future.
Nori and DurmPAC will also be leading a series of art and food workshops in collaboration with CEFS CORE later this year. Please stay tuned to our events page for more information on how to participate.
For more information about the projects, programs, future exhibits, or ways you can support DurmPAC and its mission, please visit their interactive website here.