One of the joys of living in the town where I taught is either staying in touch with people I was privileged to teach, or reconnecting years or many years later. With my little theater company, I’ve been lucky to again direct former student actors (or their kids!), and as a coffee shop denizen I bump into them alone, with pals, or their children. In the case of Nnekay FitzClarke, I see their remarkable art on the wall at Julie’s. Nnekay has the distinction of being the only Nnekay I taught, but also is remembered for being a distinct individual—smart, clever, thoughtful—at a time when so many people work so hard to be just like everyone else: middle school. Her creations are on display for a few weeks more, so stop by Julie’s Coffee & Tea Garden [1] at 1223 Park Street and see these unusual and beautiful pieces in person. But first, read about the wonderful artist here: 5Q4: Nnekay FitzClarke.
[2]At what moment did you discover that you wanted to be an artist?
This is a tricky question because I’ve always been interested in artistic things. Drawing, acting, writing. From a very early age I considered myself “creative,” but never an artist. Even up until recently, I would preface my art as “craft,” because it involved things that would traditionally fall under the umbrella of crafting. Last year was a difficult year for me, but through the hardship I found so much fortitude within my craft that I started to view it in a new light. I realized that I was creating within my craft—I was crafting art. Therefore I should be proud and fully embrace the title of artist. So I’ve always been an artist, even in childhood, but only recognized and embraced the title this year.
Who was the most influential person who helped you achieve your goal?
I wouldn’t say there was one person, but instead my community who have surrounded me with love and support. I can connect the dots through generations of women in my family who showed me beauty in things created by hand. Both of my grandmothers created gorgeous artifacts that currently adorn my home—clothes, paintings, ceramics. My mother and I create together. In fact, she recently gave me a lesson on how to knit because I expressed interest passingly.
My husband and network of friends have always supported me through my various endeavors—performances, podcasts, even makeshift photography shows. However, I must specifically shout of a few friends who nurtured my current love of embroidery and fiber arts: Marin gave me all of her beautiful embroidery thread because I mentioned I miiiiight want to look into this type of art. Tamar gifted me an embroidery kit during the pandemic, which opened something inside of me. Stepahanie suggested that I absolutely could have a show with my art. And Adam connected me with the incredible Julie, of Julie’s Coffee & Tea, where my art had its first showing. I feel so honored to be surrounded by so much support and can only hope that I provide the same love and support in whatever my daughter decides to pursue as she grows up.
[3]Tell about the best—or a best—experience you had as a performer.
Since I’m constantly spinning various plates in the world of creativity, I’ve been lucky to have a few pretty good experiences, the most recent being my current show at Julie’s Coffee and Tea. Seeing my art displayed, having my community show up, and exposing my art to fresh eyes has been a dream I could have never imagined! They were piled into boxes in my closet for years. The show has allowed me to feel fully realized in my art.
Another recent experience was filming a commercial for eero that aired on Thursday Night Football. I’ve recently ventured back into the world of acting and booked this job as a background performer, but was bumped up to a featured performer while filming. The excitement of being on set, interacting with other actors, then finally seeing the commercial on television—one word… SUBLIME!
Conversely, tell us about a pretty bad experience.
Well, thankfully, there hasn’t been too much involving my art, simply because I haven’t put my art out there for public consumption until recently. However, acting can get tough when auditioning. The trick is learning how to deal with rejection—which is tough no matter how you slice it. I’m still coasting off some good experiences of booking gigs, but it does start to grind on you when you’re in a dry spell, which is what I’m in now. There was also the time I was performing in a play in college. I was in the middle of my big splashy monologue and noticed that my grandmother was asleep in the front row. That was more funny than bad.
Any advice to folks out there hoping to pursue a life in the arts?
DO IT. Create and express whatever you love and fills your soul. Do it just for yourself. Do it for your community. Art can be anything—singing a song, wrapping the wires behind your TV beautifully, doing your hair in a magnificent way, and even the art of conversation—it’s just about expression and flourish, which is something we all have as humans. Now, if you want to showcase or pursue your art on a level higher than personal, make connections, listen to suggestions, take classes, read books, send emails of inquiry, audition or submit your art to places that accept what you create. And lastly, have confidence in yourself and your art, and if some dry person doesn’t like what you do, that’s just their crusty opinion.
Gene Kahane is the founder of the Foodbank Players [4], a lifelong teacher, and former Poet Laureate for the City of Alameda. Reach him at [email protected] [5]. His writing is collected at AlamedaPost.com/Gene-Kahane [6].