Hello… I am Devon Devine and I have spent the last two decades creating spaces for artists to thrive and survive, while documenting our progress as a community.

I've been accepted to the Transom Traveling Workshop at Bombay Beach/Salton S (Feb 1st – 8th), where I'll train with master producers from NPR, This American Life, and RadioLab. This is a life changing opportunity for a homie like me! Students from this workshop have gone on to become real life radio producers… I can potentially be on the radio mama!

I need your help to get there… I received an almost full scholarship (with chosen family filling in the gaps – THANK YOU YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE), but there are still costs I need to account for that will help set me up for success on this new endeavor.

I have my tuition, lodging and 3 big group meals all covered through my scholarship, but I still need some funds to help me get there! I need money for gas, places to stay before and after the workshop, snacks for the road, food while I’m there, maybe some meals with homies along the way (tacos!), and art supplies like polaroid film, binders, paper, sharpies etc… I’m an old guy with a lot of needs :) Mostly, I am excited to document my journey for you all.

More about me:

As Director of Events at SOMArts Cultural Center for eight years, I worked with a team of amazing non profit workers and artists to hold space for fundraisers, community gatherings, and emerging black & brown trans and queer folks, building a rental program that centered community voices. I am currently a co collaborater at 465 Collective gallery and a founding member of Hard French - a beloved 16 yr old dance party turned cultural movement, proving nightlife can be activism, bringing the revolution to the dance floor (and we just had a sandwich named after us at Outta Sight Pizza!)

My work has always been about uplifting and giving a voice to those who are most marginalized in society. I have done this through film and video, my movie Malaqueerche screened at Slamdance and then went on to tour around the country and Europe!, and I co created a bad ass youtube TV show, BrownDownCrownTV. I’m a polaroid photographer, zine maker, and now… I’m ready to add audio storytelling to my toolkit!

This really hits close to home because when I was working with Outside Lands to co produce the first queer and trans stage at a national music festival (Dolores’ Stage!) I reconnected with my family of origin and found out that my grandmother was a storyteller, a writer, and the first woman to speak on the radio in India – telling short stories! I also found out my Indian grandparents had a love marriage in the 1930s, they were activists who fell in love during the revolution. MY parents had a love marriage (my dad is Indian, my mom is Costa Rican)… I come from a lineage that is disrupting the patriarchy!

Here's why this matters beyond me

Every skill I gain comes back to our community. The artists I mentor, the stories I help shape, the cultural spaces I build - they all get stronger when I get stronger. I grew up in community, the dance floor saved my life over and over again, and I would do anything for my international chosen family of artists that create the coolest art that has shaped my identity.

Now I want to take all these skills and knowledge and elevate myself to the highest power to document the dolls, rock n rollers, chubbies, femmes, queerions, weirdos, sex workers and underground undocumented communities that deserve to have a voice that keep our culture thriving.

Every $5, $15, $20, $25, $50, $100 + donation is an investment in my artistic career and an investment into documenting and creating a legacy for the community that is surviving in the most challenging of times… in our favorite city in the bay.

Here’s How you can help!

1. Donate to the gofundme! Even $5 from a lot of people can go a long way!

2. If you can’t afford that, share and repost!

3. Subscribe to my substack which will be super entertaining as I commit to my writing practice this year

4. DM or email me to purchase my art or zines… anywhere from $5 - $20 I have a lot to choose from!

5. Follow me on IG – the more followers I gain the more people I can reach with my queer joy magic witch lifestyle

This year my first story will be published on Dopamine Books, Clowns!, edited by my shero Michelle Tea! coming out in May 2026. I’m going to be doing live readings, so look out for those too!

If I make my goal and there are more funds… I am going to invest them into a new *Top Secret* project that will be a really cool mission based venue/community resource center I’m working to secure (more info coming soon!)

Thanks for believing in me. xoxo devoncito