Hi, my name is Markeith and I'm a media artist and poet. I've recently learned that my latest project 'the waves and the mantram, part 1', which I've been working on for most of the past 3 years, has been selected to have its world debut on April 27th as an installation at this year's Alchemy Film and Moving Image Festival in Hawick, Scotland, which I would love to attend. I'm asking all of my wonderful friends, family, colleagues and supporters to help me raise the funds to travel to Scotland for the festival, and to explore the area around Hawick as I scout for locations and inspiration for my next project...

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against the wind

the slightest

witness

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Back in the spring of 2020, in the midst of the uncertainty and upheaval of the early days of the pandemic, I made a decision to resign from my position as an Academic Advisor and devote ALL of my time, savings and effort to this one project to see how far I could stretch myself and where my creative practice would take me. Prior to that, I'd spent years in spiritual reflection, peeling away at myself, my fears, wants and needs, traumas and beliefs. I mentored, I wrote poems and stories, I supported and taught, and all those interests and experiences gradually converged, resulting in 'the waves and the mantram, part 1', for which you can check out a trailer/excerpt here:

the waves and the mantram excerpt

I interviewed, recorded and filmed my uncle on an island off the Maine coast, and traveled down that coastline filming the waves and roads. I filmed alongside, in and on the rivers, tributaries, and small roads in Vermont, enlisting individuals and communities for micro-narrative 'scenes'--audiovisual documents of belief and spirituality, and the environments that surround, impact and inform those beliefs. I purchased a camera, audio equipment, a new computer, editing software, lenses, hard drives, and any and everything else needed for production and post-production.

Through all of this, I've been extremely fortunate to receive financial support to supplement my savings to see me through to the finish line from The National Endowment for the Arts/Vermont Arts Council and the Integrity: Arts and Culture Association; however, I'm now within a few feet of that finish line and have exhausted my resources.

Alchemy Film and Arts Scotland has generously offered to cover some accommodations and meals, as well as a bursary (scholarship) of £500.00 (about USD $600.00) to go toward the cost of travel. I'm looking to raise an additional $2200.00 to cover the remainder of the flight costs, plus local railway and cab/UBER travel costs, accommodations, meals and anything unforeseen during my 8 days there.

I am now at a critical juncture in my artistic practice and career. This project is the result of years-long gestation and reflection and is both a culmination and a crucial step toward the next stage of my creative work, too-long deferred. Thank you kindly for your consideration and support.

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herein

the blue descent remains

cells, stems

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Warm Regards and Many Blessings,

~Markeith

(PS. If any of my friends are in the UK/Scotland area in late April/early May, please, PLEASE reach out and let's reconnect at the festival, or close by!)

(PPS. More updates and events coming soon...)