My name is Odessa Whitlock. I am a 22 year old emerging artist and aspiring filmmaker.

I graduated from college this January and instead of feeling grounded, I felt lost. Graduation felt like a countdown to homelessness and forced me to ask a question I did not know how to answer. What does home mean to me?

I recently graduated from Montclair State University and was working full-time as a preschool teacher, a job I cared deeply about. Unfortunately, the work environment became increasingly toxic and unsustainable, and I was eventually let go. While difficult, this moment forced me to rethink the direction of my life and lean into my career as an artist.

To regain stability, I made the decision to move back to Antigua to be closer to my family while I work to establish myself as a full-time artist. Being here allows me to focus on growing my creative practice while also finding more stable housing and community support.

I am hoping to raise $1,400–$3,000 to help cover basic living expenses during this transition, including housing, groceries, transportation, and other essential costs while I grow my practice and pursue exhibitions, residencies, and creative opportunities.

I am a multidisciplinary artist working with fiber, textile collage, and digital film. My work explores memory, identity, and storytelling through layered materials like braiding hair, textiles, and digital imagery. Over the past few years I’ve exhibited work across New York and New Jersey, and I am now focused on building a sustainable art practice and small creative business.

Please, share with your friends & family!

Every contribution helps me continue creating and building a sustainable future through my art.

Check out my shop if you’d like to support through there!

Thank you so much for supporting my journey. ✨

(No raffles, sweepstakes, or promotions are offered in exchange for any donations made to this GoFundMe)