Help Bria Strothers Attend Fusion Japan Residency!

As a writer, I’m excited to share that I have been accepted into Fusion’s 2025 artist residency in Kaga, Japan! In September 2025, I will be spending 3 weeks in Kaga City-Ishikawa, Japan with a cohort of artists from around the world as we engage with the local community and share our artistic practices. During the time of this residency, I am excited to continue my exploration of writing Black speculative prose and comics around a community of artists while immersing myself in the culture of art that has shaped me into the writer that I am today. From manga and anime to literary works, I owe so much to Japan for being able to learn about the amazing artists who have come before me. I am continuing to work towards the opportunity of finally engaging with this landscape and broadening my artistic view.

While I would like to raise at least half of the cost for the residency, I am hoping to fundraise the $5,000 residency cost to offset the financial burden of my participation. The $5,000 cost will go towards travel to/from the residency, lodging, as well as the coverage of workshop activities. Any additional funds raised beyond this goal will go towards paying for food or additional travel that is not covered by the residency. For my family and friends, if you’ve wanted to find a way to support me as a writer, now is a wonderful opportunity to help me reach this amazing experience. To anyone who is just reading about me and my work, I hope you will also consider offering any help and following along as I go on this journey! I hope that you would consider donating and sharing my story with those in your community. Thank you! To learn more about the residency and follow this journey, head to their site at fusionart.world or follow them on instagram at @fusion_intl. #GetBriatoJapan

Bria Strothers (she.they) is a writer and comic creator based in the Bronx. She received her MFA in Creative Writing from Pratt Institute. They are a former Voodoonauts and Unlock Her Potential fellow. Her work can be found in the Speculative/Horror edition of midnight & indigo literary magazine, Apparition Literary Magazine’s Issue 5: Resistance, the Ringo-nominated comic anthology Hairology by Lifeline Comics, and The Water Behind Us by Porchwater Press. They are also the writer and co-creator of the forthcoming webcomic The Serpent’s Daughter with Lucy Camacho. When not writing, she enjoys skateboarding, creating sonic storytelling soundscapes, and doing cosplay. Their portfolio can be found at fordarkfigures.com.

Art credits: Images 1 and 3 by Lucy Camacho, Image 2 art by Kameron White with colors by Dorilys Giacchetto.