cedar commissions 2022

CEDAR COMMISSIONS SPOTLIGHT - KAT PARENT

CEDAR COMMISSIONS SPOTLIGHT - KAT PARENT

Our sixth and final spotlight interview is with Kat Parent (they/she). Kat is a singer-songwriter and historian. Their new work for the 2021-2022 Cedar Commissions Swampling is a visit into the realm of eco-horror through electronic folk music. Swampling looks to honor the heartbreaking realities of humans mistreating the earth, and to highlight the beauty that remains. Kat spoke with Marketing and Communications Manager Shasa Sartin about the importance and value of death and decay, their relationship to studying history, and the 80s comic book series “Swamp Thing.”

CEDAR COMMISSIONS SPOTLIGHT - VIE BOHEME

CEDAR COMMISSIONS SPOTLIGHT - VIE BOHEME

Our fifth spotlight interview is with Vie Boheme (she/her). Vie is a vocalist, poet, producer, dancer, yoga instructor, and more as a multimedia artist. Her new work for the 2021-2022 Cedar Commissions The Edge supportively encourages the listener and viewer to reflect upon being at ones ‘wits’ end,’ and assess what lessons we learn from reaching that point. Vie spoke with Marketing and Communications Manager Shasa Sartin about approaching edges within herself, being connected to ones body, and the importance of stability for an audience.

CEDAR COMMISSIONS SPOTLIGHT - MADDIE THIES

CEDAR COMMISSIONS SPOTLIGHT - MADDIE THIES

Our fourth spotlight interview is with Maddie Thies (she/her). Maddie is a bassist, vocalist, and songwriter. Her project for the 2021-2022 Cedar Commissions Everywhere and Nowhere explores the distinct and simultaneously inconsistent experiences held by Third Culture Kids — a term describing people who spend formative years in a culture different from the culture(s) of their families. In mid-January Maddie spoke with Marketing and Communications Manager Shasa Sartin about finding home in liminal spaces, her love of the bass, and the importance of creative collaboration.

CEDAR COMMISSIONS SPOTLIGHT - NYTTU CHONGO

CEDAR COMMISSIONS SPOTLIGHT - NYTTU CHONGO

Our third spotlight interview is with Nyttu Chongo (he/him). Nyttu is a Mozambican artist. His new work for the 2021-2022 Cedar Commissions NKOVU WA XIVAVU imagines the unity that could be tapped into across the African continent by bringing together different African instruments. Nyttu spoke with Marketing and Communications Manager Shasa Sartin about breaking convention, longstanding impacts of colonialism, and the responsibility of artists.

CEDAR COMMISSIONS SPOTLIGHT - ALICIA THAO

CEDAR COMMISSIONS SPOTLIGHT - ALICIA THAO

Our second spotlight interview is with Alicia Thao (she/her). Alicia is a singer-songwriter and guitar player. Her new work for the 2021-2022 Cedar Commissions is self-titled: AS LIS SAM THOJ / ALICIA THAO. In this project Alicia is exploring her Hmong American identity and who ‘Alicia’ is. She spoke with Marketing and Communications Manager Shasa Sartin about her relationship to her name, falling in love with musicianship, and connecting to her parents.

CEDAR COMMISSIONS SPOTLIGHT - CARLISLE EVANS PECK

CEDAR COMMISSIONS SPOTLIGHT - CARLISLE EVANS PECK

Our first spotlight interview is with Carlisle Evans Peck (they/he). Carlisle is a songwriter and musician. In their project for the 2021-2022 Cedar Commissions titled Iconoclasm, they explore what it means to queer their familial history of storytelling. Carlisle spoke with Marketing and Communications Manager Shasa Sartin about queer representation, uncovering truths, and the beauty of myth-making.