Inspiration in Unlikely Places
I’ve literally surrounded myself with the things I want to do and that make me happy. I am able to sit down and create art, whether it be music, visuals, clothing, or editing. My apartment has an art space in every corner.”
Born and raised in Red Rock, New Mexico, Aveda Adara (Dine’/Navajo) is a trans, queer, two-spirit artist. Growing up among artists in her family, Aveda has always had the spirit of art and survival inside of her.
“My grandmother used to make turtles out of beads and leather. And many of my relatives are silversmiths who made jewelry. They always had the means to make something to help them survive. And they were always artistic.”
She is very much the same. “We were dirt poor. So I got used to using whatever I had to make something out of it.” Aveda started altering clothing when she was around 12 years old and started drawing and painting in high school. And she always performed. Today, she lives in Houston, Texas, where she moved ten years ago upon the recommendation of a friend who told her it was easier to get a job there because of the oil industry. She was seeking a new start and a pathway to beat her addictions. At first it was hard for her; she was homeless. But once she started meeting people in the Houston art scene who were really helpful and supportive, Aveda gained a foothold.
“I’m the type of person who needs to have more than one thing to do.”
Aveda truly embodies that variety and versatility as a visual and performing artist. She’s a painter, she hosts a podcast, and is a DJ. And now 10 years later after first arriving in Texas, she is a 2020 First Peoples Fund Artist in Business Leadership fellow.
“The fellowship has been life-changing for me. A year ago, I had so many things that I wanted to accomplish and so many things that I wanted to do. The fellowship made all that happen. I’ve learned many of the things that I have wanted to learn, including how to edit film and how to edit music using real music software. I didn’t think I would be where I am now.”
Prior to the fellowship, Aveda was DJing at art shows which eventually led to mini-festivals, virtual shows and clubs. But the work was sporadic because she couldn’t afford her own equipment. This year, due to limited in-person opportunities, Aveda records her deejay sets using a green screen and posts them on SoundCloud and YouTube. “I’m definitely making my name as the only American Indian DJ in The Deep South.”
Over the years, Aveda received inspiration from some of the most unlikely people. “My mother was an alcoholic and she would bring around the most bizarre people. They were the nicest most caring people, but they had addiction issues. Yet some of them were able to turn their lives around, and that inspired me.”
About five years ago Aveda was interviewed on a podcast and by the time it was over the host suggested that she should start her own. So that planted a seed.
For the past two years Aveda has hosted a podcast, The Two Spirit Podcast. Produced monthly, the podcast is geared toward “grasping concepts of inspiration” – a common and recurring thread in Aveda’s life.
“I was always fortunate to have a family that accepted me and allowed me to be who I wanted to be.
“I was always fortunate to have a family that accepted me and allowed me to be who I wanted to be. That enabled me to grow artistically. I've had so many people reach out to me this past year than ever before, telling me how much of an effect I have on them as a two-spirit person and as an artist -- that my art is healing to them, and they are glad I am making my art to show the rest of the world that a Native artist is among them.”
As for what’s next for Aveda, she wants to start making music and eventually become a music producer for other Native artists. And she’s already drawing inspiration from 2019 First Peoples Fund Cultural Capital Fellow, Talon Bazille Ducheneaux (Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, Crow Creek Sioux Tribe) who is a poet, rapper, musician, music producer, and performing artist. “He’s kind of like a big brother to me.”
Although all of the programming for the fellowship this year has been virtual, being a part of something with other artists from many other tribes has been really special for Aveda. “Thanks for taking a chance on me. It set my life in a whole different direction from where it was a year ago. I’m really excited about what the future holds for me, and for everybody else.”
