Meet Ri-ann Pully

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ri-ann Pully. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ri-Ann below.

Ri-Ann, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?

Resilience, for me, is deeply rooted in acknowledging where I’ve come from. Growing up in Bermuda, a small island with a population of 64,000, I was always acutely aware of my queerness and gender identity. Yet, there was always a sense of “sameness” or “oneness” that all Bermudian people share, regardless of sexuality, race, or religion. That’s what I’ve always loved about my home—we are Bermudian first. Most Bermudians follow a similar path: attend college or university abroad, then return home to contribute to our small island. But as an artist, I chose a different path, and that’s where resilience became essential—not just to survive, but to thrive.

After attending university, I decided not to return to my island home. Transitioning from a place of “oneness” or “sameness” to a diverse melting pot of languages, ethnicities, and cultures can make anyone yearn for community and familiar connections. As any immigrant can understand, I had to learn to mold myself—not just to adapt to different lifestyles, but to thrive despite them. Knowing that I represent many underrepresented groups makes resilience a necessity—especially when success is not just a desire but an expectation. I believe that my Blackness, queerness, and immigrant status require a level of strength and resilience that cis, non-Black, non-immigrant people may take for granted.

Currently, I am a film editor and VFX artist based in Toronto. I quickly discovered that there are not many people who look like me working in this field—a stark contrast to what life would be like if I chose to live and work in Bermuda. Being a Black, queer, immigrant artist has shaped my resilience.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I am a Film/Television Editor, VFX Artist, and Curator based in Toronto. I have worked on projects for platforms such as Netflix, Disney+, and National Geographic, with credits that include Umbrella Academy, Stranger Things, and Star Trek: The Expanse. As previously mentioned, this industry lacks people who look like me, so although I consider this a dream career, I’ve learned the importance of being surrounded by those who share similar paths. Being an artist can be isolating, and I have always wanted to create experiences that stand out from the rest.

Through film, fashion, art, and live performance, I decided to curate an artist-only performance hub for BIPOC and Queer artist communities called Liveations. It is essential to create spaces where artists never feel alone—where they feel genuinely supported and understood. Whether they want to try out a new piece, get feedback from their peers, or collaborate with other artists, Liveations strives to create space and opportunity for artists of all disciplines. The mission of Liveations is simple: to immerse artists in each other’s talents without judgment or ridicule, while giving them the opportunity to collaborate and produce new and original pieces of art.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

There are many things I have learned that have been most impactful on my journey. I would say the one thing that I have to constantly remind myself is to GIVE MYSELF GRACE. Life is hard enough and for those who consistently strive for greatness and perfection it is important to acknowledge that treating yourself with kindness and understanding is also important in achieving greatness. I believe perfection is an illusion and that doing your absolute best is always good enough.

This leads to my next point. Doing your absolute best will always be good enough, because to me, nothing can be better than your best.

Another thing that I have learned over the years is that as young professionals it is easy to assume that our superiors in life and in business may know more or be more versed in certain subjects. So we may question our abilities though we may be just as qualified and capable. CONFIDENCE IS KEY.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

As an artist and curator of Liveations, my ultimate goal is to bring BIPOC and Queer artists together. I am constantly looking for artists/creatives, influencers, brands, businesses, and donors that are interested in supporting and making meaningful contributions to the lives of the artists we serve. These collaborations are vital in providing resources, opportunities, and a supportive network that empowers this creative communities to pursue their creative passions.

Any partners or collaborators will not only be investing in the future of queer and BIPOC artists but also contributing to cultural richness and diversity. This creative hub that I represent is curated specifically for amplifying underrepresented voices and fostering a more inclusive arts community. There are many ways collaborators can support Liveations – financial donations, in-kind donations, and spreading the word!

If anyone would like to support Liveations please email liveationshub@gmail.com. For more information please visit the Liveations website at www.liveationshub.com or check out our instagram at @liveationshub_.

I believe that together we can create a more inclusive and equitable arts community where all voices are heard and celebrated. Any support is instrumental in making this vision a reality!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ri-ann-pully.com
• Instagram: @nonidaze @liveationshub_
• Linkedin: Ri-Ann Pully

Image Credits

Image 1,3, 5 – captured by Kasumi Kobo at Liveations
Image 2 – captured by Ness Devos