Meet Arsimmer Mccoy

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Arsimmer Mccoy. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Arsimmer, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?

When I find myself in a room where I am the only one, I make sure that room does not look like that again, and if I cannot change it, I will never enter it again. You do yourself a disservice by shaving your insides into pegged holes you don’t fit.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I am a poet who merges the written word, performance, archive, and audio/visual perspective into a conduit for advocacy. My experience as a teaching artist for over six years has taught me that poetry is a “vehicle.” It can alter the way a person approaches education and allow the voice to own its own narratives. Creative dialogue spans human connectivity and is a thoroughfare for collaborative creation.

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?

I come from storytellers and the keepers of family, land, and cultural history. All stories were shared, and all archives were passed down continuously to the next generation. I learned early that I didn’t need to be in anyone’s history books to be relevant or worthy of remembrance. I am worthy of reverence just as I am. I instill this in my students and audiences, along with all the avenues poetry has led me to.

I believe in the phrase “exhaust all possibilities.” When it comes to creative programming and bringing workshops and passion projects to fruition, sometimes you are an interaction away from seeing a thing through. Your thoughts are expansive, and you mustn’t be afraid of failure. Failure is a strong word, but you can return from anything if you trust the magic of your thoughts.

Speak in your voice. This takes time and dedication, but it all depends on what matters to you. What feeds you and makes you feel whole. This is what connects people and builds community and fruitful networks. We are all reflections of one another. People want to know they are not alone and your voice could be the narration to affirm them.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

I am working towards turning my home into a museum/art space in the heart of the neighborhood where I reside in Miami Gardens. “Ms. Mary’s House, The Carol City Museum & Art Space” is a call to action against the unyielding extirpation of black historic city sites, cultural dwellings, and even our thoughtful haunts and nostalgic rendezvous. Representations of Black Miami face the threat of being shut down, liquidated, and or demolished every day, every hour. How is the history of a people validated? What place or person deserves the right to be preserved? It would seem that local history, outside of white & Hispanic storytelling and their contributions, isn’t essential; Black history is dispensable and only valid for a month and a day. Aside from that, access to the arts has always been an ongoing discussion for Black communities, especially concerning our children.
My museum brings the work to the people and shows how we can utilize our resources to preserve and protect our narratives. Black communities in Miami deserve to know who they are and see themselves in art, history, and education.

However, garnering funds for the project has been a struggle, and my home is an antique. The house was built in 1967 and purchased by my mother for her mother in 1976. It has undergone significant renovations but still requires more love to get it up to code for the public. Learning about the City’s requirements for certain buildings and the cost has been grueling, but I persevere. I would love to work with fundraisers, grant writers, and people knowledgeable in building code logistics. Architects are also wanted, as I have secured artists ready to put the work in the house. These works vary from large-scale projects to sculptures.

Overall, folks who love the art of archiving and community building are welcome.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://arsimmermccoy.com
• Instagram: @mccoy_arsimmer

Image Credits

Pedro Wazzan-from far left Daughter Arsimmer Yaheli McCoy-Smith/Mother Arsimmer Wilder McCoy and artist Arsimmer McCoy- collaborative photo on canvas in the background featuring artist shot by Passion Ward

Kevin Alvarez Cordova -Miami Light Project “Here and Now” Performance

Nicola Rigo- Venice, Italy performance bassist- Marco Centasso

Daniel Zayas-Performance with Pioneer Winter Collective at FIU Frost Museum

World Redeye-Performance at Perez Art Museum Violinist-Muzelle

Chantal Lawrie- O, Miami Performance at Books and Books Coral Gables in photo poet laureate Caridad Moro-Gronlier

Chantal Lawrie- artist pictured with O,Miami Sunroom student Kyndra Palmer