We were lucky to catch up with Katourie Walker recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Katourie, so great to have you on the platform. There’s so much we want to ask you, but let’s start with the topic of self-care. Do you do anything for self-care and if so, do you think it’s had a meaningful impact on your effectiveness?
Meditation, creating art, and spending time in nature is what I do to nurture my self-care. All of these things have impacted my overall well-being tremendously. Ever since I was a little girl, my mother taught me to be still, breathe, and be mindful. At the time I didn’t know how much it would impact my life by relieving stress, anxiety, and fear. In minor experiences, meditation helped me focus, concentrate, and be peaceful. For example, after a long day of work or just wanting to relax. In severe situations, it helped me calm myself and think. For example, when I was younger, someone put drugs in my cranberry juice and then kidnapped me and raped me on my birthday. I don’t think I would have been able to eventually escape or even be alive if I didn’t use meditation techniques to get out of that traumatizing situation. Creating art is what also helped me heal from that horrific three day experience.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
My passion is to use art, education, meditation, and storytelling to uplift communities. Over the past several years, my partner and I have created various grant awarded projects to inspire people of all ages. Our 100 Words 0f Wisdom Exhibition featured 142 seniors that were painted graffiti style anywhere they chose on their body with “one” word that would want to leave for the next generation. They also given the opportunity to tell a story that was recorded on how that one word impacted their life. All of the art was photographed and exhibited with quotes. This exhibition traveled to various venues and made a social impact to celebrate the positive values of seniors. Our Yes Yonkers! Community Quilt Project had over 1,300 participants from one years old to 102 years old that created positive messages using art and poetry on 10×10 canvas swatches. These are just two of several major projects that have created unity in our community. As an artist, I have created murals to beautify and uplift environments. I also enjoy interviewing other artists on various platforms to highlight their work and connect people. I also curate exhibitions and perform my poetry. I am excited to announce that I will be creating another play. My first play AJUMA, dealt with inter-generational issues and was very successful. This second play will delve deep into the secrets that we keep that prevent us from healing. I hope that it will become a documentary in the future. As an educator, my goal is guide others to think outside the box and play with creating and expressing themselves through art. Currently, I am creating meditation classes and videos that show people how to embrace their inner child and de-stress using various methods and a workbook. A new development is that as I am growing and evolving, I decided to enhance my Artist name to Katourie which means “Kids Are Treasures Our Unique Real Inspiration Empowered.” As I teach children, I want them to feel uplifted and encouraged. This year, my biggest projects are writing a book about my life in hopes to inspire others and assisting artist Evan Bishop, the creator and founder of YC3 Yonkers ComicBook & Cosplay Convention which will be on September 27th, 28th and October 5th, 2024.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
This year I received the “African Heritage Award” from The Yonkers African American Heritage Committee and the “Leadership Award” from the Yonkers YWCA. These acknowledgments this year and other proclamations over the past few years of my journey has touched my heart. To be recognize for my achievements in the community for number one understanding the needs of the connecting with each other, two being innovative, and three bring awareness through communication solidifies that it is being appreciated and it is extremely effective. I advise others in their journey to really get to understand the struggles and relevant issues and what resources can help or be created. Also, to join organizations, boards, or volunteer to learn and participate in the community. That way you are around other people that have your same passion or mission and you can create and collaborate and/or create your own path that is seated in knowledge and wisdom. However, the most important is to develop your self-worth and learn who you really are and develop compassion for yourself and others.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
I am looking for people that would love to be a part of YC3 Yonkers ComicBook Cosplay Convention. The exhibition part of this event is about people creating their own original superhero that will be enlarged and displayed for the public. You can collaborate with your friends and family and it’s open for new emerging artists as well as professionals. There will also be a fashion show and cosplay. We are also looking for volunteers and sponsors to collaborate to help us make this extraordinary and to publicize their business or organization. We are pleased that our Our Fiscal Sponsor this year is Convenant Foundation Community Center located in Yonkers. You can contact us on Instagram at @yonkersComicCon and visit our website www.YonkersComiccon.com. You don’t have to be from Yonkers to participate. It is open to everyone from everywhere.
Contact Info:
- Website: 320Arts.com
- Instagram: WalkerKatori
- Facebook: Katori Walker
- Other: www.Yonkerscomiccon.com
Image Credits
Evan Bishop
