A Weekend of Storytelling, Films, Art & Change – Join Us!

The Connect Beyond Festival 2025 is back in Asheville on April 5-6, and we can’t wait to gather with you at Third Room for an inspiring weekend of film, art, and conversation.

This year’s festival will spark meaningful discussions on some of today’s most pressing topics, just as we mark the six-month anniversary of Hurricane Helene. Join us for:

A King Like Me – A compelling story that redefines representation and legacy in New Orleans, followed by a Q&A with director Matthew O. Henderson.
Climate Change & Rebuilding Asheville – A timely discussion on resilience and renewal, moderated by Tiffany Womack, with climate short films from The YEARS Project.
Thinking Globally, Acting Locally – A conversation on how communities drive change from the ground up, moderated by City Councilwoman Kim Roney.
Paddling The Same Canoe – An interactive art installation led by DeWayne Barton (Hood Huggers) and featuring Normando Ismay, Charly Louise, John Hornsby, Marie T. Cochran, and Iz Web.

Festival Director Jessica Tomasin shares: “Right now, we are all navigating an incredibly trying time. The world feels heavy, and the challenges we face—both personally and collectively—are overwhelming. In moments like these, creativity is more than just an outlet—it’s a way to process, heal, and connect.”

Let’s come together to create, connect, and be inspired. Get your tickets today!

I can’t wait to see you there!

I Almost Didn’t Apply.

I saw the call for artists. Felt a spark. And then almost let it pass.

I wasn’t planning to submit a proposal for Paddling the Same Canoe: Message in a Bottle | Mosaic of Connection. Public art hasn’t been my main focus for years, and I figured they’d be looking for someone else—someone with a different background, a different story.

But the idea wouldn’t let me go. So, in a moment of inspiration, I put together a proposal. No overthinking. No expectations. Just the urge to create something meaningful.

And then—I got selected.

This piece is about grief, resilience, and the unseen weight we carry. It’s a space for people to lay something down, to mark what has been lost, and to move forward a little lighter. It’s an interactive experience, a collective act of release, and a return to a part of myself I haven’t engaged with in years.

Early in my career, I lived in an artist warehouse space, collaborating with performance artists, building immersive experiences, and weaving my work into shared public moments. Over time, my focus shifted to brand environments and commercial design. But this project? This feels like a bridge between the two—a blending of strategy, storytelling, and raw human emotion.

Maybe that’s the unexpected connection the festival theme speaks to. The way things circle back. The way opportunities appear when you allow yourself to follow the spark.

I’m beyond grateful to be creating this piece with Innovation Woodworking, whose craftsmanship is bringing this vision to life.

This April at Connect Beyond Festival, I hope people will step up to this piece, let something go, and leave feeling just a little bit lighter.