Maria Reads a Book: Ari’s Anger Eating Dragon by Maria Camia

During this time of imminent danger to Queer People of Color, I catch myself slipping into anxious episodes of grief; imagining myself dying at the hands of another. This pattern is essentially me giving in to the fear & killing myself before anyone lays a hand on me – a preemptive surrender of life. I have to remind myself I am safe, beautiful, and nothing has happened to me yet. This conversation between the living & dead versions of the same being illustrate that inner conflict.

William PK Carter is a quilter, poet, singer, and puppet artist who creates fantastical vignettes that exist at the intersection of Queerness and Blackness. Granted awards and residencies include Skidmore College’s President’s Racial Justice Award, the Van Dewater Memorial Award, and the John P. Heins Award: Outstanding Senior Thesis Exhibition. She is a part of the 2025 cohorts of Puppet Showplace’s Creative Residency for Black Puppeteers and Ann Street Gallery’s Emerging Artist Fellowship.

 

 

Shabbi does a lot of stuff! She is a puppeteer, actor, writer, teacher, general creative, and builder, based in Brooklyn. For money, she works at the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theater, supports clients with marketing and communications, works with TADA! Youth Theater in their Education programs, performs as an actor and puppeteer, and teaches in various settings across NYC. Currently, she is working on expanding her green thumb by growing indoor vegetables. @shabbisharifi

Credits:  Shabbi Sharafti; Tau Bennett