Ariana brings visionary ideas to life. Selected projects include:

 
 

WAX AND GOLD

Waxandgold.co

Co-Founded Wax & Gold, a media and entertainment company dedicated to amplifying Black stories. Lead creative strategy and production across film, television, podcasts and cultural events. Notable recent project: executive produced a LACMA video series and a global news talk show. Secured $1.5M+ in funding for narrative and cultural initiatives across formats. Led cross-functional creative teams across the U.S., Africa, and Europe.

 

Building Boldly Podcast

Buildingboldlypodcast.com

Creator and host of Building Boldly, a grant-funded podcast and resource hub for creative entrepreneurs. On Building Boldly, I explore the journeys of founders and changemakers who are building successful cultural ventures across art, film, fashion, books, and more.

 

Art All Night: Nuit Blanche DC

An extraordinary night of culture, free for all

Founded Washington, D.C.’s largest nighttime arts festival, activating all eight wards of the city with performances, installations, and pop-up exhibitions. Directed visual art, film, music, and performance programs in partnership with embassies, museums, cultural institutions, and small businesses. Art All Night now draws 100,000+ attendees annually and was ultimately acquired by the City of Washington.

 

Draw NYC

An artist studio on your block

Provided initial program development for Draw NYC, a project designed to give New Yorkers access to great art materials on the street and a place to draw together in public. The engagement had nearly 400 deployments in 62 NYC neighborhoods and 70 community host organizations, engaging over 21,000 New Yorkers in learning opportunities in public. The project has been honored with numerous awards since its inception.

 

Camden Night Gardens

Walt Whitman’s words, remixed

Supported Programming of Camden Night Gardens, a free festival that activated public space and celebrated local culture and talent in Camden, NJ. Funded through an ArtPlace America grant, the poetry and performance stage celebrated the life of Walt Whitman, who lived and was buried in Camden. Each performer began their pieces with his iconic lines projected behind them and then added their own creating an unforgettable visual and audio music. 

KIND WORDS

  • “Draw NYC is a project that transforms each host site, offering visitors access to a special urban experience – enjoyable, educational, simple, direct, and out-of-the-ordinary.”

    — Betty Chen, Commissioner, NYC Planning Commission

  • “You’ve interrupted History.”

    — Krzysztof Wodiczko, Installation Artist and Professor Emeritus of Art, Design and the Public Domain, Harvard Graduate School of Design.

    Said during a review of Ariana’s final project which went on to be awarded highest distinction.

  • "Art All Night is one of DC’s most electric events of the year…it’s a celebration of everything that makes our city unique–our creativity, our culture, and our small businesses."

    — Mayor Murial Bowser, Washington DC