Today we’d like to introduce you to Maya Barnes
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My professional career grew from my love for art. I have always admired the intention behind every creative process and the passion it takes to tell a story through works of art. As I dabled in many art disciplines myself, I couldn’t choose which one to pursue. I remember sitting in my home, meditating on all the paintings I’ve created to decorate my space and in that moment, I thought about how it mimicked a museum. That day Mystic’s Museum was born. This entity became a space to house all of my artistic endeavors. However, I wanted it to be much more than just another art portfolio; it needed movement, so I set my sights on becoming a freelance Creative Director. I figured it was the best fit for honing in on all of my skills while giving me the opportunity to work with other creators. While on my journey to figure out how I would build as a creative professional, I found myself at LA Fashion Week working as a stylist for one of their featured models (Nicki Ladon). Inspired by the production of the show, I promised myself that I would one day stand on my own platform and make my own debut. I didn’t know how powerful those words were until 6 months later when I was hosting my very own fashion show. Since my debut, 410 FRESH Fashion Show has become Mystic’s Museum’s first annual event! We are now on cycle 3 and the growth has been inspirational.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
This journey has definitely had its ups and downs. Personally, I’ve struggled with the confidence of putting myself in the public eye. I’ve even struggled with trusting myself to complete such a big passion project and at times, I’ve questioned the longevity of my professional pursuit. Not just can I make it happen, but also do I want to commit to the responsibility of having an annual event. Those question weigh on me heavy because as of right now, I do come out of pocket for all of my events which has created financial stress. Also, working with people who can’t fulfill their social or contractual obligations, plans falling threw, its alot. I often question if it’s worth it, and the answer has to be yes because I haven’t given up yet. No matter how hard it gets, I can’t help but see the vision through. I have a dream and that motivates me to going; I have see if that dream comes true. I’m just getting started, I can’t stop now.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I began my professional career as an educator. I received my degree in Early Child Care Development and was a preschool teacher for 5 years. From there I became an IEP aid in baltimore city schools before getting hired through bcps to work at my alma mater, ACCE (Academy for College and Career Exploration). Upon my arrival, I have worn many hats, including Climate & Culture, long term substitute Art Teacher, and currently, Alumni Relations. Aside from that, I have been given the opportunity to head coach Basketball, Volleyball, and Flag Football at ACCE. I also co-founded a start up non-profit organization with my twin brother, Art-Official Experience where we are working to introduce an after school and summer program for at risk youth to teach them art therapy through various mediums of art. Lastly, I created my production company, Mystic’s Museum to showcase the many creators of my community by hosting or collaborating on various art experiences. On my journey, I noticed that everything I’ve done is community based and I think that’s because I like working with others to create and integrate an uplifting environment. I just want everyone around me to feel welcomed, to feel recognized, and to feel taken care of. I feel like that’s what building a sustainable community is all about. I am proud of the relationships I’ve built and the impact I’ve made on my community thus far.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
I think Covid-19 helped me figure out what path I wanted to take as a creative professional. It was at that time that I truly realized that those two worlds could coexist, it was just a matter of building upon them and seeing them compliment each other has been fun.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://MysticsMuseum.rsvpify.com
- Instagram: @Solomystic and @Mysticsmuseum
- LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/mysticsmuseum
