A CONVERSATION WITH ARTIST KEZNA DALZ

2/25/2025
Supporting the community is at the core of what we do. This Black History Month, we wanted to bring this commitment to life. And what better way to do that than by spending a day immersed in mindfulness and art, allowing ourselves to refresh, connect, and ignite our creativity!

For this occasion, we partnered with the Black Healing Centre to host a day focused on restoration, creativity, and self-care. Held at the Never Was Average space, we kicked off with a meditation led by mindfulness facilitator Joanna Chevalier to center our minds, followed by a painting workshop with artist Kezna Dalz to unleash our creativity.
The Black Healing Centre provides a safe and accessible space for Black individuals to gather, connect, and heal.
Together, we hosted an hour-long guided meditation with Joanna Chevalier, focusing on breathing techniques followed by a creative art workshop led by Kezna Dalz, where we explored still-life portraits that blended memories from the past and present, capturing moments of joy. Giving us the chance to recharge, share, and walk away with new tools for grounding and self-care.




In addition to the event, we got the chance to sit down with Kezna, known for her colourful, vibrant art. She welcomed us into her studio to chat about her identity and art style, the social themes in her work, black artists who inspire her, and what Black History Month means to her. Here’s what she had to share:


In what ways does your ethnic background and/or community shape your work?

I think because of my identity, a lot of my background comes into my work naturally. The shapes, the colour and movement that we find in my works seems to be very close to who I am as a person.


If you could paint a mural anywhere in the world to celebrate Black history, where would it be, and what would it depict?

I would paint Black people who have, and who continue to shape the culture in a place in the states where it would probably upset a couple of people, haha. As a reminder that Black culture is here to stay.


Are there any black artists that inspire you?

Many. If we’re talking local, I love Niti & Taïna Mueth. I love Francorama and I love Ju!ce.


How can brands evolve to better highlight Black artists and their contributions?

To hire more and more Black creatives, every month of the year and always. To be curious and interested in their perspectives.


Check out the video interview below.




A big thank you to the community for coming together for this day of restoration, and to everyone who made this initiative possible:

Collaborators: Black Healing Centre
Community Care Practitioner: Joanna Chevalier
Featured Artist: Kezna Dalz
Video and Editing: Karim Fall
Photography: Winno Daniel