contributors. — whet

image credit. tori hong.

sex workers are sacred.

whet is made possible due to the talent, passion, guidance and endless effort of our brilliant contributors.

check out some of our dedicated contributors and creators below.

“Gabrielle Rae Travis is a creative writer from Oakland, California, whose initial childhood interest in poetry has led to a lifelong pursuit of producing spoken word poetry, prose, and essays. After spending a year living outside of the United States committing herself to her craft, Gabrielle returned and founded whet in 2019—a biannual publication dedicated to showcasing the work of women artists, prioritizing the voices of women of color. With each issue of whet, Gabrielle selects a theme and contributors explore how the subject in question relates to their artwork, the intersection between their artwork and the subject at hand, or how their artwork has been influenced by it. She is continuously inspired by the work of the women within whet’s pages—and well beyond—and uses that inspiration to fuel her own artistic endeavors, from poetry and prose chapbooks to spoken word readings. Above all else, Gabrielle hopes to serve as a catalyst for other artistic ideas and platforms—just as those she’s met while producing whet have served as a catalyst for her own.”
gabrielle rae travis, head editor.
image credit: emily rose laughlin.

“Michaëlle ‘Kai’ Abraham is a queer Haitian American multidisciplinary artist based in Atlanta, GA. Her works have an Afrocentric focus, incorporating elements of her upbringing and personal monochromatic style in each piece :)3 is also the creator of Narratives from the Black Diaspora and Beyond, a podcast that centers the lives of Black Diasporans from around the world. You can listen to the podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and the iHeart Radio app.”
michaellë “kai” abraham, contributor to the money issue.
instagram

“Mika was born in the Bay Area and Montreal, Quebec is her second home. She loves photography, poetry and arts in general. She is a big advocate for disabled women of color and believes healthcare should be available to everyone regardless of employment.”
mika podlone, contributor to the ritual issue.
instagram

“Lindsey Filowitz (b. 1989, Brooklyn, NY) is a Peruvian-American Jewish image-based media artist. Her work addresses transformation (physical and mental) within herself and others, personal identity, societal pressures and confines, and photography's impact on our culture. She has exhibited in the Bay Area, New York, and Los Angeles, as well as internationally. She received her BFA in Photography from Bard College and currently lives and works in Oakland, California.”
lindsey filowitz, contributor to the money issue. and the ritual issue.
instagram

“Kelly Heyer (also known as Kelljin) is a self-taught, Oakland-based artist specializing in digital illustrations, sequential art, and lettering. A true aficionado of the eerie and twisted, Kelly’s influences include the comic series Ice Cream Man, Saga, and The Wicked and The Divine, as well as The Sims, wrinkly BART riders, and The Great British Baking Show. Witness the wierdness on Instagram at @kelljinhigher.”kelly heyer, contributor to the coral issue. — “Kelly Heyer (also known as Kelljin) is a self-taught, Oakland-based artist specializing in digital illustrations, sequential art, and lettering. A true aficionado of the eerie and twisted, Kelly’s influences include the comic series Ice Cream Man, Saga, and The Wicked and The Divine, as well as The Sims, wrinkly BART riders, and The Great British Baking Show. Witness the wierdness on Instagram at @kelljinhigher.”
kelly heyer, contributor to the coral issue., and the resistance issue.
instagram

“ruby jay is a mixed-media artist of European, Chinese, and Ihanktonwan-Dakota descent, based in Oakland, California. Their research-based practice engages in issues regarding labor, memory, ethics of material, and colonialism. Coming from multiple lineages of assimilation, jay is intrigued by what is lost when identity is treated as liability, and how this affects the individual’s relationship to human and natural collectives. Their work collaborates with an intersection of the personal and the historical: reconnection with relatives, archives of familial memory, public records, bodily manifestations of trauma, and restoration of landwork. jay challenges notions of what is beautiful, what is repulsive, what is uncomfortable, and hopes that an unease rooted in aesthetics will disrupt the viewer’s relationship to the traditional colonial canon. Outside of their art practice, jay does work in food sovereignty and community wellness. They graduated from UC Berkeley with a double-major in Art Practice and Psychology, specializing in research on psychological wellness for Native Americans. They are especially interested in agroecological work that bolsters indigenous sovereignty.”
ruby jay, contributor to the ritual issue.
image credit: moe sims.
instagram

"Nicole Godreau Soria is a multidisciplinary artist based in Oakland, CA. Using figurative portraiture and linocut relief printmaking, Godreau Soria reshapes notions of identity, belonging, and feminine embodiment."
nicole godreau soria, contributor to the coral issue. and the heritage issue.
instagram

Callan Porter-Romero grew up in a multi-racial household in Oakland, CA. Callan’s Black, Japanese, and Mexican heritage allowed her to have a well-rounded perspective on events and experiences, particularly those relevant to Oakland. As a way to contribute to these perspectives, Callan expanded on her enjoyment of drawing hands to paint personal events and convey vulnerability. Each mixed media painting resembles a self-portrait, emphasizing the lack of attention hands are usually given. Materials, such as cardboard and denim, and acrylic paint convey texture and depth, giving the hands a 3D effect on the canvas. Even more, the use of recyclable or repurposed materials is meant as commentary on the false and dangerous thinking that people are a commercial product rather than human beings. This idea is important to counter, particular for minority communities in Oakland and throughout the United States. While not all paintings feature large scale hands, hands do play a significant role in supporting the honest emotion behind the characters within. Hands can show a range of feelings — be it curiosity, peace, anger, dignity, and/or defiance. Callan uses her own hands as references, drawing the hand(s) first before completing the rest of the painting. The hands are then built onto the canvas, allowing her to experience or relive the story on her own terms. Essentially, Callan paints to remind ourselves where we have been and where we are going. Callan’s artwork has been shown at the deYoung Museum in San Francisco, CA for the 2020 de Young Open Exhibit and the Healdsburg Center for the Arts in Healdsburg, CA for their 2020 Next Generation: Emerging Artists Exhibit. One of her paintings was also selected for the Response Online Exhibit by The Kala Art Institute in Berkeley, CA.callan rose, contributor to the resistance issue. — “Callan Porter-Romero grew up in a multi-racial household in Oakland, CA. Callan’s Black, Japanese, and Mexican heritage allowed her to have a well-rounded perspective on events and experiences, particularly those relevant to Oakland. As a way to contribute to these perspectives, Callan expanded on her enjoyment of drawing hands to paint personal events and convey vulnerability. Each mixed media painting resembles a self-portrait, emphasizing the lack of attention hands are usually given. Materials, such as cardboard and denim, and acrylic paint convey texture and depth, giving the hands a 3D effect on the canvas. Even more, the use of recyclable or repurposed materials is meant as commentary on the false and dangerous thinking that people are a commercial product rather than human beings. This idea is important to counter, particular for minority communities in Oakland and throughout the United States. While not all paintings feature large scale hands, hands do play a significant role in supporting the honest emotion behind the characters within. Hands can show a range of feelings — be it curiosity, peace, anger, dignity, and/or defiance. Callan uses her own hands as references, drawing the hand(s) first before completing the rest of the painting. The hands are then built onto the canvas, allowing her to experience or relive the story on her own terms. Essentially, Callan paints to remind ourselves where we have been and where we are going. Callan’s artwork has been shown at the deYoung Museum in San Francisco, CA for the 2020 de Young Open Exhibit and the Healdsburg Center for the Arts in Healdsburg, CA for their 2020 Next Generation: Emerging Artists Exhibit. One of her paintings was also selected for the Response Online Exhibit by The Kala Art Institute in Berkeley, CA.”
callan rose, contributor to the resistance issue., and the heritage issue.
instagram

“I read books ravenously, drew pictures, and watched all the cartoons the ’90s had to offer. I studied Arts and Cultural Management in Canada and 3D Animation in Ohio. I am a multi-disciplinary artist who has worked in experimental film, theme park design, and animation. My interests are in editorial publishing, book publishing, toy design, and surface design. My style is playful, emotionally intelligent, and always looking to make people laugh—even a little bit.”kendra minadeo, contributor to the resistance issue. — “I read books ravenously, drew pictures, and watched all the cartoons the ’90s had to offer. I studied Arts and Cultural Management in Canada and 3D Animation in Ohio. I am a multi-disciplinary artist who has worked in experimental film, theme park design, and animation. My interests are in editorial publishing, book publishing, toy design, and surface design. My style is playful, emotionally intelligent, and always looking to make people laugh—even a little bit.”
kendra minadeo, contributor to the resistance issue.
instagram

"Angela Hockabout is the mother of two young boys, and uses collage to direct her frustration about the California housing shortage.”angela hockabout, contributor to the coral issue., the local issue., and the resistance issue. — "Angela Hockabout is the mother of two young boys, and uses collage to direct her frustration about the California housing shortage.”
angela hockabout, contributor to the coral issue., the local issue., and the resistance issue.
instagram

“As a New York native and Howard University grad, Tayleur was born and raised in a culture in its most raw and passionate form. It’s what developed her career as a curator and spoken-word artist. Tayleur is the co-founder of Gold Beams (@gold.beams | www.gold.beams.org), which creates experiences for her Black community at large.”tayleur crenshaw, contributor to the local issue. — “As a New York native and Howard University grad, Tayleur was born and raised in a culture in its most raw and passionate form. It’s what developed her career as a curator and spoken-word artist. Tayleur is the co-founder of Gold Beams, which creates experiences for her Black community at large.”
tayleur crenshaw, contributor to the local issue.
instagram / website

“I write to inspire our rejection of false societal constructs, to motivate our deeper understanding of the human bond, and to strengthen our connection to the natural and supernatural worlds.”dianne durham, contributor to the local issue. — “I write to inspire our rejection of false societal constructs, to motivate our deeper understanding of the human bond, and to strengthen our connection to the natural and supernatural worlds.”
dianne durham, contributor to the local issue. and the ritual issue.
website / email

“DJ Resolution is a vibrant artist from Germany that has been sharing music with others since a very young age. Later, inspired by block parties from the ‘70s, DJ Resolution began specializing in timeless hip-hop and R&B-inflected sets that make… — “DJ Resolution is a vibrant artist from Germany that has been sharing music with others since a very young age. Later, inspired by block parties from the ‘70s, DJ Resolution began specializing in timeless hip-hop and R&B-inflected sets that make people want to dance and socialize. You can visit www.djresolution.com to stream and listen to her mixtapes.”
dj resolution, contributor to the local issue.
instagram / website

“I am a printmaker, book binder, and graphic designer. I use art for expressing what I cannot verbalize, mostly emotion. It is often bold, simple use of composition, shape and color since I believe simplicity can be resonated to more diverse viewers.”
kaori tsuchimoto, contributor to the heritage issue.
instagram

“Victoya Coleman is a literary artist and lyricist from Oakland, California.”
victoya coleman, contributor to the local issue. and the love issue.
instagram

“Fyusha is a Vietnamese American artist, born and raised in the SF Bay Area. The era of her digital work emerged in 2019 when she decided to shift to a more sustainable and accessible medium. From dark, cosmic undertones to rich hues of flowers, half of her mind resides in memories of her child spirit, and the other in places that do not exist.”
FYUSHA, contributor to the heritage issue.
instagram

“Hazel Rose is a Songwriter, Facilitator, and Multimedia Creative from San Francisco. She loves to make music and visuals, and to facilitate and participate in creative spaces like whet! :)”
hazel rose, contributor to the resistance issue.
instagram

“Elena is a curious and introverted soul with a deep love and interest in all things imaginative, healing, and de-colonial.”
elena ramos, contributor to the heritage issue.
instagram

“Brandy Collins is a writer and self-proclaimed Professional Auntie living in the Bay Area. Brandy is a 2019-2020 Oakland Voices cohort graduate from the Maynard Institute for Journalism, SF Grotto's Rooted & Written fellow, Maynard 200 fellow and contributing writer for Oaklandside, Berkeleyside -Nosh, Chronicle Datebook, Thrillist, KCET, The Bold Italic and SF Weekly.”
brandy collins, contributor to the love issue. and the money issue.
instagram / podcast

“Chase Irvin is a self taught painter and trained architectural designer, from Los Angeles and based in Oakland. Her work explores Black and queer narratives around the body, mundanity, rest and intimacy. Chase’s work is a practice of self exploration and vulnerability. She focuses on the black psyche and body, and utilizes personal transparency as a form of resistance. With themes of queer identity and Blackness, Chase illustrates the body’s relationship with space, soft materials, and touch. Her work aims to open up the discussion of the black psyche as it relates to the body and the spaces it inhabits.”
chase irvin, contributor to the ritual issue.
email

Oakland-based pop-up Café Dandelion is guided by honoring ancestral recipes and cooking methods. Chefs Saguaro X and Yoyo Romero source seasonal and traditional ingredients for the delicious meals they serve up at their pop-ups. Follow Café Dandelion on Instagram to find their latest menu for the next pop-up and order ahead.
café dandelion chefs saguaro x (right) and yoyo romero (left), contributors to the ritual issue.
instagram

“Sarah Eunmi Choe is a creative writer and curator based in San Francisco. Her introspective writing style creatively utilizes the glimmers of everyday existence as metaphors for personal growth. Sarah is the director of Soft Times Gallery, and also publishes the newsletter ‘Art Heaux’, providing unfiltered perspectives on art experiences in the Bay Area.”
sarah eunmi choe, contributor to the ritual issue.
instagram / newsletter

“Samirah Conklin is a creative born and raised in Brooklyn, NY to a religiously Muslim family during the onslaught of gentrification in historically black neighborhoods of NYC. They experienced a mix of education before college that ranged from Muslim schools, homeschooling, and attending a democratic free school (one of the only ones in NYC). Experiencing this amalgamation of cultural background and communal needs helped them build a politic revolving around preserving the cultures of those harmed by colonialism and prioritizing the necessity of communal love and support. They graduated from Queens College with a Bachelors in Anthropology and Urban Studies, and utilize creative mediums such as writing and collage art, as well as cultural and historical analysis and exchange to help preserve these cultures for generations to come.”
samirah conklin, contributor to the ritual issue.
email

“With the guidance of love, ancient medicine, community, and healing rituals, Papatson channels sacred imagery and messages from other dimensions to the known reality with art-making. Papatson builds the unseen worlds through intuitive drawing, conceptual painting, and visual styling.

Papatson expresses under Multi-Dimensionalism. A self-founded art and philosophy genre which embraces interconnectedness and spaciousness for all truths. Multi-Dimensionalism cultivates expansive disciplinary, future-oriented, binary-breaking approach, integrated identity formation, collective liberation, brown / queer diasporic dreams, history reclamation, and the full spectrum of what it means to be here, to be well and free.”
papatson suphavai, contributor to the ritual issue.
instagram / website

“Lyn Patterson is a storyteller, originally from Seattle, Washington. She is a deeply invigorated poet who’s specifically inspired to write about Black diaspora and those who have been historically marginalized in our society, as a means of empowering future generations with our stories. Her work has been published in Popshot Magazine, the Berkeley Poetry Review and featured on KQED.”
lyn patterson, contributor to the ritual issue.
instagram / buy lyn’s latest!

“ruby jay is a mixed-media artist of European, Chinese, and Ihanktonwan-Dakota descent, based in Oakland, California. They work largely in transdisciplinary painting, installation, and landwork, engaging in issues regarding labor, memory, ethics of material, and colonialism.
Outside of their art practice, jay does work in food sovereignty and community wellness. They are especially interested in agroecological work that bolsters indigenous sovereignty.”
ruby jay, contributor to the ritual issue.
instagram

“Ajuan Mance is an artist and writer based in Oakland, California. She is a Professor of English at Mills College and a Visiting Professor of Illustration at the California College of the Arts. Ajuan’s comics have appeared in several anthologies, including, most recently, We’re Still Here, Drawing Power, Menopause: A Comic Treatment, COVID Chronicles, and We Belong: An All-Black, All-Queer Sci-Fi and Fantasy Comics Anthology. Ajuan is also the author and illustrator of the portrait collections 1001 Black Men and Living While Black, as well as the children’s picture book What Do Brothas Do All Day. Gender Studies, her first comic collection, was published on March 4, 2024.”
ajuan mance, contributor to the ritual issue.
website