Today we’d like to introduce you to Sibyls Shrine
Hi Sibyls, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Sibyls Shrine began with a profound passion for supporting and amplifying Black artists, particularly those navigating the challenges of motherhood and systemic oppression. In 2019, interdisciplinary artist and cultural producer Alisha B Wormsley founded Sibyls Shrine with artists Jessica Gaynelle Moss and Naomi Chambers, envisioning a nurturing space where Black artists could thrive creatively and professionally. Sibyls Shrine was created a one-of-a-kind collective and artists residency program that offers radical care, rest, and dismantles barriers in the arts.
Since its inception, Sibyls Shrine has evolved into a network of 108 artists across 12 states. The collective’s work extends beyond the initial residency program to include a wide range of initiatives such as workshops, exhibitions, and symposia. A notable recent achievement was hosting “At the Center: rematriation + rest + regeneration” in St. Louis, a ‘home’ to multiple members in the collective, which exemplified Sibyls Shrine’s commitment to Black m/other’s healing, survival, and joy in the arts.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The journey has been far from smooth. Establishing a supportive infrastructure for Black artists who m/other, in the face of systemic barriers and limited resources, has posed significant challenges. Securing funding, navigating institutional resistance, and addressing the daily needs of community members have been ongoing hurdles.
A particularly notable struggle has been ensuring that programs are inclusive to all, regardless of age, gender, geography, media, or the number of children they have. Providing comprehensive support—such as financial aid, career development, and childcare—has required continuous effort and adaptation to meet the diverse needs of the artists within the network.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Sibyls Shrine specializes in creating transformative and nurturing spaces for Black artists who m/other. The organization is renowned for its commitment to radical care, rest, and support, setting it apart from other residencies and programs. It provides unrestricted financial support, career development opportunities, and resources to address systemic barriers faced by artists.
One of the organization’s most celebrated achievements is the recent symposium “At the Center: rematriation + rest + regeneration,” held in St. Louis. This event exemplified our mission by exploring the intersection of art, activism, and community revitalization. Highlights included a lymph node clearance movement workshop led by organizer Dail Chambers; land and body work by Tiara Burtin; an inclusive soccer game designed for Black mothers, aunties, grandmas, and caregivers led by Naomi Chambers; a preparation workshop inspired by Octavia Butler’s Parable of the Sower facilitated by Sibyls Shrine director and curator Jessica Gaynelle Moss; and the filming of Sibyls Shrine founder Alisha B Wormsley’s experimental film project, Children of Nan: A Survival Guide, which explored the survival strategies of Black and Indigenous matriarchs.
Acknowledging the wisdom and guidance of Malaika Horne, Basmin Nadra, and Jean Halsey—Black women and community elders—”At the Center” featured their prominent participation. These esteemed individuals led the program welcome and offered teach-in learning sessions, enriching the symposium with their invaluable insights and experiences.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
One surprising aspect that many might not know is the deep symbolic connection between Sibyls Shrine and the original Sibyls, the priestesses of the African goddess Mami Wata. The organization draws inspiration from these matriarchal guardians, aiming to uplift Black artists who m/other by providing opportunities to advance their craft and presence in the art world.
“As an homage to the original priestesses of the African goddess Mami Wata, Sibyls Shrine seeks to empower artists to reclaim their divine status and creativity,” said Jessica Gaynelle Moss. “Through ‘At the Center: rematriation + rest + regeneration’ in St. Louis, we aimed to create a space for healing, joy, survival, and collective transformation.” The three-day intergenerational event hosted over 100 guests, bringing together diverse members of St. Louis and generating renewed interest in the community-engaged work actively happening in North St. Louis.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sibylsshrine.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sibylsshrine/
