Sha’Condria (“iCon”) Sices-Sibley is an Alexandria, Louisiana native and longtime New Orleans-based poet and artist of many mediums whose work spans across visual art, theater, music, and film. A multiple-time national poetry slam champion, iCon travels the country performing, including at colleges and universities, and has made many television and stage appearances, including TV One’s Verses and Flow and at the mainstage at Essence Music Festival. Her work has been featured on many outlets such as Huffington Post, For Harriet, Teen Vogue, BET, BBC World Radio, as well as in several exhibits, documentaries, and anthologies. She has starred in several stageplays, featured on musical projects with multiple national and Grammy-nominated recording artists, and co-wrote two short films. iCon is the author of a poetry collection, My Name Is Pronounced Holy, and uses her work largely to speak on her lived experience as a Blk woman as it relates to her deep Southern/Louisiana roots, reclaiming names/identity, spirituality, and healing.

During her residency at A Studio in the Woods, she worked on a multimedia production based on her newly published collection of poetry and documenting family/hometown history/traditions. She also worked on a visual arts (painting) series.

“Originally, my work plan while at A Studio in the Woods was to map out my vision for my upcoming multimedia art and poetry production/exhibition and to also begin working on poems for my next published book. However, soon after I arrived, I realized that so much other (inner) work needed to be done before I could start. The land was calling me to dig deep before I began planting anything. I am thankful that my residency was split into two separate weeks, because it gave me the opportunity to go home, reflect, and come back with new eyes and a new connection to my work. The first part of my residency, I did a lot of painting, a little writing, came up with some music using my loop pedal (to be used in the production), and did a lot of releasing of fear around my beliefs and my work. The second part of my residency, I wrote a lot more, created a cardboard sculpture, made more music, and emotionally released and received a lot more. Although both projects are not yet complete, I do have a starting point and a clearer vision for both. But most importantly, I was also able to reconnect with nature and to rest, without (self and outside) judgment — something all artists (especially Black artists) need in order to create more genuine, intentional, and change-inspiring work.” – Sha’Condria “Icon” Sices-Sibley