Today we’d like to introduce you to Zahirah Truth.
Zahirah Nur Truth has been a long time creative and art lover, balancing single motherhood and her artistic endeavors. In the spring of April 2017, she was overwhelmed with balancing work and life on a sunny spring day her life subsequently changed. Unbeknownst to her she experienced a stroke, which left her partially disable for half a year. During her recovery time, she was sitting at home thinking about what is most important to her. She found that what came to mind was her creativity regarding her art and her sons Divyne 13 and Diligent 8. Many months went by now in the summer of 2017 she had an epiphany sitting at home during recovery. No longer able to balance work many jobs to maintain, she thought about what she can do, that would bring her joy, leave a legacy for a children and bring happiness and beauty to others. She realized that up until this point she always put her art in the background of life. Through this unfortunate experience regarding her health she decided to register her business of ZNT Arts. However because she was still undergoing medical treatment she wasn’t really able to dig deep into her business the way that she wanted. In the fall of 2017 in September she required heart repair surgery which was one of the reason she suffered a stroke in the spring. During September that time she worked on physically recovering getting stronger. But one day in the fall several weeks after surgery a light bulb went off and Zahirah started painting again after not painting for quite some time. It was as if her hands and eyes had a different view on how to apply paint, she had her first group art show in years in October after just having heart surgery. She contributed 3 profound paintings related to Black Men Matter. After that experience and somewhat recovering from heart surgery she returned back to work teaching as an early childhood educator full time. Leaving other opportunities that she did in the past behind due to her new found health limitations. From this point she began painting and drawing everyday creating new art pieces. She also drafted a business plan to grow or business and products did a soft launch of her clothing in jewelry design in December of 2017. In January she connected with an amazing group of local cohort of Boston based woman entrepreneurs through an organization called IFUND WOMEN, which supported in taking her business to the next level. She launched her website in February 2018 and was able to raise capital for her business up until March 2018 from the love and support of local friends, family and community as well followers from her social media platform. If it was not for her having this significant health challenge it wouldn’t have compelled her to be focused on her hearts deepest content which is to provide the global community with art and build foundation of support economically for her family. As of April and May of 2018 she has reached her once year Stroke anniversary and her 6 month heart repair surgery. She continues to focus on her health and being gentle with herself. But she is consistent in showing up in the community with Boston and the North Shore popping up with her latest art and custom one of kind African inspired jewelry.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Some of the struggles that Zahirah has faced is finding spaces to present herself and or finding the balance of being in spaces to grow her business while her children home. This is challenging at times because her support system can be small as it relates to finding care for her children so that she may pop up at local events. The great things some spaces are child friendly so you may see her in the community with her little ones. Another challenge is just to have consistent customers and continued revenue to keep this baby her business ZNT Arts going and growing.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with ZNT Arts – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
ZNT Arts is a small woman led, minority owned, fine arts, products, and services company based in the South End of Boston.
I especially focus on fine arts related to the African diaspora and produce handmade gemstone jewelry with bead work inspired by African culture. In addition to my fine art and jewelry production, I create one of kind handmade reconstructed clothing with genuine African fabric outsourced from Ghana and Nigeria.
The services I offer are custom fine art production via painting and illustration.
Children’s Art Classes Ages 1-5 and 6-12
I also offer women from varied economic backgrounds the opportunity to participate in low cost or free jewelry making workshops.
I am known for creating “Dope Africa” a unisex clothing line consisting of sweatshirt, tees and other merchandise that brings value and richness to African Culture by reminding others that the legacy and contributions of Africa is “Dope”.
In addition to that she is known to create vibrant art work that reflects her heritage but also draws upon other ethnic origins as well as pop culture.
What bring me the most pride are my approach to craftsmanship and my attention to detail as well as the fulfillment I get from being able to offer people from various backgrounds things that they love.
I am not sure what sets me apart from others what I do know is that I strive to stay consistent and committed and I appreciated and love all of my customers as well as others that support me on the entrepreneurial journey.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
Currently I look forward to continuing to grow my business with the possibly of physical store space that offers community engagement and programming. The only big change right now is to develop new art work and merchandise associated with that work. As well as continue to develop as an arts professional via painting, drawing etc in addition to her love of performance art related to poetry and acting. Currently developing a book that entails her poetry that she has written and developed over the years.
Pricing:
- Signature Cowrie Shell Earrings $15
- Dope Africa Sweatshirt $40
- Art Prints $20-75
Contact Info:
- Website: www.zntarts.com
- Phone: 617-501-0090
- Email: zahirahnurtruth@me.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daartistznt/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZNTArts/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/daartistznt
Image Credit:
Dope Africa Shirt Head Shot- Katie Minton Brogran Photography
Zahirah Truth with grey dress fixing jewelry display- Speakeasy Hard Rock Cafe
Getting in touch: BostonVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
