There is an offbeat place for Indy’s creators to share their work with the world. Face A Face, a local media platform, highlights the works of writers, artists, musicians and thinkers who are often overlooked.
Ariana Beedie and Jazmine Kempin are the visionaries behind Face A Face. Beedie ran a personal blog until she realized she wanted to create a website to share the voices of others.
“It was time for a fresh platform for artists to express what’s happening around us in this city. I figured, why not create this space and see what happens? Being a reporter is my passion, but I wanted to show that a Black, tattooed, punky, reggae young woman would be able to create this and spearhead a new local media platform,” said Beedie.
Beedie reconnected with her childhood friend Kempin at a concert, and the two paired up to work on Face A Face together. Kempin writes and films interviews with artists for the site.
Face A Face launched in the summer of 2016, and the platform continues to grow. Last month, Beedie and Kempin published their first physical magazine, which they have distributed at various venues around the city including General Public Collective, Rabble Coffee and Printtext. Along with publishing in print and online, they host readings and art gatherings called “love-ins,” where people bring snacks, write, do yoga, create and connect.
Though Face A Face was born out of a desire to share the work of innovators, Beedie says her main goal is to get people to think critically about what’s going on in the city. She wants to provide an artist’s perspective when it comes to life in Indianapolis, and to Beedie, art and activism go hand in hand.
“It’s imperative that we share our political views as artists for our longevity, but also to encourage youth to stand up for what they believe in. You don’t have to have a seat in congress to know and care about what’s going on,” said Beedie. “Pharrell, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Bad Brains, A Tribe Called Quest, Erykah Badu, Pink Floyd and so many others have expressed feelings on war, police, money and really anything they feel strongly on. We are thankful to them for setting the path, and we will carry the torch.”
Kempin hopes the magazine and website will open the community’s eyes to the talent residing in our city.
“It’s not easy getting your art, vision or passion out into the public eye,” said Kempin. “I hope people recognize that Indianapolis is a thriving and creative city. I hope the website opens people’s eyes to the diversity and creativity of the Indianapolis arts community.”
For more information on Face A Face, visit fafcollective.com.
