Meet Makala Muhammed | Artist & Engineer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Makala Muhammed and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Makala, what matters most to you?

Open-mindedness is a value that I hold high. Being open-minded is something that allows you to always see the glass as half full, with enough space for new ideas, perspectives, and knowledge.

In my art practice, I explore a lot of different mediums to create but through them all, I stay open-minded and because of this I am inspired by the interactions, conversations, and community connections that I’ve experienced in my life and notice in the lives of others.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

I am a Caribbean-American, multi-disciplinary artist, engineer, and podcast host, born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, and currently based in Durham, North Carolina. I’m passionate about wellness, slow living, and sustainability and these are pieces of myself that I carry into my art as well.

I feed my creativity with curiosity, exploration, and being more present in my day-to-day activities. Being intentional in everyday life has helped me to notice the smallest things and has made me more aware of my surroundings. I like to flow through my creativity and do whatever calls me most in that moment in time. I experiment and try things just because. This has led me to mediums like acrylic, linoleum printmaking, collage, crochet, digital art, and film photography.

I’ve been creating all my life but it wasn’t until I graduated with my second degree that I started dedicating more intentional time and energy into fueling my passion projects. In highschool, I spent the most consistent time practicing my art with preliminary classes and preparing for the Advanced Placement Studio Art review. Acting through my creativity has become my most important emotional and mental outlet. It is absolutely necessary and it helps me to connect with the world around me.

My artistic path has been marked by many achievements, with many just over the last two years. My work has been featured in group exhibitions, and I am currently preparing two solo exhibitions from February to April 2024 at the Chapel Hill Library for their Public Spaces Exhibition and July 2025 at the Horace Williams House in Chapel Hill, NC. My accomplishments are not my own, they also belong to those who have supported me in anyway possible, to my community. These milestones are part of a larger narrative of my empowerment and representation as a black woman, Caribbean-American, and sustainable artist.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?

I am a huge balance girl. My itinerary would be a good balance of rest, fun, and being outside in nature. I think depending on the season things would change a bit but given that spring/ summer time is right around the corner, a prefect week in and around Durham, North Carolina would look a little something like this:

– Start your Monday off with a morning walk along the American Tobacco Trail with a drink in hand from Press
– A Jazz night Tuesday at Kingfisher
– Pop in to take a Wednesday pasta making class at Wine Works Durham
– Enjoy a Thursday evening Candle Lit Yoga at Yoga Off East
– A Friday wine night at Killer Queen Wine Bar
– A Saturday morning visit to Central Park for the farmers market or a visit to Perkins Orchard for some quality produce
– Viewing art at the North Carolina Museum of art or The Nasher Museum to close out the week and weekend

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
When I think of recognition in my story so far, I think of my mom immediately. She is and has been my biggest supporter and my best friend. She pushes me to go after what makes me most happy and with her I can be my most authentic self. My life would look very different if not for her. I am very blessed and grateful to have her in my life and in my corner.

Website: makalaaayana.square.site

Instagram: @makalacreates

Other: TikTok: @makalacreates

Image Credits
Makala Aayana (@makalacreates)