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Hi, my name is dana (they/them).
I am a black, queer
barber-student studying the art of haircutting at Redefine Barber & Beauty Academy in Richmond, Virginia. Through tradework and performance, I’m learning the art of design and haircutting, fading and shaping, while creating opportunities to build community and clientele. In my barber practice, I bring intention and attention to providing quality queer-friendly, gender inclusive services based on individual need and hair service process.
In addition to barbering, I’m a professor and lens-based artist using poetic and documentary forms to celebrate black life and expression. I have exhibited and screened video and film work in galleries and festivals throughout North America, including ICA at VCU, Jeffrey Dietch, Art + Practice, Black Radical Imagination, BlackStar Film Festival, and OUTFEST Fusion LGBT People of Color Film Festival.
What is Black & Kin?
Black & Kin is an appointment-only barber service providing feel good, gender inclusive hair care experiences.
As a love letter to the profound connections and fleeting moments in our everyday lives, the barber chair offers an intimate space to slow down and receive care that makes us feel good in our bodies and how we present ourselves in the world.
Black & Kin Studio
Black & Kin Studio is the convergence of my studio art practices and barber trade. I am interested in the improvisational and process-based elements of the barbering craft, from analyzing the hair, envisioning finished hairstyles, and the art and design of cutting and shaping hair.
A number of small projects will be produced in the form of short videos, portraits, essays, performances and community collaborations that showcase my progress toward state licensure, skillset, and thriving barber practice.
My longterm goal is to materialize Black & Kin as a brick and mortar private barber and art studio for LGBTQ, Black, Brown, Indigenous, and Melanted People (BBIMP), elders, students, artists, and allies.
Organizations and funders may donate to the studio fund at paypal.me/atdanawashington.
If there are any questions, please contact dana washington-queen at blackandkin@gmail.com or leave a voicemail at (804) 495-1908.
Supervised barber services are performed at:
Redefine Barber & Beauty Academy
5330 Chamberlayne Rd
Richmond, VA 23227
