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About D. Colin
(long version)
D. Colin is a multidisciplinary artist of Haitian descent whose creative practice spans poetry, visual art, and theater. Originally from Connecticut, she has called New York’s Capital Region home since 2007. With a background in English and Africana Studies, she is a teaching artist and curator who creates and facilitates spaces for creativity, storytelling, and healing.
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Her work as a playwright includes Simone: A One-Woman Show, which premiered at Capital Repertory Theatre in 2019, and Psalm 91: Releasing Religion, a poignant exploration of faith, trauma, and liberation. She has performed for The Moth, PBS, NPR, and Write About Now, and has toured nationally and internationally. Her poetry has been published in Trolley Literary Journal, The Eco Theo Review, Portrait of New England, The Porter Gulch Review, and more. She is the author of Dreaming in Kreyol and a limited-edition collection titled Said the Swing to the Hoop. A proud VONA and Cave Canem alum, she is also a New York State Writers Institute fellow.
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As a visual artist, D. Colin works primarily with acrylics on canvas but also creates collages, murals, and mixed media art. Her work has been exhibited at Albany Center Gallery, the Arts Center of the Capital Region, Spring Street Gallery, Albany International Airport, and the Underground Railroad Education Center, among others.
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D. Colin has received numerous accolades, including the 2022 Excellence in Arts & Letters Award from UAlbany and the title of Resourceful Woman in the Arts in 2019. Deeply inspired by Nina Simone's belief that "an artist's duty is to reflect the times," she often says, "if the art didn’t move you, then I didn’t do my job."
In her spare time, she enjoys tending to her plants, exploring used bookstores, and being near water—preferably crystal clear.
Poet. Visual Artist. Educator.
Performer. Author. Host. Curator. Moderator.
(short version)
D. Colin is a multidisciplinary artist of Haitian descent whose work spans poetry, visual art, and theater. She is the author of Dreaming in Kreyol and the playwright behind Simone: A One-Woman Show and Psalm 91: Releasing Religion. A teaching artist and curator, she creates spaces for storytelling and healing, with work showcased nationally and internationally in publications, performances, and exhibitions. Her mantra is Be inspired. Then inspire.
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Quotes from Folks
"Her heart and mind are endless, bottomless and relentless in the most breathtaking way. She has a way of making the world stop turning, while helping it to keep turning in a more loving direction. So powerful!"
Katharine Corp
"I recently heard Danielle perform spoken word at an event. Simply put--powerful."
Carmen Rau / RE/MAX Capital
Not enough space to recommend D. I have worked with D on multiple occasions and her storytelling/poetry reading skills are unmatched in this region. Powerful, rich and deeply warm, her stories do not soft pedal and are driven by a beautiful essential hope.
Richard Lovrich
Media
Grondahl: D. Colin, a preacher’s kid, bares her soul in new play (Read here)
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What is An Artist’s Duty in These Strange Times? With Poet D. Colin (Read here)
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"MLK Saratoga's Dr. King Celebration weekend set to return" (Read here)
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Excellence in Arts & Letters D. Colin, MA ’12 (Read Here)
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"In Troy, D. Colin creates in an artistic room of her own" (Read here)
Traveling mural honors local COVID losses" (Read here)
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D. Colin at Albany Poets Presents (Listen & watch here)
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"Women artists find support, challenges in Capital Region" (Read here)
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"Womanist Exhibit Challenges Oppressive Stereotypes" (Read here)
"What is an artist's duty in these strange times" Podcast with Marion Roach Smith (Listen & read here)
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"UAlbany Remembers Toni Morrison With New Exhibit" on WAMC-NPR (Listen & read here)
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"Introducing D. Colin" Hudson Valley Writers Guild & NY Writer's Compendium
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Sojourner Truth Reenactment Clip from Freedom Festival put on by The Sanctuary for Independent Media (Listen Here)
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"Introducing D. Colin" Albany Poets & NY Writers Compendium (Read Here)
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"Capital Region Creative Under 40: D. Colin" The Collaborative (Read Here)
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"NYSWI Offers Public Poetry Reading" UAlbany News Center (Read Here)
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"Women representing Capital Region in National Poetry Slam" WNYT (Watch Here)
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"Everyone is a Poet at Troy Kitchen's Poetic Vibe" Spectrum News (Watch Here)