Artist Bio + CV

Bria Miller (they/she) is a multidisciplinary artist, jewelry maker, graphic facilitator, graphic designer and owner of Bria Makes Things. Bria was born + raised in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, currently residing and creating within Kjipuktuk (Halifax) since 2011.

Bria’s artwork has been on display on public buildings, in galleries, on street banners in Halifax, published online and in print in magazines, children's books, newspapers, educational resources, novels, textbooks, and more. Her artwork in the form of stickers, art prints, t-shirts, keychains, and original paintings have been available and sold on her online shop and in a growing amount of public spaces and businesses across Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.

Now offering wholesale and consignment, we aim to increase the number of locations carrying Bria Makes Things art and products in their storefronts locally in K'jipuktuk (Halifax) and beyond. Contact if you are interested in carrying Bria Makes Things' products in your storefront!

Mixed media illustration and design is the foundation of Bria Makes Things. Due to suffering from chronic migraines, Bria began seeking a way to create off screens to keep her hands and restless mind busy. This has lead to experimentation with jewelry design using materials like clay, glass/clay/crystal beads, wire, vinyl, and eventually resin. It has been an honor to create so many pieces with my hands and to then see them worn and loved by others, or hung in public spaces, businesses and people's homes.

Personal IG: @encouraginghonesty

Photo taken by Helena Darling

ARTIST CV

Education

2011-13 BA, Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax NS

Select Arts Admin, Curatorial & Facilitation Experience

2023-2024 Project Manager, The Accessibility Project, Eastern Front Theatre
2023 Consultant/Facilitator, Strategic Planning session for African Nova Scotian Freedom School Curriculum & Resource Planning
2022 Project Lead + Retreat Host/Facilitator, DEEP REST Artist Retreat (BMT x Magic Project x Khyber), Porter’s Lake, NS
2022 ‘BIPOC Invitation to Rest’ Retreat Host, Tatamagouche Centre, NS
2020-2022 Gallery Artistic Co-Director, The Khyber Centre for the Arts
2020 Organizer/Co-founder/Graphic Design, Takin’ BLK Gottingen Markets
2020 Curator, Arts Nova Scotia’s Creative Annual Awards Gala Pre-show Performances
2020 Graphic Recorder, Meeting Waters with Ingrid Waldron, Nocturne
2016-2020 Graphic Recorder, Brave Space
2019 Project Assistant, Mi’kma’ki 2030: Hope and Fire, Mayworks Festival
2018-20 Program Coordinator, CARE project, The Khyber Centre for the Arts

Select Illustration & Graphic Facilitation Work

2024 Graphic Facilitator, Delmore Buddy Daye Institute's Ancestral Youth Summit 'Pathways to Success: Bridging Classroom to Community'
2024 Digital illustrator & Graphic Design, Black Breast Health's Research Study on Black People's Experiences with Breast Cancer Care in Canada
2024 Digital illustrator, The Taking Root Program, Farmers Markets of NS
2024 Graphic Facilitator, Amanda1.2.1.3's De-Escalation Workshop
2024 Graphic Facilitator, Afterwords Festival 'I Will Take the Chance: Exploring the Life of William Hall, VC' - Panel discussion led by Asha Jeffers, featuring Sylvia D. Hamilton, Jacob Sampson, and Ajay Parasram
2024 Graphic Facilitator, Service Providers Networking Event for Youth Advocate Program, Halifax Regional Municipality
2023 Graphic Facilitator, Creative Connections Fall Workshop Series, The Link, Lighthouse Arts Centre
2023 Graphic Facilitator, Community Food Centres Canada Gathering Conference (2 day gathering)
2023 Graphic Facilitator, United Way's Community Impact Sector Day of Recognition, Below the Surface: Celebrating the Depth of Impact
2023 Graphic Facilitator, Anti-oppression Training for Summer Street Theatre with Kay MacDonald
2022 Graphic Facilitator & Live Artist, National Black Canadian's Summit, CBC East Coast
2022 Graphic Facilitator, Community Impact Sector's Day of Recognition Award Ceremony
2019 Graphic Facilitator, Feed Nova Scotia’s Day of Sharing
2019 Graphic Facilitator, Canadian Women’s Foundation’s Zoom Conference
2018 Graphic Facilitator/Organizer, IBPOC Art Nights/Of Heart and History Program, Wonder’Neath Studio, Heartwood Centre for Community Youth Development
2018 Graphic Recorder, KUUMBA Cultural Project for Delmore Buddy Daye Institute
2017 Graphic Recorder, Public engagement tour, NS School Board for Commission on Inclusive
2017-18 Graphic Facilitator and curriculum consultant, Dalhousie Sustainability Leadership Training Program with Co-Lab
2017 Graphic Facilitator/Organizer, Loosen Up & Start Talking Program at Heartwood Centre for Community Youth Development
2017 Graphic Recorder, ‘Creative Cities’ Conference with The Michaelle Jean Foundation, Action Plan launch celebration
2017 Graphic Facilitator, “Makerspace Is The Place’ workshop for ‘Black Libraries Matter’ residency by Shaya Ishaq, The Khyber Centre For the Arts
2016-17 Graphic Facilitator/Organizer/Planner, Justice, Art and Youth in Action Initiative’s Peace forums across Nova Scotia, Youth Art Connection and Michaelle Jean Foundation: Halifax (Celebrating Black Nova Scotian Youth Leadership), Wolfville (Diminishing Incidence of Violence and Discrimination Against LGBTQIAP+ and Two-Spirit Nova Scotians), Eskasoni (Advancing Indigenous Rights & Reconciliation in Nova Scotia), Antigonish (Diminishing Incidence of Intimate Partner Violence and Sexualized Violence in Nova Scotia)

Select Public Speaking & Panels

2022 National Black Canadian Summit, Halifax Convention Centre, NS
2021 Accessibility Panel with Kinetic Studios, Halifax Public Libraries Halifax, NS
2021 10th Animation Festival of Halifax Halifax, NS
2020 Art Pays Me Podcast Interview with Duane Jones Halifax, NS
2020 Creative NS Award Gala Pre-Show Halifax, NS
2019 Black Coffee Sessions at Mount Saint Vincent University Halifax, NS
2018 Performer and Project Assistant, Mi’kma’ki 2030, Nocturne Halifax, NS
2018 Art in the Open Festival Charlottetown, PEI
2018 BMT Artist Talk, Wonder’Neath Halifax, NS
2018 OBEY Convention Conversation with ONO Halifax, NS
2018 Canadian Women’s Foundation Conference Montreal, Q
2017 Many Hands, Many Voices Conference Fredericton, NB
2017 ‘Working While Black’ artist talk, Bus Stop Theatre Halifax, NS
2017 Black History Month Artist Talk, NSCC Akerley Campus Dartmouth, NS
2017 Lecture for El Jone’s Art History NSCAD Class Halifax, NS
2017 Canada Art Gallery Educators National Panel Sydney, NS
2017 Justice, Art and Youth in Action Provincial Peace Forums (4) Eskasoni, Wolfville, Antigonish, Halifax, NS
2017 We Are The Griots Halifax, NS
2017 Black Cultural Centre Cherry Brook, NS
2017 ‘Many Hands, Many Voices’ Dept. of Community Services Membertou, NS
2017 ‘Moving Forward, Looking B(l)ack’, Visual Arts Nova Scotia Halifax, NS

Select Training & Mentorship

2024 Black in Film Animation Course (8 sessions)
2019-22 AFX Animation Mentorship with Becka Barker Halifax, NS
2018 Emergent Strategy Immersion Reunion Detroit, MI
2018 Emergent Strategy Immersion Training with Adrienne Maree Brown Detroit, MI
2018 Trauma Informed Training, Avalon Sexual Assault Centre Halifax, NS
2016 Anti-Oppression Training, Girls Action Foundation Montreal, QC
2016 Black and Indigenous Women's Gathering, Girls Action Foundation Montreal, QC
2016 'L Training': Women's Leadership Training, Girls Action Foundation Montreal, QC
2016 Emotional Emancipation Training with Erika Totten, Black Lives Matter DC Washington, DC
2016 'Project Planning, Fund-raising and Events', Louise Adongo Halifax, NS
2016 'Mental Emancipation & Burnout', Robert Wright Halifax, NS
2016 Story-telling Inclusive of Identity, Bridging Bus Halifax, NS
2016 'Using the Creative Arts for Transformational Learning', Tessa Mendel Halifax, NS

Select Awards & Recognition

2022 Selected to participate in Black August Residency in Toronto, ON (was unable to attend due to COVID-19)
2021 Canadian Mental Health Association listing of IBPOC Mental Health Database, Khyber Centre for the Arts
2021 2nd runner up for Lacey Prize, Khyber Centre for the Arts
2021 Collaborator Award for co-founding Takin' BLK Gottingen Markets, North End Business Association
2021 “Congratulations & Thanks” from MLA Lisa Robertson for Taking BLK Gottingen involvement during Assembly 63: Third Session at Province House Debates & Proceedings
2021 Delmore Buddy Daye Institute’s Annual Ancestral Root Award for Visual Art
2021 Best Visual Artist Award, ANS Ancestral Roots Awards, DBDLI
2021 Black Art At Night, recognition feature article by I’thandi Munroe, Nocturne
2020 3rd place in ‘Best Visual Artist of the Year’ category, The Coast Magazine
2020 Nomination for Creative Community Impact Award for CARE Project programming, Khyber Centre for the Arts
2016 4th Wall: Justice, Art & Youth Grant
Select Publications & Media Appearances
“B2B Magazine Winter 2021 Cover (Issue 72)”, Black Business Initiative Magazine, 2021 “Academic Well-Being of Racialized Students” Textbook, Benita Bunjun ED., 2021
“Taking BLK Gottingen promotes entrepreneurs, amplifies Black Voices” article, Chronicle Herald, 2020
“Black businesses pop up in North End Halifax” article, Global News, 2020
“Bria Cherise Miller – Organizer + Visual Artist + Performer” video interview with Erica Brooks, Story-Book Entertainment, 2020
“Bria Miller’s archive of art” article, The Coast Magazine, 2020
Illustration for ‘Imagine Bloomfield’ Initiative promotional materials, 2017