Canon/Artistry
OpotheBoat is a Visionary, Director, Poet, and all-around Creative born, raised, and based in Newark, New Jersey. He began his creative journey at sixteen years old as a self-taught videographer and creative attending Science Park High School. Despite being in a STEM-heavy environment, he quickly realized the importance of community engagement, involvement, and support. Growing up in an inner city, many of his friends shared similar hardships and untold stories personal to their experiences in Newark. Initially working with skits and concept videos, he found himself leading sets with friends and peers who previously struggled to express these similar dreams and passions. These video projects provided a safe space for them to share elements of their life stories and create content that allowed them to feel seen. Overall, the content left them feeling dignified and accomplished, turning their pain into a story that resonated with their community, remained true to their stories, and gave them something to be proud of.
Seeing how his willingness to go outside the norm of his environment was able to create a safe space for others, he developed a newfound appreciation for creativity that pushed boundaries. Ideas once deemed too “ambitious” led to many of his most successful projects as an artist. Whether the vision included clones of himself or hologram keyboards, as a visionary, he felt destined to bring out the fantastic and magical ideas that stayed in their heads. Creatively, he had nothing to fear; he was never scared.
Fast-forward to 2022, and his mission has only continued and matured. He currently serves as the leader and director of Opo’s Canon, a Production Team and Artist Collective located in Essex County. His team has worked diligently with community organizations such as the University of Orange and The Newark Water Coalition to assist with their various production needs. Although the objective of the Production Team is to work together to bring projects to life, the intention is to show artists within the community that the willingness to be creative and daring can produce beautiful and transformative outcomes.
Seeing how his willingness to go outside the norm of his environment was able to create a safe space for others, he developed a newfound appreciation for creativity that pushed boundaries. Ideas once deemed too “ambitious” led to many of his most successful projects as an artist. Whether the vision included clones of himself or hologram keyboards, as a visionary, he felt destined to bring out the fantastic and magical ideas that stayed in their heads. Creatively, he had nothing to fear; he was never scared.
Fast-forward to 2022, and his mission has only continued and matured. He currently serves as the leader and director of Opo’s Canon, a Production Team and Artist Collective located in Essex County. His team has worked diligently with community organizations such as the University of Orange and The Newark Water Coalition to assist with their various production needs. Although the objective of the Production Team is to work together to bring projects to life, the intention is to show artists within the community that the willingness to be creative and daring can produce beautiful and transformative outcomes.
