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The Hustlers' Art Collective (THAC) is a cooperative nonprofit based on the unceded territory of the Scia'new, Malahat, T'Sou-ke, and W̱SÁNEĆ people (a.k.a. Victoria, B.C.).
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From the beginning
The Hustlers' Art Collective (THAC) was founded by our executive director, Wendy Snedden, in the spring of 2019. Wendy has seen how isolating and harmful sex work stigma can be, and dreamt of a space where sex workers can socialize and make art without fielding invasive or rude questions about their line of work.
Where we are now
THAC is entering it's second year of operation. Keep up with our shenanigans by following our socials:
Instagram: @thehustlersartcollective
Facebook: The Hustlers' Art Collective
Instagram: @thehustlersartcollective
Facebook: The Hustlers' Art Collective
Honorary Members
Lola Davina (she/her)
www.loladavina.com
Lola Davina is the author of the Thriving in Sex Work series of self-help books for sex workers. She has spent more than 25 years in and around the sex industry, working as a stripper, dominatrix, porn actress, and escort over a fifteen-year period. She has earned an M.A. in Human Sexuality and an M.S. in Nonprofit Fundraising, and writes a self-care and wellness column for YNOTcam.com
Photo credits (mobile view: top to bottom, desktop view: left to right): Pat Mazerra and Lisa Keating
www.loladavina.com
Lola Davina is the author of the Thriving in Sex Work series of self-help books for sex workers. She has spent more than 25 years in and around the sex industry, working as a stripper, dominatrix, porn actress, and escort over a fifteen-year period. She has earned an M.A. in Human Sexuality and an M.S. in Nonprofit Fundraising, and writes a self-care and wellness column for YNOTcam.com
Photo credits (mobile view: top to bottom, desktop view: left to right): Pat Mazerra and Lisa Keating
Kirsten Wale (she/her)
Instagram: @kirsten.tattoos
Kirsten is an artist-turned-tattooer passionate about how storytelling and healing creates beautiful content. As a tattoo artist, she is a conduit for turning client ideas into permanent memories. Holding space for a calm environment of collaboration to bring their vision to life. When she isn't working, you'll find Kirsten adventuring in the forest with her dog, listening to true crime podcasts, or painting.
Photo credits: Kirsten Wale
Instagram: @kirsten.tattoos
Kirsten is an artist-turned-tattooer passionate about how storytelling and healing creates beautiful content. As a tattoo artist, she is a conduit for turning client ideas into permanent memories. Holding space for a calm environment of collaboration to bring their vision to life. When she isn't working, you'll find Kirsten adventuring in the forest with her dog, listening to true crime podcasts, or painting.
Photo credits: Kirsten Wale
Scarlett Hummingbird (she/they)
Instagram: @scarletthummingbird
Shayli is a proud queer performance artist from the Lyackson First Nation with familial ties all over Coast Salish territories. With nearly a decade of experience serving on the boards of/working for non-profits, five years' experience producing interdisciplinary performance art, and working directly with some of our communities' most vulnerable members, she's happy to bring her skills to help make space for sex workers, continue to advocate for rights, and eliminate stigma.
Photo credits (desktop view: left to right; mobile view: top to bottom): Wilder by Name, MKM Photography, Moss Photography
Instagram: @scarletthummingbird
Shayli is a proud queer performance artist from the Lyackson First Nation with familial ties all over Coast Salish territories. With nearly a decade of experience serving on the boards of/working for non-profits, five years' experience producing interdisciplinary performance art, and working directly with some of our communities' most vulnerable members, she's happy to bring her skills to help make space for sex workers, continue to advocate for rights, and eliminate stigma.
Photo credits (desktop view: left to right; mobile view: top to bottom): Wilder by Name, MKM Photography, Moss Photography
Brae Carnes (she/her)
Instagram: @braecarnesart and @braecarnes
Brae Carnes is a Victoria B.C based artist, hairstylist, trans rights activist, and model. She uses her art as a way to emote, communicate, and document her life. As a full time stylist most of her time is spent behind the chair, where her passion is helping people express themselves. After the start of her transition from male to female she began to use her voice in the role of activist. She has brought gender identity education at high schools and her activism to the levels of press, radio, and television. As a published model Brae has worked internationally and locally, often times representing the trans community. She currently lives alone where her one bedroom is converted to an art studio, dedicated to her work with Acrylics.
Photo credits: Brae Carne
Instagram: @braecarnesart and @braecarnes
Brae Carnes is a Victoria B.C based artist, hairstylist, trans rights activist, and model. She uses her art as a way to emote, communicate, and document her life. As a full time stylist most of her time is spent behind the chair, where her passion is helping people express themselves. After the start of her transition from male to female she began to use her voice in the role of activist. She has brought gender identity education at high schools and her activism to the levels of press, radio, and television. As a published model Brae has worked internationally and locally, often times representing the trans community. She currently lives alone where her one bedroom is converted to an art studio, dedicated to her work with Acrylics.
Photo credits: Brae Carne
"The Bears"
Nathan Davis (he/him)
Instagram: @nazo_sc_hnr
www.stayingcreativestudio.com
Nathan NAZO Davis is a visual artist with roots in graffiti spanning over three decades. His vibrant colours and skillful techniques learned at an early age lend well to his current mediums of choice. From custom model trains to portraits to large scale abstracts and murals, Nathan's work has evolved into an organic representation of what inspires him. Since moving to Victoria, BC with his husband and fellow artist Kristopher Parley, into the Heart of Canada's Chinatown, his surroundings became a muse from where his creativity flows.
Photo credits (desktop view: left to right; mobile view: top to bottom): Nathan Davis
Nathan Davis (he/him)
Instagram: @nazo_sc_hnr
www.stayingcreativestudio.com
Nathan NAZO Davis is a visual artist with roots in graffiti spanning over three decades. His vibrant colours and skillful techniques learned at an early age lend well to his current mediums of choice. From custom model trains to portraits to large scale abstracts and murals, Nathan's work has evolved into an organic representation of what inspires him. Since moving to Victoria, BC with his husband and fellow artist Kristopher Parley, into the Heart of Canada's Chinatown, his surroundings became a muse from where his creativity flows.
Photo credits (desktop view: left to right; mobile view: top to bottom): Nathan Davis
Luna Lush (she/her)
Instagram: @thelunalush
Luna Lush is a prosecco powered yogi, burlesque babe, and devoted bunny mom.
Photo credits (desktop view: left to right; mobile view: top to bottom): MKM Photography, MKM Photography, Matt Love
Instagram: @thelunalush
Luna Lush is a prosecco powered yogi, burlesque babe, and devoted bunny mom.
Photo credits (desktop view: left to right; mobile view: top to bottom): MKM Photography, MKM Photography, Matt Love
Misty Moss (she/her)
Instagram: @misty.moss
www.mistymossburlesque.com
Misty Moss is a purveyor of the naked and sensual arts, burlesque performer and producer, intimate photographer, strip-tease artist, and aerialist.
Instagram: @misty.moss
www.mistymossburlesque.com
Misty Moss is a purveyor of the naked and sensual arts, burlesque performer and producer, intimate photographer, strip-tease artist, and aerialist.
Board of Directors
Wendy Snedden (she/they)
Executive Director and Founder
Wendy Snedden is a painter, writer, and dancer. Wendy’s passion for social justice and art moved her to found The Hustlers’ Art Collective. Founding The Hustlers’ Art Collective has been one of the most challenging, but rewarding, and life-affirming choices Wendy has made. Sex workers are vulnerable and important members of our community and deserve safe spaces to socialize and make art.
Alison Alexander (she/they)
Vice Executive Director
Alison Alexander has spent the last decade working as a stylist and makeup artist, and exercises her passions for creativity and community building daily. Alison is an accomplished painter, model, stylist, and part-time performance artist who loves to learn and share her knowledge. In her role as Vice ED Alison uses her professional consultation and creative skills to better understand how to meet public needs, uplift our sex-working community, and build greater networks and resources for local artists.
Jamie van Gessel (she/her)
Treasurer
Jamie’s love of the arts started before she could talk. When not pursuing her degree in Sociology and Gender Studies, she partakes in dance classes and journaling. She believes that art is a language everyone deserves to practice, and feels strongly about creating access to art for sex workers who are so often excluded and marginalized. She is passionate about creating community, and is thrilled to be working with The Hustlers' Art Collective.
Electra Mayhem (she/her)
Member at Large
Electra is a burlesque artist, stage manager, and event producer who has been creating and facilitating art for as long as she can remember. She has a particular passion for participatory theatre as a tool for teaching, community building, and activism. She endeavours to use her skills in production, performance, and communication to facilitate solidarity and community building between sex workers and allies.
Kimberly Lowe/Scarlet Bitch (she/her)
Member at Large
Erika Scherschel (she/her)
Member at Large
Erika’s artistic passions lie in burlesque, poetry and charcoal drawing. Her desire is to develop and facilitate a sacred, safe space for the Victoria Sex Worker community. She plans to foster this through her current training as a future Somatic Sex Educator and Therapist. She believes that by uniting the community through art it will strengthen not only the community but the city itself. Erika is delighted and honoured to bring to THAC her joy for leadership, creative expression, and intentional space-holding.
Shayli Robinson (she/they)
Member at Large
Shayli is a burlesque performer and event producer with a decade's worth of experience working in advocacy and the non-profit sector, and a long history in activist communities. She is honoured to share her deep love of community-building as well as her lived and professional experience to THAC to support their goal in creating safe, protective, and creative spaces.
Are you a former or current sex worker interested in joining us for our free community art night or other private community events?
Email Jessa at admin@thehustlersartcollective.ca to be added to our mailing list!
Email Jessa at admin@thehustlersartcollective.ca to be added to our mailing list!