2025: The Year the Garden Took Root

For someone who thrives in solitude and self-reliance, Artist Ally has been quietly pushing me to bond — to create new relationships and deepen existing ones.

From Blake, my biggest partner in this journey so far, to mentors I had this year, and to old friends and collaborators, life has become less about independence and more about interdependence.

And that shift has been teaching me a lot about myself — pushing me to become a better mentor for artists, friend, partner, and collaborator.

This year also taught me that my ideas don’t have to be perfect. Sometimes I just need to implement them anyway and learn from what happens.

Overthinking is not worth the time, nor the energy.
Sometimes you really do have to say fuck it — and jump, launch, go.

On to 2026.

After a year of learning, growing, testing, planting, trimming, and harvesting, I’m sure 2026 will meet a Xav who is more interconnected, integrated, and wise.

You can be sure the next drops of wisdom will age like fine wine —
and I can’t wait to share a good glass with our Circle.

See you next year 💜 

As  we approach 11 months in the residency, I am so proud of what we have been able to accomplish over the past calendar year. First things first, I have to say how wonderful and inspiring it has been to work with founder XAV: perhaps the hardest working person I know and just a complete whiz, and teacher, when it comes to so many things that I certainly struggle with. The mentor title is profoundly apt.

The purpose of this Arts and Cultural Management Residency at Fabra i Coats was not just to build out the Artist Ally Project, but of course, professional development and there are a few things I’ve learned about myself, and in no small part thanks to working alongside XAV all year. The ultimate takeaway and philosophy I would impart on any artist this year, and fundamental ethos of Artist Ally we learned while building this from the ground up: do everything with intention, communicate, keep moving, slow and steady, and anything can happen.

We are eternally grateful for everyone, our allies, our subscribers, our mentors, anyone who has approached us with curiosity and enthusiasm – your influence has been instrumental in growing this garden. The prospect of getting to continue this in 2026 is endlessly exciting.

Find your strengths and play to them, don’t be afraid to ask for help. We’ve always got your back 💜