Meet Maxine Eloi of Based in Durham

Today we’d like to introduce you to Maxine Eloi

Hi Maxine, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I am a multi and interdisciplinary artist and revolutionary. I am fundamentally someone who cares deeply for all beings, and at my core am a passionate, creative and empathetic person. I have experienced a variety of beautiful things in my life,and also some challenges, growing up as a first Generation Haitian American, moving across the country multiple times and growing up in a society that attempts to shrink and silence people of the global majority, women, children and those who go against the grain. After attending a rigorous program at Boston University, I graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting. I had fallen in love with the craft in high school in Oregon and decided to pursue it professionally. After graduating I attended a post graduate program in Los Angeles.
Shortly after finishing the program, I ended up in a toxic and traumatic situation in which I needed to escape. My parents were living in Cary, North Carolina at the time. So I moved in with them to heal and figure out what my next steps were.
I know art is vital for me to live a fulfilling and joyful life and I began to explore the art scene in the Triangle Area. I began with attending some film networking groups and auditioning for local Theatre, I got an agent and started working. My local Theatre Credits include Henry V and Richard the III with Bare Theatre, This is Not a Novel, Yes to Nothing, Master Builder and Norway with LGP, Ashe in Johannesburg and The Cherry Orchard with Burning Coal Theatre Company and Macbeth in Macbeth with Rise Up Theatre Company. I also work with Aggregate Theatre, Curious Theatre Collective, Vault Theatre and Theatre Delta: Theatre for Social Change, acting, touring and as a teaching artist. Simultaneously with my theatrical endeavors, I began to explore writing and filmmaking. I collaborated with a local director and created 2 short films, Aghast and Sunday Funday. Aghast is a film that challenges the power of the police, and Sunday Funday is a sci-fi. I had such an amazing time writing, directing and acting in these films and Sunday Funday became an indie international hit. The film traveled the world, receiving over 15 awards and nominations, and appeared in festivals in Colombia, Egypt, Los Angeles, New York and won the Best Short Film in the Berlin International Black Film Festival among others. The film was also distributed by BadamiTV and broadcast on national television. In 2019, I auditioned for a mockumentary series about an environmental justice non-profit and was cast in the lead role. Soon after working with Show Creator Debra West I was asked to produce and by the second season was a full-time collaborator on the production team, writing and directing. The Show is called Dot Org and is available on YouTube, it is a satirical look at non profits and the climate crisis and we are still working diligently and expanding and creating more episodes. I recently became the lead director of the series and have had such a blast collaborating with the team, I definitely recommend checking it out. I also recently became a fellow with Grounded Possibilities, which is a fellowship that encourages, educates and resources black artists who want to create arts interventions that support environmental justice work. I am creating a film for this project as well and am so excited to continue to explore my artistry as a filmmaker. I am currently represented by KU talent and continue to engage in film and theatre projects. A few film projects I have had the opportunity to be a part of are I Want To Be With You In The Darkness By Germain Choffart, Blue Crossing by Nick Dalmacy, as well as lead roles in Roll Pin Punch by Debbie Vu, The Broken Swords by Michael Babbitt, The Swirl by Rain Bennett, Diamond by Village Idiot Productions, Vanity by Eaze Day Productions and Under False Colors by Comfrey Films. I also had the chance to film my first Live Action Animation film earlier this year Lazzo by Michelle Iannantouno of Octopunk Media.

My music journey began after being inspired by Girls Rock NC and a sweet summer in 2019 singing on the rooftop of Unscripted Hotel in Durham with the band The Wiley Fosters. That fall I started to teach myself more guitar, and began writing music for catharsis. At this point, I was beginning to understand and really notice the effects of my past experiences. With CPTSD there were so many things that I was coming to terms with processing and music began to be an outlet for that reflection, encouragement, and relief. I started performing with a band and had my first solo show in February 2020. It was such an amazing experience and I was able to connect with so many people. I was booked for more shows and then we are all too familiar with the Timeline of 2020. As the world came to a halt, I began to become more engaged with creating the positive changes necessary to live in a more just world. As an activist and believer in the freedom of all people, I had already started creating and engaging in social justice and intersecting that with art. My film Aghast became all too real as the summer of 2020 began to unfold. I have been working on intentionally building, and growing community connection, and divesting from systems that are harmful, as well as prioritizing revolutionary love as the medicine to decolonize and destroy white supremacist colonial patriarchy. Creating music about the different joys and tribulations we go through in life, allows people hearing it to tap back into their humanity and feel more connected to themselves and the collective. I have had the opportunity to share my music solo and with bands across the triangle, in venues including but not limited to The Pinhook, The Nightrider, Arcana, Perfect Lovers, Boxyard RTP, Huron Stage, The Fruit PS37 and the Contemporary Art Museum in Raleigh.

As I started deepening my understanding and appreciation for the power and medicine of music and art, I began exploring other styles of music and art forms to help express. I began embroidery, sculpture, design and in the summer of 2023 attended a DJ workshop hosted by Job. I was really intrigued by the idea of exploring a new medium of sound and played my first party that fall with my Venue debut on New Years Eve in Durham at The Fruit. It was a truly magical experience. Since then I have had the opportunity to continue growing my artistry through gigs like playing the Black Futurism Exhibit at the Orange County Arts Commission, Rubies on 5 points, Kingfisher, The Pinhook and The Fruit. I even had the opportunity to Dj at the voting polls this year and it was such a cool experience to bring some good energy to that space. One of my biggest joys of Djing is the opportunity to shift the atmosphere of a space sonically with energy and love and I am really excited about the opportunity to continue to expand and explore a variety of sounds and spaces.In addition to creating film and music, I curated and created my first festival last year! It is called the Beloved Festival and was sprouted from the idea that we all deserve to be loved and to embody and know that we are love. I had a lot of courage, and a backyard at the time and so many talented artists and musicians that I knew in the community. I really wanted to give them an opportunity to shine so with the aid of my ancestors, and my friends we created an all night experience with over 20 vendors, art installations and 6 local dj’s. We had such amazing feedback and a magical night so we decided to continue to Create one of a kind events based in art, connection and love. Myself, my friends Moon Moss and Zach Taylor launched Beloved Collective with support from artist and activist Taari Felice. This year, we had a sweet pre-festival event at Rubies on 5 points called Innerworlds, and then hosted the 2nd Beloved Festival at PS37 in Durham on October 25th of this year. We had amazing vendors, a healing space, even more art and incredible local dj’s.In the spirit of Beloved, most recently I started a separate party series called Love Letters with fellow DJ Chainletter in which we gather friends for live music, dj’s and art. Beloved Festival and all of my events are purely a labor of love, and creating iconic experiences takes a lot, especially as a freelance artist but I believe that events and experiences that are community centered and based in love and connection have the possibility to truly create a more peaceful, loving and compassionate world.
I could talk about art and revolution all day, and I am truly grateful to live my life as an artist and activist, who is focused on building connections, community and experiences that allow us to tap into ourselves, our humanity and our beautiful planet. You can check out my instagram @maxsunlove where I share shows, events and resources.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
While the road hasn’t always been smooth I have learned so much from my experiences. Difficulties that I faced were the challenges of not having resources as well as dealing with trauma and mental health struggles associated with them. Going to a highly priced University at a young age, I was not cognizant of the financial burdens that going to colleges that are priced for the wealthy starting at $50,000/year and going up every year. In addition to exorbitant education pricing, the cost of living in our society has skyrocketed. I also had to heal from the way white supremacist colonial patriarchy shows up in our world, how it is violent, sexist, classist and racist and how those factors impacted my life since I was a child. Experiencing isolation, bullying, assault, prejudice and the psychological battles that creates. It became difficult to trust and to stay hopeful at times, and I found strength through art, spirituality and genuine connections.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Some of the things that I am most proud of is how I have been able to connect my passion for social justice with my art. From working with youth discussing conflict resolution, substance misuse and helping them tap into their voice, power and creativity through art. To being a part of organizations highlighting ethics, environmentalism and education. I spent years touring the country participating in theatre that was designed to help prevent sexual assault, sexism and racism. The series I am currently working on is rooted in a deep passion for environmental justice and challenging our perceptions. I am also incredibly proud of my first films, I was a novice with a deep appreciation for film as a medium and to see the success that they had allowed me to fully believe in my capabilities and continue to push my limitations as an artist.

What sets me apart is my energy, compassion, detail and intention. Art is one of the most impactful aspects of expression in our society and I channel my creativity through art in order to put more love, understanding and compassion into the world. The society that was created distracts people from themselves through capitalism and hyperindividualism and I am interested and engaged in helping folks find more opportunities to live outside of those ideals. I believe in collaboration and empathy and lead with those values in every space I am in.

What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I believe my resilience and desire to use art and creativity as opportunities to heal allow me to relate and connect to a variety of folks. Being kind, hard working and talented have allowed me to maintain professional relationships that continue to pour back into my craft.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @maxsunlove @belovedfest @dotorgshow @loveletter_xoxoxo
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-555912707
• Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8346190/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_0_nm_8_in_0_q_maxine%2520eloi