Miniature Artist
Stacy Bailey-Ndiaye
As a girl, I spent countless hours playing with my dolls and dollhouse and all the tiny things that made up that world. But like most of us, the toys were packed in a box in the back of the closet when I hit the teenage years. I barely gave them a second thought, although I must admit that over the years every once in while I’d take a stroll down the Barbie aisle – just to take a peak.
In June of 2019, I walked past the toy aisle in the supermarket and did a double take. Did that Barbie with the big fro have HIPS?! I couldn't resist. I bought her. She would be my mascot on my desk. I didn't take her out of the box for 6 months. While she was adorable in her tight dress with cut outs on the side, I couldn't help but think there was more to her story. So I went to the closet and dug out the box of my doll stuff my mom saved for me. But the few outfits in there didn't fit because she was thick. In the box was a pretty doll I knew was not mine. I later learned she was Brandy and she must have belonged to my niece. So Kendra (she had a name by then) would have a friend, Kaira! And I pulled out the sewing machine I hadn't used in years and made Kendra an outfit out of African fabric and an old pair of jeans. I got excited and made Kaira a new dress too. 
Kendra luxuriating on her new couch.
One day I remembered the two Tuskegee Airmen GI Joes I bought my son in the '90s. And back I went to the to the storage closet. I knew they were intact because when I brought them home from a discount store, I put them on a shelf in my son's room and absolutely forbade him to open them. I found the container of old toys and gleefully liberated the handsome GI Joes from almost 20 years of being boxed. To my surprise, there was another random soldier in the container. I don't even remember my son having him. That figure became Zeke, the patriarch of Articulated POV! This is definitely a family affair!
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Articulated POV is my big adventure in tiny things - my hobby and my art. I love the challenge of working in wood, textiles, clay and scraps of all kinds of recycled things. My life’s work is rooted in African heritage culture and Articulated POV: A Miniature Point of View is my newest way to create, teach and celebrate that culture and the people who inspire me. It’s such a joy to share this journey with you!
There is a vibrant community of grown-up doll lovers and passionate people who specifically champion Black dolls. We are captivated by the way they represent our unique identities, stories and beauty. I’m thrilled to join the ranks! It’s pretty serious business, but for me, it’s an outlet to create and dare I say – play a little. I’m giving my adult-self permission to do just that! 
Kendra and Kaira in handmade outfits.
I wanted Kendra to sit on my desk. But she wasn't articulated, so she needed a couch to stretch out. I went online in search of one and discovered amazing tiny furniture. I was stunned by the dioramas I found and the wonderful accessories people were making. I already did woodworking, so I figured I could make a little couch myself. Then the COVID pandemic hit and suddenly sawing, sewing, glueing, sculpting and studying DIY Barbie videos became my comfort in very uncertain times.
Tuskegee Airmen GI Joe box, liberated from the closet.
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Articulated POV & Bridge Kids International
Chef Mark at a Cooking with Kin lesson. And Articulated Chef Mark and friend making the same dish!
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Bridge Kids International is the nonprofit organization I co-founded and where I serve as the executive director. BKI uses the power of African heritage culture to support the wellbeing of young people, links people of Africa and the African Diaspora, and helps Black people strenghten their creative confidence to take on challenges in our lives and communities. BKI is my life's work and I am dedicated to it with great joy.
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Once Black dolls captured my attention, almost immediately I imagined how we could use this medium to share BKI's story. Without BKI, there likely would not be an Articulated POV. I started learning woodworking through BKI's We Made It design and fabrication program. I took my challenge of making a couch to my friend and design/construction guru Charles Nasby, the technical theater professional who led We Made It. I left that meeting with a deeper understanding of 1:6 scale and the precious gift of a scale ruler. So Articulated POV has roots in the theater and the dioramas are indeed sets for a different approach to storytelling.
BKI's Cooking with Kin family cooking programs with Chef Mark are brought to life in the doll world. We do the same with our STEAM programs and the Articulated POV Crew will soon take on renovating BKI's building and they'll hit the road in the Creative Culture Bus! BKI uses the Articulated POV historical and cultural videos as teaching tools to educate about and celebrate Black life. There are so many adventures ahead!
Learn more about Bridge Kids International at bridge-kids.org
BKI's Cooking with Kin family cooking programs with Chef Mark are brought to life in the doll world. We do the same with our STEAM programs and the Articulated POV Crew will soon take on renovating BKI's building and they'll hit the road in the Creative Culture Bus! BKI uses the Articulated POV historical and cultural videos as teaching tools to educate about and celebrate Black life. There are so many adventures ahead!
Learn more about Bridge Kids International at bridge-kids.org
