The Artists Of Tezos, Telling Their Stories
I’ve lived the complex, often exhausting grind of being an artist for over two decades. From dropping physical music EPs in the late ’90s to participating in today’s digital art movement, getting my multimedia creations seen and heard by people who actually care has always been an uphill battle. In an era dominated by shrinking attention spans, endless streams of fear-driven content, and low-effort engagement bait, it often feels like meaningful art gets drowned out. Unseen, unheard, and undervalued. Where can we find people wanting to participate in meaningful art discussions?
There are few spaces where people can regularly come together just to get unapologetically artsy. That’s why I started Artz Friday, with the support of Tezos Commons. As a fellow Tezos NFT artist with a few market cycles worth of experience, I’ve thrived through the highest highs and survived through the lowest lows, gaining deep respect, love, and gratitude for the Tezos community. Creating a space where fellow artists can share their stories, inspirations, workflows, and the meaning behind their work is vital because we are stronger together.
What Is Artz Friday
Artz Friday is a weekly X space powered by Tezos Commons, hosted by me, Yoeshi, alongside co-host Cryptonio. It’s entirely dedicated to spotlighting artists in the Tezos art community. Each week, we invite one artist to take the stage for a full hour (sometimes more) to share anything they want about themselves and their work minted on Tezos.
Since launching in April 2024, Artz Friday has featured deep-dive conversations with over 50 different Tezos artists. I approach each interview with my own perspective as a creator in mind, asking the kinds of questions that I would like to be asked as an artist. This means encouraging detailed discussions about the art itself. A kind of sharing that many artists feel might be a bit “too much” or too niche for public spaces, but that’s exactly what we celebrate on Artz Fridays. The nitty-gritty, ultra-nerdy, soul-bearing, wildly passionate stuff that fuels real creativity. The most exciting thing about it to me is that the community keeps showing up in larger and larger numbers to listen and support the artists bravely stepping up each Friday.
In a digital art space increasingly driven by popularity, speed, and utility, Artz Friday sets itself apart as a show by an artist, for artists initiative. It’s rooted in genuine appreciation of the arts, with a commitment to empowering artists. For those who want to understand the minds of creatives more intimately and learn more about their innovative workflows and the main motivations driving them to create, this space is definitely something worth checking out.
How Artz Friday Operates
The space usually kicks off at 6 PM UTC every Friday, though we’ve made time adjustments when needed to accommodate artists in other parts of the world. At the start and end of each session, co-host Cryptonio plays Music NFTs minted on Tezos, with some of the best sound quality you will ever hear in an X space. This sets the tone and shines a light on musicians minting on Tezos. After the opening track, our featured artist is invited to introduce themselves, and from there, the interview begins.
I don’t work from a list of pre-written questions. The direction of the conversation flows from genuine curiosity. My goal is to create a space where the artist feels encouraged and at ease. I know firsthand how intense it can feel to be in the spotlight. There are no gotcha questions here, and thankfully, the community shows up for Artz Friday with the same encouraging mentality.
As we approach the end of the first hour, we usually pause from the interview and take a moment to cover essential updates from the Tezos art scene. With so many open calls, exhibitions, and events happening regularly, this part helps keep the community informed and in the loop. After that, we often open the floor to audience questions centered around our guest artist. What I love about this segment is how much respect the community shows. We rarely get spam or self-promotion. Instead, we hear thoughtful questions and sincere curiosity. It also helps that we reserve the last Friday of each month for a full community call, where anyone making art on Tezos is welcome to share and speak.
Artz Friday Monthly Community Call
On the last Friday of every month, instead of having one dedicated guest artist, we open up the stage to the entire Tezos art community. This empowers the community while also serving as a method of discovery. Many past speakers at community calls end up being featured artists later on. The space starts and ends with music just like any other Artz Friday, but the stage has an open mic format. If you or someone you know has art or art-based projects on Tezos, be sure to join us for Artz Friday’s monthly community call.
Gem Of The Week Thread
To complement each guest’s interview, I write a “Gem of the Week” thread posted on the Tezos Commons X account. It features a handful of artworks from our guest artist, each one linked with a few thoughts from me about the art and why I love it. The thread is also pinned during the space. This helps me get in tune with the artist’s style before the interview, and it gives the community a way to engage with their work during the show.
Not everyone likes to jump into live Spaces. That’s another reason why the Gem of the Week thread plays an important role. It keeps the spotlight going by putting the artist’s work on the timeline in a clear and direct way. It also serves as a visual guide during the show, especially when we start diving into specific pieces. When an artist breaks down their process or the meaning behind a detail, people listening can actually see what they’re talking about.
This is another thing I love about Artz Friday. As the artist explains in detail how they made a piece and what it means to them, I find myself growing more appreciation for the work. I imagine this is the effect for many others in the audience as well.
Over time, these threads have become their own kind of record. Each one captures the voice and vision of an artist who took the time to share their world with us. It’s one more way Tezos Commons and I can keep showing up for artists, making sure their work is seen, respected, and remembered.
How Featured Artists Get Booked
The heart of Artz Friday is rooted in inclusion. Our goal is to feature as many Tezos artists as possible, and we keep the door wide open when it comes to who can join us. There’s no long list of requirements. If you’re actively minting art on Tezos and contributing to the community in a positive way, we want to hear your story. Whether you’re new to the space or a veteran of multiple market cycles, your voice matters. Artz Friday is a space built to amplify it.
One concern we often hear from potential guests is about language barriers. English may not be your first language, and that’s completely okay. We understand how daunting it can feel to speak live in a second language, but don’t let that stop you. If you’re able to bring along a translator, we’re more than happy to work with you and make it a smooth experience. Even if you can’t find a translator, hop up during a community call and get a feel for the mic. We don’t judge!
The same goes for time zones. While our usual time slot is 6 PM UTC, and 2PM ETC, we’ve adjusted the schedule before and we’re open to doing it again to accommodate artists worldwide as much as possible.
If you or someone you know would be a great fit for Artz Friday, I encourage you to reach out. You can find me, Yoeshi, on X and send a direct message anytime here. Whether you’re recommending yourself or someone else, we’re always on the lookout for inspiring artists to spotlight. The more voices we feature, the stronger and more vibrant the Tezos art community becomes. At the time of writing this, Artz Fridays are booked through May 2025 and we are looking for featured artists in June and beyond.
Join Our Next Artz Friday To Experience It Firsthand
Artz Friday was never meant to be just another weekly X Space. It’s a show built for artists, by an artist, and fueled by real passion. Week after week, I’ve watched creatives open up, share the heart behind their craft, and connect with a wider audience who truly listens. That connection keeps expanding.
As the Tezos art scene continues to grow and evolve, I’ll keep showing up, doing my part to hold space for the artists who make this ecosystem what it is. If you’ve been tuning in, asking questions, sharing the threads, or simply showing love to the featured guests, thank you. You’re a part of this, too.
Whether you’re an artist, collector, curator, or supporter, Artz Friday is your invitation to stay curious, keep exploring, and celebrate the stories that make this movement matter. We’re just getting started. Follow Tezos Commons on X here, and turn notifications on so you don’t miss the next show.
The door is open and waiting for you. Come get artz with us!
Artz Fridays: Weekly Spaces On X was originally published in Tezos Commons on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.