mazerick betko is an artist and teacher in birmingham, alabama. they use their music, poetry and sculpture to transform feelings of shame and isolation into those of empowerment and dignity. mazerick’s teaching and writing practices intersect that personal inner worlds we all inhabit with the connection and vulnerability required to be in community. their recent project, Your Love For Humanity Will Be At It’s Zenith, is a full length album about overcoming the personal demands and injunctions that prevent us from showing up authentically for connection in community. they hope to connect with others around social and systemic changes that result in a more just and sustainable social fabric with dignity at the center.
mazerick teaches creative writing and media arts, is an exhibiting artist, published poet and musician, formerly worked as a blacksmith and currently works in a variety of mediums including book arts, metal casting, printmaking and photography. they came to birmingham from maine in 2021 where they received a bachelors in fine art sculpture with a minor in public engagement. mazerick’s writing has been published in Red Rose Thorns online journal, The Fruitslice and featured by Birmingham Folk Fest as well as in broadside form along with work by environmental activists at The Crows Nest in baltimore, maryland. they are currently organizing a listening event for their recent album to connect with others over themes of transformation and resilience.