Our Story
Collective Journey Art was born from one man’s deep desire to manifest his true calling. Su-Ata, the founder, hails from the Alevi tribe along the Mediterranean coast of Turkey. His early years were spent in a quiet, remote village where life was simple and rooted in the rhythms of nature. There, he learned the value of homegrown food, handcrafted creations, and the deep connection we share with the Earth. It was a life where every material need was directly sourced from the land, a life that not only nurtured his connection to the natural world but also instilled in him a profound understanding of the power of community.
Ancestral Heritage
Su-Ata’s ancestral roots trace back to the ancient Tengri belief system, part of the shamanic traditions of the North Asian tribes. His elders would share stories of nomadic journeys along the Silk Road, and he grew up witnessing both of his parents practice sacred healing methods, tending to the needs of their tribe. This rich connection to his heritage was a constant presence in his early life.
However, when Su-Ata moved to the city, the deep ties to his ancestry gradually faded into the background. While the vibrant energy of the urban landscape offered him new opportunities—pursuing higher education and a career in social work—it also created a disconnect from the quiet, mindful way of life he had known in his village. Over time, he realized that the fast-paced rhythm of city life had begun to erode something essential within him—the profound, life-affirming connection to nature that had once shaped his world.
Healing Gifts and Offerings
Modern day festivals mirror the ancient nomadic ways of the Silk Road in the sense that humans gather and share their art, music, stories, culture, and spiritual teachings.
Festival life became the catalyst for Su-Ata to align his heart-mind-soul, so he quit his day job with Employment and Social Development Canada and embarked on a van life journey through North, Central, and South America.