HISTORY

Community Organizer, Entrepreneur, Philanthropist, Artist. Born September 30th 1978 in the island of Bermuda. Shortly after graduating from Savannah College of Art & Design (Savannah, Georgia USA), where he began learning the guitar while studying Graphic Design, he returned home to both start his career and become actively involved in the community. Upon his return he immediately jumped in at the deep end of both, becoming instrumental in the development of numerous grassroots initiatives, and iconic for his stance in the political arena by launching his own political party and standing firm against conscription for The Bermuda Regiment. As a graphic artist he has assisted countless people and organizations to strengthen their message and increase their effectiveness. But it was as a singer/songwriter/musician that he has really made an impact in the community, for out of this passion was born his greatest contribution, Chewstick.

Chewstick has been synonymous with Gavin Djata Smith since it's inception in 2002, when out of sincere personal and public need he gathered several of his friends to form an open-mic jam session; an opportunity for artist and audience to celebrate individual talent and to break down the walls of social-segregation in the community. Now approaching it's 8th year it has become officially established as The Chewstick Foundation, a cutting edge creative arts movement that creates opportunities for at-risk youth, under-served artists, and a divided community to come together and empower themselves through dynamic programs, events and initiatives that help people to tell their story, in their own words, in their preferred medium.

An advocate for social change and justice Djata has been involved in several initiatives including the formation of Greenrock, Run For Freedom, Imagine Bermuda, and Bermudians Against the Draft; all of which remain active to this day. He has also been instrumental in the development of The Emperial Group; a grassroots collective focused on assissting the community by making systemic positive change through direct action and inclusive engagement with every strata of society.

As a musician he has carved out a unique niche of acoustic/folk/rock/reggae which plays as a diary of his life; archiving stories of injustice, hope and truth. Though a prolific songwriter, he is only now embarking on recording his first album which will be available in the middle of 2010.