arianna durden

photographer / poet

BIOGRAPHY

Arianna, known in artistic spaces as Ari Never Sorry, is a multidisciplinary artist from the Twin Cities who expresses herself unapologetically through poetry, performance, and visual storytelling. Her artist name, Ari Never Sorry, reflects her commitment to authenticity and creative courage. From a young age, Arianna has explored many art forms—singing, theater, dance, and drawing—but it is poetry that has always remained at the heart of her practice.

She is currently an Educational Assistant, providing support to students with special needs, a role that deepens her understanding of human resilience and compassion. While she finds great meaning in her work in education, her long-term goal is to pursue her artistry full-time.

Arianna became connected to In Progress in June 2022, after learning about the organization through a family member who had met artists from the Crookston studio. Feeling it was a divine connection, she joined In Progress to expand her poetry into digital formats such as photography and film. Her current focus is learning camera work and digital media so that her written words can come to life visually.

A seasoned spoken word performer, Arianna has shared her poetry at schools, churches, weddings, memorials, and community events across the Twin Cities. She also has a strong background in theater, having performed in musicals and as a member of an honors choir—including performances at the prestigious Orpheum Theatre.

Currently, Arianna is writing her first book—a collection of personal poems exploring themes such as grief, heartbreak, mental illness, and resilience. Written from a first-person perspective, her work aims to connect deeply with readers who may see their own stories in hers. Through In Progress, Arianna is now developing skills in photography and video production, merging her poetic voice with new artistic mediums.

Qualifications

Arianna is a skilled spoken word poet with years of experience performing at community events, schools, and memorials. She has professional stage presence and training in vocal performance, honed through choir and musical theater work. She is experienced in stage etiquette and performance dynamics, and has received vocal training through multiple programs.

She is currently developing her visual storytelling skills, with growing proficiency in photography using DSLR cameras. Arianna is also building technical expertise in Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Lightroom to support her creative projects in digital media.

skills

  • spoken word poetry  

  • performing

  • stage etiquette

  • vocally trained 

  • photography

  • Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Lightroom, etc.

links