By St. Cecilia Healthy Courier reporters | For Camden anime artist and poet Reet Starwind, art is more than a way to express his creativity. It provides opportunities to connect with people.
“Art makes people realize that you are not alone,” said Mr. Starwind, especially when you find people who share similar interests. “I have connected with people on the other side of the world.”
Mr. Starwind is a poet and writer who works with animators, actors, and musicians to create anime art. Anime, which originated in Japan, is an animation and illustration style defined by vibrant colors, stylized characters, and detailed settings.
He collaborates with people who live on the West Coast, in New York, and in Camden to bring his stories to life.
“When you see it all come together and everybody did their part, it just makes you really feel accomplished,” Mr. Starwind said in a recent interview with St. Cecilia Healthy Courier reporters. “It makes you feel like you’re working together for something bigger than you can do by yourself.”
He exhibits these creations on social media, at community events, and on his website Dreamersplaylist.com. His goal is for his team’s works to be picked up by a streaming service. “I just want to give back what was given to me,” he said.
Mr. Starwind also writes poetry, another way he connects with people.
“I started writing poetry when I was in high school because I thought it would make me look cool to girls,” he said. “Little did I know the girl that it would look cool to would be a bunch of sweet old ladies!”
After he graduated from Rutgers University–Camden, the “sweet old ladies” hosted his poetry readings at gatherings in their homes. Since then, Mr. Starwind has recited his poetry at Rutgers–Camden for graduation and community events.
“Parents and students told me that my poem gave them inspiration,” he said. “It is an honor to know that your poetry connects with others and inspires them to follow their dreams.”
When asked which art form he prefers, anime or poetry, he said the winner is anime because so much goes into the creative process.
“I’d say … that’s a little more fulfilling, because we’re [the team] able to elevate each other by doing the things that we do, as opposed to something that’s just elevated by what I’m doing by myself,” he said.
The advice Mr. Starwind would give to a kid who is interested in becoming an anime artist or a poet is to be yourself. “You will always be your most creative when you enjoy what you are doing,” he said. “Do what brings you joy and remember to have fun.”
Illustration by Adrianna, 7th grade, MaST, 2025-2026.
