Growing up in Calgary, Bethel Afework’s family lived a dynamic household heavily involved in all things art. Afework’s high school years at Father Lacombe were filled with music and poetry. It was the place where she began to cultivate her love of performance by joining a spoken-word poetry team. While in high school, Afework volunteered at the YMCA, an experience that planted the seeds of inspiration for what would later become the Alcove. Beth Afework grew up in a home filled with all things art.