Creative Confessionals: Recent Episodes
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Have you ever wondered what other artists and designers talk about behind studio doors? Do you ever think about the types of risks, obstacles, and failures creative entrepreneurs encounter before achieving their goal? Have you ever noticed how systems oppression impact creative industries and wondered if there's any way to fix them? Amanda Mollindo and Mina Vargas have been considering those questions, too! And they're sitting down with artists, designers, and creative entrepreneurs who are demographically underrepresented in their field to learn about their experiences. Tune in to hear heartfelt stories and no-nonsense advice from creators who are forging their own path to make a difference!
Last summer, Mina and I had the great pleasure of speaking with Yvonne
Montoya, a Tucson-based dancer scholar, director, and consultant. This
episode — which is long-overdue — was one of the most personally meaningful
episodes for me. Because of that, I felt an overwhelming pressure to make
sure it was perfect… and that eventually evolved into inexcusable delay and
procrastination.
So, at long last, here is the last episode of Creative Confessionals!
Last summer, Mina and I had the great pleasure of speaking with Yvonne
Montoya, a Tucson-based dancer scholar, director, and consultant. This
episode — which is long-overdue — was one of the most personally meaningful
episodes for me. Because of that, I felt an overwhelming pressure to make
sure it was perfect… and that eventually evolved into inexcusable delay and
procrastination.
Charissa Lucille uses creativity to infuse meaning into every aspect of her
life — and by extension — her community. Tune in to this episode of
Creative Confessionals to find out how this self-taught photographer,
zinester and entrepreneur works tirelessly to uplift the voices of others!
Eunique Yazzie’s journey toward recognizing her value as a designer hasn’t been easy. Growing up on the reservation and facing several layoffs early in her design career taught her how to live off little. So when she was finally ready to launch her own business, she learned that she didn’t know her value the hard way. And although she eventually made the decision to accept a salaried position rather than struggle with the insufficient income she was making through design projects, she doesn’t consider it to be a failure. Eunique has been able to overcome challenges that would easily cause others to call it quits. She’s lost a job while pregnant, persevered through the digital takeover of the publishing industry, and she wasn’t afraid to resign from a job when it wasn’t taking her on own right path. Though it all, she’s found personal growth and has held on to her mission: to make sure Native stories are heard and respected in Phoenix and beyond. Listen to this episode to learn about how Eunique is supporting her community through art and design, plus a lot more!
Being an artist and working in arts admin require very different skill
sets, which is why it takes a unique person who can do both. Estrella
Payton, interdisciplinary artist and Communication and Community Engagement
Manager at the City of Phoenix’s Office of Arts and Culture is on those
rare few. Check out this podcast episode to find out how she does it!