Finding Community

After quitting my job and a rollercoaster of trying to find my place as an artist. I had a pivotal moment when I got accepted to UCR’s Latino and Latin American Studies Research Center. It was a brand new Residency program created to fund artistic projects in the region. In a normal residency they would provide a studio, but since it was brand new and freshly post-pandemic, there was no set location. But the program would help me pay for a studio space.

Studio Space

I was looking all over Riverside. I decided on a warehouse space next to an amo supply and furniture store. Although it was a great space, I knew it would be lonely and no one would ever find me there. I knew I had to be with other artists, especially in the beginning.

I ended up getting a lead that the Life Arts Building Art Studios, could have a space available. I just had to wait. This was a better choice even though the spaces were small. The building was in the heart of downtown and filled with artists. I decided to back out of the warehouse space and patiently wait.

It was a constant, yes, no, yes, no.

Finally. They asked me to move in!

Rent was going to be expensive, I had to clean it up myself, the space had no running water, faulty electricity, no AC, termites, felt unsafe cus it was separate from the rest and evidence and stories of the previous drug addict tenant began to set off tons of red flags.

BUT! I ignored all that, there was no other studios in the area and this space had so much potential. It had views of the downtown churches from both windows. I envisioned myself doing paint studies, like Claude Monet did of the churches in different times of day. I had a fantasy of my paintings everywhere, bright light, hanging plants, having studio neighbors and welcoming guests during art walks with cheese and crackers.

The first thing I bought was a huge easel, furniture, installed an AC unit and changed the locks! I was so happy.

Then the weirdest feeling came over me. I knew in my gut something was off. I couldn’t explain, it but I couldn’t even smile or feel excited anymore.

That night someone broke through both new locks, and stole my AC Unit. That was all the confirmation I need, it wasn’t safe. That killed my fantasy and I gave up on searching for a studio.

Juan Navarro and The Eastside Arthouse

Then about two weeks later, on one very very fateful night a friend invited me to an art show downtown. I overheard someone say they were an “Artist- in-Residence for Riverside Art Museum”. I vaguely knew of Juan Navarro from social media, so I went to introduced myself and said “I am an Artist-in-Residence for UCR” He said “ I am about to open a co working art studio” and I said “I am looking for an art studio!” …and the rest was history.

Actually, I visited the space and attended the soft opening. I got teary when Juan spoke of his journey and KNEW this is where I needed to be.

Day 1 of my studio membership, I wanted to try something cool. I asked Juan if I could paint his portrait from life. At first he kindly said no and I was relieved, cus that meant I didn’t have to actually go through with it. I was worried it would suck anyway. 10 minutes later he says, “Wait are you serious”. So I painted him, while he worked on the studio website, while another member took pictures of me painting, while those photos were being added to the website by Juan in real time.

It was super fun. And set the tone for my time there. From then on Juan knew I was serious about being an artist and would continue to recommend me for job leads and opportunities.

I will always credit Juan as the key person to open many doors for me, but that’s not to say I didn’t put in the work. As a self proclaimed recovering- shy person. I knew I had to do everything more bravely then on. That meant actually speaking to people, painting in front of people, leading workshops, speaking on panels, doing presentations, mentoring other artists. I quickly saw the power of engaging and building community through art. After a while, it became less about my fear of people and got to witness first hand how art really can impact people in a positive way.