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In Summer 2018, 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! In this episode, we get into our shared experience as Latinx women who have been subject to assimilation ancestral colonization. Yvonne shares her own journey to connect with her heritage, and ultimately use dance to tell the stories of her family. As an artist who falls outside of the Eurocentric ideals of her medium, Yvonne speaks to the obstacles she faced as a dancer and why that resulted in the creation of her own dance company, Safos Dance Theatre. She also shares the struggles of being a mother while working in a field with few resources for parents. Listen to this episode to learn how Yvonne is defying expectations and overcoming barriers to bring broader representation to the stage, and to hear her thoughts on how we can better support artists in local communities!About YvonneYvonne Montoya is a mother, dancemaker, consultant, independent dance scholar and founding director of Safos Dance Theatre based in Tucson, AZ. Originally from Alburquerque, NM, Montoya is a process-based dance maker who creates low tech site specific and site adaptive pieces for non-traditional dance spaces. Her work is grounded in and inspired by the landscapes, languages, cultures, and the aesthetics of the U.S. Southwest. Montoya is the lead choreographer for Safos and under her direction, the company won the Tucson Pima Arts Council’s Lumie Award for Emerging Organization in 2015. Her choreography has been staged throughout the Southwest and her dance films screened in Tucson, North Carolina, the University of Exeter (UK). She is currently working on “Stories from Home” a series of movement vignettes based on her family’s oral histories. 2017-2018 Montoya was a Post-Graduate Fellow in Dance at Arizona State University where she founded and organized the inaugural Dance in the Desert: A Gathering of Latinx Dancemakers. Montoya is a 2019-2020 Kennedy Center Citizen Artist Fellow, a 2019-2020 Dance/USA Artist Fellow, and a recipient of the 2019 NALAC POD grant. What you’ll learn:Why Yvonne uses dance to research and academia with her communityHow she uses movement to connect with and interpret the stories of her familyThe importance of investing in regional talent in the SouthwestHow mothers are vastly underserved in the performing artsThe importance of setting personal values as guidelines to know when to say “no”Connect with YvonneWebsite: https://www.yvonnemontoya.co, Motherhood in the Performing Arts ProjectInstagram: @mpaproject1

From launching their own business to battling endometriosis, Charissa Lucille (they/them) uses creativity to infuse meaning into every aspect of their life. A self-taught photographer, zinester and entrepreneur, Charissa works tirelessly to uplift the voices of others. Between working a full-time job outside of the arts, running Wasted Ink Zine Distro, and organizing Phoenix’s annual zine fest, they still finds time to make personal work. In this episode of Creative Confessionals, Charissa shares how they prioritizes their many responsibilities, even through illness, pain, and surgery caused by endometriosis. Tune in to hear some freakin’ inspirational words of wisdom from Charissa’s Mom, learn about the inclusive and diverse world of zines, and why community is so important to this incredible artist!  About CharissaCharissa Lucille is the founder of Wasted Ink Zine Distro and an organizer for the Phx Zine Fest. They uses different art mediums like zine making, photography, and writing to share their ideas and to tell their story. They represents hundreds of artists through their zine distro and self-publishing in order to inspire change and create community impact. Charissa is currently working on a zine about endometriosis and how it's impacted them and their mother's life. You can find Charissa at Wasted Ink Zine Distro having a cup of coffee and reading zines.  What You’ll LearnHow Charissa got started with photography and zine-makingAbout their passion for working in the darkroomWhy Charissa’s Journalism degree led them to discover the zine community How they started Wasted Ink Zine Distro (WIZD) without having a formal background in running a businessThe importance of reaching out to people if and when you need helpThe value that WIZD brings to the Phoenix Zine communityAbout Charissa’s experience as working as a professional photographer and why they’ve chosen to create more personal work instead The difficulty of collaborations and how Charissa navigates those relationships successfullyHow creative collaborations differ from group projects at work or schoolHow they balances work, art, zine-making, and running their own business Why making personal art requires time and patience — but why it’s critical to do if you’re an artist who’s deeply devoted to supporting your communityCharissa’s battle with endometriosis and how it’s affected their creative practiceWhy they photographed and wrote about their experience being chronically illWhat Charissa learned about their zine community after recovering from surgery for endometriosisWhy they started Wasted Ink Zine Distro to begin withThe importance of not “pre-canceling your life” because of your circumstancesWhat the traditional art and design world can learn from zine cultureWhy zines are for everyone The misogyny Charissa faced while they was working in photographyHow to deal with toxic work environments and why “creative” jobs aren’t always right for creative peopleHow Charissa manages their time so that they can complete all the important work they doesWhat Charissa means by “matching attention and intention”The methods Charissa uses to stay focused on each task at handWhy both they and Mina chose not to medicate for ADHD Zines about Endometriosis from Wasted Ink Zine Distro and Charissa’s personal collection.Connect with Charissa and WIZDCharissa Lucille: IG: @CharissaLucilleWebsite: http://www.charissalucille.com/Wasted Ink Zine Distro: IG: @WastedInkZineDistroFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/wastedinkzinedistro/Twitter: https://twitter.com/WastedInkDistroWebsite: https://www.wizd-az.com/Phx Zine Fest: IG: @ PhxZineFestFacebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/298089237649092Website: https://www.phxzinefest.com/Links, Opportunities, and ResourcesDon’t miss the Phx Zine Fest on October 28 at Unexpected Gallery at 734 W. Polk Street in Phoenix, AZ. Click here to learn more about the event! Watch our previous video interview with WIZD’s co-founders, Charissa Lucille and Marna Kay

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!  About EuniqueEunique Yazzie grew up in Flagstaff, South Dakota and Chinle, Arizona, on the Navajo Nation. Her background brings cultural perspective and appreciation to her breadth of work and activism. Eunique is a poet and storyteller with the Mujeres Del Sol collective, served on the board of Emerging Arts Leaders Phoenix, and offers design services and creative consulting as the owner of Eunique Design. She has worked with Performance in the Borderlands, Jazz meets June, Tempe Center of the Arts, AZ Republic Media, Mesa Arts Center: Spark After Dark, NAU and ASU.  She has also completed projects for Phoenix Indian Center, National Urban Indian Family Coalition, Washington State Indian Education Association, Poder in Action, Black Mesa Water Coalition, Movimeinto Borikua and many more. What you’ll learn:What Eunique’s childhood was like growing up both on and off of the reservationWhy she moved to Phoenix immediately after graduating high schoolWhy she chose to study graphic design at a trade school rather than a universityThe culture shock Eunique and her native peers experienced during their early adulthoodWhy Eunique had to make the difficult choice to distance herself from people who she originally through would support and empower herHow she experienced several layoffs earlier in her design career and what she did to bounce back from these career setbacksThe challenge Eunique has had getting raises and being compensated for her ideas and expertiseHow she handled being unemployed while pregnant with her sonHow Eunique survived the the rise of digital in a print-based publishing worldWhat it’s like being the last graphic designer on-staff after waves of massive layoffsHow she used systems and technology to manage a workload that previously took a teamHow a stressful environment started taking hold on her healthHow her second layoff helped her find the contemporary native artist community in Phoenix Why she chose to take a new job at an engineering firm, and why it ultimately decided to leave after just 6 monthsWhat inspired Eunique to start her own business (and why she wishes she had waited)Why women of color often have to work harder than their peers to get noticed for their skills — and how that can ultimately lead to being taken advantage of in a work environmentThe misogyny and racism that Eunique has faced throughout her life and in her careerThe challenges she faced when she started her own graphic design businessWhy she struggled to get clients (especially those in the Native community) to see her valueHer thoughts on why people need to embrace and share their cultural storyThe displacement that Native and local artists experience in Phoenix, ArizonaHow oppressive systems have impacted her ability to grow and sustain her businessWhy Eunique’s problem with money has impacted her career trajectory Why she believes that creating equity begins from the inside outHow cultural attitudes towards money can impact a child’s futureWhy Eunique is glad that she’s no longer working as a designer during her day jobThe importance of empowering young people of color through educationEp. 4: Failure, Displacement & Resilience | Eunique YazzieaftrARTDownloadConnect with EuniqueWebsite: http://euniquedesign.comInstagram: @euniqueinkFacebook: Eunique DesignLinks, Opportunities & ResourcesCatch Eunique, Amanda, and 3 other artists and designers of color at Phoenix Design Week for the “Culture Shift” panel on October 7th at 10:15 am! Click here for more info.

Melissa Kreider knows first-hand that life doesn’t stop for an MFA program. While working on Remnants, a body of work that examines sites of sexual violence; launching Don’t Smile, a website dedicated to highlighting the work of female photographers; and teaching full-time at the University of Iowa while pursuing her Masters degree; Melissa managed to persevere through some seriously difficult experiences. Despite all that she’s been through, it seems like nothing can stop Melissa’s drive to make a difference — both within and beyond the photo world. From personal obstacles to industry biases, she’s discovered the importance of putting her dreams and career goals first. She also had to learn how to make self-care a priority along the way. Find out how she’s overcome loss, addiction, abuse, and more in order to pursue an art career in this episode of Creative Confessionals!Trigger Warning: We talk about sexual and domestic assault, miscarriage, substance abuse and addiction, and use more explicit language than usual. If you are sensitive to any of these topics, we encourage you to refrain from listening and hope you’ll join us for again for episode 4. ABOUT MELISSAMelissa Kreider is a recent MFA graduate of The University of Iowa and holds a BFA in Photography from the University of Akron. Melissa’s work examines sites of sexual violence against women and how the justice system archives these reports as well as the evidence that is collected. Her work has been exhibited and published nationally and internationally. Melissa is also the founder and curator of Don’t Smile, an online space dedicated to showcasing photography by women artists. WHAT YOU’LL LEARN: Why Melissa chose to go straight from her undergraduate program into a Masters of Fine Art ProgramThe pros and cons of getting a Masters at a young age How making art that functions as advocacy work can potentially impact your career Why waiting to share your work until you’re ready is importantHow Melissa stayed motivated while working on a project that is related to her own traumatic experienceWhy Melissa had to learn how to take breaks and be kind to herself while working on RemnantsHow injustice in society motivates Melissa to make difficult work How the act of producing the zine, Empty Space/Heartburn, was cathartic and how it helped Melissa deal with a miscarriage and a breakup with her fiance during a pivotal point in her graduate program  How Melissa uses art to cope with difficult experiencesWhy Melissa chose to put herself into rehab after graduating with her MFA What Melissa means by “being selfish” in your career, and why it’s important to set priorities as an emerging artistThe importance of surrounding yourself with people who are willing to support and encourage the sacrifices you have to make to be an artistThe difference between selfishness and self-care, and why you need to practice both to sustain a creative careerHow substance abuse can be romanticized in college and how addiction can sometimes go unnoticed in close-knit creative communitiesWhy empathetic artists need to remember that it’s not their responsibility to save others and that we can’t control other people’s actionsHow much Melissa budgeted to apply to exhibitions while she was in grad schoolThe importance of building your CV, networking, and getting used to rejection in order to land more opportunities in the futureWhy Melissa started Don’t Smile, a website dedicated to highlighting the work of female photographers Why Melissa thinks artists should take the advice of Shia LaBeouf and “just do it”Why artists have to be okay with failure Why you have to “find your comrades” to survive in the arts How a phone call can be more meaningful to build relationships with peers than texting or emailConnect with Melissa and follow Don’t SmileWebsite: melissakreider.com and dont-smile.comInstagram: @melissakreider and @dontsmilephoto

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. Mina and I had the immense pleasure of speaking Estrella Esquilin, a creative hat-juggling pro!In this interview, she shares how she found herself on an administrative career track and what it’s like balancing non-stop community engagement with her own creative practice. We also discuss the importance of sharing opportunities and how she uses her personal and professional experiences to uplift other artists with marginalized identities.Check out this episode to hear Estrella’s story, get inspired, and gain some excellent advice on how we can all create more equitable and inclusive spaces in the arts.ABOUT ESTRELLAEstrella Esquilin is an interdisciplinary artist and the Communications and Community Engagement Manager for the City of Phoenix's office of Arts and Culture.She graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Art from Kansas City Art Institute in 2007 and received her MFA from Arizona State University in 2015. Formally trained as a printmaker, her artwork explores the use of building materials, constructed spaces, movement, abstracted and appropriated blueprints, map-making, text, collage, and place-centering experiences.She is interested in power and privilege, cultural conditioning, and systemic inequity. That, combined with her lived experience as a Stateside Puerto Rican, drives her motivation to complicate physical spaces to reorient a viewer’s experience and perspective in institutional and organized environments.Estrella has exhibited and produced collaborative projects in the U.S. and Mexico. She has been the recipient of artist residencies in Guadalajara, New York, Puerto Rico, and New Mexico.WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:How Estrella developed the skills necessary to work in an arts admin careerWhy it’s important to show up and say yesHow technology has enabled artists to represent themselves more easily in current yearsWhy Estrella advocated to have social security numbers removed from the Kansas City Art Institute college application while she was an admissions counselorWhy Estrella considered herself a “bad admissions counselor” in order to give the best advice to young people who wanted to pursue the artsThe difficulty of balancing a full-time job in the arts with other gigs and a creative practiceWhy a holding Bachelor of Fine Art and a Masters of Fine Art doesn’t entitle you to a career in the artsThe importance of having a network and a support system if you’re pursuing a creative careerWhy Estrella’s aspirations to teach changed once she got into her MFA program at Arizona State UniversityWhat you have to put in place if you’re interested in pursuing an academic art careerThe immense challenges of working with a community as vast and complex as PhoenixHow Estrellas Role as the Communications and Community Engagement Manager informs her creative practiceWhen to say no to opportunities (and how to pass them on to other artists to uplift and support your community)Why you have to set both short-term and long-term goals in order to prioritize where you put your energyHow feelings of scarcity and relevancy affect artistsWhy strategy is key if you want to become a full-time artistEstrella’s experience as a woman of color making work about systemic inequity, and confronting artistic spaces that resist engaging in the conversations she wants to have with her workThe disconnect between the demographic makeup of decision makers in arts and culture and the community at-largeHow Phoenix is creating spaces to have conversations about equity and inclusionHow art can address systemic inequity and communicateThe importance of being intentional about how we think about inclusion and invite people outside of the arts into art spacesThe value of informal peer mentorships Connect with EstrellaWebsite: http://estrellaesquilin.com/Instagram: @estrelalaLinks, Opportunities & ResourcesClick here to apply to Color Balance, an online exhibition that elevates the work of female photographers of color. This call is not limited to images about identity, although work with personal or cultural themes are certainly welcome. Rather, we ask that you send in your strongest work from any photographic genre to highlight the diverse talents and interests of this underrepresented subsect of photographers.Announcements from Estrella: “ My next exhibition will be in November at Cochise College in Douglas, AZ. However, if you're a creative person of color and interested in racial equity in the arts, plug in to Artists of Color Organizing for Racial Equity. If that's not your scene, simply support upcoming work produced dope creatives of color like La Phnkra Music Fest, The Whole Story, the visual art of Merryn Alaka at the Shipping Containers on Roosevelt Row.”

Who are we? Why are we launching a podcast? What is creative Confessionals? Should you even care? Get to know your hosts and find out why we're interviewing artists, designers and creative entrepreneurs with diverse perspectives!