The Truth In This Art with Arts Educator and Founder of Adding Voices Flavia Zuñiga-West

'The Truth In This Art' Podcast - Conversations with Artists, Creatives, and Cultural Leaders

In this episode of "The Truth In This Art," host Rob Lee converses with Flavia Zuñiga West, an arts educator and advocate from Los Angeles. Flavia, founder of the "Adding Voices" conference, shares her journey as an Afro-Latina and daughter of immigrants, emphasizing the importance of representation and community in the arts. They discuss the transformative power of art education, the challenges of predominantly white educational spaces, and the need for inclusive environments. Flavia highlights her commitment to social justice and anti-racism, advocating for equitable access and authentic community building in arts education.

Episode Highlights:

• Flavia's Self-Introduction (00:01:46) Flavia shares her identity as a daughter of immigrants and her passion for art and education.
• Impact of the Student Leadership Diversity Conference (00:07:45) Flavia reflects on how attending a diversity conference shaped her understanding of identity and community.
• Museum Culture and Inclusion (00:14:28) Flavia talks about her internship at MoMA and the challenges of navigating predominantly white spaces.
• The Award Incident (00:17:12) Flavia shares a moment of receiving an award, highlighting the unexpected negativity she faced.
• Community Building through Conferences (00:22:05) Flavia talks about her conference, "Adding Voices," and the importance of community among art educators.
• Empowering Students through Creative Expression (00:30:26) Flavia describes how her students use art to express their views on social issues, fostering critical thinking.
• Art as a Vehicle for Change (00:37:15) Flavia highlights the necessity of respecting artistic techniques and the transformative power of art in education.
• Adding Voices Conference (00:43:03) Flavia introduces the "Adding Voices" conference, created to address social justice in arts education during the pandemic.
• Creating Inclusive Spaces (00:50:13) Flavia reflects on the necessity of prioritizing marginalized voices in educational discussions and practices.
• Final Thoughts on Balancing Roles (01:02:00) Rob and Flavia discuss the challenges of balancing multiple roles in life and the importance of community support.

Key takeaways:

1. Representation Matters: Seeing oneself reflected in the arts can empower and inspire marginalized communities.
2. Community is Crucial: Building inclusive spaces fosters creativity and supports social justice.
3. Mentorship is Key: Having diverse mentors can guide and challenge you constructively.
4. Self-Care is Essential: Taking breaks and recharging helps maintain long-term creativity and passion.

Websites and Socials:
flaviazunigawest.com
addingvoices.com
Instagram: flaviazw_hwart
LinkedIn: Flavia S. Zuñiga-West

🌟 Loved this episode with Flavia Zuñiga West? Show your support by visiting her website and following her on social media! Don't forget to rate and review this episode, and if you enjoy our content, consider supporting us on Patreon. Your support helps us bring more inspiring conversations to you! 🙏💖

This program is supported in part by a grant from the Robert W. Deutsch Foundation.

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Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard.

Episode illustration by Alley Kid Art.

About "The Truth In This Art"

Hosted by Rob Lee, "The Truth In This Art" podcast dives into the heart of creativity and its influence on the community. This arts and culture podcast from Baltimore highlights artists discussing their ideas, sharing insights, and telling impactful stories. Through these artist interviews, listeners gain a deeper understanding of the creative economy and artistic life in Baltimore.

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