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Alisa Centehua Cruz host of Together We Rise Podcast - A Bite-Sized Podcast with information to strike your curiosity.

Alisa Centehua Cruz

MultiDisciplinary DECOLONIZING Creative - MURAL ARTIST - SOCIAL JUSTICE Restorative mindset educator - collective Soul weaving curandera  - MUSIC PRODUCER - FILM MAKER - SCREENPLAY WRITTER - AUTHOR

THE ARTWORK 

Perseverance 

Through difficulty comes the ability to describe the problem, then to find a new way to resolve it.  My perseverance will always keep me moving forward. When you look at my artwork, look at the metallics, the drip  ink that randomly flows down the front of it. I want you to see beauty in rich, vibrant color. But also, at the same time, the chaos in it. I chose multi mediums because I wanted to have a feel of being out of control in the style. I chose a female figure with no face above her nose because sometimes I feel more than I can see.

  • 24 x 36 Multi - Medium 
FIRST GENERATION - CHICANa - INTERSECTIONALIST - decolonizing COMMUNITY public artwork 
 I am exercising my capacity to rehearse the skill of imagining in collaboration with others.  This aids in strengthening our muscles of imagination in order to advance values the community would like to see implemented in public spaces. 
I LEAVE MARKS WITH THE WORK I COMPLETE TO REPRESENT MYSELF, CULTURE, COMMUNITY AND VALUES.
MURAL ARTIST
"Social Justice Art is a key component of a city's expression of identity and issues they face. It can be imagined as a structural anchor that helps an issue evolve facing  problems with a restorative mindset."
TOGETHER WE CAN PRACTICE COLLECTIVE LEADERSHIP THROUGH THE LENSE OF CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY.
RESTORATIVE MINDSET 
"Creating framework for this conversation in collaboration with other artists is the most efficient way to help communities imagine new ideas that otherwise may have been lost in politics."
REDEFINING
"The future of art, equality and dreams for future generations guide me to enforce  redefinitions of artists work who do not come from the traditional arts colleges. Their work is not naive due to their use of paint, being able to see the canvas dimples. Their artwork is DECOLONIZED."
FACILITATING  EDUCATION 
"The series of coursework I created for 2023 street art mural collaboration are a compilation of recommendations for everyday leaders. Together  we can  contribute the advancement of justice at the local level."
YOU HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO BE A BRIDGE

I was born in the United States to parents of Mexican & German descent, and I have struggled my entire life to justify my identity to others and myself. I am not fluent in Spanish or German and have heard that I don't particularly "look Mexican or German." My entire life people have tried to put labels on me. I am the rich man, King, love of my Life, everyone wanted me to subscribe to or dedicate to.

My current body of work examines the intersection between politics, culture, societal labels, and personal identity as crafted through the lens of being a Chicano artist working in contemporary aesthetics. Themes such as immigration being a natural phenomenon amongst animals and plants, the criminalization of immigrants, and the border wall that separates families leaving kids under the watch of the government in unfortunate circumstances. Plus a look into the emotions that change within me as I grow older, has populated my work over the past several years. 

I saw many things in life that left lasting impressions on me, but none as great as the US-México Border. I could not process the stark difference between the two countries, so close yet worlds apart concerning their social-economical conditions. My young mind was left curious about what function this wall might have played in creating these divergent realities, how luck and the pure random chance of being born north of the border wall came with such great privilege.

The calculated objective of my work is to revise what mainstream society looks like with the inclusion of all populations. No Labels - No Limits. Over the past 40 years, the demographic of all has slowly shifted to a majority of Labels we must subscribe to or identify as or even others put on us to understand who we are. My work continues to establish the existence and relevancy of all today's humans. To be seen in a light that shows their humanity alongside our own.  

I keep an artist's studio in SODO and teach fine art to independent artists and youth groups. 

When an ARTIST Becomes a LEADER
When we talk about leaders we generally mean chief executive officers, heads of state or next-generation entrepreneurs. What most of us usually don’t think about in this context is artists.
However, “cultural leaders” can shape how the general public thinks. Just consider the influence of television, film, music, art and architecture on our cultures and values.
As a Cultural leader, we utilize our cultural capital to effect change. Advisers, coaches, publicists, lawyers and our far-reaching networks provide the necessary support system to help turn visions into actions. 
Leadership 
We all influence others in different moments in our days and lives with the ideas and actions we put forth in the world. Society has conditioned us to assume that only those in positions of power can be leaders. Power is generally obtained through capital gains, and ownership, education, etc. As artists, we can react against this normative value to assert the power of ALL people towards what we think democracy should be. 
Therefore I encourage all of my collaborators, class participants and YOU the reader to actively view yourselves as a LEADER, to understand how your actions as thoughts and thoughts as actions maintain elements of civic leadership. 
Every Action
From our carbon footprint to the way we greet people is an act of leadership. These actions create impact and outcomes. Each action creates models good or otherwise, enacting an example for others who witness. Actions become reference points for what is acceptable, accepted and expected. 
As Artists, I am inspired by the collective talent each one of us possess. The ensemble of voices that we incorporate into our work invites our patrons to understand the capacity of our influence, how to direct that capacity towards the intention of advancing equity in public space. 
The Arte De Cruz Loft is easily accessible from I-5
2011 - ongoing

CURRENT PROJECTS

Arte De Mi Vida-Production Presents
HUMANS OF...Documentary 
Ever wonder the story behind someone as they walk by?
Watch people greet each other at the airport or train station.
See the same person walking your route to work.
Your Coworker you have seen everyday for 5 years and know nothing about?
These are the humans we see and their stories. See how we are all connected 
"...a face in a sea of faces"
ALISA CENTEHUA CRUZ BOOK
"WAKING LIGHTS & SLEEPING SHADOWS ... THANKS FOR ALL THE FISH"

Collection of my personal journey and stories.

Arte De Mi Vida-Production presents

Fauxumentary

How do we get to a better place?

A film on Cosmic Consciousness & Accountability 

Alisa Centehua Cruz Founder of Arte De Cruz Social Purpose Corporation
2011-Present

Completed Projects

  • BLOCKCHAIN EHR/EMR
  • WFH - REMOTE CULTURE AI
  • Arte De Cruz SPC Art & Culture Program
  • DIY Health Info
  • Botanical Medical Healthcare
  • DosedGoods
  • BoundByRoots Washington 502
  • Sess Pre Rolls
  • Bogarts Strike Packaging