prose

We’re All Products of Our Milieu

We’re All Products of Our Milieu

Everything is coming up Milhouse!

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Everything is coming up Milhouse! 〰️

Photo by Agave Bloom Photography

Happy to report that I am thriving.

I got a job! I’m the new Public Programs Manager at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. As my first project, I’m organizing a huge community day festival taking place on November 6, 2022. Come check out the art, music, dance and family-friendly activities for free. The promo vid is below.

As the universe spins, I am also hiring for my team. Send qualified cool people this way: Specialist + Production Assistant.

Photos taken during my many walks on campus

Outside of work, I’m thrilled to be vending at this year’s Zine Fest Houston 2022. This is technically the first year I’ve been able to vend at ZFH. It feels so good to be able to participate in my local zine scene in an official vendor capacity. Come say hi, buy a zine and catch up on November 12, 2022.

Shoutout to Agave Bloom Photography for the new headshots to commemorate this new professional chapter. Book them for all your photo needs.

I’m still very much working through work-life-balance; a million unfinished creative projects; building community authentically; whilst in the pursuit of finding the perfect rug for my home office.

Send all the good vibes in this new chapter!

Spring 2019 News

Spring 2019 News

La vida da vueltas

Almost a year ago, I made some big moves! I went full-time with my freelance creative career, I got a dog, I learned so much about myself. Like the way water cuts stone, all the fast paced life transitions have carved a new path in my career and life. I’m super proud to share the great news with yall:

I’m the new Grants Manager for Houston Arts Alliance

Houston Arts Alliance has a direct and significant impact on the arts landscape in Houston and I’m so honored to be in this new role. I’m learning so much! This position is a perfect alignment of my business acumen and artistic endeavor. I’m so happy to be working with this incredible team at HAA as well as Houston artists and arts organizations. I plan to fully immerse my senses on all things art in Houston. There will be so much H-town culture on my social medias, look out.

BYE NYC - I moved to Texas

After 8 years in NYC, I have crossed off my New York bucket list. Brooklyn midnight adventures, check. Cry in the park, check. Cry on the subway, check. Talk to my high school crush on the subway, check. Visit the World’s Fair in Queens, check. Speak at Twitter, check. I’ve learned what I needed and could ever possibly want in that tiny concrete island. I will always have mad love for NY! Aint nobody can do a bagel like Tompkins Square Bagel in the East Village.  Of course yall know, my heart has always been in Texas. The day I was packing, was the day Solange’s latest album, “When I Get Home”, dropped. I took this as a serendipitous sign of coming home. So catch me around H-town and teach me the ways of cheaper real estate in Texas.

LA, I’ll Be Seeing You Soon

Another big news is that I’ll be presenting on a wonderful panel with amazing Salvi women for the LA Times Festival of Books on Sunday, April 14th. Karla Vasquez, Yesika Salgado and I will be in conversation with la maravillosa Marty Preciado. Check out all the details here. SO EXCITED!!


I’m still making art

Art saves me. I’m settling into these life transitions and my deepest love will always be art. I’m being gentle with my creative process and allowing it to flow in whichever ways it comes. All that flowery language to say, I’m working on some stuff. I do plan to do some events in Houston (and wherever yall want me to present with an honorarium, drop a line here). I’ll be releasing the new stuff as it comes through.

Thanks for being part of the journey! I’m really excited for what the future holds and best believe I’ll be writing about it. Hasta la proxima.

The Savior - 1 Year Anniversary Reflections

Savior-Author

1 Year Anniversary Release of
"The Savior" 

Reflection on launching a zine, growth as an artist and community building.

Collage Gif

A year ago, my first zine "The Savior" was released into the world. I didn't even know I made a zine or that anyone would want to read my words. I'm forever grateful to those who were involved in the conception of it: My Tio and Dad who wanted to read my work, my sister and friends Suzy and Lizzie who encouraged me to put it on the internet, Zaira of Central American Art & Beauty who shared it with the Central American community. Of course, my eternal gratitude to everyone who has received a copy and embraced it with open arms.

In the last 12 months, my humble words stapled together on copy paper has grown into a new life I would have never imagined. I blossomed into an artist and found strength in my voice. I discovered the power of representation. I found my community of POC creatives and Central Americans. I was nourished by the warm reception, encouragement and support of my community. 

But the work that I do is not just for me. In the last year of sharing my work, I have connected with so many people with similar struggles, histories and all with the same hunger. It's an oddly soothing feeling to be isolated for so long and then to finally meet others who have a similar heartache and heavy soul. I never had a sense of community before but now, we're finding each other to heal with art. 

There is so much healing to be done since our diaspora community of Central American families, refugees and many other vulnerable populations are being attacked everyday. As we're trying to heal, we're constantly slammed against the wall, ripped apart and told our lives mean nothing. How to process nightmare situations on top of an eternal heartache for your people and fragmented history? How do we find survival in the immorality and dehumanization of it all? What value is left when even children are targets?  

I don't have the answer to any of it and I can't begin to process the hell landscape our people are experiencing at the moment. In the disenfranchising waves of it all, it's easy to drown. The hard part is to push forward, that our existence is resistance. As art has taught me, know that you're not alone with these feels. Here's a long list of organizations who are fighting back. Follow LatinaRebels for curated news articles. #CentralAmericanTwitter offers food pics and solidarity.

Yes, the news is draining. Yes, it feels like it's hard to breathe some days. Even more reason to do what you can when you can. No se me agüite con todo esto. Even though we as a community have been through centuries of abuse, we are resilient and together, can move volcanoes. Thank you all for the support y juntos venceremos cualquier pesadilla para seguir adelante.

May 2018 News

Wake Up... It's Da First of the Month

Collage piece and encouragement made by my creative sister, Mayra Guevara.

Collage piece and encouragement made by my creative sister, Mayra Guevara.

I took April 2018 to work on a few projects and I'm proud to announce the following news for my favorite month, MAY! This first of the month marks a lot of changes, opportunities and my tenacious commitment to doing my best. Thank y'all for the support and peep the updates below:

I Have an Art Show in San Antonio on 5/17
Sadly, I won't be able to attend in person but if you're in the area, check out the amazing artists featured in the show.

I'm Performing with VHS Presents: Family on 5/19
For the first time, I'm showing home movies from 1997-1999. Expect a lot of cuteness. 

I'm Presenting on a Panel in L.A. on 5/26 & I'm Vending at the Los Angeles Zine Fest on 5/27 
Los Angeles, I'm coming to see you!  This has been a dream in the making. I can't believe it's coming true. I'll be leading a workshop at the festival so check me out. I'm also presenting on a Central American panel with a bunch of cool people. Come say hi, beautiful people of LA!

Me & My Dog Canelo Being All Cute Together

Me & My Dog Canelo Being All Cute Together

I'm Available for Hire
April 30, 2018 marked my last day at my full-time job at a nonprofit. I had a great 7 years at that job and I'm ready to move on to greener pastures. This means I'm available for hire in the following fields: translations jobs (Spanish/English), transcription, freelance writing gigs, business analyst and management consulting (nonprofit/profit). Shoot me a message if you have any leads or words of comfort as I enter this new phase of my career.

I'm Turning 32
I love my birthday so much. I'm thrilled to be aging gracefully in L.A. a few days before the L.A. Zine Festival. Even though I'm another lady without a baby (in my culture, that's a big deal), I am finding peace where I am in life and truly living my best life (especially with my cute little dog). My Venmo and Paypal are open for birthday gifts!

Thank you again for all the words of encouragement and support.
I'm eager to see what the future holds and I'm ready for it!

 

Cura(Collected) - 12/3/2017

Cura(Collected) at Knockdown Center

Cura(Collected) at Knockdown Center

The Cura(Collected) was a wonderful collection where my piece was alongside other amazing Salvadoran artists in a vessel. Final performances for the series were on December 3, 2017. The exhibition officially closes on December 17, 2017.

About The Show: Knockdown Center is pleased to present the third rendition of Cura(Collected), an exhibition series that centers artists who curate. This edition features a collaborative project by Anjuli Rathod, Eduardo Restrepo Castaño, Oscar Moises Diaz with an accompanying essay by manuel arturo abreu. All three are creators whose involvement in the artistic community has had a generative impact on their local art scenes, and for this occasion each artist has brought in collaborators and community for a series of ongoing, cumulative performances and actions that will take place within an architectural structure inside of the gallery each week.

A collaboration by Anjuli Rathod, Eduardo Restrepo Castaño, Oscar Moises Diaz and accompanying text by manuel arturo abreu.

Featuring contributions by Justin Cabrillos, Mariana Herrera Castaño, Nancy Chavarria, Mauricio Esquivel, Yeiry Guevara, Julia Pimes Mata, Karina Puente, Sayre Quevedo, Crack Rodriguez, Carmelle Safdie, Matthew Shalzi, Lily Jue Sheng, Dyeemah Simmons, Lucy Tomasino, and Veronica Vides. Organized by Sessa Englund

More info here:
Knockdown Center Website Event
Facebook Event

Thank you to Moises for inviting me to be part of the show. Shoutout to all the Salvi artists who shine brightly with their work. Event images are below.

WAKE Presents: Zines y Más - 11/26/2017

My First TX Zine Fest!!

My First TX Zine Fest!!

The hu$tle does not stop, especially in H-Town. Super fun to have participated in Zines y Más presented by WAKE Zine on Sunday, November 26, 2017 at the Galveston Arts Center.

About The Fest: WAKE, the Galveston-based collective behind the music and arts publication Wake the Zine and host of music events in Galveston, presents Zines y Más. The event will feature local zine makers and more in the style of a small pop-up market. This project is made possible with support from The Idea Fund. The Idea Fund is a re-granting program administered by DiverseWorks, Aurora Picture Show, and Project Row Houses and funded by The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts.

PARTICIPANTS ~
Artificial Head Records
Chris Kill Co.
Galveston Synergist Project
Hosj Ore
Miss Champagne
Noth Zine
Poison Moon Records
RYD Works
Super Hit Press
Wallflower Records
Yeiry Guevara
Zine Fest Houston

More info here:
Wake the Zine Website Event
Facebook Event

Special shoutout for my parents for being super sweet and supportive! Y'all the best. Los quiero tanto <3

Got a Girl Crush Zine Fest - 11/19/2017

Sunday, November 19 - Zine Fest in Brooklyn

Sunday, November 19 - Zine Fest in Brooklyn

I was pumped to vend at the 2nd Annual Print and Zine Fest by Got a Girl Crush at New Women Space on Sunday, Nov 19, 2017. 

About The Fest:
Featuring an exciting, emerging line-up of women/trans/gender non-conforming-led publications, artists and merch:

Got a Girl Crush Website Event
Facebook Event

The event was incredibly successful. Excellent vendors, clear communication and lots of engaging people who visited. Thank you all who stopped by and chatted!

 

No Dice - 11/17/2017

nodice

Rejection Funhouse

Organized by Arti Gollapudi

My first art show in November! Thanks Arti Gollapudi for organizing this event. I displayed a mixed media piece (first one I've made for public consumption!). I originally made the piece when I was 16 years old. I cleaned it up and added minimal 21st century touches. Magazine cutouts and teen angst, meet Photoshop and adult anxiety. Fun in one frame!

About The Show:
~* A weekend long interactive gallery exploring desire, fear, repudiation, & acceptance *~
The gallery's theme is rejection- whether that me the process of applying yourself, the feeling of want/desire, the act of rejection, the coping, etc. All slabbed together by Arti Gollapudi

Splash That Event Page

Facebook Event Here

Relive the moment in the images below.

New Latin Wave - 10/22/2017

Took place on October 22, 2017

Took place on October 22, 2017

What a thrill to be part of New Latin Wave 2017 at Brooklyn Bazaar! Lots of fantastic programming in one day. I participated in the Book and Zine Fair of NLW, curated by the wonderful Steph Orentas of La Liga Zine.

Also, I presented the launch of my second zine titled Vos Cipota that same day. Lots of feels. Photos of the launch are below.

What is New Latin Wave: Dedicated to celebrating the most current and compelling voices in Latinx art, music, literature and film, New Latin Wave is more than a cultural festival; it’s a multidisciplinary symposium that seeks to open conversations about Latinx and Latin American contributions and identity in the United States by creating a platform for performers, writers and artists.

Read more about the event on:

Many thanks to Sokio and Amanda for organizing everything, Steph of La Liga Zine for curating the Book & Zine Fair and her wonderful support, Mayra for debuting Just Plush Play and all the amazing attendees who supported latinx arts in NYC. Pics below!

INK FIBER IMAGE - 10/14/2017

Antidote-VT.jpg

INK FIBER IMAGE

Organized by Antidote Books in Putney, RVT

I finally shared a stage with my dear friend Ruth Antoinette Rodriguez! We met in our hometown of Houston, TX when we were bouncing around this thing called life. Nearly a decade later, we shared our writing in Antidote Bookstore, which she owns with her husband in Putney, Vermont.  

About the show:
INK, FIBER & IMAGE: An Evening of Exploring Latinx Idenity Through the Arts with readings by RUTH ANTOINETTE RODRIGUEZ & YEIRY GUEVARA

YEIRY GUEVARA (NYC) is a writer, translator and fiber artist whose work has appeared in Chiflad@, La Liga, and St. Sucia. Yeiry is the author of THE SAVIOR, a Spanish-and-English zine that explores family and memory in El Salvador through the lens of photography. Yeiry lives in New York City where she's recognized for bringing contemporary Latinx creativity into focus. www.yeiry.com

RUTH ANTOINETTE RODRIGUEZ (HTX) is a poet who works with typewritten words, ink images and fiber. A recipient of fellowships from the Fine Arts Work Center, the Community of Writers at Squaw Valley and Factory Hollow Press, Rodriguez holds a BA in English from the University of Houston. Originally from Houston, TX, Rodriguez lives in Vermont where she runs Antidote Books, an independent book store dedicated to poetry, curious minds, and social justice awareness.

Our reading was featured in the Community Events page for the Brattleboro Literary Festival. Also, I'm very proud to announce that copies of my zine are available for purchase at Antidote Books!  Thanks for everything Ruth & Jeremy! Thank you Vermont for a lovely autumn evening. 

Dia de la Raza - 10/12/2017

Dia de la Raza

Dia De La Raza

Organized by La Liga and Ana Castillo

On October 12th 2017, I had the joy to read with many great voices including chingona author Ana Castillo in a Welcome to NYC style party at Starr Bar. 

About the show:
En el Día de la Raza, La Liga Zine is hosting a gathering to welcome Chicana novelist-poet Ana Castillo to her new home in New York! On this day, Ana Castillo was crowned a curandera in Mexico by a great Tlaxcaltec medicine man 20 years ago.

Featuring:

  • Nancy Mercado
  • Ayendy Bonifacio
  • Sergio Troncoso
  • Ana Castillo
  • Stephanie Orentas
  • Mari Santa Cruz
  • Yeiry Guevara
  • Sayuri Gomez

Many thanks to everyone who came out and welcomed Ana with open arms. A few snaps of the event are below.

BRN GRL SPK - 10/9/2017

BRN GRL SPK

This Is My Home (Too)

Organized by BRN GRL SPK

On Indigenous People's Day, I had the honor to show my work at the inaugural art show organized by BRN GRL SPK. BRN GRL SPK is a wonderful platform built by women of color, for women of color. Their mission: "a creative arts collective that focuses on creating spaces where women and femmes of color can speak their minds and affect change. We aim to empower and support BRN GRLs by building community, organizing events, and fundraising for progress."

Featured Artists:

About the Show:
Where is home? And what does it look like for immigrants, indigenous groups, and people of color? BRN GRL SPK presents This Is My Home (Too), an exhibit by women and femme artists of color. Their work examines our country’s complicated history with colonialism, slavery, and immigration -- asking what and where is home, who has historically had access to one, and how does that shape one’s identity today?

The collection is displayed in Caza Mezcal's gallery from October 9 - 28th.
Proceeds from the opening night will benefit Families For Freedom, a New York based human rights organization by and for families facing and fighting deportation.

Thanks to our sponsors:  BAX | Brooklyn Arts Exchange, Tanteo Tequila, Girl Power Supply, FREEda Women NYC, and Meta Balance.

Many thanks to all who attended and packed the Gallery at Casa Mezcal with so many funds going to Families for Freedom. A thousand thank you's to the wonderful women of BRN GRL SPK: Ugonna, Ally, Mariah and Ranjani. Immense gratitude to my friends who came to support my first NYC art show! Y'all are the best.

Betty Zine Fest - 10/7/2017

betty_zine_fest_17_pins_0002_PIN_3_.jpg

Betty Zine Fest

Organized by The Bettys

On October 7th, I had the joyful opportunity to vend at The Bettys' 2nd Annual Betty Zine Fest 2017. The day saw an amazing turnout with over 75 vendors. All organized by:

Major thanks to Aurora and The Bettys for putting together an incredible event. Huge shoutout to my sister Mayra Guevara who was pillar of complete support this day, and every day. Much love sis! Thank you to all who attended and supported NJ's only zine festival!

Here is the local news in Newark covering the festival. I'm laughing in the background at 0:33.

 

Nosotras Zine Fiesta - 9/15/2017

Mujeristas Fiesta

Nosotras Zine Fiesta

Organized by Mujeristas Collective 

On September 15th 2017, I participated in my first zine festival! Thank you so much Mujeristas Collective for organizing Nosotras Zine Fiesta at June Bar. The idea behind the event as expressed by Mujeristas Collective: "Nosotras is meant to highlight the mujeres/muxeres zine makers and artists that exist and uphold this community." 

The fiesta created a powerful connection between the wonderful vendors and supportive audience. Shoutout to the amazing vendors at Nosotras Zine Fiesta:

Performance by STEFA & DJ Cisnegros
Photobooth all night by The Unapologetically Brown Series

Thank you everyone who attended!  Major thanks to lovely people who purchased my Mami made items. Mom sends her deepest gratitude and appreciation! She was amazed by all the support shown. With the earnings made, she is be able to continue making more items for our shop. So thank you for encouraging my mom and her craft.

Also thanks to i-D for the wonderful feature about the show.  I'm on the list alongside 4 other fellow artists in the article titled: 5 Radical Zines By Latina/x Women

Home And Away Show - 8/25/2017

HomeAndAwayShow

Coming Home

12 NYC & HTX Based Artists Come Together in Houston, TX

On August 25th 2017, I had the immense joy to be part of "Home and Away" Show at the Gallery of Hardy & Nance Studios in Houston, TX. It was the first time I showed my art in public! Despite the imminent threat of Hurricane Harvey, the collaborative work of 12 emerging artists shone through the darkest storm clouds. A variety of mediums such as photography, painting, embroidery, video, jewelry were on display. All were representations of the artist's personal exploration of home and complexity of that relationship. Click here for the official press release. Check out the event pics and video below!

Most profound THANK YOU to Suzy Villarruel for having the vision and execution to bring the show to life. She believed in our craft, our potential, inspired each one of us and made it all happen. Te quiero mucho, amiga!

Mucho love to all the artists who contributed their immense talents and support:

Forever grateful for the support from our wonderful sponsors: Oriana V. Garcia, Claudia Vasquez, Buffalo Bayou Brewing, Deep Eddy Vodka, Red Bull, and Topo Chico. 

Additional thank you to my parents and family for being profoundly supportive and sweet;  Maria Inez for her creative vision and kind heart. Thank you everyone who attended!

All photography by Yeiry Guevara