We were lucky to catch up with Maria Vasquez Boyd recently and have shared our conversation below.

Maria, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

There are several meaningful projects past/present that I work on. In 2006, I was a founding member of the Latino Writers Collective, I work with Migrant Farmworker youth in Waverly, MO. Currently, I am in my 12th year as producer/host of Artspeak Radio on KKFI Community Radio that highlights the creative community locally and nationally ( the radio station is staffed by volunteers,) I am a published author, writer, muralist, performer, and my work is featured at the Nelson Atkins Museum “A Layered Presence” with 22 Latinx artists.

My childhood was unstable and chaotic, with no guidance for the future. It is meaningful to me to help others see role models/mentors like themselves that encourage and validate who they are in this world. I understand the need to listen to people, to share the joy of large and small victories or the weight of failure and loss.

Maria, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Art was my entrance to a magical world of color, shapes, narratives, and freedom. Crayons were my amazing partner to pair with my imagination. I never lost that feeling, so at 34 yrs. old, I attended the Kansas City Art Institute. I painted everyday despite friends and family telling me I would have a difficult time finding work as an artist. After graduation, I set goals for myself that I accomplished; working full time at a creative position at Hallmark, teaching at the Nelson Atkins Museum for 15 years, guest curating art at Park College, Mayor’s office, American Royal, Guadalupe Center, and the Writers Place. I taught high school art and returned to the Kansas City Art Institute to teach. Through friends and business contacts, opportunities opened for me to facilitate workshops/panels with my writing, paint murals out of the US, travel to artists retreats, serve on numerous boards, judge art/writing competitions, etc.

While waiting for board members at the Writers Place, a man introduced himself as Mark Manning and we shared a conversation about being creative people. He invited me to his radio show to discuss my writing and once we were on air, we really hit if off. He invited my back numerous time to guest co-host and produce shows on his program. In 2011, he suggested I apply for my own show, that’s how Artspeak Radio was developed. It is a public affairs program that highlights artists, performers, musicians, writers, arts organizations and supporters locally and nationally. It is my goal to present and talk with individuals like Richard Blanco, Julia Alvarez, or educators from the Kansas School of the Deaf, and talented artists who share their failures, successes, and goals on air.

As an woman artist, Latina, Abuela, educator, introvert, writer, I strive to meet folks at any time in their life with dignity, joy, and support for who they are or what they may become, and acknowledge their worth. We’re all worthy, verdad?

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

Sometimes we are told as young children that we can’t do something because it is dangerous or simply forbidden. This fear may be real, but in my case, it was often the fear of a parent who didn’t know how to deal with growth or the outcome of possibilities. I was told “no” so often that it narrowed my vision of what life could be as a child. I held no hope or release from a mundane life. Art was my way of floating out of the reality of “no.” As a child, I could imagine myself as many things; artist, ballerina, a witch casting spells who lived in a beautiful world. I would take a book, an apple, and climb our willow tree at home to fill my mind with wonder.

As an adult, I witnessed the hopes and dreams of young children and teens crushed due to cruel individuals who deemed them unworthy or unimportant. Listening to others and providing them an outlet to express themselves is key, again dignity can help a crippled mind regain strength.

My desire to be a ballerina or a witch has not diminished, we can be whoever we want in a most creative way; writing, painting, & dancing. The “no” in my head is a memory.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Talking weekly with artists, musicians, performers, etc. the thought of growing up weird, different, misunderstood is often shared and understood by creative folks. The pain of being unpopular and excluded is a common trait that creative folks experience, does the loneliness result in a huge spike of creativity early on in life? I don’t know for sure, but it is a popular trait with guests I’ve had on the program and others.

When I facilitate an art or writing workshop, I understand the fears of creation; how do I begin, am I doing this right, will others understand or will they laugh at me, etc. I listen and reassure individuals that everyone experiences those fears, you’re not alone and trust your instincts. It’s rewarding to see the fear of creating subside, folks begin to realize their choices are theirs and they can be edited. The ability to provide others with a safe place to help them thrive and grow is really a humbling experience.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: mariatortilla86
• Facebook: Maria Vasquez Boyd
• Other: Artspeak Radio on Facebook

Image Credits

Jim Barcus