We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Walter Cruz a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Walter, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I was 23 years old and had been back in NYC for a few months after living in Eastern China for almost a year. I was working as a program associate at a non-profit and my twin brother Kleaver(Kleav) had just started as “Dream Director” at his new job. At the time, part of the model at his work was to pair high school students with adult mentors who share common interests with them. I signed up and was matched with a first year student by the name of Matt. He was a shy and talented young artist. The point of the mentorship program was to help broaden student’s horizons and help them work towards their dreams. Matt in particular voiced wanting to exhibit his own work. Up until that point, I had never created artwork to be displayed. I’d made some “art” here and there but always as a hobby to pass time. I took his request to heart and set out to learn how to make the opportunity happen by making it happen for myself. After talking to my family and friends, we put our heads and efforts together to pull off a one-night art show. My siblings and I invited artists, performers and a DJ to be a part of the line-up. We spread the word, my mom and close family friend held down admission at the door. After a month or so of planning, we found ourselves in a rented space in midtown filled to the brim with almost 300 attendees. That night I displayed my own artwork for the first time. The wonderful couple that is Akilah and Rion purchased both pieces. Up until that point, I had never thought of publicly displaying my work let alone someone outside of me, appreciating the work enough to purchase it. It was an instant boost of confidence. From that night forward, I would go to work during the day and stay up all night painting. After a few months, it really started to take a toll on me. I was working a lot and getting very little sleep. I had come to a fork in the road. Stick to my challenging but guaranteed paycheck or take a leap of faith.

My mom has always been supportive my brother and I. I spoke with her about where I was at and wanting to quit to pursue art. She looked me in my eyes and said “Go for it, but know that this will be the hardest thing you do. Take it seriously.” I put in my two weeks notice the next day, and never looked back.

I’ve been on this path of learning and discovering my creative/artistic passions ever since as I also learn to make a sustainable practice.

Walter, 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?

Hailing from The Bronx, Walter Cruz is a a creative collaborator exploring the intersections of art, design and architecture to better understand how Black and brown bodies activate and take up space. As well as understanding how the cultural melting pot created for him by being a second generation Dominican New Yorker influences his lens of the world. Cruz has completed residencies and fellowships with The Laundromat Project and the Haystack School of Craft and NurtureArt Gallery amongst others. As well as shown work in galleries and museums including The Museum of the City of New York, the Center for Political Graphics Los Angeles, Syracuse University and Longwood Gallery in The Bronx. He has taken part in the New Art Dealers international art fair and an upcoming solo presentation at Swivel Gallery in Brooklyn,NY. Most of all, Walter is dedicated to learning from and being with the people. Cruz serves as the visual designer for the Black Alliance for Just Immigration (BAJI), he is the creative director and co-founder for Zeal; a Black artist-owned cooperative company that focuses on creating spaces for Black multidisciplinary artists to thrive. Walter has received his MFA from The Maryland Institute College of Art’s Mount Royal School of Art and earned his B.A in Architectural Studies from Hobart & William Smith Colleges. Currently Walter is an AIM Fellow at The Bronx Museum of Art. Ultimately, in a world that is constantly telling Black and brown folks not to be themselves, Cruz’s goal is to create work that inspires and informs those very people.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

The goal/mission that drives my creative journey is learning how to sustain a fulfilling and sustainable career in order to be able to teach others that look like me how to do the same with less potholes and pitfalls along the way. I’m willing to take some hits to make it softer lander for future generations.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

I wish I knew more about grants, residencies and open calls earlier on in my journey. I was caught in the trap of pay to play scenarios that could have been avoidable. I don’t regret them because they taught me valuable lessons but it would have potentially been more fruitful to have known about public/private funding earlier on.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @2oceans

Image Credits
Artwork images: Courtesy of Walter Cruz Image of Walter with Matt (Walter in Yellow, Matt with black beanie): Courtesy of Walter Cruz Image of Walter’s mom (Romy Cruz) : Shot by Francis @slingshotmenace (Instagram) Image of Walter painting with floral shirt: Shot by Brick Than @brickthn (instagram) Image of Walter wearing “The Bronx Breeds Greatness” jacket: Shot by Dondre Green @dondregreen (instagram) Image of Walter with students: Courtesy of Walter Cruz Image of Walter’s Twin (Kleaver Cruz): Courtesy of Walter Cruz