We recently connected with Barbara Rocas and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Barbara, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
It’s hard to say that one singular project I’ve worked on is the ‘most’ meaningful – as an artist I strive to use my creativity to bring about new meanings and understand things through different perspectives. Much of my work revolves around art as a tool for revolution, both personal and within society. My first zine “Protomatter” focused on networking with local creatives whose work inspires me and highlighting their stories. Making connections with others is key to a strong arts community and progress. I believe that art (in all of its forms) and self expression is an important aspect of our collective humanity, and I am always using it as a means of making meaningful impacts both for myself and for others.
Barbara, 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?
I am a New Jersey native currently living in Charlotte, NC. Growing up inspired by childrens’ book illustrators and cartoons – I have been making art for as long as I can remember. I went to a technical high school where I majored in Graphic Design, and pursued a degree in Arts Education in college at The School of Visual Arts in New York, and eventually Montclair State University in New Jersey. I am a fan of both fine and graphic arts, and have always seen art as something to continuously grow in skill and medium over the years. Because of this, I have dabbled in many forms and projects from small business branding and painting murals, to organizing art events and teaching paint classes. I am currently a freelance artist who has worked for personal and commercial businesses throughout the NJ/NYC area, Philadelphia, and currently Charlotte. A lot of my work revolves around supporting my local community and making a societal impact. I have done a lot of merchandise branding for my friends who are musicians, as well as restaurants and private commissions. In an age where art can be viewed as a commercialized product, I like to keep the theme of DIY art alive and use my work to support those in my immediate community.
I also have a passion for teaching and currently hold a CEAS in Fine Arts education K-12. Originally planning on pursuing a public teaching job, I opted to teach privately and locally at client’s businesses, libraries, and private at home classes for both adults and children. I love teaching one-on-one and supporting individual’s passions and needs. The arts can support many people from all ages and backgrounds, and I am very proud to inspire those to believe in themselves and create something new.
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
In a time where art is so commodified, we need to understand the roots of why we make art and its importance to our society. Local communities need to listen to their local artists – I see a lot of places where the arts and local opportunities are outsourced to those with the access or ‘clout’, sometimes based on internet prescence or pay to play. This can be seen historically in major museums across the country – limiting exposure to those who can afford to be seen and supported. Making sure we are allowing for diversity within these spaces is also very important. There needs to be more emphasis on accessability for the arts in public schools and areas, access to materials and space, and moreso a discussion of how politics and the economy affect the current state of art and how its seen in society. How can those with less resources access art, and pursue their creative endevors ? How can we make lasting changes rather than temporary decorative flash in the pan happenings ? Discussing the bigger role art can have in local communities would be a great first step.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
Supporting others’ dreams and visions gives me happiness. Growing up I did not have much, but art was my outlet to be something more. So many times throughout my life, I’ve seen people give up being creative because someone or something made them feel less than capable, ashamed of their skills. The arts are a tool for self expression and that is something I hate to see be taken away. I love to see people inspired and having fun when engaging with art – teaching and providing a safe space for students to explore that side of themselves is invigorating to me. I always tell my students (both adults and children alike) that I learn from them as I teach them, that together we are coming to new conclusions and discoveries. So many new ideas and perspectives can grow from a situation like that, and I am so grateful to have shared in that with many different people. One of my favorite memories was when I worked with a high school student to help them make a portfolio of artwork during my last year of student teaching. They were unsure if they wanted to pursue a creative career after graduating due to others’ criticisms. But its been about five years since then, and they are now a professional working tattoo artist and winning competitions across the country – I am very proud of them !
Contact Info:
- Website: https://barbararocas.portfoliobox.net/
- Instagram: @protomatterzine
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDX92BMAHvAmtiWKqfsXzZw