Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Emlyn Taveras. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Emlyn , appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

One of the most meaningful projects that I have ever worked on, was in collaboration with an Arts school in the Bronx. This was a long term relationship, where I was able to merge my philosophy as an Educator with my practices and values as an Artist. This project involved transforming several buildings in the Bronx into arts schools over a span of 15 years. Most recently transforming a gentleman’s club into an Educational Arts space including installation art, murals and unique commissioned artworks. All artworks were uniquely designed to embody and reflect the rich cultural, historical and academic heritage of the South Bronx area. These artworks serve as educational tools, offering insight into the community’s struggles, resilience celebrating the essence of the South Bronx.

This experience was transformative for me both as an artist and an educator. I began my journey as a commissioned artist creating a few murals and custom artworks. Over more than 20 years, my body of work grew substantial enough to be housed in a single building, becoming a central element in the design of a 20,000 sq foot redevelopment of a gentlemen’s club. Today, I am actively working on several public arts projects and contributing to the redevelopment of a piano factory warehouse into an art school in the Bronx, continuing to fuse my passion for art with community enrichment and education.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I consider myself to be a mixed media artist who is passionate about creating community relationships through the arts. My experience as an Arts educator has provided me with a unique perspective on the creative process at all stages, allowing me to create with a profound awareness of our continuous evolution individually and collectively within a community. Currently I am focused on personal artworks that engage and investigate parts of my own evolution, identity, connection to others, community and my environment. In addition, I am thrilled to have several public artworks and installations planned for this summer. I offer workshops, professional development and consultation work focused on arts, education and community engagement. My work with community engagement and youth artists serves as a significant source of inspiration for many of my projects. I take pride in my ability to tell stories, educate and connect people through my art.

I believe that what sets me apart is my ability to work in various mediums and settings. I love the challenge of unique projects in unique spaces and transforming environments through the arts. Whether creating parade floats, working on large mixed-media artworks, floor murals, or sculptures, my approach evolves with each project.

I recently received a grant to create a totem pole structure titled “Upward Crossings.” This sculpture is dedicated to the stages of progress in relation to our interconnectedness as people. “Upward Crossings” delves into the relationship between our positive and negative lived experiences. At its core, the sculpture is about finding connection and highlighting how our shared journeys and resilience bind us together. I am excited that my sculpture will be a public art installation dedicated to exchanging dialogue and fostering a sense of community. I hope to continue creating works of art and offering arts experiences that can be shared in public and private spaces where people can connect, reflect and find inspiration in our shared journeys. I would like to invite anyone interested in commissioned artworks, working together to customize artwork, installations and experiences to reach out to me for inquiries or just to say hello and share ideas!

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

I find that one of the hardest parts of my journey as an artist is managing the balance between stability and choice. Many artists, including myself, often need to work a full time job to sustain their professional practices. Add the responsibilities of being a parent and having a family and it’s common for non-creatives to question the risks involved and our priorities regarding how we spend out time, money or how we invest in our dream.

Decisions and sacrifices are necessary to prioritize the vision of being an entrepreneur and artist. Recently I received an exciting commission to build a float for the Puerto Rican day parade in NYC. As a full-time educator and mother, I had to adjust both my and my family’s schedule to make it work. It was uncomfortable for everyone but with their support, I managed to complete the project within a two-week timeline.

My dream to work as a full-time artist is often a battle of choice of giving up stable work. Not all art commissions or projects yield positive returns in terms of money or time. The thought of balancing entrepreneurship, motherhood and various responsibilities can be overwhelming. While I am grateful to maintain my business opportunities alongside a full time job, the scale is tipping, and I will soon need to make a choice that many non-creatives might not fully understand.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

One of the most rewarding aspects of being an artist is the fullfillment that comes from completing an idea and bringing it to fruition especially when the artworks resonates deeply with your beliefs. Creating artworks that explore and communicate personal aspects of my identity and life journey is a sacred practice, integral to my existence in the world. Despite years of doubting my place in the art community due to societal perceptions of not being a full time artist, I have come to realize that creating art is essential to my being. It is through my art that I discover freedom and acceptance, embracing how I perceive and move in the world in all its forms.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://emlyntaveras.com
• Instagram: em7creations
• Other: email: [email protected]