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

Lily , 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.

I have learned through experience that the way to gain self esteem is to do “esteemable acts.” By organizing meaningful gatherings and uplifting events for the betterment of my community, I know that putting ideas into action is achievable. The by-product is that it has given me a sense of purpose and belonging. Seeing that an event I organized create a positive impact on others makes me happy. A great example is the 2022 Mid City Mural Festival in Los Angeles. It was an idea of mine that — with a little action — blossomed into 30 murals created in one weekend by local artists! We covered local elementary and middle schools and small businesses with walls to spare! We were a first in Mid City! The aim of this project was to inspire children and youth. If they like the images they see on their handball courts, it might spark a creative streak of their own. Or the images could evoke possibilities for all the meaningful options we can pursue in life. Another aim of this project was to celebrate the culture, significance and history of Mid-City through public art. In the last few years, Mid City is now seen as a price tag to corporations and developers. Gentrification has disrupted the community where I grew up. That doesn’t mean we are gone — it can actually strengthen the pride and resilience of our neighborhood. Through these murals, newcomers can see that there is and always has been a community here. The murals invite them to embrace our authenticity, instead of change it. This project was meaningful to me because the public art evokes different meanings to anyone that walks by. Hopefully adding color and curiosity to someone’s day.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I grew up deeply immersed in a non profit arts program for youth. In fact, I am Member Number One of the Shakespeare Youth Festival (nee: Los Angeles Drama Club). As young kids from all pockets of our city came together to put on a Shakespeare play, we found a safe haven to be free – and we felt the magic of achieving something together. From age 5 to 18, I witnessed firsthand how art saves lives. It opens our eyes, makes us dream of possibilities, and wakes the imagination that the education system might not offer for some of us. It was in this world that I learned teamwork, leadership, the act of collaboration, social skills, and achievement as a collective body with a single purpose. The foundation I grew up with gave me the skills and confidence to step up as a community organizer and participate on my Neighborhood Council and with the office of the Mayor of Los Angeles. My first project at 15 was organizing a Mid City Community Cleanup behind the 7-11 off Crenshaw and 43rd. I realized from my life in the arts, that this too was like putting up a play. We come together, we each play a role, we act it out and go one our way feeling just a little better about having done an esteemable act.

I want my followers to know that creating change does not have to be difficult, filled with conflict or scary. Bringing people from all walks of life together can be incredibly fulfilling and being of service, again, is the best way to build the right kind of self esteem.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

Appreciate the art around us. Where is it? Maybe its on my walk home but I never realized that cool looking building until a day ago. Putting the phone down and taking those air pods out when a musician is playing on the sidewalk. I think thats the simplest thing anyone can do. And anyone can do it.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

I started a radio show on my college campus last year ‘Capitol City Chaos’ that welcomed all views of students on campus from various sides of the aisle. They dialed in and shared there opinions, questions and ideas that they may have felt they had to hide in the classroom, for no reason other than one loud voice acting as groups. Through hosting this platform I learned very quickly that college students want to be exposed to varying viewpoints. But the loudest voices in the classroom and social media that attempt to speak for everyone tend to get the most attention. I hope to spread the message that we have more in common with each other than we think.