We recently connected with Jac Alva and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Jac , we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?
From a young age I’ve had a strong internal compass; it has helped me navigate interpersonal relationships, overcome challenges, and become resilient. And I think resilience is an integral part of self-confidence. As the years have passed, I’ve had to trust my ability to make life-changing decisions, such as opting for a career in visual arts, and, more recently, becoming a mother.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am a multi-hyphenate creative within the field of visual arts. I’m an abstract and mixed media artist, working with acrylic materials and discarded items, upcycling them into artworks. Moreover, I am the founder of Healing He(art) with Jac Alva Art, an arts education program for all ages. Healing He(art) with Jac Alva Art creates unique art lessons that encourage critical thinking and diverse project outcomes. My goal is to empower students with an open-ended approach to artmaking. When I’m not in my art studio, I enjoy conducting research in the field of art history. Possessing a master’s degree in art history, I specialize in food imagery, studying artworks and the microhistories of food products. My academic interests in this niche area of art have fueled my curatorial passions. Consequently, I also work as a freelance curator for cultural institutions and private businesses, thereby connecting the community with emerging artists. In fact, I’m very excited to announce that my next curated exhibition, “Unsavory” will be held this summer at the Muckenthaler Cultural Center in Orange County, California. This exhibition will critically explore the many ways in which food is cultivated, exchanged, processed, distributed, and consumed, through the eyes of over a dozen artists.
https://themuck.org/program/2024/jac-alva
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Everyone has their own set of qualities upon which they rely during their life journey. For me, I know that my resilience, persistence, and creative drive are all integral elements that have helped me pursue a career in visual arts and academia. For those who are early in their journey, I would say that they should look back at the pivotal moments in their life and examine how they managed those situations. By deep diving into those memories, you’ll be surprised at what previous patterns of behavior reveal about yourself. These preexisting patterns could be strengths as you navigate through the remainder of your career or personal life.
What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?
Being creative is an integral part of my identity, and I’m certain that it has had a positive effect on who I am. However, I think there’s a lot more to me than just being an artist, curator, teacher, and historian. I’m always growing and evolving in life. Recently, my biggest area of growth is within my personal life in the form of motherhood. As I venture into this new territory called parenthood, I will rely on my creative attributes to help me be the best mother I can possibly be. I’m excited to see how my life will change, and how I’ll balance my career while raising a child.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jacalvaart.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jacalvaart/
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/healingheartwithjacalvaart/
Image Credits
Stephanie Pratt, Photographer, @stephanie.m.pratt Brittany Beppu, Stylist, @_beppubeppu_ Rowland Faris, Assistant Stylist, @rowannfaris
