Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Lizbeth Ortiz. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Lizbeth , we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
I was always drawn to art and my culture but it wasn’t until 9/11 that I discovered the power of healing through art. I was living in NYC. I went to Pratt Institute and studied Fashion Design. I quickly realized that my soul craved the freedom of expression when you identify as an artist and not tied to a financial institution. I had my first solo show at Caffe Dell’Artista in Greenwich Village scheduled for Oct. 2001. We were all hurting and my only thought was to fall back on my cultural roots and traditions and I researched Dia de muertos / Day of the Dead altars. I created my first community altar and was a witness firsthand to the power of healing through art. Since then I have setup countless altars in various parts of the world and I teach workshops on the power of healing through art by remembering our loved ones and celebrating life.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
When people ask what I do I tell them I’m an artist with creative ADD. I love creating things but I also enjoy elevating others in helping them find their creative voice and to heal through art. I curate exhibits for a non-profit called MECA / Multicultural Education & Counseling through Art. I’ve been involved with them since I was a junior at HSPVA / High School for the Performing & Visual Arts. In 2004 when I moved back from NY I met a group of local artists that were inspired by the legacy of Frida Kahlo and we started the first festival in her honor. We are celebrating the 19th annual Frida Festival this year and we are super excited for what the future holds as we prepare to celebrate the 20th anniversary! We are super excited to have MECA and the Alley Theatre as our creative partners. Our goal is to raise enough funds to have a scholarship setup next year for H.S. students. This year our Frida en Primavera VIP fundraiser event will take place on Friday, 4/26 from 7 – 11 PM. We have live entertainment, a Frida fashion show, food & drinks and first chance to shop with our vendors. The Festival takes place the next day 4/27 from 11 AM – 7 PM and it’s always free and family friendly. Both will be at The Storyhive, 4010 Canal Street, Houston, TX in the East End! For more information you can visit www.fridafestival.org
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
It sounds cliche but the best skill and quality you can posses is to be honest with yourself. As we are growing up society keeps trying to mold us into something we’re not. I believe we are all artists until we listen to society tell us we’re not like so and so or not good enough. Once we let go of those unrealistic expectations we free ourselves to be who we truly are. Of course this is a life long journey. I went to art school for 8 yrs and couldn’t bring myself to call myself an artist. It took lots of life’s hard knocks to realize I didn’t fit any mold and that was ok. I slowly learned to embrace my uniqueness and to give my voice the power it deserved.
Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
I’ve had many patience and kind people in my life that have helped me grow and get to where I am today. Most of them have been full time teachers. One pair I would like to mention and publicly thank are Mrs. Eileen Montgomery and Mr. David Sheard, my H.S. art teachers. Attending HSPVA changed my life and shaped me into the creative person I am today. Being first generation Mexican American, it was a huge gamble to study art. My parents never dissuaded me and I am grateful I had the tenacity and will to put my portfolio together on my own and apply. I remember asking my M.S. teacher what a portfolio was and her then asking me why I wanted to know. After I explained what my intentions were she smiled at me and told me I shouldn’t waste my time with that. I wasn’t upset, like most things in life if I want something I find a way to get it myself. Enter the teachers that would change my perspective in life. Both Mrs Montgomery and Mr. Sheard were not only patient but were the art parents we all needed. I remember being 13 yrs old and a handful of little brown girls in the bunch. They would introduce us to artists every Friday afternoon and that’s when I first saw Frida and her self portrait projected on the wall. It blew my mind to see someone that looked like me, from where I was from, expressing her feelings the way Frida did. She not only inspired me from that day forward but has been my fuel to share that inspiration with others.
Contact Info:
- Website: LizbethOrtiz.org
fridafestival.org - Instagram: @azulfrida
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/azulfrida
- Youtube: Frida Fest HTX
- SoundCloud: We are all artists until society tells us otherwise.
Image Credits
The profile picture is by Laura Burlton. All others are baby Alex Barber expect the 3rd one is a Houston Chronicle article and the 4th picture, vertical portrait is my Nory Angel.
