Meet Ariel Esquivel

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

Ariel, so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?

There have been many moments in my life and career where I realized I was the only one in the room who looked like me the only one carrying my cultural background, my family’s stories, and the way I understand art. It can be isolating, especially when you’re bringing perspectives people aren’t used to hearing.

There have been times when my cultural influences were misunderstood or minimized, treated as decoration rather than identity. Those moments used to make me question whether I belonged in certain spaces at all.

But over time, I learned something important:
Being the only one in the room isn’t a weakness it’s clarity.
It’s a reminder of why my voice matters.

When I’m the only one advocating for representation, for cultural symbolism, for the visibility of my community, it means I’m carrying something valuable something someone else in that room may never have experienced. And if I don’t speak, then the room never grows. The space stays the same. Nothing changes.

So I kept showing up.
As an artist.
As a curator.
As a mother raising children who express themselves freely through art.
As someone who knows that culture isn’t a “style” it’s a story.

Being the only one in the room has taught me how to stand in my truth without apology. It has taught me how to be effective in spaces that weren’t built with me in mind. And it has shaped the way I create opportunities for others, especially through my exhibitions that center community, roots, and identity.

This perspective is guiding the tone for my upcoming exhibition Chicano, opening in spring 2026 at Art On Main gallery, created in collaboration with Junanne Peck, a mentor whose guidance has deeply shaped my practice. We will be curating together. This exhibit is about expanding the room inviting our stories in, letting our cultural symbols speak for themselves, and showing that our heritage is layered, complex, and worthy of being centered.

I don’t always see people who look like me in the spaces I enter.
But every time I walk into a room and stay true to who I am, the room changes even if just a little.
And that is how I continue creating space not only for myself, but for everyone who will come after me.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I am a multidisciplinary artist, curator, and community arts advocate based in the Dallas–Fort Worth area. My practice spans acrylic pour painting, mixed-media fiber art, photography, and printmaking. What excites me most about my work is the way each medium allows me to tell a different part of my story. whether it’s the movement and emotion in my acrylic pours, the texture and history woven into my fiber pieces, or the quiet observations captured in my photographs.

My art is rooted in connection: to nature, to memory, to culture, and to community. I’m especially drawn to processes that feel intuitive and hands-on pouring paint, building texture, pressing natural materials, or stitching layers together. Each piece becomes a record of where I’ve been emotionally and creatively.

Professionally, I’ve been fortunate to exhibit my work across Texas and internationally, with shows in Germany, France, Brazil, Portugal, and Italy. Locally, my work has appeared at Toyota Music Factory, BathHouse Cultural Center, Mansfield Public Library, Arts Fort Worth, the Latino Cultural Center, and many other DFW spaces. One of the highlights of my creative journey has been seeing my heart-shaped acrylic pour paintings Heart of Courage, Braveheart, and Unbreakable Beat featured in exhibitions and charity auctions supporting children’s healthcare.

Another meaningful milestone for me was curating the group exhibition Ofrendas: Art as a Living Memory at City Park Dallas. I contributed to creating an altar honoring loved ones and cultural roots a piece that resonated so deeply with the community that it later traveled to the Latino Cultural Center for further display. Being part of a project that centered tradition, remembrance, and collective storytelling was incredibly powerful and reaffirmed why representation in the arts matters so much to me.

Alongside creating, I’m also passionate about curating. I’ve organized exhibitions such as Shelter: A Sense of Place and Fiber Art Reimagined, which gave me the opportunity to highlight diverse voices and help artists share stories that deserve more visibility.

Community is at the core of everything I do, and that includes my involvement in local arts initiatives and public-art collaborations. I love creating work that invites people in pieces that feel familiar, emotional, and reflective of shared experiences.

I hope people see my art as an open door: a space where texture, color, memory, and culture come together to say something honest. I’m continuing to grow my practice, expand my mediums, and create opportunities that uplift others along the way.

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?

Looking back, three qualities have shaped my journey more than anything else: intuition, resilience, and community-building.

1. Intuition – trusting my creative voice

One of the most important skills I’ve developed is learning to trust my own instincts. As a multidisciplinary artist, so much of my work comes from feeling the way paint moves, the story a texture carries, or the memory a color evokes. I didn’t always trust that inner voice, especially in spaces where my background or approach didn’t match what was expected.

Your intuition is a muscle the more you use it, the stronger it gets.
Create freely, without trying to fit into anyone’s version of “right.”
Experiment, make mistakes, let curiosity lead. Your style will reveal itself through process, not perfection.

2. Resilience navigating spaces not always built for me

Resilience has shown up at every stage of my journey. From personal challenges to moments in the art world where I felt unseen or misunderstood, learning to keep going has been essential. Resilience doesn’t always look like strength sometimes it’s resting, resetting, and then deciding to try again.

Don’t expect resilience to mean powering through everything alone.
Ask for help, take breaks, and let yourself be human.
What matters most is that you keep returning to your work, even when the path isn’t smooth.

3. Community-Building creating space for others as I grow

Curating exhibitions, collaborating with local artists, and participating in community art projects taught me how powerful it is to build with others. Every opportunity I’ve had whether showing work internationally or contributing to cultural exhibitions like Ofrendas: Art as a Living Memory has reminded me that art becomes richer when shared.

Don’t wait to be invited build your own circles.
Connect with other artists, attend local events, volunteer, collaborate, and stay curious about other people’s work.
Community expands opportunities that you’d never find alone.

Your journey doesn’t need to look like anyone else’s.
Follow what feels authentic, stay open to learning, and surround yourself with people who see your potential. Growth is a combination of being brave, staying soft, and showing up for both yourself and others.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

Absolutely. Collaboration and community are central to everything I do as an artist. I’m always looking for opportunities to work with other creatives, organizations, and community members who share a passion for storytelling, cultural representation, and public engagement. Through collaborative projects, I aim not only to create art but also to foster spaces where people can experience emotional healing and a sense of belonging whether they are processing personal trauma, navigating everyday life, or simply seeking connection.

In past projects from curated shows like Shelter: A Sense of Place and Fiber Art Reimagined to group exhibitions like Ofrendas: Art as a Living Memory collaboration has been essential. These experiences have shown me that the strongest work emerges when people come together, bringing different perspectives, skills, and cultural stories to create something that resonates beyond the walls of a gallery.

Looking ahead, I’m especially interested in connecting with fellow artists, cultural organizations, public art programs, and community-driven initiatives that value inclusive representation, storytelling, and shared healing. I welcome opportunities to collaborate on exhibitions, public murals, or interactive projects that invite audiences into spaces where they feel seen, valued, and part of something larger.

If someone is interested in collaborating, the best way to reach me is through my email: [email protected], or by connecting via my social media channels where I regularly share my work and projects. I’m always excited to meet others who want to create, inspire, and cultivate community through art.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://ariel-esquivel.pixels.com/
• Instagram: Ariel.esquivel24
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ariel-esquivel-502392208
• Other: Email me for any inquiries [email protected]

Image Credits

by Ariel Esquivel Ariel.Esquivel24

Last image taken by Junanne Peck at her studio the Black Crow Press