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, 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.
Today, I find my purpose in art-making, educating and creating transformative community arts experiences. My journey toward discovering purpose has been one of continual exploration and growth. As a child, growing up in Brooklyn, New York, to immigrant parents, purpose seemed like a distant and elusive concept, reserved for selfless adults. For my family, purpose was rooted in making ends meet, feeding the family, getting through school and staying safe.
As I grew older, I realized that purpose wasn’t always clearly defined and often revealed itself in the small moments of daily life. I began searching for it through my choices, wondering what I should study, why it mattered, and how it would shape the world around me. Slowly, my understanding of purpose began to shift.
After college, I felt I had fulfilled my parents’ dream of earning an education, but I found myself unsure of my next steps and in need of a job. I became a substitute teacher, a temporary position that opened a path for me to become an Arts educator. What started as a short term solution evolved into a 25 year journey.
Teaching has been filled with challenges, tireless effort, humor, and creativity. Along the way I’ve come to see purpose as something deeply connected to human connection and the profound learning and growth that happens when we open ourselves up to one another.
During those years, I continued to practice my art, and my perspective on its role in my life began to evolve. I came to see art as more than just a skill or a profession. I recognized its power to connect, to heal, and to inspire. As an artist, I shifted away from the external pressures of achieving gallery representation or appealing to specific audiences. Instead, I embraced art as a deeply personal process of retrospection, investigation, and transformation. Art became a catalyst for change within and beyond myself.
After that pivotal first year, when I transitioned to teaching art full-time and, over the years, have taught individuals across every stage of life—from toddlers to seniors. Witnessing the transformative power of art in people, environments, and communities has deepened my understanding of human development and resilience.
Today, I view purpose as a journey of constant self-discovery, shaped by profound awareness and hardship. It is rooted in recognizing injustices, seeking solutions, and addressing disparities I’ve both lived and witnessed. Yet, purpose also reveals itself in the quiet moments—in how we love, uplift, and strengthen one another in our families and communities.
This evolution has led me to build a business that explores these human connections through the art I create, the workshops I lead, and the institutions I consult with. My purpose now is to cultivate spaces where art can spark transformation, dialogue, and healing—where individuals and communities can find connection, empowerment, and hope.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I founded Emmy’s Color Creations nearly 15 years ago while working as a teaching artist in New York City. What began as a mural-painting venture and an extra source of income has grown into a multifaceted business that encompasses commissioned art, public art curation, consulting, and the transformation of arts organizations and spaces. At its core, Emmy’s Color Creations is dedicated to creating transformative, community-centered art experiences that inspire, engage, and foster meaningful connections.
From the start, my vision was to align my artistic practice with a mission to serve marginalized communities. I wanted to create environments where people could see themselves reflected in the art around them and feel a deeper sense of pride, self-worth and connection to community. My work challenges traditional narratives about who can be an artist and which communities deserve access to beautiful, transformative art. I aim to empower individuals and communities to reclaim ownership of their spaces through creativity.
Over the years, Emmy’s Color Creations has led numerous public art projects that include murals, immersive installations, and mixed-media artworks. These projects have reshaped schools and community spaces, especially in the Bronx, proving the transformative power of art.
One of my most significant projects involved the transformation of a historic strip club in collaboration with educational organizations in the Bronx into an Arts school. This ambitious endeavor required years of curating artworks, creating public art installations, and designing every detail of the building from room numbers and signage to large scale, interactive mixed-media artworks with instructional purposes. Together, these elements reimagined the space as a vibrant hub of creativity.
Every piece of commissioned artwork was intentionally designed to reflect the community, spark dialogue around progress, success, and pride and uplift the school community. From custom furniture to curated art installations tailored to specific environments, the project demonstrated how art can inspire and elevate individuals and entire communities.
My early experiences as a teaching artist shaped the educational foundation of my work. I integrated historical, cultural, and literary elements into my art, creating pieces that were not only visually impactful but also served as learning resources. This approach has resulted in artworks and murals being housed in educational institutions and community spaces across New York City.
Today, my work continues to evolve. I consult on public art initiatives, curate artist experiences, and help transform spaces into hubs for connection and creativity. One of my current projects is the redevelopment of a former piano factory in the Bronx into a high school—a significant undertaking that highlights how art can be central to community revitalization.
In addition to public art, I create private commissions that explore themes of family dynamics and lineage, offering clients personalized pieces that honor their stories. Every artwork I create—whether public or private—is rooted in the belief that art has the power to spark dialogue, inspire hope, and foster equity.
Through Emmy’s Color Creations, I remain committed to aligning my artistic purpose with the needs of the communities I serve, while continuing to grow as a professional artist. My mission is to provide transformative art experiences that not only beautify spaces but also cultivate pride, inspire change, and deepen human connection.
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?
Throughout my artistic and professional journey, three qualities that have been most impactful are connection to others within my craft, self-discipline combined with risk-taking, and a commitment to continuous learning. These traits have shaped not only my work but also the way I guide and mentor young artists and entrepreneurs entering the field.
Connection to others, both personally and professionally, has been the greatest reward of my journey. Building relationships within the creative industry has transformed my path, providing the wisdom and courage needed to move forward. Whether collaborating on projects or exchanging ideas with peers, connecting with passionate individuals serves as a powerful form of education. Observing those who inspire me and those hustling to succeed has been both motivating and enlightening, offering a network of people to learn from and lean on. These connections have proven invaluable, reminding me that success is often a collective effort.
Self-education is another crucial element in my evolution as an entrepreneur and artist. Running a business and setting strategic goals requires inquiry, research, and field experience. Financial planning, in particular, has been one of the most challenging yet essential aspects of sustaining my business over time. As an artist and a woman, navigating these waters often requires different strategies. I’ve learned to ask hard questions, discuss financial goals openly with colleagues, and share successes and failures to better understand the market and develop sustainable practices. This process of inquiry has helped me think creatively about my work and strengthened my confidence in making informed decisions.
Self-discipline and risk-taking have also been foundational to my journey. Balancing the logistics of running Emmy’s Color Creations with my roles as an artist, educator, and parent requires structure and consistency. Discipline is what enables me to pursue my goals while maintaining a healthy lifestyle. I often emphasize this to young artists, reminding them that the business side of art demands as much attention as the creative side. Understanding valuation, for example, is critical, yet it’s often overlooked. As women, we sometimes face unique challenges in advocating for fair compensation, especially in a field where value can feel subjective. Over time, I’ve learned from peers and mentors how to navigate these conversations with confidence and advocate for what I deserve.
Risk-taking has also required unwavering belief in myself, though it remains a work in progress. Each step in my career has involved financial, professional, and artistic leaps into the unknown—whether starting public art projects with limited funding, exploring new mediums, or redefining my artistic approach. These risks have been vital for growth and often lead to unexpected opportunities and breakthroughs.
My advice to artists and entrepreneurs is this: cultivate discipline, build meaningful relationships, and never stop asking questions. Don’t shy away from hard conversations or taking risks, as these actions will propel you toward your goals. By combining these three qualities, you can not only enhance your artistic practice but also approach your career with confidence, resilience, and a healthy balance that protects your well-being.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
I am always seeking connections with artists and professionals.
I’m interested in building a community of artists, educators, and entrepreneurs who are passionate about connecting across diverse communities, sharing resources, and mentoring the next generation of creatives. I am especially eager to collaborate on projects that involve public artworks or the creation of meaningful spaces, whether locally or globally. Through these partnerships, I believe we can cultivate stronger human connections that inspire and uplift children and communities—something that feels especially urgent in today’s world.
If you’re interested in collaborating, mentoring, or connecting, please reach out. Together, we can work toward creating transformative experiences that leave lasting impacts on individuals and communities.
[email protected]
Contact Info:
- Website: https://emlyntaveras.com
- Instagram: em7creations
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