Meet Jaina Cipriano

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

Jaina, thank you so much for making time for us. We’ve always admired your ability to take risks and so maybe we can kick things off with a discussion around how you developed your ability to take and bear risk?

I struggle with global anxiety and sometimes, normal daily tasks can overwhelm me. Personal growth can feel slow, so I use my creative practice to push myself towards fearlessness. I write about things that scare me, willing myself to be as honest and vulnerable as possible. I put myself in front of the camera, work to let down my walls and allow myself to be really seen.

Each year I challenge myself to submit to over 200 opportunities, reminding myself with each rejection, that I can create despite not getting support from certain organizations.

Risk taking is a muscle, I make sure I am always exercising it. I remind myself to always ask, because the worst thing that can happen is someone says no. I can live with that. I cannot live with knowing I did not put myself out there.

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

I am an experiential designer, filmmaker, and photographer based in Lowell, MA. My work explores themes of religious and romantic entrapment, using immersive, handcrafted worlds to connect with the neglected inner child. Everything I create—whether it’s a photograph, a film, or an interactive experience—reflects a journey from isolation toward healing and self-actualization.
I’m the executive director of the Arlington International Film Festival, where I’m building partnerships with vibrant Boston organizations to amplify diverse voices and foster connections in the arts. I also run Finding Bright Studios, a creative platform that allows me to collaborate with artists and institutions to create meaningful, experiential work.
Right now, one of my most exciting projects is an intimate, one-on-one experience where visitors step into a childhood bedroom frozen in time. Through lighting, sound, and interactive elements, I explore how memory shapes us and invite participants to reflect on their own narratives. I’m also working on a photography book that reflects my journey as an artist, blending themes of transformation, healing, and cinematic suburbia.
I will also be releasing my limited series, Impostor Syndrome, created in partnership with Martian Radio Theater, this spring. In this show I host an adult variety show exploring the layers of impostor syndrome through humor, vulnerability, and surrealism. As I seek advice from my artist friends and spar with my inner demon—a personification of self-doubt—two parallel stories unfold: a botanist learns the true meaning of growth, and a storyteller discovers the value of privacy. Around the same time we will begin filming my third short film, Actualization where a life sized, childhood teddy bear shows up in the bedroom of a 30 year old pregnant woman to take her on; a journey to free her from her mother.
What’s most special about my work is that everything is built by hand—from the sets in my photography to the immersive worlds I design. It’s an intentional process that allows me to connect deeply with the emotions I’m exploring and offer my audience something raw and authentic. I aim to create spaces and experiences that feel transformative, whether that’s through a single photograph, a film, or a fully immersive environment.
Looking ahead, I’m focused on building larger-scale installations in Boston that create a sense of magic and transformation for participants. My long-term goal is to make Boston a more vibrant and unconventional place for artists while growing Finding Bright Studios and the Arlington International Film Festival into platforms that truly support the artists in the community.
You can follow along with my immersive projects, films, photographic explorations and upcoming events through my website or social media.

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?

First, not being afraid to fail. I detach meaning from failure as much as I can. It is just showing me that there is a different way to accomplish whatever it is I am trying to do. If I was afraid of failing I would never make anything. Failing just means I am learning. Being willing to look and feel like a beginner has afforded me so much in my life. From fixing machines to learning how to weld to writing, everyone starts somewhere.

It’s taken me a while, but not being afraid of rejection. Like I mentioned before, the worst someone can say is no. Who cares? I always am in touch with the fact that, at its core, the work I am making is for me. Creating connects me to myself, my community and helps me puzzle out my own future. If people like my work that is a bonus. Rejection will not stop me from creating. I put this into practice by desensitizing myself. If I submit to 400 different calls (like I did this year) when the rejections come in I often don’t even remember what it was for. I am already on to the next thing!

And last, exploring ways of creating that don’t feed directly into your practice. Make time for play! Pick up a new material, a new process, take a class on something you have no idea about. It frees me up to see things in a new light and connect to the core of creating. Last year I felt stuck and I took a pottery class and a childrens book class – it was fun to forget about my own practice for a while and dive into something completely new. Eventually I could come back to the studio with fresh ideas.

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?

If I dig deeper, my overwhelm usually stems from some other emotion – either feeling like I am not doing enough or that I cannot handle the situation I am confronted with. I take an active approach to battling this by keeping a monthly list of things I have accomplished that I am proud of. It helps to go back and review and remember, yes, I am making progress and yes, I have handled something similar to this as before.

I make time for rest. Sometimes you need to spend a day working from bed or watching old TV shows to recharge. That’s okay. I try not to feel guilty because that defeats the purpose of resting. When in doubt, a magnesium bath can never hurt.

I am actively involved in both therapy and physical therapy, being in conversation with myself mentally and physically helps me from becoming overwhelmed in the first place. I also keep a journal. I have since I was 12. Processing my feelings in a safe place keeps me connected to myself and my purpose.

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