Meet Noelle Ocen-odoge

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Noelle Ocen-odoge a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Noelle, 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 found my purpose through a tough time. I have always had problems with my mental health, but two years ago they worsened to the point where I had to seek inpatient treatment for intense suicidal ideations and becuase I had made plans to end my life . It was a really rough time for me, and while I was seeking treatment, I channeled my energy into art. Prior to this incident, I had been taking some art classes in my free time, as I enjoyed drawing and painting. I didn’t think about it too much before treatment, but during treatment, I used art as a way to heal. This gave me a profound purpose to persevere through my mental health challenges. After treatment, I realized that art can be a vessel for change, and I knew I wanted to bring this to my community. This is what prompted me to create my nonprofit, Liberation Through Art, so I can share art with my community, with the goal of bridging the gap between art and health to facilitate healing, growth , and community.

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 am the Founder and CEO of both Liberation Through Art and Social Lens Studio, where my work is rooted in using art as a vessel for healing, connection, and social impact. Liberation Through Art is my nonprofit which addresses the lack of accessible arts and health programming for marginalized Black communities in San Diego, aiming to foster cultural connection, personal growth, and community well-being through creative expression. We aim to create safe spaces for expression and wellness through art, helping individuals connect with their heritage and heal through creative outlets. It truly is life giving to see the transformative power of art in action within my community and how it can break down barriers, foster understanding, and spark personal liberation.

Social Lens Studio is my art studio where I currently combine photography and community-focused exhibitions to create meaningful dialogue around social issues. My work is heavily inspired by everyday moments, nature, and cultural experiences, which I translate into visual stories that resonate on a human level. What excites me most about Social Lens Studio is the way we use art to foster community engagement and social change. Our exhibitions invite people to reflect, connect, and take action in their local community.

Social Lens Studio is currently developing our next exhibition, which is set to launch in the spring of next year. More news on that at the end of the year. This October Liberation Through Art is continuing to move forward with our regular programming which includes our Art and Wellness workshops and Black DJ Jam sessions.

The Art and Wellness workshops are designed to be a safe space where members of the African diaspora can explore different forms of black artistry and express themselves creatively. So community members can use art as a way to connect, heal, and grow. The Black DJ Jam sessions are a space for Black DJs and all fans of music can to come together, create music, and build community. We’ll also dive into the history of DJing and explore ways to decolonize musical practices, creating a more intentional approach to the artform. These sessions offer a chance for learning, creativity, and connection, all in one space.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

One of the most impactful skills that shaped my journey was my drive to find a community where I truly felt I belonged and was seen. This helped me connect with people on a deeper level, allowing me to embrace my authentic self. Through these connections, I discovered parts of myself I hadn’t known before, including my creative spirit. Another key influence was learning about the practices of other artists, which helped me refine my own creative process.

Additionally, my capacity for empathy and building personal connections has been invaluable in forming relationships with other artists and community members who have supported my growth. I firmly believe that the only way to rise is through community, as it gives individuals strength and resilience. Community has been central to my creative and entrepreneurial journey.

My advice to others, no matter their goals, is to actively engage with and contribute to their local community. What fuels my passion is seeing my community participate in my programs, engage in discussions, and share artistic passion. This connection has sustained me throughout my journey and has improved my intrapersonal and interpersonal skills in unexpected ways.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

Yes, I am always open to partnering or collaborating with like-minded individuals and organizations! I’m especially interested in working with artists, creatives, community organizers, and organizations dedicated to social impact through art, mental health, and the empowerment of marginalized communities specifcially African- American communites. Whether you’re a fellow artist, nonprofit leader, or someone passionate about using creativity to inspire change, I’d love to explore ways we can collaborate.

If you’re reading this and feel aligned with my vision, you can connect with me via email at bedoagonyakical@gmail.com. Let’s build something meaningful together!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.liberationthroughart.org/ https://www.sociallensstudio.co/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liberationthrough.art/ https://www.sociallensstudio.co/

Image Credits

Personal Images of Noelle Ocen-odoge

For online usage credit: Alejandro Tamayo, The San Diego Union-Tribune

If you plan to use it in any print publication, you would need to contact Zuma Press

Images of Events, Individuals, and plants :
Photo Credit: Noelle Ocen-Odoge