COMMUNITY LIAISON

@jibara.jibara

Melanie is a Latina woman passionately driven by many local businesses nationwide. She prides herself on supporting influential humans who are creating unique and innovative strides within their community and culture. She spends her time and energy connecting people to each other because she believes even though we are all individuals, as a team; we all win.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

@eslamaestra

Sabrina Alicea is the Executive Director of Somos Arte. She is a lifelong educator and passionate community organizer. Sabrina's work lives at the intersection of education, art, and social justice. More of her work can be found on her website at www.eslamaestra.com.

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT

@angieeva__

Angela is the executive assistant and social media coordinator for Somos Arte. She is forever grateful to be a part of this community!

@mena_arte_chicago

Mario Mena was born in Mezquitic, Mexico, and migrated to Chicago at the age of 6 years from Huron, California. Since 1998, Mario has primarily grown up in the Southwest side of Chicago, Chicago Lawn, and Gage Park. His work stems from an alternative underground subculture of musicians and visual artists in Chicago. Experiencing firsthand the lack of resources and disinvestment in his community has led to his focus on community mural work and public installations, using his art as a means of therapy. He is an advocate for mental health, especially when breaking generational traits about men expressing their emotions. Mena has been painting for over 15 years, since the recent pandemic and social unrest in Chicago, he has used his art to bring public works to the community, primarily the southwest side of Chicago. He hopes to brighten underserved communities with his works of art focused on hope, to inspire the youth to create art not only as a method of expression but as a successful choice of career.

@cookie.kwan

Marie Ferrer, also known as Cookie Kwan, is a Filipina visual artist based in Chicago. Her Filipino roots, city life, music, and spiritual connection inspire her vibrant and intricate art pieces that are often seen in group art shows and murals all over the city.

@bodegabri & @lolitasbodega

Brianna Ramirez-Smith is a Lakeview-born and bred Puertorriqueña. After spending 15 years in corporate America in various roles, she decided to forge her own path as an entrepreneur in her neighborhood of Humboldt Park. As the owner of Lolita’s Bodega, a community-centered mobile artisan market, she creates platforms for Latinx & Black entrepreneurs to thrive and shine. Learn more at www.lolitasbodega.com.

@paint.thecity

Paint the City was founded on June 4th, 2020, by Barrett Keithley and Missy Perkins in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and George Floyd Protests. Our mission is to create inspiring works of art that support the equality of all people and show that BLACK LIVES MATTER. Paint The City has worked with about 60 artists and has touched over 13 different neighborhoods and is still going strong. These artists' messages of hope, solidarity, and inclusion are our benchmark for each and every masterpiece created. Learn more at http://paintthecity.net