Today we’d like to introduce you to Leah Perrino.
Hi Leah, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
I got to chat with VoyageLA back in 2018, and I’m so stoked to catch up with you—so much has changed! It all started with a self-published print magazine and is currently evolving into a collaborative, beautiful, messy, refreshing, purposeful, ever-changing, advocacy-centric, creative mass. And for the first time in my life, I’m okay with not knowing exactly what to call it. Pre-pandemic, I was running an LA-based art and music publication that was beginning to host public community art events in the hopes to improve the way we access and consume art, create a healthy discourse around important and often taboo topics and encourage a sense of community through art and music. The magazine content went on hiatus during the pandemic, and obviously, events were off the table. As we emerge out of the absolute shitshow that was the last couple of years, I’ve been able to recognize and really hone in on the few things I deeply care about. This resulted in a new mission to marry advocacy and art by partnering with local organizations that I align with and using art as the vehicle for awareness and positive social change through exciting collaborative initiatives like group art shows, pop-up events, special-edition publications, engaging conversations, curated mixtapes, and an overall more impactful presence in LA’s art and music community—all with relevant activism components.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Definitely not a smooth road, but what is? Throughout my twenties, and as I entered my 30s, I’ve always struggled with imposter syndrome and ‘all or nothing’ thinking, which I’m realizing more and more as I get older just how much that mentally held me back. I was in my own way for years, and I still am a lot of the time. The pandemic took a toll on us all, and my already diminishing mental health was at an all-time low. I completely lost my sense of self, and I fell out of love with many of things that I used to wrap my identity around. I felt stuck in every sense of the word. I’ve been taking a lot of time to work on myself and relight any fire in me that will ignite—and I’m trying to do it with a completely new ‘fuck it’ approach. Things are changing all the time, life is incredibly unpredictable, I have no idea what I’m doing, and I’m trying to be okay with that.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a graphic designer and writer with a focus on art, music, and activism, so I merge these passions whenever life allows me. In my early twenties, this took the form of an art and music-centric print publication. Now I design for clients across a multitude of industries and campaigns, but I specifically seek out opportunities to connect and collaborate with other artists, especially musicians through creating album art, gig posters, and dabbling in concert photography. I love working with like-minded artists and creating really cool shit together. That’s what it’s all about. I’m really excited about all of the current and upcoming work with organizations and social issues like women’s rights, mental health, climate change, and the opioid crisis—just to name a few. I just released an art print with the illustrious LA-based harm reduction organization End Overdose to help spread awareness on the opioid crisis, keep their services free, and join their mission to eradicate overdose deaths. Art and design are such powerful, healing storytelling tools, and I’m stoked to be a part of a community that welcomes and encourages that. I hope this new era of work and larger collaborations help to connect art, awareness, and action, as well as allow for even greater reach and impact.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
There’s so much to love about LA. The abundance of creative minds and breadth of ever-changing inspiration are what has kept me here for going on ten years now. I often think about how LA emphasizes whatever I’m going through. My lows are exacerbated—the city will test me and tear me down at every corner—I’ve been there all too much. But when I get a burst of energy or inspiration, the city is there to amplify that, too. It’s my home, and even when I’m going through it, I wouldn’t want to be depressed anywhere else.
Contact Info:
- Website: leahperrino.com
- Instagram: @leahperrino_
