Today we’d like to introduce you to Siri Lorece.
Hi Siri Lorece, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I started growing food as a means of self-care and to transition to a self-sufficient lifestyle. Prior to shifting my focus to urban farming and holistic wellness, I toured as a singer, musician, and educator internationally in 7 countries as well as throughout the United States.
I went 3-6 month stretches on the road and whenever I returned home there was a challenge of work between gigs, accessible and affordable housing, and nutritious food. When I stopped touring, I continued performing live music events, but I felt very disconnected from my community and what I believed my calling to be. I knew my journey wasn’t intended to be supported by singing on its own – moreover a corporate job (that’s just not my jam), but I didn’t gain clarity until I sat in meditation contemplating my natural and learned talents with consideration of basic human needs at the forefront. On the other side of that stillness and many years of learning and failing and learning again – the Creative Arts Farm initiative was born.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Los Angeles is a magnificent city and county. I am a big fan *chefs kiss* However, we have really missed the mark in terms of affordable housing, sustainable nutrition, and accessible community wellness. Land access and financial capital are the biggest challenges I have encountered in our journey. There are approximately 25,000+ vacant lots throughout Los Angeles, with more than 10% of them being owned by the city. Many of those lots have beautiful soil ready to be amended and cultivated, but with price tags upwards of $2 Million dollars they are outside of the reach of the communities that can benefit from them the most. Even residential lots are underutilized in terms of food access. We are surrounded by homes with ample yards – but many of the homeowners either don’t have the knowledge needed to utilize their space to grow food and don’t know where to start or simply just don’t care when fast food is seemingly more convenient. Often it can feel as if all is lost and our efforts to share sustainability and wellness is so much against the grain that it is difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel (community food security and wellness). But we’re here, ready and available to assist communities in expanding their availability to grow food.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My friend circle and I joke “I’m every woman, it’s all in me”, because I wear many hats and headwraps ha! I spend my time as an Educator, Podcast Host, Urban Farmer, Sustainability & Self-care Advocate, Yoga Teacher, Wife and Mom. But truthfully, when we take a moment to observe what makes our soul sing, we offer ourselves the opportunity to embrace all we do, is who we are, and it is connected. My talents, skills, and the education offered throughout my journey has all led me to Urban Farming – which I believe is the hub of community wellness. I have spent my career as an educator, singer, and musician. Though music and art is very much intended to entertain, music is also healing, an opportunity to learn and grow, and assists in cultivating life in many ways. Music is also directly connected to nature and the food we eat. Just listen to the songs birds sing and the buzzes bee’s offer as they zip by pollinating flowers. I truly embrace wellness for myself and it is my joy to share that with my community through music, food, and movement. I am a registered Yoga Teacher – certified in several modalities including gentle Restorative and Chair yoga. It is my belief that wellness needs to be accessible for all and I seek to be a source of peace and guidance for those interested in sustainability & self-care.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Creative Arts Farm is actively seeking on-going support toward our urban farming, music, and yoga offerings. We would love your support as we work towards acquiring our own 1/4 – 1 acre parcel of land to expand our urban family farm. Be it through virtual wellness or social media, we would love to connect with you through our website www.creativeartsfarm.com or Instagram @creativeartsfarm – One of our favorite ways to gather virtually with community is through our livestream music concert series Garden Grooves. Garden Grooves is performed by the Creative Arts Farm band lead by me (@sirilorece) with some of the most accomplished professional Los Angeles musicians around! If Soul – Pop – Rock – and R&B brings your joy and gets you step-touching, then Garden Grooves is for you! Currently, we are seeking sponsorship towards upcoming Garden Grooves concerts so we can continue providing virtual wellness to our friends near and far. If music is your jam, please do contact us through our website so we can cultivate more music for our community! We love collaborating with our friends in wellness, music, and food.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.creativeartsfarm.com
- Instagram: @creativeartsfarm and @sirilorece
