Conversations with Cynthia Huerta

Today we’d like to introduce you to Cynthia Huerta.

Cynthia, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My name is Cynthia Huerta and I am a Community Artist from the Inland Empire. I was born in LA and my childhood was predominantly in LA and Santa Barbara. We were nomads until my parents were able to buy a home in Riverside. I came into the art world in Riverside very intuitively. I was a 19 year old kid needing to express myself and I found the art community by connecting with Cosme Cordova, a person who later became my mentor and taught me the ways to engage and uplift our communities. I began teaching art at local museums and showing my work. There was always a level of community engagement. That is when I realized I am not just an artist, I am a community artist. As a child of immigrants and daughter of Mexican parents, we are taught that it is never just about you. It is about the collective. This came in the teachings of having friends and family stay with us as they transitioned into the states from the motherland. Oftentimes, we helped find them work and always give our people a safe place to call home. This translated into the work that I do now. My calling is to support all BIPOC, Queer and marginalized communities. I center their healing and it is important to make art accessible to all of us.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It hasn’t always been easy. There was a lot of boundaries that I had to have and I am a recovering people pleaser. Therapy has definitely helped in navigating boundaries and having more honest and real relationships. In this line of work you are your biggest advocate. I struggled in honoring my work in the beginning and having conversations about budget and pricing. The more you talk about these things, the more you destigmatize them within you. I often tell younger artists to value their work and have uncomfortable conversations especially when it comes around compensation. Art is not free. You are not free labor.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a proud Mexican-American, first-generation Multidisciplinary Community Artist, Art Curator, and Arts Advocate with over 19 years of experience working throughout the Inland Empire. My creative practice spans a variety of mediums including painting, watercolor, sculpture, drawing, printmaking, and wood-burning. I specialize in community-engaged art, creating accessible spaces where creativity, healing, and cultural expression intersect.
What I’m most proud of is the impact my work has had in the communities I serve—especially those that are often underrepresented. I hold a BA in Visual Studies with an emphasis on Art Education and Art Therapy from California State University, San Bernardino, and in 2019, I was honored to receive the City of Riverside’s Arts and Innovation Honoree Award for my contributions to community arts advocacy.
Throughout my career, I’ve led art workshops for a wide range of institutions including Cal State San Bernardino, Columbia University’s Teachers College, Google, and numerous community-based organizations. My artwork has been exhibited at respected venues like the Riverside Art Museum, Division 9 Gallery, and The Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art & Culture.
During the pandemic, I began offering free Instagram Live art lessons (@lovewithjoyart), creating a much-needed space for connection and art therapy. In 2023, I founded the Love With Joy Art Club, an expressive and affordable community art initiative centering the healing of BIPOC women, femmes, trans, and nonbinary individuals. With the support of the California Arts Council Creative Corps grant, this project continues to grow as a safe, creative hub rooted in social justice, joy, and collective care.
What sets my work apart is its deep intentionality and community-rooted foundation. I don’t just make art—I build spaces for others to heal, express, and be seen. My work exists at the intersection of art, advocacy, and cultural empowerment, and I’m committed to showing up for my community always.

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I loved growing up in LA and Santa Barbara. It rooted me in my culture and identity. I was always an artistic child. Dancing, drawing and singing somewhere in the sunshine. Not much has changed! Moving to Riverside at 11 was different, but I quickly fell in love with the IE. I am an IE girl through and through and I rep hard for my area.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lovewithjoyart.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lovewithjoyart/?hl=en
• Other: https://www.instagram.com/lovewithjoyartclub/

Image Credits
Eduvina Orozco
Sinly Lim
Crystal Sanchez