Today we’d like to introduce you to Lizbeth Navarro.
Hi Liz, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Thank you! I grew up in Celaya, Guanajuato, Mexico with my grandparents and mom. I was surrounded by beautiful handcrafted objects many which they had built themselves. Like colorful quilts and rusty tools my abuelito “Choco” would fabricate out of old wood and wire to harvest the fruit in our backyard. I always had an appreciation for craftsmanship. Not only for the aesthetics but for the stories and labor behind each piece. My grandparents inspired me to be resourceful and creative and the ease and grace with which they endured so much became my foundation as an artist.
I discovered ceramics at East LA Community College. I was fascinated by its possibilities and its ability to teach powerful lessons regarding patience, resilience and letting go. Clay is such a humble material to work with yet its permanence is remarkable. My fascination with clay led me to pursue a career in ceramics and later graduate from CSULB with a Bachelor’s in Fine Arts in Ceramics.
My immigration status also played a big role in my personal and professional life. I became undocumented as a teenager after a summer visit to my father who was living in LA turned into an unauthorized residency in the country for several years. After graduating from college in 2013, I received DACA- Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. Under DACA, I’ve been able to serve my community as an educator at different non-profit art organizations in Los Angeles.
Through my art and inclusive teaching practice, I aim to share art’s ability to form community engagement, collaboration and to uplift those that engage with it, regardless of their circumstances.
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?
I recently read a quote by the awesome Ellen Bennett saying: “There are no bumps in the road, they ARE the road” That pretty much sums up my journey.
My road has had really steep peaks and valleys but all of them have prepared me to tackle any challenge that comes my way. Also, I’ve been blessed to have a great support system that includes my faith and a group of friends and family that cheer me up and reassure me when I need it most.
At the beginning of the pandemic in 2020, I got furloughed from my full-time teaching job. It was a season of uncertainty and growth. I had to pivot my approach at teaching and look for alternatives to continue sharing my art. I started teaching workshops via zoom and embraced distance learning to connect with new organizations and students. In the last year, my home’s backyard has become a creative space for artists and students in my community. I have been doing firings, providing clay and tools at no cost to artists that lost access to a studio space due to Covid-19 restrictions.
A challenging situation became the greatest opportunity to shift and be of service to the community.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My illustrations on ceramics often depict galaxies, animals, stars and the natural world. The idea that we are all interconnected is at the core of my teaching and artistic practice. The notion of connectivity goes beyond human relations. It is engraved in the language of the cosmos. From cellular structures to patterns in nature to the expansiveness of our galaxy. The universe is interconnected and so are our lives. Art has been a way to express, explore and teach this belief and clay has been the perfect material to illustrate the mental pliability needed to become resilient, flexible and dynamic humans.
My mission as an artist and an educator is to cultivate a culture of positiveness, inclusion, acceptance, exploration and empower youth through the arts.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
I love artistic collaborations, if you want to collaborate on an art project, carry my art in your store, take a class with me or host me for a workshop in your organization, don’t hesitate to reach out. Find me on Instagram @lizceramics, I’m always happy to connect with you!
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.shop.lizbethnavarro.com
- Instagram: @lizceramics
- Other: www.lizbethnavarro.com
Image Credits:
Lizbeth Navarro
